We have a wide range of ministries that you can become involved with!

Children’s Ministries

The children’s group here at Grace is known as the Grace Gang. Children ages 3 through 6th grade are welcome to come downstairs following the children’s moment during worship. The children follow their own order of worship that includes a few songs, prayer time and then a lesson. The younger children listen to a shorter version of the lesson and then are able to play, while the older school-age kids dive deeper into the Bible.

Our calendar year is very busy for the Grace Gang. In the spring we hold an Easter Egg Hunt for all to enjoy. In the fall we have Trunk or Treat – a safe way to trick-or-treat and hear the gospel tied to a normally secular holiday. The children lead two services a year through a spring and a Christmas program. They also join the adult choir for several anthems each year. The children are encouraged to help others through several mission projects each year – usually connecting to a local group to help those in need.

Two other special events for the children are Summer Day Camp and Vacation Bible School. Day Camp is four days in the summer. The children are driven to Camp Allegheny where they spend the day enjoying all the camp has to offer. Vacation Bible School is held for a week each summer at one of the 3 United Methodist Churches here in Somerset. It is a great time for the children to learn great Bible Stories and fellowship at the same time.

Youth Group

Faith On Fire is composed of young people in grades 6-12 who attend Grace and several other local churches. All young people are welcome, regardless of church membership. The group meets Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Some of the activities for Faith on Fire include attending SPARK conference and other contemporary Christian concerts, Bible study, game nights, snow tubing, Christmas caroling, and more. Leaders strive to help youth grow in faith and understand the importance of courage, forgiveness and grace.

Women of Grace

All women are invited to join and become active in this small but mighty group. In addition to meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00pm, special activities are planned throughout the year, including a summer picnic and a Christmas dinner. We do our best to help out wherever we see a need, and all funds raised are used for community outreach. Some of our fundraising events have included an annual drive thru chicken BBQ and apple dumpling sale, hard tack candy fundraisers, and baking and selling pumpkin rolls. We provide gas cards to those traveling for medical appointments, prepare meals for those in need, and do many other good deeds inside the church family, as well as in the community at large. One of our favorite ministries is our sunshine baskets which are given to those who could use a little extra cheer.

Chancel Choir

Most Sunday mornings from early September until the end of May, our chancel choir presents an anthem during the church service. Members of the choir rehearse on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Teenagers as well as adults are invited to join their voices in a variety of anthem styles. No auditions are necessary.

Italian Night

Each year we host two Italian Night dinners in our Fellowship Hall for church members and the community. Dinners are held on a Friday evening in the spring and fall. We usually serve 350-400 meals between 4:00 – 7:00 pm. In addition to spaghetti, these dinners feature a choice of pasta dishes and include tossed salad, bread, homemade desserts and beverages. Takeout orders are also available. A lot of help is needed to post flyers advertising the dinner, set the tables, prepare the meal, serve the meal, and then clean up afterwards. Adults and children work together to make Italian Nights successful. Unless there is a specific need within the church, all profits are donated to a worthwhile cause. Italian Night offers a wonderful opportunity for new church members to get to know other members by working side by side.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

If you knit or crochet, you might be interested in participating in this special ministry. Our own church members use yarn to lovingly make beautiful shawls, all the while praying for the eventual recipient. As a church, we pray over them in a special dedication. Then they are available whenever anyone would like to gift one to someone who might appreciate feeling the loving and warm embrace of God’s love.

Holy Trinity Methodist Church of Celaya (Iglesia Metodisto de Celaya la Santisima Trinidad)

Grace Church participates in a partnership with the Holy Trinity Methodist Church of Celaya, Mexico (Iglesia Metodisto de Celaya la Santisima Trinidad). Two of our church members worship in this church while spending several months each year in the city of Celaya. Located about 125 northwest of Mexico City, Celaya has a population of over 300,000. The Methodist Church has a vibrant congregation which has recently started a new children’s ministry called “Club Timotheo,” or “Timothy Club.” Our children have sent educational materials along with personal pictures and have recently received back handwritten notes and photographs of some of the children in the church. Our congregation sends support which helps the church and it’s pastor to continue to reach out to the community in meaningful ways. As our partnership with this sister church continues, we look forward to sharing more about the ways that God is working through our siblings in Christ in Mexico.

Mountain Craft Days Booth

Our church operates a food booth during a 3-day festival that is held on the grounds of the Somerset County Historical Center during the weekend that follows Labor Day. Many volunteers are needed to prepare food in our church kitchen in advance as well as serve the food in the booth. Booth volunteers are encouraged to wear outfits appropriate for the late 1700s. (Many outfits are available that can be borrowed from the church for this event.) Profits are usually donated to a mission project.

United Methodist Men

Our men, as part of the Somerset area United Methodist Men group, share with the local men in two annual dinner outings: a spring banquet and a corn roast in late summer. Both of these evenings include lots of great food and fellowship, along with a program of interest to men and older boys.