Loss of a Spouse Seminar
Sunday, January 18 | 12:30-2:30 PM | Room 112
After the loss of a spouse, people often feel lost, alone, and overwhelmed. We have created a space where one can be seen, heard and supported. If this is you, or you know of someone who has lost a spouse, please use the button below to register to attend our GriefShare Loss of a Spouse seminar. This is open to all persons inside and outside of CUMC.
Breast Cancer Support
Monday, January 5 | 6:30 PM
If you or someone you know is recently diagnosed, in treatment or has experienced breast cancer in the past, this is an invitation to join The Journey Breast Cancer Group. The members support, encourage and share joys and concerns together at the meetings held on the first Monday of each month. The group’s next meeting is on Monday at 6:30 PM. Please contact the church office to learn more about the group and the meeting location at church. If inclement weather, the group will meet via Zoom.
GriefShare
New Session Begins Monday, February 9 | 1:00-3:00 PM
Grief turns one’s world upside down, making it difficult to know which way is forward and where to turn for help. A GriefShare Grief and Loss Support Group will help you to understand the common emotions people often feel in grief and share practical tips you can use to begin to find peace as you cherish your loved one’s memory. Attend GriefShare, beginning Monday, February 9 – April 20. We meet for 2 hours weekly. Learn more about the program at griefshare.org.
Serve at Soup’s On at Roberts Park UMC
Sunday, January 18
Can you help us serve a meal to hungry neighbors? Our next date to serve at Soup’s On Ministry is Sunday, January 18. Please use the button below to sign up to donate food or to help serve the meal. If you have questions contact Mary Carson at carsonarm14@gmail.com or 317-509-3757.
Vital Worship Grant Announcement
We are grateful to share that Castleton United Methodist Church has been awarded a $25,000 Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. This year-long initiative aligns with our congregational theme of Justice and Joy and centers on congregational singing as a sacramental Presence. God is always present, but oftentimes our own human “veil” is not removed (2 Corinthians 3:16), meaning that sometimes the very mechanisms of worship distance us from worship. Through this grant, we will discover how singing is embodied worship. By removing barriers that might make music feel exclusive or intimidating, we invite you to experience worship as a formative and natural connection to God. Please click the button below to read the full announcement from Dr. John Perkins, Director of Music.
New Worship Series: The Very Good Gospel
Begins Sunday, January 4
If you were to ask your typical American church-going Christian to define and describe the Gospel, the responses would largely be incomplete, weak, deficient, or as author, speaker, and activist Lisa Sharon Harper states, “thin”. At a time when we have access to more resources than at any point in history, for Christians to be so woefully and functionally illiterate when it comes to the Bible and theology, is just a sad state of affairs. Could it be that our inadequate understanding of the Gospel is what’s keeping the Church and the world from experiencing the joy and justice God intends for us?
As we kickoff 2026 we want to remedy that situation. We will be spending the first seven weeks of the year going through Harper’s book The Very Good Gospel, both in Sunday services and in Table Groups.
Our goal is to gain a firm grasp on the width and depth of the Gospel vision, as well as the mandate it places upon us who pledge our allegiance to Jesus Christ. God is in the midst of a grand restoration project of the world He loves. We are being restored and we are called to participate in the restoration of all things. This is very good news indeed!
Books are currently available for purchase for $10 while supplies last. As with all our studies, we believe that going through it with others enhances the experience. Consider joining a Table Group for this series. We’re excited about this book and series as it will set the tone and theme of year: Joy & Justice.
Confirmation Classes
Begin Sunday, January 25
Do you have a student in fifth grade or above who wants to know more about what Christians believe and why? Do they have questions about faith, religion, the Bible, and what it all has to do with life? Would they be interested in processing with church leaders? If you answered yes to these questions, we have an opportunity for you!
Confirmation is a time for students to take a deep dive into their faith and wrestle with what they believe. The main focus will be what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. While there will be an opportunity to officially join CUMC as members, there will be no pressure or expectation for them to do so unless they want to. We simply want to give them an opportunity to explore their faith further so they can make an informed decision should they desire to.
Confirmation classes begin on Sunday, January 25, 2026, and will run for 7 sessions. We will meet in Fellowship Hall following the 11:00 service. Students, their families, as well as church leaders and mentors will have lunch together each week, followed by teaching and discussion time.
Please use the button below to register by Sunday, January 11. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Croyts at chrisc@castletonumc.org.
Save the Date & Special Announcements
- Return to 9:00 & 11:00 AM Worship Service Schedule | Sunday, January 4
- Celebrate MLK Day | Sunday, January 18