Current Groups and Classes
See what others are saying about groups:
Spring 2009: starts April 19th
Low Commitment Groups
Low Commitment Classes
Medium Commitment Groups
Medium Commitment Classes
High Commitment Groups
High Commitment Classes
- Have questions? You can learn more about how groups and classes work at the Cooperative.
Low Commitment Groups
A low commitment group is oriented towards building relationships. They are "drop-in" groups--come whenever you want, and you will be able to fully participate in what is going on.
Adult Cycling Group 
- Coordinator: Efrain Arredondo
- Schedule: Sundays, leaving at 3:00 PM, typically returning between 4:00-4:30 PM
- First ride: Sunday, April 26th
- Last ride: Sunday, June 14th
- Location: Leaves from Discovery Meadows Community Park, 1300 SW Cypress (map)
- Ages: Adults; self-reliant high school students
- Cost: Some equipment required (see gear list)
An adult cycling group focusing on moderate-paced, rural rides approximately ten miles in length in the areas surrounding McMinnville. Not a competitive group by any means, the emphasis will be on good conversation and the shared experience of enjoying God's creation through group cycling. We ride rain or shine! See the required gear list to make sure you are prepared for the rides. As we move into the warmer season, opportunities will be made available for larger group, longer rides in northwestern Oregon.
Birdwatching Group 
- Coordinator: Ron Peterson
- Schedule: Sundays, leaving at 1:00 PM (trips may be about three hours)
- First meeting: Sunday, April 19th
- Last meeting: Sunday, June 7th
- Location: Leave from church parking lot
- Ages: All (adults, youth, and children)
Birdwatching is an opportunity to connect with God and disconnect from our busy lives for a while. You'll get to enjoy creation and witness God at work through the diversity and the beauty of numerous bird species (many of which you may have never known were there!) Local outings will include trips to locations like Airport Park and the Rotary Nature Preserve, while longer excursions may include locations like the Fern Hill Reservoir, Hagg Lake, and the Oregon Coast. A great opportunity is also available on Memorial Day weekend to travel to the Maheur National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern side of the Cascasdes to enjoy a weekend exploring one of the best birdwatching locations in the Pacific Northwest.
Round Table Groups
Schedule: Once per month for three months- Location: Rotate between homes of participants
- Ages: Everyone
Round Table Groups are simple, relaxed, and fun, and are a great way to get to know other people who are participating in the life of the Cooperative! Round table groups are made up of three "families" (singles, couples, kids or no kids, or whatever you consider "family") who have dinner together three times--once a month for three months (in April, May, and June). There is no agenda except to eat and have a good time together! Round Table Groups are the best kind of group for people who want to build relationships with no strings attached. If you have special scheduling requests, please let us know on the signup form.
Low Commitment Classes
A low commitment class is oriented towards learning information and skills. They are "drop-in" classes--come whenever you want, and you will be able to fully participate in what is going on.
Finding Meaning in the Bible 
- Coordinator: Kate Scheiber
- Schedule: Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 PM
- First meeting: Sunday, April 19th
- Last meeting: Sunday, May 31st
- Location: Church library in the Sanctuary Building
- Ages: Adults
Have you wanted to be able to read the Bible and get more meaning out of it (or any meaning at all)? Using the DVD series How Lutherans Interpret the Bible featuring seminary professor Mark Allen Powell, take a journey through the Bible to learn about its key themes and their significance for us as Christians today. The series is very broad in its presentation, so that Christians of every flavor will find it helpful and engaging. A short discussion time will follow the video each week.
Flyfishing Class 
- Teachers: Gene Osborne and Doug Cruikshank
- Schedule: Mondays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
- First meeting: Monday, April 20th
- Last meeting: Monday, June 8th
- Location: Parkview campus, 325 NE Burnett Road (map)
- Ages: Adults; youth in the 6th grade and older
In this class, you'll learn basic flyfishing skills, including casting and fly-tying. Participants will read the short classic book, A River Runs Through It, and have the opportunity to watch the movie as well. Several trips out to the water are planned so you can put your new flyfishing skills to the test!
Knitting for Peace 
- Coordinators: Hanna DeMaster, Nancy Rice, and Barb Ledden
- Schedule: Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
- First meeting: Tuesday, April 21st
- Last meeting: Tuesday, June 9th
- Location: Nancy's house (1989 NW Birch Street)
- Ages: Adults; youth in the 6th grade and older
- Cost: $5-10 for a knitting needle (see description)
A class oriented towards teaching beginning knitters, Knitting for Peace will focus on making simple things that can be useful to others (like warm hats for the children at Sue Buel Elementary). You don't need any previous experience to be a part of this class--you'll be taught everything you need to know. You will need a #9, 16-inch circular wooden knitting needle, available for $5-10 at a store like Jo-Ann Fabrics. There will be a lot of freedom in this class to work on your own projects if you so choose. Have questions? Call Hanna at 971-241-8793, Nancy at 503-472-3075, or Barb at 503-474-0120.
