One of the major reasons new members give for joining our church has to do with the quality of our programs for children and youth. All of our youth ministries meet on Sunday evenings from 6:00 until 7:30 PM.

UGUMC is proud to have what we think is the finest music program in all of North Iredell County. We offer a graded choir program, beginning with preschoolers and going through adults. In addition to choirs, we presently have five handbell groups, and a brass ensemble. Our children do at least one musical every year, and our adult choir performs cantatas at Easter and Christmas.

Chancel Choir: Thirty-twomembers strong -- we would be larger, but the choir loft is completely full! -- the Chancel Choir provides great choral music nearly every Sunday and sets just the right mood for our worship. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:45 PM. Director: Steve Kirby

Youth Choir: Our newest group, made up of 5th, 6th and 7th grade students, meets Wednesday evenings at 7:00. Director: Susan Key

Joyful Noise: Our children's choir is featured at least monthly, and it is open to all elementary age children. Their music is usually of the "toe-tapping" variety, and it never fails to produce lots of smiles. They rehearse Wednesday evenings at 6:30. Director: Susan Key

Sonbeams: For children not yet in school, the Sonbeam choir is the place to be. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at 7:00. Director: Lynne Harner

Joyful Chimes: The place to start for our children who want to ring handbells. Made up of 3rd and 4th graders, this group teaches the basics by using handchimes, preparing them for the big bells later on. Director: Marcia Wooten

Chapel Chimes: Fifth and sixth graders make up this hard-working group. These kids play handbells and rehearse Wednesdays at 6:15 PM. Director: Marcia Wooten

Joy Ringers: Made up of 7th, 8th and 9th graders, these ringers are well on their way to becoming great musicians. They rehearse Sunday evenings at 7:00. Director: Marcia Wooten

Celebration Ringers: This is our most advanced group, made up of dedicated high school students who practice every Sunday morning at 8:30. Auditions are required. Director: Marcia Wooten

Ethan O'Neal Memorial Ringers: Our only adult group, currently made up of 7 women and 2 men. Rehearsals are Sunday evenings at 8:00. Director: Marcia Wooten

Union Grove Brass: Two trumpets, 1 horn and 1 trombone comprise this group which is featured at Easter and Christmas. Director: J.P. VanHoy

UGUMC has always enjoyed a close relationship with the elementary school located just across the street. Since 1997, with our formal adoption of the school, we have been deeply involved in providing:

• Prayer partners for all staff members
• Tutors
• Refreshments and snacks for the teachers' lounge
• Medicine for families in need
• Volunteers for school events
• Angel Tree ministry at Christmas

In 1998, UGUMC received The Governor's Award for Community Involvement for their ministry to the school.

In 1997, UGUMC instituted a "meals-on-wheels" ministry for shut-ins in our community. To date, our volunteers, under the direction of Penny Ledbetter, have delivered several thousand hot meals to folks who are in need of this type of ministry. Each week, our volunteers load up about 30 meals, then fan out across the community in obedience to Jesus' command to "feed the hungry."

In 1993, UGUMC established the first "senior citizen's" ministry in North Iredell. Meeting on the first Thursday of each month, our Sonshiners group averages 75-100 folks per meeting. Meeting time is 11:00 a.m., and usually consists of an interesting program, followed by a covered dish lunch. For more info on the Sonshiners, please call the church office at 539-4394.

UGUMC is deeply involved in assisting families in our community and elsewhere who experience physical loss during natural disasters. In the past several years, we have sent building teams to Kentucky, Georgia, and Haiti, as well as working on many projects here in our own backyard. In 2002, we completed our first Habitat for Humanity house, and in 2003 we will complete the second one.

In April of 2002, UGUMC launched its first Hispanic ministry in response to the growing Hispanic population of our area. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:30, our volunteer staff teaches E.S.L. (English as Second Language) to a group of hungry-to-learn students. Teaching E.S.L. is a part of our commitment to being the "heart, hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ."