CARPENTER’S CLASS
Our class is composed mostly of young professionals – some with children and some without. We are building a foundation of faith for ourselves and our families. Most of us arrived at United Methodism through other faith backgrounds so we bring a lot of fun perspectives to discuss. Due to the nature of our busy lives, no preparation or reading is required before class. We meet upstairs in room 210 of the Trice Building.

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN CONCERNS CLASS
The Contemporary Christian Concerns (CCC) Adult Sunday School Class, is composed primarily of older adults although there is a desire for and full acceptance of all ages. Each week a member of the class or an outside presenter speaks on a new contemporary Christian concern followed by a lively discussion. Examples of some of the topics include updates on the Middle East, immigration issues, the homeless community in Baton Rouge, etc. This class meets in the parlor in the Holmes building right next to the fellowship hall.

FOUNDATIONS CLASS
We focus on short-cycle studies that range from topical subjects to discussions of Scripture. To accommodate busy schedules, our studies are designed for “picking up” at any week of the study, and require no “homework.” This class welcomes open conversation that uplifts our common journey in faith. Join us in Room 215 in the Trice Building.

OPEN DOOR CLASS
Our class studies different modern perspectives on living a Christian life in our modern world.  We view videos presented by experts on a subject and have lively discussions on how to apply them to our lives. No preparation is required for class, and each class can be attended as a standalone session.  The class is composed of 50 to 70-year-olds, both single and married, retired and active in the workforce, and long-time and new church members. We meet on the bottom floor of the Trice building in room 116.

Throughout the year UUMC hosts multiple special bible & book studies outside of our regular small group studies. If you have more questions, please contact the church office for more details

John Wesley believed that Christians are always moving to perfection in faith. As part of that journey, Wesley believed that small groups were essential. UUMC is home to numerous small groups that embrace the concept of Scripture study, accountability, and fellowship. Some of our groups are “covenant” in nature: they agree to meet and share the trials and blessings of a faith journey. Some of our groups are “Wesley” groups: they meet weekly to study Scripture, frequently studying in advance the Scripture which will be read in worship on Sunday. We have groups that are all women, all men, and couples. UUMC wants to nurture and grow new groups! If you are interested in joining a new group, please contact us at info@universitymethodist.org so that we can find a great fit for you!

MONDAY MORNING BOOK GROUP
We meet each week at 7:00 a.m. on Zoom and focus mainly on books on theology. We also focus on secular works to provide variety and books from various tenses– from C.S. Lewis to Marcus Borg. We are open to new members of any age. Contact Ed Dodd at edodd2@cox.net for details.

WEDNESDAY EVENING SMALL GROUP
Our women’s small group meets in UUMC’s Parlor from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. No preparation is required, but please bring a Bible. We spend half an hour reviewing the past week for ways in which we have served as the living hands of God in a hurting world. In the second half hour, we read one chapter of the Bible and discuss how we understand that chapter to illuminate our Christian lives. We end with prayer requests and a time of prayer. Contact Barbara Albright at jbalbright@cox.net for details.

THURSDAY MORNING WESLEY GROUP
The Thursday Morning Wesley Group meets each Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor. We discuss clashes between culture and Christianity using the Wesleyan quadrilateral. Currently, members are in their 7th, 8th, and 9th decades, but all are welcome.

PRAYER TEAM
This ministry exists to serve the greater purpose of University United Methodist Church: To love God, love others as ourselves, and be disciples of Christ who make disciples of Christ for the transformation of the whole world.

Our purpose is to uphold the congregation, its ministries and its pastors, and also the community in prayer by

• Receiving and praying for concerns and requests from individuals;
• Being available to pray with someone if the need arises;
• Covering the various ministries of University United Methodist Church with prayer and receiving any prayer concerns they may have;
• Making the Prayer Room a peaceful environment for prayers to flow readily to God.

