Your source of information for all things RISE!
Special Edition - October 2024
RISE is again on the move!
After communication issues and the doubling of fees for renting Sunday morning space prevented us from returning to worship this Fall on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University, RISE leadership has been actively seeking a new location for our community to meet for Sunday morning worship (and perhaps more). John Wesley UMC has graciously stepped in and offered to open their building to us to begin meeting in some of their under-utilized space beginning in November! We are very excited about this transition and the potential long term partnership opportunities between our communities.
Beginning Sunday, November 3, RISE will begin meeting for worship
Sunday mornings at exactly 10ish am
John Wesley United Methodist CHurch
lower-Level Fellowship Hall
435 Sterling Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
We will be meeting concurrently with the JWUMC congregation (gathering upstairs in the sanctuary), so we are encouraging everyone to park in the farther end of the parking lot (nearer to the pavilion) and use the lower level door at the end of the building that will be closest to you. If in doubt, just look for our signs!
The building is handicap accessible - there will be just a very slight lip from the gravel parking lot to the sidewalk. We will have use of their full kitchen, lower-level bathrooms, and more. We believe this space will more than meet our needs, and we are doubly enthusiastic about the possibilities for partnership and relationship between our two communities. We are very grateful to the people of John Wesley UMC for their openness to this possibility and their hospitality in opening their space to us!
Note - This change in meeting location does NOT impact our new mailing address. Please continue to use our PO Box (281 N. Mason St., Box 110, Harrisonburg VA 22803) for all contributions and written correspondence.
Jennine Wood
November 28, 1969 - October 21, 2024
We are deeply grieved by the unexpected loss of Jennine Wood on Monday, and our love and prayers continue to be with her twin sister, Jennifer Wood. We are all invited to attend the visitation this Sunday afternoon, October 27, from 1-3 PM at Kyger Funeral Home (3173 Spotswood Trail, Harrisonburg). Dress is casual - just like Jennine would have wanted.
Upcoming Events
Brunch Church
Sunday, November 3
at our NEW worship home!
Join us for some good food and conversation next Sunday as we get to know our new worship location and wrap up our worship series “It’s An Issue of Values.”
Click the button below to let us know if you are able to bring something to share.
Crafts ‘n’ Chat
6-8 pm Tuesday Evenings
James Madison University
Gabbin Hall, Room 0204
Join RISE on campus for evenings of crafting together and conversation about life and maintaining balance in a chaotic world. Feel free to bring any projects you’re already working on, but craft supplies will also be provided!
DM us or contact Sheridan or Alexis (riseharrisonburg@gmail.com) for more info and/or directions.
The Sitting
(With an Issue)
6-8 pm Wednesday Nights
Brothers Craft Brewing
October 2 - November 6
It’s been great joining many of you over the past few months at The Sitting for open-ended conversation and company. But we’ve decided to get a bit more intentional about bringing some timely and topical conversation to our Sittings. For the next six weeks, we will take the opportunity on Wednesday nights to continue the conversations we will begin at worship on Sunday mornings by taking an even deeper dive into the issues that concern ourselves, our country, and our world during this election season. How do we live as people of faith in these trying times? And how do we think about the issue and concerns that divide us and our neighbors? Let’s talk about it and try to figure it out together!
GaME Night
Friday, November 15
6 pm
Zepp Home
Bring a friend, your favorite game(s), and any food/sharing snacks as you wish and join us for a night of fun! Sodas, seltzers, and coffee/tea/hot chocolate will be provided, but you are welcome to bring something of your choosing as well.
DM us or contact Chris Zepp (worship@riseharrisonburg.com) for address, directions, or more info.
RISE Group Options Survey
We are still actively considering & planning for group options for the next several months at RISE and are seeking community input so that we can try to offer programming that best meets your needs & desires at the most accessible time(s). Please take a few moments to complete our short "Group Options Survey" at the link below to let us know what you are looking for!
RISE Merch Shop is LIVE!!!
The HIGHLY REQUESTED RISE Merch Shop is now open and ready for business! Order all of your favorite RISE gear shipped directly to your home! RISE items make great gifts for friends family and yourself. Profits from each sale go directly back to RISE operations.
RISE NEEDS YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Your generosity makes everything we do possible!!
One of our core values is, "God gives to us, so we give back." We're called to give as a joy-filled response to what we've been given. Your financial gifts make a tremendous difference in the lives of God's beloved in Harrisonburg and beyond. Whether it's helping to make sure children in our community have enough to eat, helping to respond to the mental health crisis in our community, or providing much needed backing for the operating costs of our spaces and staff — your gift is a part of God's dream and we are grateful for everyone who partners with us on this journey!
Make a one-time donation or set up recurring gifts today!
At RISE,
we care about what’s going on in your life!
When life is good, we want to celebrate together. And when it isn’t - well, we want to be there for you then too. So keep us posted on what it is going on in your life. And when you have need for care or prayer, be sure to let us know how we can lift you up.
Requests for care and/or prayer can always be sent via e-mail to cares@riseharrisonburg.org, texted to 833-803-0868, or submitted online via our RISE Cares form.
To receive updates on (non-confidential) care needs, prayer requests, and community concerns and celebrations, text “RISEcares” to 833-803-0868 or e-mail cares@riseharrisonburg.com.
If you are fairly new to the community and would like to connect more deeply with RISE, you can begin by completing this short form to let us know about you, your interest, and your gifts:
You might also consider signing up for texting services:
(We promise not to spam or share your number!)
Text “RISE” to 833-803-0868 to join the primary list and receive weekly community updates and alerts
Text “RISEcares” to receive prayer requests, care needs, and community concerns and celebrations
And of course, please continue to check social media (Facebook & Instagram) and our website for all the updates and current information!