Spring Studies

*Childcare provided for all studies

Church and State: Keeping Distance, Keeping Involved

Tuesday Nights (5 weeks), 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.; April 21 - May 19

Facilitator: Rev. Randy Smith

The United Methodist Church emphasizes the importance of political engagement as a responsibility for all citizens, but how does our faith provide us with insight and guide us as we
participate in the political process? The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church 2025-2028 and The Book of Resolutions 2020/2024 provide insight and guidance for the denomination, its institutions, and its members.

Faithful engagement involves addressing public policies that promote justice, mercy, and equity with local, state, and national governing bodies. United Methodists are urged and encouraged to become involved in the political life of their communities so that the need for high ethical standards and clear accountability at all levels of government may be strengthened. The Church's commitment to social justice is key to its view on the intersection of faith and politics. Participants will explore some of the ways to live out our faith concerns in our community as responsible United Methodists.

*Materials Provided

For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts

Tuesday Nights (4 weeks), 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.; April 21 - May 12

Facilitators: Nancy Gordon and Kay Psencik

This study is a great study to understand what Christ expects of us in our churches: to work together as the body of Christ for the common good. The session is focused on God’s calling for our lives. The Holy Spirit gives every Christian at least one spiritual gift; spiritual gifts are not given for our own benefit but for the common good, to be used for strengthening the church. In For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts, author Christine Harman leads us to examine what four New Testament books–Romans, Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Peter–teach about spiritual gifts. Written in a conversational style, For the Common Good includes a spiritual gifts inventory to help you identify your particular gift(s).

*Book can be purchased from Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

The New Vision for the United Methodist Church

Sunday Mornings (5 weeks), 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.; April 19 - May 17 (5 Weeks)

Facilitators: Rev. Karen Dorris, Kay Psencik, and Derek Spier

The United Methodist Church's new vision is to form disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and
worldwide connections. The Church’s new vision statement emphasizes the church's commitment to embodying God's dream for the world. It articulates the following key principles:

Love Boldly: Passionately love God and embrace all people, regardless of age, race, gender, or background.
Serve Joyfully: Journey alongside the most vulnerable, offering care and compassion with joy.
Lead Courageously: Resist and dismantle systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice, and reconciliation.

We will explore these aspects of the new vision and the implications for our lives and our church.

*Materials Provided

Foundations

Sunday Mornings (4 weeks), 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.; May 31 - June 28 (4 Weeks, not meeting June 14)

Facilitator: Rev. Mark Kimbrough

This study is designed for those new to Katy First or for those who want to refresh on a few of our essential thoughts and practices as United Methodist and Katy First UMC. We’ll cover a range of topics like United Methodist theology and spirituality, our understanding of scripture, the vision and values of our church, and giftedness and call.

Through teaching and discussion, you’ll have a deeper understanding of who we are, how we grow our faith together, and where we can find our place of belonging.

*Materials provided.

Staying in the Room: Building Equity & Inclusion Through Dialogue and Difference

Sunday Afternoons (5 weeks), 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.; April 26 - May 24 (5 Weeks)

Facilitator: Ben Middleton

When people like each other, the rules change—but real growth happens when we learn to stay present and productive in the midst of difference. This five-session workshop equips participants with practical tools to navigate high-stakes, emotional conversations where values, identities, and needs collide.

Drawing from proven frameworks in dialogue, conflict resolution, and crossing differences, participants will learn how to get unstuck, master their internal stories, create psychological safety,
seek mutual purpose, and move conversations toward meaningful action. By understanding conflict as a natural expression of difference—not a failure—this course helps individuals and teams transform disagreement into deeper trust, inclusion, and shared progress. The goal is not to eliminate conflict, but to engage it skillfully so both short-term concerns and long-term relationships can thrive.

Health ministry

REGISTRATION FOR HEALTH SESSIONS

Walking the Cross

April - May 4 (4 Weeks), 7:30-8:30 AM

Facilitator: Kay Psencik

Start your day with movement and prayer in the garden at Katy Community Fellowship (24102 Kingsland Blvd). Attendees will not be required to get down on the floor.

Walk into Wellness

Every Saturday, Ongoing , 8:30-9:30 a.m.;

Facilitator: Whitney Koch

Start your weekend with fresh air, movement, and fellowship! Join us on Saturday mornings at Mary Jo Peckham Park for a time of walking together, building community, and caring for both body and spirit.

This is a relaxed, come-as-you-are opportunity—walk as much or as little as you’d like. All ages and friendly leashed dogs are welcome, and the park offers public restrooms and play structures for children. Whether you’re looking for exercise, conversation, or simply time outdoors, you’ll find a warm and welcoming group to share the journey.

Quilting With a Purpose

Saturday, April 12, 2-3 PM

Facilitator: Kay Psencik

This will be a planning session with quilters and anyone who wants to learn how to quilt to discuss making quilted hearts for Texas Children’s Neonatal and/or for quilts to contribute to Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s Build-a-Bed in the fall.

Crafting Art Glass: Spring Flowers

Final Date TBD - Coming in May!

Facilitator: Michell Harper

More info coming soon!

Foundry Gatherings

Once a year, Katy First United Methodist members and attenders gather for our annual Foundry Gathering. This gathering is designed to help train us as a church in areas of leadership, Wesleyan spiritual formation, and church mission/vision. Our next Foundry Gathering will be in August of 2026. However, you can still watch previous gathering videos below.

Materials and Video from Previous Foundry Gatherings

In August of 2024, our gathering focused on our communal life together as we explored the topics of social holiness, social justice, reading scripture in community, and leading small groups. Though the event has concluded, all materials, notes, slides, and video recaps can be found on our Foundry website or on our Youtube Channel.

2024 WEBSITE