Your source of information for all things RISE!
May 2026
Worship with RISE in May
Join us for worship in May
as we reflect together
on life, faith, and
“Taking Act(ion)”
May 3 - 31
Unless otherwise noted,
worship begins at exactly 10ish am
John Wesley UMC Fellowship Hall (Downstairs)
445 Sterling St, Hburg
FIRST SUNDAY
Brunch Church
May 3, 2026
Same bat time.
Same bat channel.
Just more food:-)
Bring some of your favorite brunch food to share if you are able!
WTF?
WTF? in MAY
Last 2
of the Season!
Thursdays at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
Join us for a midweek check in to fuel your body, mind and soul.
RISE will provide the meal and a topic for conversation. All you have to do it show up!
If you are interested and/or able to help (cooking and prep, giving rides to students, setting up and greeting, washing dishes, etc) please let Alexis know!
May Events and Happenings
Book Study Group
Monday 5/18, 7:30 pm
Home of the Harbicks
Do you like to read? Enjoy diving deeper and talking about what you read with others? We’ve got a group for you!
For our next study, we will be reading a contemporary book: The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture’s Most Controversial Issues by Dan McClellan (2025). “In The Bible Says So, Dan McClellan leverages his popular "data over dogma" approach, and his years of experience in the academy and on social media, to lay out in clear and accessible ways what the data indicate the Bible does and doesn't say about issues ranging from homosexuality, abortion, and slavery to monotheism, inspiration, and even God's wife.” The first session will cover the introduction plus the first 2 chapters.
If you’re interested in this group, but haven’t yet signed up previously, please do so (even if you can’t make this particular study)! Just click the button below to get added to the list, through which we will communicate schedule changes, new books to read, and anything else book study related! DM us or contact Chris if you need more info or the Harbicks’ address.
THE RETURN OF THE Sitting
6-8 pm THURSDAY Nights
beginning May 21
Brother’s Craft Brewing
It’s that time again! Some people have “standing” office hours, but you know that we do things a bit differently here at RISE, so we have “sitting” hours during the summer season! Join Alexis and/or Chris on Thursday nights at Brothers throughout the summer - whether you have some burning theological questions or you just want to hang out with friends, we’ll be there and happy to chat with whoever might come! Feel free to bring your dinner as well!
Looking Ahead…
“STORIES AND VOICES”
Coming to worship this summer!
At RISE we believe that we are all theologians. It’s a big reason why we spend a fair amount of our time in worship gatherings each week in discussion and reflection. But this summer, we want to take it up a notch. Enter “Stories and Voices” — a campaign to bring YOUR voices and YOUR stories to the fore this summer!
Do you have a story that has been significant in your life and/or faith journey that you are willing to share?
Are you an artist, actor, musician, dancer, yoga instructor, videographer, or…whatever?
Have you ever just wanted to take your turn leading the community in theological reflection?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, think about clicking on the link below to start the conversation about how we can bring your story and your voice to fore in RISE worship this summer!
Group Options Survey
As we look ahead to the next several months entering the summer, we are considering our options for group activities and offerings at RISE. We would love your input during our planning! 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
The RISE Merch Shop is open for business and make wonderful Christmas gifts! Order all of your favorite RISE gear shipped directly to your home. 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!