Adults
Small Group and Individual Opportunities at Portage Chapel Hill
The Village
The Village: A small group for parents, guardians, and grownups of kids in 5th grade and under
Raising kids was never meant to be a solo project. We need people who can laugh with us, listen when things are hard, celebrate the little victories, and remind us that we’re not alone.
The Village is a space for parents and grownups to build that kind of community together.
We’ll gather on Sundays at 10 am to connect, talk about faith and family life, share what’s working (and what definitely isn’t!), and simply enjoy being together. We’ll occasionally use books, studies, or conversation starters, but the heart of The Village will be relationships; mutual support, honest conversation, faith, and having some fun along the way.
Kids can go to the nursery, and children ages 3 and up can participate in Faith Lab while the grownups gather. We’ll be downstairs in Room 109 (Faith Lab is 110)
Pastor Jess Joyce will lead the group and is looking for a co-leader to help build this community together. If you would like to serve in this way please contact Pastor Jess at [email protected] with interest.
You don’t need to have parenting figured out. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to show up.
Come find your people. Let’s build the village together.
Sundays at 10 am in Room 109
For parents, guardians, and grownups of kids in 5th grade and under
The Landing Place
The Landing Place is a temporary shelter helping fill a gap by providing families with a safe, stable place to stay while they work toward permanent housing.
Families staying at The Landing Place have access to safe, temporary housing while working with case managers and support staff to secure permanent housing.
Support may include:
- Safe, private family accommodations
- Case management
- Housing navigation
- Employment and financial stability support
- Connections to childcare, healthcare, and other community resources
- Child-friendly indoor and outdoor spaces
Ongoing operations are supported through the Keys to Kalamazoo Housing Framework and other community investments.
Project History
The Landing Place was made possible through public, nonprofit, and philanthropic partnerships working together to address family homelessness in Kalamazoo County.
Volunteer today ![email protected]
Sisters in Spirit
This is a group of women who love books! The group explores topics of theology, spirituality, social justice and living in the world. All women are welcome. This group meets weekly from 10 – 11:30 am Wednesdays at the home of Jean Christie, 6108 Cypress St., Portage (wheelchair accessible). A Zoom option is available. Jean Christie and Shirley Freeman co-lead this group. For more information contact Jean at j[email protected] or Shirley at [email protected].
Mission Quilters
If you can thread a needle and use a safety pin, you can be a Mission Quilter! The group creates quilts that are distributed at no cost to area refugee families, The Free Store at Sunnyside United Methodist Church, YWCA Women’s shelter, and many other organizations. The Mission Quilters meet Thursdays from 6 – 8 pm in Room 121, on the lower level of the church building. No experience is necessary. If you have questions about the Mission Quilters please contact Sharon Herzog at [email protected]
Men’s and Masc Group
Men’s and Masc meet the third Wednesday evening each month from 6 – 8pm, Childcare is available at 6pm every Wednesday unless noted by leaders. Men’s and Masc is open to all those 18yrs or older who identify as Men or Masc. The group meets in Room 110 for conversation, snacks, and Euchre! If you have questions or simply want to check it out contact Jason Slingerland who leads this group (and others!) Contact Jason at [email protected].
Sacred Space
Do you have an eye for design and color? Then you might enjoy putting your creativity to use in helping design and decorate the Chancel space in the Sanctuary each week. Using the weekly scripture provided by the pastors, this group meets in the Sanctuary to discuss the scripture and theme for the week and then design the space using fabrics, pieces from nature, candles, and more, to help interpret the theme. Contact Tonya Boot at [email protected] for more information.
Communion Servers are needed. There is a small, growing group, but many more are needed. Communion servers sign-up for a Sunday of their choice and serve at a particular service. If you think you might be interested in either one of these “ways to serve” contact Tonya at [email protected].
Faith In Action Team Re-Launch
The Faith in Action Team is a three-person ministry team that helps our congregation live out its call to love our neighbors through service, justice, and compassionate action.
Acting on behalf of the vision and priorities established by the Guidance Board, the team serves as the central point for receiving, discerning, coordinating, and supporting opportunities for community engagement.
Rather than leading every ministry themselves, the Faith in Action Team equips others to serve. They help ensure that our mission opportunities are sustainable, well-supported, and aligned with the church’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities.
Responsibilities
The Faith in Action Team will:
- Receive and prayerfully discern ideas for new mission, outreach, advocacy, and community engagement opportunities.
- Evaluate opportunities through the lens of our church’s mission, vision, and strategic plan, making recommendations when appropriate.
- Coordinate our church’s relationship with our quarterly One Thing ministry partner and support other approved mission initiatives.
- Recruit, encourage, and equip volunteer leaders who will organize and lead individual service projects, collections, educational events, or advocacy efforts.
- Encourage education and storytelling that helps the congregation understand the needs of our community and the impact of our shared ministry.
- Communicate regularly with church staff and the Guidance Board regarding ministry activities, opportunities, and emerging community needs.
What This Team Is Not
The Faith in Action Team is not going to personally organize or lead each service opportunity. Instead, they cultivate ministry by empowering others. Their role is to identify leaders, provide support and coordination, remove barriers, and encourage faithful participation across the congregation.
Term of Service
- Three members
- One- or two-year renewable terms
- Meetings scheduled as needed throughout the year, with additional communication to support volunteers and ministry leaders
Who Might Be Called?
This team is a wonderful fit for people who:
- Have a heart for service, justice, and community engagement.
- Enjoy connecting people with opportunities to use their gifts.
- Think strategically and can discern how opportunities support our church’s mission.
- Are encouraging collaborators who enjoy helping others succeed.
- Believe that ministry is strongest when many people are empowered to lead.
Invitation
The ministry of our church belongs to the whole congregation. The Faith in Action Team helps make that possible by ensuring that good ideas find support, volunteers find meaningful ways to serve, and our congregation’s witness in the community remains faithful to God’s call. If you have a passion for helping others put their faith into action, we invite you to consider serving on this ministry team. Please register your interest to Pastor Jess Joyce at [email protected].
Adult Christian Education Classes and Studies
Chapel Hill 101 – New Members Class
Sundays at 10 am – Conference Room
November 8, 15, and 22
Coming in November, Chapel Hill 101 will help you to explore the United Methodist Church, Chapel Hill and it’s Mission and Vision, the history of Methodism and so much more.
This is an opportunity for newer folks to connect to a group maybe for the first time, meet a few friends, and get to know Pastor April and Pastor Jess better.
After this 3 Sunday class is completed you will be invited to join into membership at Portage Chapel Hill on December 13 during Worship. For some joining into membership is an important step on the faith journey.
The Wired Word
Sundays at 10 am – Room 108 ~ Drop-in
The Wired Word takes topics from the news and examines them through a faith-based lens. This is a drop-in class and no registration is necessary. There is also a Zoom option if you would like to attend the class from home.
If you would like to receive The Wired Word article each week, need the Zoom link to attend class, or if you have other questions, please email the office at [email protected].
The Upper Room Bible Study
Sundays at 10 am – Room 218 Drop-in
The Upper Room Bible Study uses The Upper Room bi-monthly devotional booklet as a stepping-off point for meaningful conversation. Booklets are available at the church. No registration is required, just drop in!
Have Questions?
If you have any questions about these or any other Christian Education opportunities at Chapel Hill, please email Director of Discipleship Tonya Boot at [email protected] or call the church office at (269) 327-6643.
