Sunday School Program
The Sunday School Program is for all ages and grades. In addition to Sunday morning classes there is a monthly program in which all classes participate where birthdays are recognized and attendance banners are awarded. Sunday School Superintendents, Cissy Parks and Ann Baker, also coordinate a Teacher Appreciation Banquet and the annual Promotion Sunday celebration as well as the annual Sunday School Picnic held in the fall of the year. For further information contact Cissy Parks at 291-2709.
Sunday School for Children
For ages nursery through 6th grade, Sunday School classes are offered all year and start at 9:45 a.m. each Sunday.
Sunday School for Youth
There is a middle school class and a high school class which meet each Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m.
Sunday School for Adults
Offered every Sunday at 9:45 a.m., there are three adult classes offered:
The Hope Class
For “youngish” adults, married or single, this class features in-depth Bible study.
The Ace Owens Class
For any age adults, this class features a discussion format dealing with works by Christian writers.
The Fretz Class
For any age adults, this class features Bible-based curriculum offered in a lecture style and is taught by Pastor Emeritus, Robert Morgan.
Children’s Ministries
Acolyte Program
This program is for children and youth in the 3rd grade through high school. Under the guidance of Linda Lane participants are trained to help lead worship through the office of Acolyte/Crucifer. Participants are added to a periodic schedule and notified of which Sundays they will serve in the worship service. For further information contact Linda Lane at 291-9575.
Children’s Choir
For 3rd-5th graders, this group is under the direction of Becky Vandenbosch. Choir meets each Sunday evening from 5:00-5:45 in the Choir Room. This program runs from September through May of each year. For further information contact Becky Vandenbosch at 291-9527
Kids That Care
For 3rd-5th graders, this group meets directly after the Children’s Choir—from 5:50-6:30 on Sunday evenings. This is a fellowship group aimed at spiritual & social development and service to the community. This program runs from September through May of each year. For further information contact Priscilla Morello at [church email]
Children’s Church
This group is for those children ages 3 through 2nd grade and meets during the worship service following the Children’s Time with the Pastor. This ministry is offered each Sunday during the year with a few exceptions on special occasions. For further information contact Tiffany Goddard at 991-0564.
Cub Scout Pack 89
For information about Cub Scouts at Winstead UMC see the Pack 89 website at pack89.cocentral.com. Dens meet on Mondays from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Contact Mike Summers at 237-6330 for additional information.
Girl Scout Troop 1775
As of August 2010, the Troop is in the midst of forming additional groups for girls from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The meetings will be on Thursday nights from 7:00-8:00 p.m. For further information contact Heather Summers at 237-6330.
Vacation Bible School
This program is offered for nursery through 5th grade and utilizes youth and adults in leadership positions. It has taken on different formats in the past couple of years but is held in the evenings during the summer months.
Youth Ministries
UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship)
This group, which meets Sunday evenings from 5:00-6:30, is under the leadership of our Youth Director, Lindsey Winborne. This group is designed to help youth grow in their spiritual lives, navigate their lives from a Christian perspective and engage in ministry and service to the community. For more information contact Lindsey Winborne at youth@winsteadumc.org.
Confirmation Class
This is a periodic program offered to youth who are wanting to explore what it means to commit one’s life to Christ and become a member of the church. Under the direction of the Pastor and the Youth Director, this class is usually offered in the spring.
Youth Retreats
The youth participate in periodic retreats such as Pilgrimage which is held in November and a Jubilee Weekend at Lake Junaluska which is usually in July.
Psalm 150
A youth and adult Praise Band, this group meets on a regular basis and shares periodically in the worship setting. For more information contact Ryan Kirby at web@winsteadumc.org.
Adult Ministries
Short-term Classes
Classes such as a 4-week Advent study or a 12-week Disciple Bible Study are offered periodically—usually on a week-night. Currently (Summer 2010) the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is being offered. For more information on upcoming classes contact Priscilla Morello at layleader@winsteadumc.org.
Wednesday Night Supper and Study
This mid-week supper is offered to any and all and is $3.00 per person. The study following the meal is predominantly for adults and is coordinated by Pastor David Haley.
For more information contact Pastor Haley at pastor@winsteadumc.org.
United Methodist Men
For all men of the church, this group meets on the second Sunday of each month at 7:45 a.m. for a breakfast meeting. The UMM sponsor the Sweetheart Banquet in February and a mini-BBQ Chicken Sale in May, among many other activities. This fellowship group provides the men of the church a chance for interaction and spiritual growth.
For more information about UMM contact Scott Jenkins at 243-2111.
United Methodist Women
This women’s group is for all the women of the church and is set with three circles which meet monthly except during February, May, August and December when there are General UMW meetings held at church.
The Circles are:
Clee Zell Circle
This circle meets the third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in members’ homes for a program, short business meeting and fellowship.
Elizabeth Morgan Circle
This circle meets the third Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in members’ homes for a program, short business meeting and fellowship.
Gulia Aycock Circle
This circle meets the third Monday at 7:00 p.m. in members’ homes for a program, short business meeting and fellowship.
For more information about UMW contact Ophelia Taylor at 237-4014.
Magic Age
This group for adults primarily age 50 and over meets the fourth Tuesday of each month except for July and August. The group usually meets at the church at 12:00 noon for a covered-dish meal and a program from 12:30-1:00 p.m. For further information on this group call Mae Eatmon at 237-0502.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
This is a ministry sponsored by the UMW but involving whoever likes to knit or crochet. Shawls are made on a regular basis by various participants and are made available to anyone who may need one. For more information contact Tassie Jones at 234-5786.