Individuals with prayer concerns can communicate prayer requests directly to the prayer team, submit an online prayer request through the website home page, or call the Church Office at 225-344-0343. If a person desires, they can have the name printed in the Gathering and Scattering for congregational prayer. Otherwise, all requests remain confidential.

Susan Pourciau is the Prayer Team Coordinator. Currently the Prayer Team is meeting remotely, but members are still in prayer for all your concerns. Please contact Susan if you would like to become a member of the Prayer Team. All are welcome to participate.

CARE TEAM
The Care Team is made up of lay persons and the Minister of Congregational Care who are dedicated to tending to the needs of the members of the church. In prayer, both joys and concerns are raised during the weekly Wednesday morning meetings. The Care Team has been meeting faithfully for twenty years to serve God in the church through works of compassion and love.

• Greeting cards of sympathy, encouragement, and congratulations are mailed out every week.
• Birthday cards to members eighty years and older are also sent each week.
• Rosebuds are provided on Sunday mornings to celebrate recent births among members.
• Visits are made to those individuals who are home-bound or hospitalized. Opportunities to visit these individuals or to send encouragement cards are available to the whole congregation each month as well.
• The Care Team sends requests (when needed) to the Meal Ministry to provide meals to individuals returning home after hospitalization.

The church office (225-344-0343) should be contacted if there are members who need assistance in any way, or the request can be placed in the “Prayer/Care Team” mailbox in the church office. The Care Team will do their best, with God’s help, to respond quickly.

Finally, if a person is interested in joining the Care Team in its ministry of encouragement, prayer, visitations, and service that person should call the Care Team Coordinators: Patti Damico or Ki Addison, or the Minister of Congregational Care through the church office. The Care Team currently meets in person at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays in the library.

CARPENTER’S LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY TEAM
The Carpenter’s Lay Eucharistic Ministry Team began in 2016. This is a team of non-clergy members of UUMC who were trained for the purpose of taking Holy Communion to homebound members (people who can no longer make it to church – mainly because of age, mobility, and/or health problems). Members of this group visit members in their homes, assisted living centers, or rehabilitation centers to offer a comforting presence and to serve Holy Communion (consecrated bread and cup) to individuals unable to attend worship on a regular basis.

A two-day training is required which covers:
a theology of Holy Communion in The United Methodist Church,
a brief understanding of the practice of lay visitation,
how to handle and care for the Communion elements, and practice serving Holy Communion to each other.
A Safe Sanctuary Covenant form is required and a background check is also standard procedure to be able to visit in the homes of our members who are elderly.

If you are interested in participating in this amazing ministry, we ask that:
you be a member of the congregation
have the desire to serve the body of Christ
have a passion for and a love of Holy Communion
Please contact the Minister of Congregational Care (225-344-0343) to learn more about this ministry and upcoming training dates.

THE BEREAVEMENT TEAM
The Bereavement Team is called into action whenever a funeral service has been scheduled at University United Methodist Church.  A Bereavement Team consists of at least 3 volunteers from the congregation who faithfully serve God through hospitality and compassion to the bereaved family during a funeral. 

Members of the team meet before the scheduled funeral service to set up the guestbook, prepare the Sanctuary as requested, place white paraments on the pulpit and altar, check the oil level in candles, set temperature and lights, and provide cold water bottles for guests during the visitation hours.

The team is there to welcome the family upon arrival at the church and offer help and service to the family whenever needed. The Bereavement Team also stands in the narthex as the guests arrive and offers hospitality to the guests, directing them to the guestbook, providing worship bulletins, and offering directions to church facilities. At the conclusion of the service and as the guests exit the church, the team then restores the sanctuary in preparation for Sunday worship.  

A beautiful reception can be prepared in the Fellowship Hall after the funeral service by the Bereavement  Reception Committee if requested by the family.

New volunteers are always welcome to become new Bereavement Team members.  Contact the Minister of Congregational Care through the church office (225-343-0343) who will then provide appropriate training.  This is a powerful ministry for people who have compassion for bereaved families. 

