GROUPS
Carpenter’s Café.  A Bible-based forum for individuals to discuss issues that affect them.  Carpenter’s Café meets Fridays at noon in Fellowship Hall where a light lunch is served.  It’s a time for learning, looking at life a little deeper and often a little laughter.             

Presbyterian Women (P.W.).  This group of women meet on the third Friday each month in Fellowship Hall for Bible study and fellowship.

Bonne Volante.  This is our “work” oriented group for women which meet the first Wednesday of each month in Fellowship Hall.  These women help with work projects around the church, as well as help with Bingo or birthday parties at Sunrise Hill Care Center.

Men’s Group.  Get your morning started right!  Men gather the every Friday mornings at 6:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Their emphasis is to be Bible-based, creating a caring, inviting and encouraging environment to share the joys and struggles of living God-centered lives.  Leave for your workday empowered with a time of corporate prayer.

Arts Nights.  Every Monday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in fellowship hall a group gathers to create a variety of art projects for personal use or to be used for special community events.  The groups offers a time of informal sharing and exploring a variety of hidden talents through a variety of projects for anyone at any level of artistic ability would be able to experience the joy of creating things of beauty.  Projects include stepping stones, gazing balls, floral arrangements for holidays, sun catchers are decorative plates are among a few of the arts.

SUNDAY MORNING CLASSES
Faithweavers:  A grace-filled environment, caring leadership, and opportunities for kids, birth through kindergarten, to learn and experience that they are unconditionally loved, capable and worthwhile, unique and not alone.  Sunday morning programs are available for preschool ages and nursery area available for children infant through age 3.  Our Sunday morning program uses Groups Hands On Cirriculum which focuses one bible point each week. One on one support is provided for children with special needs.

Elementary Ministries:  A grace-filled environment awaits every child Preschool through sixth grade.  These kids are given the opportunity to learn and experience that, again, they are unconditionally loved, capable and worthwhile, unique and not alone.  Our Sunday morning program uses the FAITHWEAVER curriculum which focuses one Bible point each week.  The use of Bibles is a priority in each class.  Teachers use many creative ways to emphasize the Bible truths in multi-dimensional ways.

7th & 8th Grade:  We invite students to explore their faith by digging deeper in God’s Word on a regular basis. This group is given the opportunity to discern where they are at in their spiritual journey and if they then would like to chose to become a member of the church. The group is challenge to become more like Christ, to become servants as they develop a passionate love for God

9th - 12th Grade: We invite ninth through twelfth grade students into a relationship with Jesus Christ, to connect them with other Christians, help them to become more like Jesus. We challenge them to become servants as they develop a passionate love for God. They explore the scriptures on a regular basis and discover how the Word applies to their daily lives.

Adult Education Classes.  We normally offer at least two adult classes for you to choose from.  Find one that you’re comfortable with!  Right now, one of our classes introduces a video clip, followed by discussion.  Our second class is discussing faith issues. Our second class discusses scripture readings for each Sunday's worship services.

SERVING OPPORTUNITIES
Bell Choir.   The Bell Choir plays both sacred and secular music, and shares their music with the congregation monthly.  They also enjoy traveling to the nursing home to play for the residents. 

Grace Choir.  This choir offers their voices up in praise and glory to Jesus Christ.  The Grace Choir performs contemporary and traditional music using accompaniment tapes as well as piano/organ accompaniment.  The choir practices weekly and offers anthems monthly during worship, as well as special music throughout the year.  Practice time is at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. 

Praise Team.  The Praise Team leads praise and worship music for our monthly contemporary service.  The Praise Team consists of guitars, keyboards, and several vocalists.  This group is also called upon for special music throughout the year in a variety of worship settings.  Practice time is on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 p.m.

Children’s Choir.            The children’s choir gathers at the beginning of the nurture hour, September through May.  The children learn a variety of hymns, praise songs, and “Sunday School” songs, allowing them to experience the joy of singing praises to God.  The children share their music with the congregation monthly.

Weekly Opportunities.  Many opportunities are available every week to get involved!  Projects are taking place all year long and volunteers are always needed – whether it is for nursery assistants, worship leaders, or planning for our next “party.”  Opportunities such as ushering, greeting, or coordinating fellowship times are normally set up a year in advance, but extra hands are always welcome!

MISSIONS
Blood Drive.  UPC’s Board of Deacons organizes a Red Cross Blood Drive in the spring and fall.

Veterans’ Day Service.  We celebrate and honor our veterans, past and present, with this special worship service and meals.

Thanksgiving Day Meal.  Everyone is invited to join us for a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner at the church.  Whether you come alone, or bring your family – we’d love to have you join us!

Wellness Clinic.  We continue to provide space for a wellness clinic that now meets here on the fourth Thursday of the month.  The clinic supports young mothers/children with medical, educational and financial needs. 

Adopt-a-Family.  Our UPC families adopt several families at Christmas time through the Food Bank.  Gifts are purchased for the family members and delivered to the Food Bank, where they are then delivered to the families.

COMMUNITY BASED MISSIONS
CHAT (Christian Hands Across Traer).  CHAT is a mission of the Traer community and churches.  It provides financial support for people who find themselves in need of assistance in the North Tama school district. 

Food Bank.  The Food Bank is housed at the United Methodist Church in Traer and is a mission of the community. 

NTAC (North Tama Activity Center).  UPC was in on the very early stages of the development of NTAC.  The mission for the center is to serve the community with a focus on youth and the seniors of the community.  The center provides space to Young Life at no charge.  There are also weekly activities directed at providing seniors with activity and fellowship.  The center is a very inviting place for families and group meetings.

BASIC.  North Tama BASIC. North Tama BASIC is a Christ-centered outreach mission for grades 7 through 12. This Christ-centered mission is instrumental in changing the lives of young people. BASIC leader is Tom TeBeest and wife Angi. For more BASIC information, contact Tom at ttebeest@centurytel.net. 

Vacation Bible School.  Coming July 2010. Check back soon for details!

Special Times of Worship.  UPC joins with the area Traer churches for North Tama’s Baccalaureate service, Christian Unity service (January), and Thanksgiving service.