SMALL GROUPS + SERVE TEAMS
As with most churches, the most important gathering of the week is the Sunday morning gathering when everyone in the Ren Church community assembles to celebrate, worship, hear God’s Word, and just be together. Our Sunday service is also the greatest entrypoint for brand new people. So there’s an element of missional hospitality at work as well. Sunday gatherings are the times when we are most apt to experience the tangible presence of God. For these reasons, we work hard to make the Sunday gathering as potent and beautiful and life-changing as possible.
But church is meant to be more than just a couple of hours on a Sunday. Following Jesus happens in real life—around tables, in homes, through deep conversations, and in moments of service. True spiritual growth, discipleship, and friendship take root in smaller settings where people can truly know and be known.
If you’re looking to build deeper relationships at Ren, there are two primary ways to do it: Small Groups and Serve Teams. Most people do both. Here’s how you can get involved.
1. Small Groups
Presently, we have several small group opportunities to consider. They meet at all different times and are held in various locations. Most study Scripture together, but the primary goal is to get to know each other and support one another. Some groups share meals together. Here is a listing of our present groups.
Cranston Group
@ Chris and Vicky’s
Thursdays 6:30-8 pm
Lead | Chris and Vicky
This group is open to all people including families with small children. They often show a short teaching video to spark discussion.
Cranston-Warwick Group
@ Kevin and Jennifer’s
Every other Wednesday 6-8 pm
Lead | Max and Josi
This group is led by Max and Josi who direct our small groups. So this group serves as a prototype group and also a training ground to raise up new leaders. The focus is on building authentic relationships and growing deeper in our faith, while we enjoy snacks and laughter.
Young Adult Women
@ Brynn’s, Hannah’s, or Doria’s
1st and 3rd Mondays 7:30 pm
Lead | Dina
This group is made up entirely of young ladies in their 20s. The first Monday is less structured: catch up, eat snacks, share struggles, pray. On the third Monday they have one of the older ladies from the church come in to share their story. Then, the young women ask the older woman questions around a particular chosen theme.
Providence Small Group
@ David and Kellie’s
Twice a month on Sunday afternoons
Lead | David and Kellie
This group is made up mostly of families with little children. The format is loose and relational but includes the Word and a time of prayer together. This group is at capacity right now and isn’t taking anyone new.
Women’s Bible Study
@ the church space cafe (10 Tripps)
Twice a month on Saturday mornings
Lead | Joanne
This is an intimate gathering of women, both young and old, who are seeking a deeper relationship with God and each other through the purposeful study of the Word, fellowship and prayer. They are presently discussing the book of James.
Riverside Group
@ John and Ruth’s
Every other Friday night
Lead | John and Ruth
This is a brand new group that started May 2025. It’s about a mile from the church space. They are open to others hosting on occasion so the group may move around a bit to different host homes. They are studying the book of Jonah.
Attleboro Group
@ Amy and Nikita’s
2nd and 3rd Sunday afternoons 1 pm
Lead | Amy and Nikita
This group starts by sharing a meal together and then moves into a time of discussion in the Word. They are presently exploring the book of Job. They end with a time of prayer and worship.
The Well (Youth + Young Adult Group)
@ church space cafe (10 Tripps)
4th Sundays after service
Lead | Doré
This is a new group that was started in 2025 that includes both youth and young adults. The gathering begins with lunch, graciously provided by Ren folks. And most of the gathering is discussion-based. The aim is to foster relationships and nurture the spiritual lives of young people in a way that tailors to their unique season of life.
2. Serve Teams
Whereas small groups tend to be more of a circle time for eating, talking, and praying, the serve teams are more action oriented. Serve teams unite around a specific mission to serve the church or people outside the walls of the church. The goal, however, is not just to accomplish a task but to become a small community supporting one another. Note: Serve teams (except for CityLove) are reserved for those who have committed to be part of Core membership. Here’s a listing of the serve team opportunities:
CityLove Team
This is an initiative started several years ago that concentrates on serving a particular, under-resourced area of Providence called Trinity Square. This team has done a variety of things together over the years such as distributing groceries to people in need, creating murals, coordinating block parties, partnering with local nonprofits, and neighborhood beautification. The most regular thing they do is a monthly Saturday morning outreach delivering groceries together.
Lead | Katherine Gosnell
katherine@renchurchri.org
Prayer Team
The prayer team leads a Sunday morning time before service 9-9:30 in the prayer room. They are also available to pray with people during the post-sermon time of worship and/or after service.
Lead | Shayna Banfe
Safety Team
The safety team arrives early on Sundays to set up the building and take the signs out. They are positioned in various stations of the building with the primary aim of ensuring safety for all who attend.
Lead | Anthony, David K
Cafe Team
This team arrives early on Sunday mornings to brew the coffee, and then they serve the coffee between 9:30-10.
Lead | Mikaela
Welcome Team
This team sets the tone on Sundays fur all things hospitality. They greet people coming in. They field questions at the welcome table. They connect people with people. They usher when needed. They do whatever they can to help people attending to have a positive experience.
Lead | Katherine
katherine@renchurchri.org
RenKids Team
The kids ministry is the largest of all of our ministries and requires lots of dedicated volunteers who serve children up to 5th grade. Some opportunities are as simple as holding a baby or getting on the floor and playing with toys with a couple toddlers. Other positions within the ministry involve thoughtful teaching and leading.
Lead | Alli
renkidsri@gmail.com
Worship Team
This team (along with AV) is probably the most demanding of all the teams and requires the most time commitment. They show up very early on Sundays to set up and rehearse. They also meet earlier in the week to rehearse. And many of them spend many hours preparing at home on their own before they get to practice. The leaders do additional work planning everything out.
Lead | Julie, Dan W, Kevin
AV Team
This last team is fittingly last because they are the most overlooked. And yet, their presence and excellence is felt by all. They are responsible for all things sound in our gatherings. They also tend to video projection and lighting.
Lead | Nikita
One last thing I’ll mention is the more occasional one-off type gatherings. Sometimes we’ll do a special outreach like a block party or art installation or concert. These are things we encourage everyone to come out to. We’ve had men’s or women’s breakfasts that bring out many. There are dinner parties and other fun outings like apple picking. There are opportunities to come together to beautify our space or to plant flowers in the neighborhood. Sometimes there’s a special celebration everyone is invited to. We’ve done fundraisers open to all. We’ve had Christmas decorating parties. These are just a sampling of simple ways we practice being together as a church family.
Overall, we are striving to make it as easy as possible to get to know people in the church and to feel connected. Even if we did this as good as any church it’s still essential that you take advantage of the opportunities available. At first, it can be uncomfortable trying to get involved in a church, but—keep at it. Push through the awkward stage. Eventually, you’ll feel right at home.
If you are interested in any of the above groups or teams, you can reach out to the contact email listed below.
info@renchurchri.org
Feel free to reach out to Pastor Scott if you have general questions about any of this.
scott@renchurchri.org
— Pastor Scott