MEALS MINISTRY
Through a team of wonderful volunteers, we provide meals to church members in times of need…

… after the birth of a baby.
… after surgery or hospitalization.
… during times of crisis.

The meals ministry is an excellent way to meet other people from church and make a difference in someone’s life, with a minimal time commitment. Meals DO NOT have to be homemade. In situations such as these, it is definitely “the thought that counts.” The purpose is to help someone in need by providing a helping hand in meal preparation, not to dazzle anyone with your culinary skills. In times of need, a friendly face and a meal is a true gifts.

Those wishing to become involved will be put on a special email list and when a need for meals is brought to the church’s attention we will send out an email to everyone asking for them to sign up to bring a meal on a day and time that works best for them. You will not have to make a meal each time you are asked, but do remember that this is a ministry of caring; it will bring love and blessings to your life as well as to those you bless with a meal or two. If you would be interested in taking part, or if you know of someone in our church family that is in need of meals, please drop us an email at info@universitymethodist.org or call the church office at 225-344-0343.

Getting involved with the church is the fastest way to find community and connection and grow your relationship with God. If you see a group below that you would be interested in joining, please contact the church office by emailing office@universitymethodist.org so we can talk further!

CHURCH COUNCIL
The Church Council is the executive agency of the church. The work of the council is to envision, plan, implement, and annually evaluate the congregation’s ministry and mission. It also provides for the administration of the church and its daily life.

The membership consists of all committee heads as well as persons who represent the program ministries of the church, United Methodist Men, United Methodist Women, and United Methodist Youth, plus a young adult and the pastor. Additional at large members may be appointed to assure that the council reflects the character and population of the congregation.

STAFF PARRISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The staff-parish relations committee (SPRC) is required by ¶244 in The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church and is a basic part of the organizational structure of the local church. The SPRC is the local church administrative unit in which lay and clergy spiritual leaders integrate the staff and congregational interests to focus on the mission and vision of the local church as well as communicate clearly with the state conference.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Committee on Finance oversees the daily financial operations of the church including funds received and disbursed. The committee is responsible for the annual budget of the church and for the annual stewardship campaign. The Committee is headed by a Chairperson and is made up of nine committee members and heads of other church committees and pastors.

MISSIONS & OUTREACH COMMITTEE
The Mission and Outreach Team facilitates the participation of UUMC in mission. We encourage the congregation to propose projects that interest them. Projects that can involve all ages are especially encouraged. We have ongoing relationships with Habitat for Humanity, HOPE Ministries Client Choice Food Pantry, the Holy Grill and Rise against Hunger. Each year a Toy Drive is held for Hope Ministries’ Christmas Toy Distribution. Bags of Blessings for the homeless is a project which involves our children. We encourage anyone with a heart for mission to join the Mission and Outreach Team. For more information please contact Susan Pourciau at spourciau48@cox.net.

SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Our committee seeks to inspire and organize our congregation to act on issues of injustice and inequality that are present in our local area and the world. In the last two years we have participated in LSU’s Take Back the Night vigil honoring victims of violence, participated in Baton Rouge’s Gay Pride celebration, participated in three sessions of the six week long Dialogue on Race, two of those in collaboration with Neely UMC. In addition, the Social Justice Committee has become a Reconciling small group by affiliating with the Reconciling United Methodist Network which supports full inclusion for all LGBTQ+ United Methodists. We have a desire to learn more about and support other pressing issues including immigration, human trafficking, criminal justice reform, homelessness, environmental stewardship, women’s issues, educational disparity, and poverty eradication.

Those desiring to join the committee and work for a more humane, just, and compassionate community through education and advocacy, please contact either co-chair: Nancy Hillman (ncmh545@gmail.com) or Bernadette St. Amand (bernadettesaint3@gmail.com). If you are interesting in learning more about systemic racism, please see the list of books and films addressing this topic on this website.