Medium Commitment Groups
A medium commitment group is oriented towards relationships. They ask people to commit to participating at least 75% of the time--that is, at least six times in each eight-week session.
Living the Questions
- Coordinator: Sandi DeMaster
- Schedule: Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 PM
- Length of commitment: Seven weeks from April 21st to June 2nd
- Location: Church library in the Sanctuary Building
- Cost: $10 for the study materials
- Ages: Adults
- Number of participants: 8 minimum, 12 maximum
Living the Questions is an open-minded alternative to studies that attempt to give participants all the answers and instead strives to create an environment where participants can interact with one another in exploring what's next for Christianity. Watch video segments with conversations of leading voices of faith such as Marcus Borg and Walter Brueggemann, and engage with one another as you live out the questions of faith that matter in our 21st century world.
Men's Study Group: Surviving the Meltdown
- Coordinator: John Hutt
- Schedule: Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 PM
- Length of commitment: Six weeks from April 23rd to May 28th
- Location: Balcony in the Sanctuary Building
- Cost: $10 for a copy of Surviving the Meltdown by Patrick Morley
- Ages: Adults
- Number of participants: 6 minimum, 12 maximum
Engage in a strong, supportive community with other men as you discuss ways to grow in your faith and ride out these tough economic times. This group will use a study resource by bestselling men's writer Patrick Morley, author of the popular Man in the Mirror book series.
Poetry and Life
- Coordinator: Eleanor Plamondon
- Schedule: TBA
- Length of commitment: Eight weeks (exact schedule TBA)
- Location: Wellness Wing Parlor at Hillside Manor
- Cost: Free
- Ages: Adults
- Number of participants: No minimum, 12 maximum
The Poetry and Life group will share poems we love, poems we find, and poems we write (if we have written before). Eleanor remembers a story when her mother read poetry to her and gave her books of poetry--and managed to instill a life-long love of using words well to portray meaningful slices of life. In this group, she would like to do more of the same!
Medium Commitment Classes
A medium commitment class is oriented towards learning information and skills. This kind of class usually requires people to be consistent in their attendance, and may require them to do something outside of class (like read a book or practice a spiritual discipline) in order to fully participate in what is going on.
The Meaning of Money (rescheduled for Fall 2009) 
- Teacher: Judy Peterson
- Schedule: Sundays from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
- Length of commitment: Eight weeks from April 19th to June 7th
- Location: Room 202 in the Ministry Building
- Cost: $15 for a copy of Your Money or Your Life and a study guide
- Ages: Adults
- Number of participants: 6 minimum, 12 maximum
Does money really make the world go around? This class will explore the idea of gift giving - both from a Christian perspective, and from a general human perspective - by looking at cultures around the world. By exploring how our church, our popular culture, and our world all think about money and gift giving, this class will help you to build a strong foundation with which to make financial decisions and align your actions with your values. This class will use the book Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin, Joe Dominguez, and Monique Tilford as one of its resources, along with a related study guide.
Theology of Jazz
- Teacher: Paul Adams
- Schedule: Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
- Length of commitment: Starts early! Nine weeks from April 15th to June 10th
- Location: Wednesday Wines, 250 NE Third Street (map)
- Cost: $20 ($15 for book, $5 for Jimmy Mak's)
- Ages: Adults
- Number of participants: 6 minimum, 12 maximum
What does jazz have to do with God (and vice versa)? Explore the intersection of theology on the cutting edge and great music as you share wine, conversation, and a growing love of jazz music. We'll use the unique book God, Creation, and All That Jazz by the Lutheran theologian Ann Pederson as we explore all of these possibilities and more. You'll also get the chance to hear the Mel Brown Quartet at the famous Portland jazz club, Jimmy Mak's!
High Commitment Groups
A high commitment group is oriented towards relationships. It is like a medium commitment group, but also has a much longer duration--six months to a year. In addition, a high commitment group may require participants to spend a significant amount of time outside of meetings (reading a book, practicing a spiritual discipline, etc.) in order to fully participate in what is going on.
There are no high commitment groups starting this spring. Please check out another type of group or class!
High Commitment Classes
A high commitment class is oriented towards learning information and skills. It is like a medium commitment class, but also has a much longer duration--six months to a year. In addition, a high commitment group may require participants to spend a significant amount of time outside of meetings (reading a book, practicing a spiritual discipline, etc.) in order to fully participate in what is going on.
There are no high commitment classes starting this spring. Please check out another type of group or class!
A ministry of
McMinnville United Methodist Church and
Trinity Lutheran Church.

