Fellowship
The Fellowship Ministry Committee develops creative opportunities for members and visitors to become better acquainted and establish friendships through social gatherings and engagement in a variety of activities.
Community happens on more than just Sunday. See below for other areas of fellowship you can be a part of at Mountain Rise.
Hospitality starts at the front door, and continues at the Welcoming Table on Sundays, where our greeters extend the warm hand of fellowship, complete with a welcoming gift bag for first time guests.
The fellowship hour after church gives people the opportunity to catch up with friends and welcome guests. Members of the Coffee Team provide coffee service and serve Fair Trade Coffee from The Women’s Coffee Connection. Coffee and juice are served in compostable cups.
On the last Sunday of the month we enjoy Sundae Sunday with ice cream and treats in the Fellowship Hall.
Annual Picnic
In September we hold an outdoor picnic at a local park for worship, a potluck lunch, fellowship and games.
Book Group
The Mountain Rise Book Group reads a variety of books chosen by the members of the group, including nonfiction, history, memoirs, and novels. Some of the areas for study include religion and spirituality, science, technology, culture, social and economic issues, and health. The group meets via Zoom on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm.
Dinner Groups
In the Fall anyone who is interested may sign up for a dinner group. There are three categories: 1) adults dining in their homes, 2) adults with children or 3) dining in a restaurant. Groups of 6 to 8 people are formed. Each group meets 4 times during the year. For those dining in the home, the host provides the main course with the others bringing the other parts of the meal. For the restaurant group, a different restaurant is selected for each gathering.
First Monday
Mark your calendars for the First Monday of the month and join us for an interesting speaker presentation and discussion. All are invited to attend First Monday and are encouraged to bring a friend or neighbor. We meet in the sanctuary at 7:15 pm for the presentation and discussion which lasts for about an hour.
Game Nights
Regardless of age, all are welcome to participate in Game Night which takes place on the second Saturday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the lower fellowship hall. Bring games to play and a snack to share.
Romeos & Juliets
Romeos – A lunch group open to the men of Mountain Rise. The group currently meets on Fridays at noon at Jeremiah’s Tavern in Penfield.
Juliets – A lunch group open to all the women of Mountain Rise which meets the last Friday of the month at a different restaurant.
Knitters Group
The Knitting Mission Project welcomes expert knitters, beginners, and those who wish to learn to knit. Group members represent a variety of religious traditions. The Knitters Group project is knitting hats and mittens for both children and adults. The hats and mittens are currently donated to the Angel Christmas Project, Jewish Outreach Center, and Saints Place at St. Louis Church . The group meets on Tuesdays from 10 am – 12 noon in the church library. The,. You are welcome to join at any time.
Service Activities
Members and friends working together on a variety of service activities in the community and in church enjoy the benefits of great fellowship as they work together. Visit the Serve section of our website for more information.
Spirituality Groups
There are currently four Spiritual Growth groups at Mountain Rise with the potential for more groups forming in the future.
The Spiritual Growth groups are a warm and safe place for participants to share and discuss life experiences that are important to them. Each group decides how they will conduct their group. Typically, a group consists of about 8-10 people, meets monthly for two hours, and maintains ground rules of confidentiality, taking turns, and not interrupting. Experiences from the past month are shared and a topic chosen by the group is discussed. A ritual, prayer or thought begins and/or ends each meeting.
The essence of each group is in the sharing of each person’s life experiences and faith as they relate to the given topic. Each individual in a group shares what they are comfortable sharing with the group. Greater understanding, closer relationships, and joy arise from listening and sharing.
