Connect | Formation Groups

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Katie Diaz

Minister of Spiritual Formation | (she/her)

Email | Katie

Engaging Community

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Duke Memorial formation groups offer an opportunity for curiosity, learning, conversation, and relationship with a goal of journeying together towards better faithfulness. Duke Memorial offers a range of formation groups for people at various stages of life and faith.
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​Contact one of the leaders below or Minister Katie for more information. 

Short-Term Formation Groups 2024

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Radical Reckoning Sunday School

Sundays, September 9th - November 17th @ 9:45AM | Bradshaw Room
Starting Sunday, September 8th, we will begin a new Sunday School class focused on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary and the idea of radical reckoning. This class will complement our Fall sermon series called "Radical (W)Reckoning" created by previous pastoral intern, J. Sterrett. Radical reckoning is about grounding in the theological reflection and interrogation that shapes and shifts our understanding of ourselves, the world around us, and God to center the connection between us, nature, and God. This reckoning is about grappling with scripture in ways that shape our understanding of the ways God is calling us to change in our individual and collective lives.
​Questions?
Contact: Minister Katie Diaz

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This is Us: New Membership class

A Welcome to Duke Memorial
New Members Class | September 8-29, 2024
Are you new to the life of Duke Memorial? Do you believe that you’ve found your church home? You’re invited to "This is Us," a 4-week class for visitors and New Members. In these four weeks we will explore our place within the city of Durham on a bus tour, learn about our connection to the United Methodist Church, and talk about what it looks like to be a member of our faith community.
We will start on Sunday, September 8th and meet the next 4 Sundays.

Sign Up Here

​Fall Study: "The Ballot and The Bible" led by Pastor Heather

Weekly on Wednesdays | October 2 - November 13
Pastor Heather is leading a study this fall on the book, "The Ballot and The Bible" by Kaitlyn Scheiss. The group will meet on Wednesday nights beginning October 2.

 How do Bible passages written thousands of years ago apply to politics today? What can we learn from America's history of using the Bible in politics? How can we converse with people whose views differ from our own?

In "The Ballot and the Bible", Kaitlyn Schiess explores these questions and more. She unpacks examples of how Americans have connected the Bible to politics in the past, highlighting times it was applied well and times it was egregiously misused.

If you are interested in reading and discussing "The Ballot and The Bible" sign up today!

Sign up here

Sunday Formation Groups

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​Journeys

Sundays | 9:45 AM | In-Person 
Has your faith journey been a roller coaster the last few years? Many of us are starting new stages of life, and feeling uncertain about what the future looks like. Let's talk about it! This class joins the short term Sunday School classes when they occur and meet in the Bradshaw room. 
Contact: Minister Katie Diaz

Open Door Class

Join Online

Join by Phone 
1) Call: 301-715-8592
2) Enter Meeting ID: 985 2685 0304
3) Participant ID: Press # to bypass
4) Meeting Password: 532033
5) Use *6 to mute and unmute​

Sundays | 9:45 AM | In-Person & Zoom
We are a traditional Sunday School class meeting each Sunday from 9:45-10:45 to study Scripture and enjoy time together. We use the Adult Bible Study Series, video presentations about the holy land or biblical personalities, and enjoy the varied talents shared by our three teachers. We welcome those from 30 to 95+ (open to all).  The Open Door classroom is located on the second floor of the Education Building around the corner next to the elevator.
Contact: Nancy Lockamy

Beginnings

join online

Sundays | 10:00 AM | In-Person
We are a relaxed and friendly group of folks with young children, from babies through grade school.  We meet in the Lullaby Room on Sundays before worship from 10:00-10:45, and we divide our time between fellowshipping and discussing scripture from the week’s lectionary.  A study guide with a few thought questions is emailed on Fridays, but advance preparation is entirely optional.  Please join us, with your kids, your dogs, your pancakes – whatever is happening in your world on Sunday morning!
Contact: Eliza Ferguson

Dinner Church

Dinner Church is a gathering where all the most important things happen at the table. Think of a good dinner party with a spiritual twist –good conversation and prayerful moments. We gather around dinner tables (or a restaurant's table) and join others as we break bread and get to know one another better. Our mealtime lasts from 1 hour to 1.5 hours each week. Sign up below!

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Hiking Church

Worship isn't always a song, or a service, sometimes we just need to get outside and feel God around us. If that sounds like your kind of afternoon, join us for Hiking Church! This event is open to everyone, join us on a hike, followed by a short devotional lesson.

Join Hiking Church Group

​Mid-Week Formation Groups

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The Seekers Connection

Wednesdays | 8:00 AM | In-Person
​The Seekers is a group that has been meeting on Wednesday mornings at 8 am since 2016 when we studied the book of Matthew. Since then, the reading has included the Bible as well as religion and spirituality in general and how it impacts our lives as Christians. We meet in the Commons each week. All are welcome to our usually small group, so if you are a morning person, please consider joining us. We hope to see you there. 
Contact: Gary Boyd

LGBTQ+ Formation Group

Meeting times vary
Sign Up using Church Center →

​We are excited to offer a new formation group! We hope to create a safer space that we may come together in fellowship, heal from our past and present experiences, and grow into our better selves. This group is open to all, including allies, to explore faith and life together. In our first meeting we will introduce ourselves as well as dream about what kind of community we hope to create. Future meet-ups will be in various places across Durham and Raleigh.

The Downtown Group

Monthly | 7:30 PM | In-Person
Sign up using Church Center →
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The “Downtown Small Group” invites YOU to join us each Thursday for fellowship and conversation. We typically discuss current events with a Christian lens. Each month we will email the questions and location. No preparation is needed!

​Wednesday Morning Women’s Group

Wednesdays | 9:30-11:0​0 AM | In-Person | The Commons
The Wednesday Morning Women’s Small Group will meet this spring on Wednesdays 9:30-11:00 am in the Commons, We invite you to join our merry group as we read, learn, share, and grow each week over coffee and snacks. We'll read Jesus for Everyone: Not Just Christians by Amy Jill Levine, meeting each Wednesday morning 9:30 to 11:00 am in the Common beginning September 18.
Contact Karalyn Colopy ([email protected]) with any questions.

Heart of the Bible
A Weekly Scripture Study

Join Online

Tuesdays | 9:00 AM | Zoom
Sign up using Church Center →
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Heart of the Bible Study meets on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 am, via Zoom for one hour. Heart of the Bible is a more transformational than informational Bible study. There are lots of books, commentaries, and academics available if you want a scholar’s view of the text. We are inviting the Holy Spirit to open us to hear God’s word for us in this place, at this time, as we read and discuss the text together. The more people involved, the richer and broader the perspectives and interpretations we will hear. We share our thoughts and questions as we study the text without seeking to convince others of our answers. You are welcome whether you are new to the Bible or seminary trained or somewhere in the middle. Bring your curiosity, a Bible, and a willingness to be surprised by God.
Contact: Renee Burnette or ​919-451-3233

Living Into The Scriptures

JOin ONline

Join by Phone 
1) Call: 301-715-8592
2) Enter Meeting ID: 985 3396 2565
3) Participant ID: Press # to bypass
4) Meeting Passcode:  046720
​5) Use *6 to mute and unmute

Thursdays | 10:30 AM | Zoom
We have a discussion each week, pray for each other and check on each other during the week. Meetings are on Thursdays weekly at 10:30-12:30pm. Come join us!
Contact:  Ann Stallings Smith or Miriam Anne Glover-Wetherington