Fall Core Groups & events begin soon!
Though things look different this year in so many ways, there are still many opportunities to GROW at Sugar River this fall! Our prayer is that during these times, taking part in one or more Core Groups or events will not only be a way to learn spiritually and strengthen your faith, but to also be a source of peace and comfort.

Please read on for offerings grouped by levels 100-400
100 Level Exploring: Relationships and Faith
Meaningful fellowship and learning opportunities that are
accessible. Low expectations on prep, time and energy.
  • NEW! "Sunday Night Live" One facet of worship that many people miss is being able to participate and interact with one another. Beginning Sunday, October 4 at 6:30pm, we will be partnering on a weekly 30-minute Zoom prayer service with Mount Horeb and People’s UMC, called Sunday Night Live. Anyone who wants to take part will simply click on the weekly Zoom link* and we will worship together! The service will include music, shared prayer requests from participants, and a time of reflection. All are welcome to attend but will not be required or obligated to speak or share. *Zoom link will be provided via weekly E-Source and Facebook.

  • Prayer Texts: New weekly prayer texts beginning Sept. 27 to take the current sermon series into your week! (Also receive friendly, occasional reminders for upcoming SR happenings.) Simply text: @srprayer to 81010

  • Breakthrough Prayer Group: Be part of a breakthrough! Find out more and join the Facebook group HERE.

  • Weekly Online Tools to Grow Your Faith: Find this newer feature in the "Grow" section of your E-Source each week and try something new online that speaks to you!

  • A Word for Wednesday, 60 Second Devotionals: A devo that is short and sweet from Sugar River staff members to brighten up your midweek. Find on our Facebook, YouTube, Instagram pages or our website!

  • E-Prayer Team: Sign up to be on Sugar River's weekly email list to be a prayer warrior for those who lift up prayer concerns & celebrations.

  • Share & Care: Sewing, knitting, and crocheting servants who meet Wednesday mornings currently on Zoom at 9:00. Contact us for more details!

  • Young Adults Virtual Game Night: Join your co-hosts Kimmie Holmes & Tammi Hagensick along with Sugar River friends old and new for some Fall fun and prizes! If you are in this age group, watch your email for more details soon! Sign up required.
200 Level Beginning: Foundations for Christian Life
Designed to assist essential Christian faith understandings and practices. Some expectations on prep, time and energy.
  • LOL (Love of Life) Group - The Christianity Family Tree: Great discussion, book/video studies, service projects, and more! Meeting in a socially distanced format on Wednesdays from 3-5pm beginning October 6. LOL will follow Adam Hamilton's 12-week series on , tracing the development of the Christian church from early churches started by Jesus's disciples to various denominations today. Email Arlys Nilles or 608-279-7596 to sign up and for more information.

  • Life Lessons from Luke: Join Pastor Gary for this 4-week, Zoom-based group on Tuesday evenings beginning November 3. This group will use Max Lucado's inspiring book as a supplement to the sermon series. Relevant lessons from the book of Luke that we can apply to our lives & current times. Email to signup and for log-in details!

  • "My Grandmother's Hands," A Multi-Racial Book Discussion Group: Session #1: Wednesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18. We are excited to announce that People’s Church, Mount Horeb UMC, & Sugar River will join The New St. James and Solomon Temple United Methodist Churches from Milwaukee for a seven-week, multi-racial book discussion of My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem. It is the first self-discovery book to examine white body supremacy in America from the perspective of trauma and body-centered psychology. The group will meet on Zoom (Session #2 will begin in January). You are also welcome to join the optional Facebook Group HERE,

300 level Growing: Deepening Discipleship
Guiding a deeper understanding and practice of Christian Discipleship. Medium expectation on prep, time and energy.
  • Morning Men's Group: Bible-based book study and interesting discussion. Meets early Thursday mornings currently on Zoom. Sep. 24 begins "Growing through Life's Challenges" a Fishermen Bible Study. Offering encouragement & hope, this study will convince you that God's character and presence can give you strength to face any difficulty with "help for life's struggles from Bible heroes who've been there." October 15th the group will move into the Life Lessons from Luke study by Max Lucado. (This is the same book listed above accompanying the sermon series, but will be a more in-depth approach and will likely go through December.)

  • Social Justice Training Series: Sugar River is proud to present a 3-session series* with Caitlyn LoMonte who serves as the Assistant Director for Social Justice Programs for the Multicultural Student Center at U.W. Madison. Tuesday evenings: Oct. 13, 20, 27 at 6:30 p.m. Attend any and all sessions. Workshop will be co-sponsored by People's and Mount Horeb UMC and the community will also be invited to attend. Sign up required- watch for further details very coming soon!

*This Zoom-based interactive training series will focus on exploring identity, our connection to power, privilege, and oppression, and ways to create sustainable social change. Through guided
activities, self reflection, and group sharing, this series will offer participants the opportunity for
a greater understanding of how they can intentionally engage in the fight for justice.
Participants will also spend significant time developing resources and skills in a personal social justice action plan.
400 level Maturing: Servant-Leader Development
Supporting the servant-leader to grow and disciple others into
Christ-likeness. High expectation on prep, time and energy.
  • Stephen Ministry: Be trained & part of a team of individuals who provide one-on-one Christian care for hurting people. Classes will proceed as we have a group ready to train. Let us know if this is how God is calling you.

  • Discipling & Becoming a Disciple: Develop personal, spiritual growth by mentoring or being mentored. Travel the next steps in your Christian journey with a faith partner! Engage in regular one-on-one study, aid in accountability, provide mutual spiritual support, and more. Please le us know if you would like to learn more about leading or would like to be partnered with a mentor.

Core Development begins with our soul centered in God. From
that center we develop spiritual practices that lead to a vital
relationship with God, others and ourselves. These core practices
include varying elements of our Discipleship Process: Connect,
Grow, Serve and Prayer.

What group speaks to you? 
Please let us know if you need help deciding what is a good fit.
We are happy to help!