Adult Ministries

Adult Ministries at Hawthorne Lane

The following groups meet throughout the year sharing fellowship and faith, and are open to all – both HLUMC members and friends in our community. Please feel free to explore the various offerings listed or talk to a pastor if you are interested in joining the next new small group or even starting your own.

Adult Sunday School Classes

At Hawthorne Lane our most worthy goal in Christian Education is to assist you in finding ways to nurture your faith, as you grow in knowledge through study. One means to achieve this is offered in our Sunday School classes. Each Sunday morning most classes begin at 9:45, and embrace people with similar life experiences and age, or designed around common interests – bible studies or contemporary issues. Sunday School classes, like all groups at Hawthorne Lane, are open to all.

We welcome and invite you to visit our classes to see which one fits you the best!

Miller Class

This predominately over 65 age group class is a lecture based class, utilizing the Adult Bible Study series. This quarterly study presents stimulating lessons that explore the biblical message and how to apply it to daily life. Lecturers for this class include ministers and inspired teachers. Miller Class members are very active in the church, participating in multiple Mission projects from furnishing meals for Room in the Inn to preparing and serving the monthly Miller Mission Breakfast to all church members and guests. Miller Class members enjoy quarterly outings for sharing faith and fellowship.

Friendship Class

This predominately over 50 age group class is a lecture based class, utilizing a variety of Bible studies and contemporary based literature. Friendship Class members are very active in the church, participating in multiple Mission projects from furnishing meals for Room in the Inn to preparing and serving lunch to all church members and guests, to benefit missions. Friendship Class members enjoy monthly outings for sharing faith and fellowship.

Seekers Class

This predominately over 30 age group class is an interactive discussion based class, utilizing a variety of Bible and contemporary based literature. Seekers Class members are very active in the church. The children of these members are still in school and actively participating in the Children and Youth Ministries of Hawthorne Lane, which increases the activity of the Seekers members in the life of Hawthorne Lane. In addition, the Seekers Class participates in multiple Missions projects from furnishing meals for Room in the Inn to preparing and serving lunch to all church members and guests, to benefit missions. Seekers Class members enjoy a variety of outings for sharing faith and fellowship, independent of Sunday morning.

Simply Women

The Simply Women class is a group of women of varied ages who gather together for Bible Study, Fellowship and service to others. They utilize a variety of studies to guide their times together.

Weekly Groups for Study & Fellowship

Young at Heart – Adults over 55
The Hawthorne Lane Young at Heart meets the first Tuesday of each month in Evans Hall for a catered luncheon and program. In addition, this active group takes overnight and day trips, and is involved in numerous service projects. Young at Heart events are open to all – members and friends in our community, under and over age 55!

United Methodist Men (Men’s Prayer Group)
The UMM is a national organization of men of the United Methodist church. Hawthorne Lane reactivated its chapter in 2005 and our men hold monthly meetings to perform service projects for Hawthorne Lane. The Hawthorne Lane Men’s Prayer Group meets on Mondays mornings at 7 am. Please check the Hawthorne Lane calendar for the next meeting.

United Methodist Women (HLUMW)
The UMW are actively involved in Missions locally and abroad. The Hawthorne Lane unit of the world-wide mission connection meets monthly in 4 “circles”, and quarterly in after-worship full unit meetings for study and fellowship. The HLUMW Annual Bake Sale, held the first Thursday in November in conjunction with the church wide annual barbeque, is the financial source for the Hawthorne Lane UMW College Book Fund. Students attending college submit college book receipts for reimbursement.

Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one ministry to someone who is hurting (e.g., Care Receiver). It is quiet, confidential, compassionate, and provides a listening witness to the caring presence of Christ and His community. Over 25 caring church members have received the 50 hour training course for Christian caregiving and meet in ongoing supervision and continuing education experiences. People in life transitions or challenging circumstances can be matched with a Stephen Minister by contacting the Senior Pastor 704-332-8131 ext. 12

Visitation and Communion Group (Communion and Flower Ministry)

Hawthorne Lane has a group of members who serve sharing Communion with our homebound and hospitalized members. Communion visits are coordinated and scheduled for Wednesday; however, a different schedule can be requested by our shut-in members. For more information contact the senior pastor.

Adult Worship Ministries

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir is a group of committed singers of all ability levels who lead worship at the Sunday morning worship service each week. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings 7:00-8:30pm. The Chancel Choir learns and practices a variety of music from traditional/classical to gospel/spirituals to world/contemporary music. Come join us and share in the excitement.

Handbells

Hawthorne Lane enjoys a 4 octave adult Hand bell Choir. Rehearsal is Thursday evenings at 6pm. Ability to read music is helpful, but if you are interested in learning come join in this ringing fellowship!

Praise Band

Our praise team is an eclectic collection of instrumentalists and singers who enjoy leading and performing the more contemporary styles of worship music. The Praise Team is always looking for new musicians to join in the fun, so whether you play flute, banjo, guitar or anything else, come check out the Praise Team. The Praise Team meets Wednesday evenings 7:15-8:30pm and practice consistently throughout the year and play for worship monthly.

Acoustic Worship Team

This is a newly formed small ensemble of singers and instrumentalists who perform older contemporary music in a more acoustic style. We are always looking for more musicians to join us – guitarist, hand percussionists (conga, djembe, etc) and singers! We rehearse wednesday afternoons 4:30-5:30pm.