Evangel UMC | Connect Groups

CONNECT GROUPS

Faith is better together. At Evangel, our Connect Groups are the heart of our community—places where we grow in faith, support one another through life's ups and downs, and simply enjoy being neighbors. Whether you're looking for deep Bible study, a supportive prayer circle, or a casual hobby group, there is a place here for you. Explore our current groups below and find where you belong.

Evangel Connect groups run from 4-12 weeks on a quarterly basis. We offer connect groups at a wide variety of times.

You do not need to be a member to participate.

REGISTRATION OPTIONS

• Call Church Office: 507-289-4817

• Email Office: office@evangelum.org

• Online: www.evangelum.org > Small Groups

Most classes low or no cost. Scholarships available upon request.

discover your spiritual Gifts and how you can use those gifts at Evangel

Discover your Spiritual Gifts with the below Spiritual Gifts Inventory. Then use the "Using Your Spiritual Gifts" link to find out how you can use those gifts at Evangel.

Spiritual Gift Inventory

Using your spiritual gifts

short term connect groups

Who Is This Man? The Unpredictable Impact
of the Inescapable Jesus

Host: Reese Werner & Cheryl Root
Date/Time: Thur., April 16 - May 21 at 6PM
Where: Fireside Room (#221)

This study by John Ortberg explores Jesus’
impact on history and individual lives, showing
how His influence shaped art, science,
government, medicine, and education, while
calling us to live with dignity, compassion,
forgiveness, and hope.
Ways We Worship Retreat

Host: Pastor David Werner
Date/Time: Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17
Location: Places of worship around Rochester

Join the Confirmation Class as we visit houses of worship of other religions during the weekend & then processing/debriefing what we experienced during sessions back at Evangel. We will compare the differences of the other religions to Christianity and think
through why we believe what we do. Attend any or all of the weekend experiences. It will be an intensive weekend of learning, discerning
and growing in our faith!

Friday, May 15
5pm Orientation at Evangel
7pm Jewish Synagogue

Saturday, May 15
Hindu Temple
Muslim Mosque
Scavenger Hunt & Debrief in the evening

Sunday, May 16
Church of Jesus Christ & Latter Day Saints Closing devotions at Evangel
Refresh: A Spring Retreat for Women

Hosts: Reese Werner & Friends
Date/Time May 2, 10AM - 3:30PM
Location: Resurrection Church, Hastings, MN

Fuel your life with the goodness of God and be renewed by the Holy Spirit. Through worship, workshops, food, and sisterhood, you’ll be refreshed, encouraged, and strengthened.

Planning Ahead (Being Ready to live fully)

Date: Wednesdays throughout May at 6:15PM

Location: Room 223

Evangel is offering a 4-session seminar series on being prepared to live fully as you age and having the peace of mind that comes from being ready for what life may bring.

Come for a community dinner at 5pm and stay for the seminar.

Make It Stop! or Spam, Scam & Illicit Marketing

Date: Wednesday, May 6
Amanda Grayson of the Rochester Police Department
How to be prepared for and respond to malicious,
predatory and scamming contacts.
Keep Giving or Legacy Giving

Date: Wednesday, May 13
Wayne Walters & the Evangel Finance Team
How to give out of wealth, resources, wills and estates to continue to support your ministry passions.
When Is It Time for More (Care)? or “When?
Where? Cost? and Care?”

Date: Wednesday, May 20
Jim Miner of Plaza Realty and Doug Schommer of Visiting Angels
How to discern when it is time to consider moving into housing and facilities that offer more care, for ourselves or for loved ones.
Are You Ready? or End of Life Readiness

Date: Wednesday, May 27
Jim Miner of Plaza Realty and Doug Schommer of Visiting Angels
End of life legal plans, housing details, estate planning,
medical policies, POAs, etc.

Sunday Morning Groups

These groups meet between 9:30 AM and 10:15 AM on Sunday Mornings between services

Sunday School Classes

Pre-K in the Nursery
K-2nd Grade Room #130
Grades 3-5 Room #223
Grades 6-8 Room #131
Grades 9-12 Room #129
Parent's Cafe

Dinette (or Room #128) Open Forum
- Lively and honest discussion about parenting from a biblical and Christian approach. By parents, for parents. Support and laughter abound.
Jesus Series

Room #128 (or Pastor's Office)
Hosts: Reanna & Brandon Elizade
- We continue the series following how Jesus plays a key role in each and every story told throughout the Bible. This deeper dive into Scripture will help us see Jesus in each of our readings through the Bible this year as well as help you discover God’s purpose and plan for your life in his great story. The five series are 1. Beginnings: The Story of How All Things Were Created by God and for God. 2. Revolt: The Story of God’s Pursuit of Imperfect People. 3. People: The Story of God’s Promise. 4. Savior: The Story of God's Rescue Plan. 5. Church: The Story of Jesus on Display to the World.
the upper room group

Room #221 (Fireside Room)
Host: Pastor Susie
Discussing a devotional using The Upper Room, which will be provided.
Adults Drop In Class

Room #224 (rotating host)
Rotating hosts who usually take a recent new topic and facilitates discussion on how to reflect on the various complicated issues from a biblical and Christian perspective. Occasionally the group welcomes special speakers who share about a variety of ministry opportunities.

