Educational Ministries

 Adult Education: A ministry provided to create opportunity and encouragement for adults to grow in faith and to relate their faith in issues of the day. Current adult education opportunities are listed in the Sunday bulletin, "The Herald," and our church web site. Adult education classes are available on Sunday mornings at 10:05, and at various times during the week. United Methodist Communications also offers several courses on-line at http://training.umcom.org. New offerings are continually available through other educational forums throughout the year.

Youth Education: Fellowship for practicing and instilling Christian values for grades 7-12. The youth meet on Sunday evenings from 5-7. Other youth opportunities include Life Source and Rapid Faith.

^{Confirmation: Classes begin in the spring of students' 8hh grade year and conclude with confirmation Sunday in the spring of 9th grade. Students explore Christianity and grow in their commitment to Christ. Questions concerning confirmation should be directed to Rev. Emma Melin at 952-890-2515.}

^{Children’s Education: A ministry provided to encourage learning for children on the basics of the Methodist Christian faith while the congregation nurtures these children.Children’s church is available during services for ages 3 through grade 1, Sunday school classes are available Sunday mornings at 10:05-10:55 for children ages 3-grade 4 and Club 56 (Grade 5&6), as well as Wednesday evening courses, including FaithWeaver Friends for ages kindergarten through grade 4, and Club 56 for fifth and sixth graders. Vacation Bible School is available in the summer.}

^{Nursery/Child Care: A nursery is available during worship services and other church activities.}

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Nurturing Ministries

 Welcoming Ministry: A ministry that is the responsibility of the entire church family and guided by the Welcoming Committee. The purpose is to give each first-time visitor a welcoming hand of fellowship and information about our church. This ministry also extends hospitality to the congregation through greeters, refreshments and other means. If you would like to be more involved in this ministry or have questions, please contact the church office.

Stewardship: This committee is responsible for assisting Christians to offer their gifts and resources for ministry.

Funeral Hospitality: To assist and accommodate grieving families and help with food service.

Lay Ministry Committee: To assist people in identifying their gifts for ministry and ways to use their gifts.

New Member Orientation: To educate potential new members about River Hills Church, its place within United Methodism, its role in the larger Christian movement; and the Christian family and to nurture them into our fellowship.

Prayer Ministry: A "prayer chain" type ministry that largely uses e-mail to forward prayer requests to prayer partners in our congregation. Very active; very needful.

Marriage Retreats: A program designed to nurture Christian couples in their marriage covenant.

Caring Ministry: A program to provide a listening and caring ear to shut-ins and people at a particular time of need.

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Administration Ministries

Church Council: This council has the responsibility for planning, initiating, establishing priorities, and adopting goals and objectives of the church that carry out our vision and purpose in and through the world.

Finance Committee: This committee has the responsibility for overseeing the fiscal responsibilities of the church.

Communications/Public Relations: This committee is responsible for evaluating, organizing and planning all aspects of communication with the church and from the church.

Congregation Trust Fund: A resource for planned giving to Christian ministry.

History Committee: This group is responsible for preserving and keeping accurate records of historical materials and promoting the understanding and appreciation of the local congregation’s history and of the United Methodist Church.

Memorial Committee: This committee is responsible for receiving and designating memorials made to the church.

Lay Ministry Committee: This group has the responsibility for securing and overseeing the elected leadership in the church by linking the gifts of persons with the specific needs of the congregation and community.

Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations: This group has the responsibility for all appointed and employed personnel related to the church and to ensure that all employees receive fair and impartial consideration for salaries and benefits with a common and consistent set of personnel policies.

Board of Trustees: Trustees have the responsibility for the care of church facilities and property.

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Worship Ministries

 Worship committee: Works closely with the pastors and the music leaders to provide meaningful worship experiences for the congregation and to assist with worship events. The Ushers come under the direction of the Worship committee.

Friends of the Sanctuary: A subcommittee of the Worship committee: provides the care and set up for the chancel area.

Organist: Provides a wide variety of service music at the traditional 9:00 a.m. service and at additional services during seasonal times of the year. The organist also plays for weddings, funerals and other special occasions. The organ is a combination of hundreds of instruments and sounds. It is a two-manual Allen Digital 600 organ.

