News & Events

Please contact programs@friends-ucc.org to highlight your announcements on this page!

YEAR-LONG BIBLE STUDY: SEPT. 28 & 29

Join us for a 48-week study going through the entire Bible, meeting weekly at Friends Church: Mondays at 11:30am, or Tuesdays at 6:30pm. Whether the midday offering on Mondays or the evening one on Tuesdays fits best with your schedule, you are welcome to attend either. The readings for Week 33 (Sept. 28 & 29) are First Kings, chapters 12-22; Second Chronicles, chapters 10-23; Psalms 7, 42, 50, 52; Second Timothy, the whole book; John, chapter 13. . For more information, contact Pastor Dan.

MENTAL HEALTH WALKS W/ PASTOR BROOKE ON TUESDAYS:

The weekly Mental Health Walks w/ Pastor Brooke will be Tuesdays at 5pm. We meet at Wolf Pen Creek Park in the parking lot next to the playground. For more details, reach out to Pastor Brooke: pastorbrooke@friends-ucc.org.

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS BACK:

Here’s info about weekly faith formation and spiritual development for children, youth, and adults.

Children: grades K-2 — Teachers: Anne Wehrly & Doris Machinski
- Location : First classroom next to kitchen (North side)
Children: grades 3-5 — Teachers: Hannah Alexander & Isaac Montgomery
- Location: Music room next to childcare
Youth: grades 6-12 — Teachers: Mary Howell & Robin Miller
- Location: End of hall by kitchen (North side)
Adults: Social Justice Class — Coordinators: Jodie Robinson & Nancy Bertsch
- Location: Left side of double classroom across from church office
Adults: Morning Manna — Teacher: Trent Williams
- Location: Right side of double classroom across from church office

SOCIAL JUSTICE CLASS

The Social Justice Class is reading The Tears of Things, by Richard Rohr, All are welcome to join in the discussion, whether you've read the book or not

MORNING MANNA

Morning Manna, our adult Bible study class on Sunday mornings, gathers at 10am on the right side of the divided classroom. This fall, we will be studying Rachel Held Evans' book "Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again." We will also weave in Amy-Jill Levine's new book "Genesis: A Beginner's Guide to the Beginning." All are welcome to join us, whether you've read the book or not.

OUR WHOLE LIVES SEXUALITY EDUCATION CLASS FOR 4TH - 6TH GRADES

Brazos Valley O.W.L. has an upcoming class available to 4th-6th graders. Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) is a comprehensive sexuality education program co-created by the UCC and the Unitarian Universalists. These classes will meet on Sundays, 1pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley, beginning September 20 - December 13. Topics include body image, puberty, gender and sexuality, consent and peer pressure. Those interested can email brazosvalleyowl@gmail.com or reach out to Pastor Brooke: pastorbrooke@friends-ucc.org

FIRST FRIDAY WITH FRIENDS, OCT. 2: First Friday with Friends is held in conjunction with Downtown Bryan’s First Friday activities. We have a meet up at The Owl - Pub & Grill and always have a few people there for the 5:30-7:30 timeframe. Some folks stay at The Owl all evening and others stop by on their way to or from dining and playing in downtown Bryan.

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY, OCT. 4

On World Communion Sunday, October 4, we will receive the Neighbors in Need offering, one of the quarterly special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. Gifts to Neighbors in Need support UCC justice ministries, with one third of the offering designated for the work of the Council for American Indian Ministries. You can give by check, indicating Neighbors in Need in the memo line, or online by selecting SCC Neighbors in Need in the Fund drop down menu. We invite you to be part of the service as a Communion Steward by signing up using the following links: 9:00am & 11:00am. Thank you for your generous support of these vital ministries!

MINISTRY FAIR, OCT. 11

Are you new to Friends and looking for ways to get involved? Have you been around for a while and want to serve in new areas? October 11 after both worship services is your opportunity to learn more about where you can connect to the multiple areas of ministry that the community of Friends supports. Who will be showcased at the fair? Ministry team members working in Christian Education, Fellowship, Justice & Mission, Outreach & Evangelism, Spiritual Life, and Worship will be there to answer questions, and sign you up to share your time and talents as we work to "Be the Church" for one another and the wider community. We are called to serve, and every contribution is valued, regardless of how big or small! Many hands make light work! Questions? Email programs@friends-ucc.org or call Kathy Yeager (936) 414-2386

CROP HUNGER WALK, NOV. 8

Our team page for this year’s CROP Hunger Walk is officially live. It will take place at Veterans Park at 3pm on Sunday, November 8. It’s not too early to get registered and start promoting what this annual tradition means to our group and community. LINK: CROP Hunger Walk Team Page

BE AN ACOLYTE:

All children aged 8 and up are welcome to join us in assisting in church services, brining light and spirit to our worship. Children younger than 8 can participate with an adult partner. Sign up via the sheet in the narthex and online using, https://bit.ly/FriendsAcolytes.

SEEKING MORE SOUL FRIENDS FACILITATORS:

In March, we relaunched our small groups ministry, Soul Friends. Five groups of 8 to 10 people have been gathering twice monthly for guided conversations that deepen our spirituality and our relationships with one another as a church family. It’s going so well that we need additional facilitators to make another group or two possible in the near future. Soul Friends facilitators and/or co-facilitators communicate with the small groups in their care (announce gathering times and locations, provide helpful info and follow-ups) and lead the group’s meetings. Pastor Dan and Pastor Trent provide facilitator training and support. To volunteer to be a small groups facilitator or to get more info, contact Pastor Dan (pastor@friends-ucc.org) or Pastor Trent (pastortrent@friends-ucc.org).

JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE:

The Fellowship committee is a vibrant entity of Friends Church. If you are looking for a place to plug in here at Friends, we would love for you to join us. As there are many fellowship events throughout the year, we would welcome your input. For more information, email fellowship@friends-ucc.org.

VOLUNTEER WITH THE FRIENDS CHURCH YOUTH GROUP:

We are looking for folks who are interested in helping with the Friends Church Youth Group, either volunteering at Kairos gatherings on Sunday evenings, providing dinner, joining for off-site activities, or with the garden project. Reach out to Pastor Brooke for more details.