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Students During Break

UKirk

Ministry with College Students

All are Welcome. We mean ALL.

College is an exciting and formational time.  Whether you have grown up in the church and are seeking to deepen your faith, have never set foot in a church, or find yourself somewhere in between, the doors of Trinity Presbyterian Church are open, and we want to journey with you while you are at school.  Trinity is the only PC(USA) congregation in the city of Harrisonburg, is within walking distance of JMU, and is an easy drive from EMU, BRCC, and Bridgewater College.  

UKirk Harrisonburg

UKIRK is the national ministry network of the PC(USA). In Harrisonburg, UKIRK is part of RISE U, an inclusive and ecumenical ministry at JMU, with outreach to Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University, and Bridgewater Community College. RISE U gathers regularly three times a week: Sunday evenings for Dinner Church, Tuesday evenings for study and discussion, and Fridays at lunch, sharing a meal, a devotional, and conversation. In addition, RISE U gathers for mission opportunities and fun, including retreats, and the Montreat College Conference. For more information or to get involved, contact Campus Minister Alexis Ward Owens or Stephanie here at Trinity. We are grateful for support from the congregations of Shenandoah Presbytery, including Trinity, Bridgewater, Broadway, Cooks Creek, Elkton, Massanutten, and Mossy Creek

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RISE U Weekly Gathering

Evening Small Groups:

  • Tuesday: Small Group from 6-7:15 @ The Ice House (217 S Liberty Street Suite 203). We are studying the book Staying Awake: The Gospel for Changemakers. Students are more than invited to read the book, but it is not expected. I read each chapter, synthesize it down, and we have a conversation around the big themes and the scripture associated with each chapter. This is a short term study, so please contact me (Abby) to get involved!

  • Wednesday: While nothing has been set up yet, this is an additional day for small group IF WE HAVE THE INTEREST. Currently, there are 2 students interested in this timeframe, so please reach out ASAP to get this small group started!

Lunch Bunch:

  • Every Friday, we gather at Taylor Rm 311 from 11:30-12:30 to do a devotional together. A student leader, Sunshine, leads us through a daily devotional from On Love and Mercy: A Social Justice Devotional. There is no obligation to buy the devotional as Sunshine prepares/prints everything needed ahead of time. Students are invited to bring their lunch, but often students go to D-Hall together after Lunch Bunch to eat as a group and socialize. Everyone is welcome to attend at any point! Small groups are much more connected week to week, whereas this is an excellent way to get involved if you're not sure what your week-to-week schedule looks like. 

Dinner Church:

  • Every Sunday evening at 5:30 PM, students gather on the quad to have a worship experience with dinner that is provided. A different member of the community comes each week to pray for us, provide us a meal, and join us in conversation. Occasionally, we have Communion. This is an excellent way to experience worship if you are new to church, uncomfortable going to church, or simply like to sleep in on Sunday mornings!

Volunteer:

  • We volunteer at Trinity Presbyterian's Clothes Closet every 3rd Wednesday of the month. There is no prior experience necessary to get involved, just bring yourself and an open mind and heart! This takes place from about 6-8pm, and we are happy to sign off on volunteer hours as needed.

F R O M  A  R I S E  U  J U N I O R 

Being involved with Rise U has impacted my college experience in the best way. Before I started getting involved with Rise U, I felt like I was completely alone in my college journey. All the pressure I had of being a good student, taking care of myself in my young adult years, was starting to weigh on me. Once I started attending plus group and Sunday services, however, I felt like I had found a small community that I can lean on in times of need or overwhelm. Remembering that no matter how hard my week at school might be, or my day at work, or my next test, I will always have that hour and fifteen minutes a week of Plus Group to go to and focus on my relationship with God and my fellowship with others has been great for my spirituality and faith and overall health. 

Sunday Worship
Join our Community of Faith!

All are welcome to join us online at 10:00am for our engaging worship services. There are many ways to get involved in the life of the church. Worship and other announcements are found on the Trinity Facebook page. 

Through our House Churches, Mission Groups, and other events, we foster intergenerational connection, worship, fellowship, and mission. We welcome students to get more involved in any of the ministries at Trinity, or lead us in starting new ones! 

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