Orchestra: Plays once a month at the traditional 9:00 a.m. service and at additional services during seasonal times of the year and Music Appreciation Sunday in May. This group plays outside the church 2-3 times a year. They rehearse once a week on Saturdays, September to mid-May.

Gospel Bells (beginners): Third grade through 9th grade-meets on Wednesdays from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. from September to May and performs every other month during church services.

Wesley Bells (Junior and Senior High): meets Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. from September to May and performs once a month alternating between 9:00 and 11:05 a.m. services.

Jubilate Ringers (Adult): Meets Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. and performs once a month for 9:00 service. Also plays several times a year in the community. Bell ringers are also included in the Music Appreciation Sunday in May.

Chancel Choir: Performs every Sunday at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday service, September - May. Performs at additional services at Christmas, Easter, and Music Appreciation Sunday in May. Rehearses every Wednesday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. September through Mid-May.

Chosen (Youth Music Group for grades 7-12): Performs the fourth Sunday of every month alternating between the 9:00 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. services September through May. Performs additionally on Music Appreciation Sunday in May. Rehearses September to mid-May on Sundays from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m..

WTIG (We Trust in God) Kids Choir, Grades 2-6: Performs the first Sunday of every month alternating between the 9:00 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. services September through May. Performs additionally at Music Appreciation Sunday in May. Rehearses September to mid-May on Wednesdays from 5:45-6:30 p.m.

River Crossing: Male quartet, sings in the 9:00 a.m. service at various times of the year.

Worship Technicians, microphones/sound/slide: This ministry sets up and operates the sound system and projector for worship services and special events in the sanctuary.

Praise Team: The primary group for leading contemporary music worship every Sunday (all year) at the 11:05 church service. The group will also play outside the church 1-2 times per year, plus provide music for special events inside the church 2-3 times per year. This group consists of singers, musicians, and tech people for sound and projector. Four to five songs are prepared for each service, and they rehearse every Thursday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. This group also takes part in the Music Appreciation Sunday in May.

Alive!: Youth led, Sunday evening. Alive is open to everyone.

Liturgists/Lay Readers: Individuals who assist in the worship service by reading the scriptures.

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Growth & Fellowship Ministries

 Athletics: To provide an opportunity to participate with other Christians in various physical activities, including women and men’s softball teams.

RHUMBA (River Hills United Methodist Bridge Association): An opportunity to fellowship informally with other Christian persons who enjoy playing bridge.

Forty-Niners: To provide Christian fellowship for persons 49 or older through monthly planned activities such as: concerts, plays, game nights, corn feed, etc.

Men’s Breakfast Group: To provide the opportunity for men of the church to fellowship and socialize during breakfast. This group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at Baker’s Square, 35E and Cliff Road.

Wednesday Night Meals: A Wednesday evening meal served by River Hills Church to its members and friends during the months September -May from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Dinner for Eight: An opportunity for adults to enjoy monthly dinners with a group of 8 adults. A fun spring and fall event, lasting 4 months. A great opportunity to meet and interact with other adults in your church community.

Spiritual Growth Classes and Seminars: This ministry provides opportunity and encouragement for adults to grow in faith. Information on classes and seminars can be found in the Educational Ministries section of this packet.

UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship: Youth group for grades 7-12. Meets Sunday evenings.

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Outreach Ministries

 River Hills Nursery School: A ministry that has served the community for over 35 years. We are a NAEYC accredited, half-day Christian nursery school that offers classes for 3, 4, and 5 year olds, two and three days a week.

Boy Scouts: An outreach that provides for young men to grow in life skills and Christian spirituality.

Food Chain: To provide food monthly for food shelves with coordination by the Community Action Council.

The Herald Newsletter: To provide information of upcoming events and to report on activities taking place in and outside of the church.

Missions: Provides information and promotes Minnesota Conference mission programs.

The Giving Tree: An outreach at Christmas for disabled adults who are mentally challenged.

Community Meals: A group that is responsible for serving a free community meal every Sunday evening at River Hills Church to those in need of food and/or fellowship. If you are interested in helping with this ministry via shopping, cooking, serving, or hosting, please call the church office.

Mission Trips: Mission events throughout the year involving youth and adults.

Habitat for Humanity: To help eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people of conscience. Please call the church office for information on how to get involved with this ministry.

Simpson Shelter: Once each month people of River Hills Church prepare and serve a meal at the Simpson Shelter in Minneapolis.