What is a Community Group?

A community group is eight to 12 people who gather regularly to grow in their faith through study, prayer, fellowship and service. In a congregation as large as Fifth Avenue, community groups are a way to get plugged into the church as well as find support, friendship and encouragement in the city. Groups meet in person and online, bringing together local members and members from other parts of the country.

Most community groups focus around Bible study, book readings or an Adult Education curriculum. Groups also participate in service projects, and attend classes, concerts and fellowship events together. Our hope is that by engaging questions of faith on a number of levels—through worship, education, personal reflection and community—each member’s experience at Fifth Avenue will be richer, more empowering and more fulfilling.

Find Your Community Group

The following community groups are looking for new members this winter. Choose one (or more) that sounds right for you, and complete the enrollment form. We’ll be in touch with next steps!

Whether you are looking to join a virtual Bible study, spend an evening out with church friends, or read alongside other bookworms, there is a space for you to learn and grow. While many of our community groups gather in person, a number meet online with members from around the country.

Several community groups returning in 2023 are eager to welcome new members, including:

Asian American Bible Study
Led by Rev. Dr. Jonah So, this small group is for anyone who identifies as Asian or Asian American. This group completes its current course of study in March 2023 and will determine next steps. Stay tuned!

Community Choir
This non-auditioned choir is open to members of Fifth Avenue and the wider community who love to sing and want to advance their musical and vocal skills. We meet in Jones Auditorium on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 pm for rehearsal and fellowship. The Community Choir joins the Fifth Avenue Choir several times each year to lead music in Sunday morning worship.

CouplesPlus!
A fellowship group for all adult members and friends, both couples and singles, who are interested in evening social activities.

Employment Support
The Employment Support group that the church initiated in the early days of the pandemic is still going strong. Every Thursday morning, career advisors Kathy Murray and Win Sheffield meet on Zoom with anyone seeking employment or going through a career transition. The group meets at 10 am ET every Thursday. Click here to join.

FAYA | Fifth Avenue Young Adults
Our 20s+30s ministry offers a number of small groups for members, which meet in person and online. Check out fapc.org/faya to learn more and get involved.

Monthly Book Club
This group meets monthly on Zoom, welcoming participants from the New York area and from around the country. The group has reads and discusses a variety of fiction and non-fiction works. Recent titles include Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, Adam Gidwitz’s The Inquisitor’s Tale, James McBride’s Deacon King Kong, Sandy Tolan’s The Lemon Tree and many more. Jaime Staehle, director of Christian education, leads this group.

Parent Group
Join us as we explore together how to raise faithful, Christian families in New York City. We welcome all parents, no matter how old your children are! We meet in person on Sundays at 9:30 am in the LaDane Williamson Christian Education Center.

Supper Club
Led by Ashley Gonzalez, this group offers casual opportunities for folks to eat dinner together twice a month. Each week we discuss an episode of the Food and Faith podcast. We will try new restaurants around the city and get to know each other.

The Word Is Out
Our mission is to provide a nourishing space for anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+. Led by Porter Binks, Trevor Illingworth and John Kern, our group meets at the church every other Sunday at 9:30 am.

30s + 40s+
A popular new group that gathers for fellowship in local restaurants and pubs.

Don’t See What You’re Looking For?

We welcome you to create and lead a community group that suits your needs and interests. Drop us a line at community@fapc.org, and let’s get started!