COKESBURY NEWS

There’s A Place For You Here: Fall Classes 2026

At Cokesbury, we believe church is a place where all kinds of people come together to find Jesus—and in Him, hope, healing, community, and connection. Church should be a safe place for you, whoever you are, wherever you come from, no matter your baggage. This fall, there is a place for you here—in one of the classes or groups available below. Registration links are included for classes or groups that require preregistration.

**Please note that weekly programming will not meet the week of Knox County’s Fall Break, October 5–9. Recovery at Cokesbury WILL meet during Fall Break.

MONDAYS

Monday Morning Men’s Group | 7 to 8 am | North Campus

Whether you've been part of this group for years or you're just checking it out for the first time, there's a place for you here. Facilitated by Brent Ronald, this group gathers Monday mornings to dig into the weekly message together—unpacking it, wrestling with it, and talking through how it applies to real life.

GriefShare | 6:30 to 8 pm | Beginning August 17 | North Campus Room 200

Whether your loss is recent or you've been grieving for a while, there's a place for you here. Using the nationally recognized GriefShare curriculum, this class offers support, encouragement, and practical guidance for navigating grief—available both in-person and online, so you can join in whatever way works best for you.

TUESDAYS

Community Night | Dinner at 5:30 pm, Classes at 6:30 pm, unless otherwise noted | Kick-off (Dinner Only) on August 25 | Classes begin on September 1, unless otherwise noted | North Campus

Acts and Church History (Pt. 1)
Ever wonder how the early church got started—and how it grew into what we know today? Whether you're new to the story or have heard it your whole life, there's a place for you here. Join Rev. Charles Maynard and Rev. Andrew Lay as we dig into the book of Acts and trace church history all the way through the Reformation, exploring the people, events, and turning points that shaped the faith. Look for Part 2 this Spring, picking up where we leave off—from the Reformation to present day, including the story of United Methodism, our Holston Conference, and our own church, Cokesbury.

Everyday Budgeting for Everyday People

Whether you're starting from scratch or just looking for a fresh approach, there's a place for you here. Led by author Lisa Jones, LPC-MHSP, this 6-week class isn't about being perfect with money—it's about being honest about where you are, encouraged in where you're headed, and equipped with habits that actually fit into the life you're living right now.

DivorceCare Recovery

No matter where you are on your divorce journey—whether you're just beginning to process a separation or further along in your healing—there's a place for you here. Led by Terri Tracy, this class uses the nationally recognized DivorceCare curriculum to offer video teaching, small group discussion, and biblical encouragement alongside others who understand what you're going through. 

Young Adult Small Groups

Geared toward those who have completed college to age 35—single, dating, engaged, or married, with kids or without—there's a place for you here. Groups are formed around the real people who show up, creating community that fits wherever you are in life. We provide meeting space and childcare each week, so all you have to do is show up and connect.

Moving Forward 

Moving Forward is an open-share group where you can come as you are, any week throughout the semester—no weekly commitment required. Whoever you are, whatever your story, there’s a place for you here.

Childcare, Kids, and Students (6 weeks to 5th Grade+)

Whether you're dropping off a baby or a high schooler, there's a place for your kids here. We provide a safe, caring space for kids of all ages—from preschool through students—to learn, play, and grow while you attend one of our classes. You can be fully present as you take your Next Steps, knowing your kiddos are in good hands.

Monthly Volunteer Enrichment Trainings

Each month, the Connection Center will offer volunteer enrichment training. Whether or not you serve with the Connection Center, there’s a place for you here. Trainings will be on the second Tuesday of each month, and will be led by community organization partners.
9/8 - Mental Health: Mental health affects us all, yet it is often misunderstood. This training explores common mental health conditions, challenges stigma, and provides practical tools for recognizing the person beyond the diagnosis. Together, we’ll build greater empathy, understanding, and confidence in supporting others with compassion and respect.
10/13 - Active Listening: Active listening is one of the most powerful tools for building trust and meaningful relationships. This training explores practical skills for listening with empathy, asking thoughtful questions, and responding in ways that help others feel heard and understood. Whether you’re serving guests, leading volunteers, or working with colleagues, active listening creates stronger connections and more effective communication. 

11/10 - Self-care: Caring for others begins with caring for yourself. This training explores practical strategies for recognizing stress, preventing burnout, and building sustainable self-care habits that support both personal well-being and effective service. Participants will leave with simple tools to help them stay healthy, resilient, and present for the people they serve. 

Monthly Legal Ministry Orientation

Whether you're an attorney or simply have a heart for serving others, there's a place for you here. This orientation is for anyone interested in volunteering with our monthly free legal aid clinics, held the 2nd Saturday of each month. Orientation and training take place on the 4th Tuesday of the month, following the Community Night dinner—come find out how you can be part of this important work.

WEDNESDAYS

Cokesbury Women Wednesday Mornings | Weekly from 9:15 to 11 am | Kick-off Brunch & Class Sign-Ups on August 17 | Classes Begin August 26 | North Campus

Very Good: What the Bible Says About Being a Woman

Whether you've spent years wrestling with questions of identity or you're just beginning to explore them, there's a place for you here. This study, based on Jen Oshman's Very Good, dives into what Scripture says about womanhood—offering clarity, encouragement, and a firm foundation for understanding who you are as God created you to be. This is a traditional book study with weekly homework.