Music & Worship Opportunities
Adult Choir
This group, under the direction of Dr. Andrew Preston, meets August through June on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. for rehearsal. An industrious schedule of music ministry is planned for the year which often includes a cantata both at Christmas time and at Easter time. For more information contact Dr. Preston at music@winsteadumc.org.
Grace Notes Hand Bell Choir
Under the direction of Joyce Wolfe, this advanced adult hand bell choir starts in August or September with an intense hand bell workshop and then on Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. Grace Notes enhances the worship service at least once a month and concludes the year with a spectacular concert in the spring. Their annual concert is held in April of each year. For more information contact Joyce Wolfe at 291-0834.
Genesis Bells
Under the direction of Joyce Wolfe, this beginner adult hand bell choir meets on Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. and enhances the worship service approximately once a month. For more information contact Joyce Wolfe at 291-0834.
Psalm 150
A youth and adult Praise Band, this group meets on a regular basis and shares periodically in the worship setting. For more information contact Ryan Kirby at web@winsteadumc.org.
The Men’s Quartet
Under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Preston, this quartet ministers periodically during the worship setting or for other groups within the church. For more information contact Dr. Preston at music@winsteadumc.org.
The Winstead Quartet
Under the leadership of Joyce Wolfe, this quartet ministers periodically during the worship setting or for other groups within the church. For more information contact Joyce Wolfe at 291-0834.
The Master’s Five
This celebrated vocal group shares periodically during the worship setting or for other groups within the church. For more information contact Debbie Williams at 291-5530.
The Tri-Tones
This women’s trio shares periodically in the worship setting and is a popular choice for musical programs by other groups in the church. For more information contact Debbie Williams at 291-5530.
Lay Readers to read Scripture
Under the coordination of Linda Lane, readers are scheduled to read the Scripture offerings for weekly worship. For more information contact Linda Lane at 291-9575.
Ushers for 11:00 Worship
Under the coordination of Linda Lane, ushers are scheduled on a rotating schedule to serve for one month at a time. For more information contact Linda Lane at 291-9575.
Greeters for 11:00 Worship
Under the coordination of Linda Lane, greeters are scheduled to serve for one month at a time to greet all who come for the 11:00 worship service. For more information contact Linda Lane at 291-9575.
Sound and CD Ministry
Sound technicians work each week to enhance the worship service and to record the service on CD for distribution to shut-ins. For more information contact Ray Brinkley.
Outreach Ministries
The Hand in Hand Ministry
This extensive ministry seeks to partner with Vick Elementary School and will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this school year 2010-2011. Some of the services rendered by Hand in Hand are:
School Supply Drive
Each August members of Winstead church donate school supplies which are then delivered to Vick Elementary School by Hand in Hand. These supplies help those who cannot purchase for themselves such supplies.
Prayer Partners for Teachers
Teachers and staff at the school are asked if they would like to have a prayer partner and once they have given us a consent form we assign a church member to be in prayer and send monthly greetings or small tokens of esteem to bolster the teachers and staff during the school year.
Tutors
Adults from the church are given the opportunity to sign up to work for the year with one student. With the 2010-2011 school year, we will be working within the guidelines of CIS—Communities In Schools. That means that each tutor will have a back-ground check and will be trained using CIS material.
Classroom Buddies
Each of the classes at Vick Elementary (K-5th) will be assigned a Classroom Buddy. This person (or persons) will bring treats/and or supplies once a month the students of their assigned class as a way to bolster and encourage the students. Classroom Buddies this year will also be asked to have a back-ground check in accordance with the CIS Guidelines for this school.
Hand in Hand Team
The team provides goodies for the teachers and staff once a month and remembers birthdays. They also provide a breakfast at the beginning of the year and special treats for the teachers at Christmas and for Teacher Appreciation Week in May.
Special Worship Services
Hand in Hand coordinates two worship services each year—a Children’s Sabbath Service each fall and a Hand In Hand Celebration in May of each year.
Christmas Angel Tree
Hand in Hand and the UMW co-sponsor an angel tree to help needy children from Vick Elementary during the Christmas season. Over 50 children were helped last year (2009).
For more information about Hand in Hand contact Sanda Hight at 237-1594
Hope Singers
This outreach ministry is coordinated by Joyce Wolfe. Hope Singers is a group of adults who love to sing! They are part of a larger group, Noah’s Friends, a self-advocacy group sponsored by The ARC of Wilson County. Rehearsals are held at the church the 3rd Tuesday of each month, except summer, and their annual concert is presented in May. For more information contact Joyce Wolfe at 291-0834.
Missions Committee
This newly formed committee has been established to oversee the outreach work beyond the local community. Under the leadership of Emily Bone this group will coordinate mission trips that are national or international as well as work on ways to raise funds for outreach ministries near and far.
For more information contact Emily Bone.
Visitation to first time visitors
Coordinated by Marcia Parker, this ministry seeks to make a welcoming contact for those who have visited our church. For more information contact Marcia Parker at 206-1952.
Congregational Care
Witness Committee
This committee, coordinated by Genny Starnes, seeks to minister to bereaved families by preparing meals. Working in teams, they minister as a need arises. For more information contact Genny Starnes at 243-6265.
Fundraising Projects
Annual Chicken Barbecue
This fundraiser is held the first Friday of October every year. In 2010 we are celebrating our 22nd annual barbecue on Friday, October 1st. Many workers/volunteers are needed to make this event a success. For more information contact Bonnie Stith at 235-4085.
Peanut Project
This ongoing ministry is one for which the church is known far and wide. The “Peanut Brigade” works diligently to provide jars of peanuts for the community and welcomes new workers/volunteers. For more information contact Harry Barker at 291-1639.