Midweek discipleship groups

youth group

Hosts: Peter Kroneman & Andy McCright
Date/Time: Fridays at 7 PM
Location: Youth Room & lower level
This is intended for Middle school and senior high youth.
Fun, Faith, and Friends.
Snacks, networking, games, worship and study on how to grow as a Christian youth.
Confirmation

Hosts: Pastor David and Susie O'Connell
Date/Time: Wednesdays 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Room 224
All kids entering 7th grade in the fall (and older) are invited to join the next Confirmation Class, which will run from June 2025 through August 2026:

The purpose of Confirmation is to equip young people to confirm for themselves the vows of Christian disciple-ship. It includes teaching, experiences and discussion about the fundamentals of the Christian faith, the Bible
and living for Jesus. Talk to Pastors David or Susie if interested.

Fellowship groups

Community dinners

Date/Time: Wednesdays 5 PM - 6:15 PM
Dinner for everyone! Free will donation.
Women of Evangel

Host: Becky Pierce
Date/Time: 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00 PM
Room: Lobby
Snacks, devotions, sharing, and fellowship.
older folders

Host: Mike Aakre
Date/Time: Every Friday at 11:00 AM in the Fireside Room
After the Sunday bulletins or monthly newsletters are folded, stick around for snacks, coffee, and fellowship.
Intergenerational board games

Host: Reese Werner
Date/Time: Wednesdays at 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM in the lobby
Building intergenerational relationships over the fun of a board game.
Bring a game or join in. It’s fun!
Evangel Movie Group

Tuesday evenings
(movie titles & times TBD). Dinner, movie &
discussion afterwards with ice cream!
take a hike

Host: Jim Klepper and Mike Aakre
Date/Time: TBD
Take a hike in God’s creation!

Life groups

Interested? Contact Pastor David or sign up below.

Life Groups are small, long-term groups (2–5 people) that meet regularly to share life, celebrate wins, discuss struggles, and encourage spiritual growth. Meetings can be weekly or monthly, structured or informal—whatever works best. Evangel is launching two new Life Groups this fall. If this sounds like what you need, reach out to Pastor David.

Sign Up

Dinner fellowship groups

Meal fellowship groups

Fellowship meals are also being offered on various days, times, and locations. Share a meal, build connec-tion, and grow in faith together. Let us know you're interested and we’ll help you get connected!

Sign Up

service groups

sewing circle

Host: Becky Pierce
Date/Time: Mondays at 1:00 PM
Location: Room 224
Pinning quilt squares provides the context for lots of great fellowship. If interested, please fill in the information form below.

Sign Up
Praise Team

Host: Jim Klepper
Date/Time: Wednesday at 6:15 PM
Location: Sanctuary
Rehearsals are also a time of worship, fellowship and spiritual growth. If you are interested, please fill out the information form below.

Sign Up
Evangel Tech Team

The Tech Team is the technical heart of worship at Evangel. There are opportunities for people to work the cameras during a service, run the slides for the big screens during the service, or run the sound during the service. Don't worry if you don't know how to do these things. We will train you if you think it is something you would like to do.

If you are interested in joining us, contact the office at office@evangelum.org, call 507-289-4817 or talk to Fant.
Evangel bells

Host: Anita Hermanson
Date/Time: Rehearsals are during the school year on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM
Location: Room 223
Anyone in grade 6 through adult are invited to join for a fun night of playing handbells. The Handbells will perform approximately once a month during service time on Sundays.
evangel Choir

Host: Pam Wright
Date/Time: Rehearsals are Thursday at 7:30 PM through the school year
Loation: Sanctuary
Rehearsals are a time of singing, fellowship and prayer. The choir sings for almost all 8:30 AM services during the school year as well as some special services. If you are interested, please fill out the information form below or talk to the director Pam Wright..

Sign Up
Hospitality Group

Watch for updates.
Help create a warm, welcoming space on Sunday mornings.
Kitchen Krew

Host: Mark Clark (when needed)
Cook, serve and clean up for the occasional meals Evangel hosts. If you are interested, please fill out the information form below.

Sign Up
Bible Story time

Host: Jim Klepper
Evangel loves all kids! Every Wednesday Evangel staff and volunteers offer a Wednesday morning ‘Sunday School” for children of the “Good News” day care Center. Singing, Prayer, Bible stories and crafts are included along with a year end concert for families that draws about 100 people!
Evangel cares

Host: Janet Guderian
Date/Time: When needed
Location: Where needed
The Evangel Care Team wants to support those in need. Contact the church office at office@evangel.org or 507-289-4817 if you would like support from the Evangel Cares group or if you would like to be a part of the team.