I Said This, You Heard That 

If you’ve ever thought, “they just aren’t hearing me,” there’s a place for you here. Join us as we work through Kathleen Edelman's I Said This, You Heard That, exploring how our personalities shape the way we communicate—and how understanding those differences can lead to deeper, healthier relationships at home and beyond. This is a traditional book study with weekly homework. 

Luke in the Land

Whether you've studied the Gospels for years or are diving in for the first time, there's a place for you here. This class walks through Kristi McLelland's Luke in the Land, combining video teaching with group discussion to bring the Gospel of Luke to life through the lens of Middle Eastern culture and the land where it all took place. This study will not require a book or homework. 

How to Read the Bible

Whether you've read Scripture your whole life or aren't sure where to start, there's a place for you here. This class walks through David Platt's How to Read the Bible, offering practical tools to help you study Scripture with clarity and confidence—and grow in your understanding of God's Word. This study will not require a book or homework. 

Cokesbury Women Beside II | Weekly from 10 to 11:30 am | Beginning September 2 | North Campus

The Beside Ministry is a sacred space for women to walk through the unique experience of losing their husbands. Therapeutic techniques, personal stories, and reflections are brought together to offer meaning and honor to this significant life event. Beside groups are a safe place to think, feel, and reflect with other women who share this experience. The Beside 2 group is designed as ongoing support and encouragement for women who are learning to carry grief and love forward in life. The theme is “learning how to live with more love than pain”. This group is continuously forming and may be joined at any time—there’s a place for you here. Registration coming soon.

Cokesbury Students (5th–12th Grade) | Wednesdays from 6 to 8 pm | Beginning August 19 | North Campus

Whether your student is just starting 5th grade or gearing up for graduation, there's a place for your student here. Wednesday nights are all about games, worship, and small groups—a chance for students to connect and grow in courage, compassion, and curiosity. With caring leaders under the guidance of our incredible CSM staff, it's the place to be for Fifty-Sixers, Middle Schoolers, and High Schoolers.

Cokesbury Kids (K–4th Grade) | Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm | Beginning September 9 | South Campus

No matter if you're sending your kid off to Kindergarten for the first time or staring down the last few years of elementary school, there's a place for your child here in Cokesbury Kids. We meet on Wednesday nights during the school year for games, crafts, and a practical Bible lesson that builds a lifelong faith. Amazing adult volunteers and our wonderful Cokesbury Kids staff make Wednesday nights welcoming and fun.

Cokesbury Moms | Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm | Beginning September 9 | South Campus

Whether you have a toddler underfoot or a teenager testing boundaries, there's a place for you here. This group is for moms with kids at home who want to better understand how their children are wired—and how to connect with them well. Together, we'll work through Kathleen Edelman's A Grown-Up's Guide to Kids' Wiring, gaining practical insight and encouragement along the way. Join other moms in the thick of it with you.

Fall Marriage Connection | Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm | Beginning September 9 | South Campus

Whether you're newly married or celebrating decades together, there's a place for you here. This class is designed to help you and your partner feel safe, secure, and connected—helping you understand the underlying reasons you get into struggles over and over, express your needs and longings, and engage in conversations that keep your love alive and secure. While the Fall Marriage Connection is specifically designed for couples with teenagers, and all married couples are invited to attend. The class includes 6 weeks of content, with two optional date nights built into the schedule—time set aside for you and your spouse to plan and enjoy on your own.

Young at Heart Monthly Luncheon | 3rd Wednesday of each month at noon | North Campus

Whether you're 55 and just getting started with retirement or have been enjoying it for years, there's a place for you here. Young at Heart is a monthly luncheon featuring special programming and guest speakers, with something new to look forward to each month:

August – Linda Johnson from Alzheimer's Tennessee (appropriate for all ages—especially helpful if you're caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's)
September – A trip to Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
October – Will Kruger, singer/songwriter
November – Rev. Charles Maynard, a special Thanksgiving gathering
December – Christmas saxophone music from Nathan Keedy

THURSDAYS

Cokesbury Women Beside I | Weekly from 10 to 11:30 am | Beginning September 3 | North Campus 

The Beside Ministry is a sacred space for women to walk through the unique experience of losing their husbands. Therapeutic techniques, personal stories, and reflections are brought together to offer meaning and honor to this significant life event. Beside groups are a safe place to think, feel, and reflect with other women who share this experience. The Beside I group is designed for women who are newly experiencing grief or who are at the beginning stages of wanting to understand more about grief.  Whether a loss has happened recently or years ago, there is a place for you here. Beside I is a starting place to learn the “language of grief” and ways that the body, mind, and heart can respond to this significant life experience.

Cokesbury Women’s Bible Study | Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 am | Beginning September 17 | North Campus  

Whether you're newly retired or have been out of the workforce—at home or otherwise—for years, there's a place for you here. This Bible study is for women of retirement age and older, meeting Thursdays on the North Campus. Fall study details coming soon!

Recovery at Cokesbury | Dinner at 5:30, Worship at 6:30, Groups at 7:45 pm | North Campus

We are all recovering from something. Whether you're new to the recovery community, celebrating your 20-year chip, or anywhere in between, there's a place for you here. Our recovery groups are designed to meet specific needs: 

Getting Started 

Chemically Dependent Men

Chemically Dependent Women

Women Conquering Codependency

Men Conquering Codependency

Hurt and Loss for Men and Women

Men Seeking Sexual Integrity

Monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfast | 3rd Thursday of each month at 8 am | North Campus

Whether you're an early riser or make the effort just for this, there's a place for you here. Join us monthly for a hot breakfast, good company, and a short devotional to start your day grounded in faith.