OUR MINISTRIES
At North Pointe United Methodist Church, we are dedicated to fostering a vibrant community that nurtures spiritual growth and outreach. Our ministries are designed to engage individuals and families in meaningful ways, offering opportunities for service, education, and fellowship. Whether you're looking to deepen your faith or connect with others, we have a place for you.
North Pointe United Methodist Church (NPUMC) organized a comprehensive ministries structure in January 2023 specifically to Nurture, Outreach, Worship (NOW), Youth, and Supportive Resources structure and continues to be streamlined presently. If you are interested in joining one of these ministries or would like further information, please call our office at: 262-639-2441.
Nurture Ministry activities facilitated by
Lea Acord encapsulates six categories:
Sharing the Care Ministry
Has been in existence for two years. In 2025 we assisted eight families and individuals. We continue to grow and mature as our activities and needs increase. Assistance ranges from rids to medical appointments to assisting the move of a family from one residence to another following hospitalization of a member of our congregation. Margy Girdzius recently assumed the responsibilities that Paula Thorsen had been providing for over two years as Technology Coordinator. Our congregants continue to respond vigorously as the needs are identified for Sharing the Care service.
The Prayer Team
The Prayer Team was expanded from four members to fourteen members because of congregants who wished to join the team. Other changes included the maintenance of an in-person prayer team that meets once a week as well as individuals who prefer praying during personal time during the week.
Home Communion Team
The Home Communion Team brigs communion elements to members who are not able to attend worship services on Sunday mornings. We currently have four teams (eight people) who volunteer to share this Holy Meal to the homebound.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry
Celebrated our 14th anniversary. Paula and Mark Thorsen created this ministry to make prayer shawls and items of comfort to those in need (begun after 9/11) and became a way as well of celebrating achievements. Prayer shawls are dispersed to new members of the congregation, to new babies at christenings and other occasions where a member of the congregation requests a prayer shawl.
The Garden Ministry
The Garden Ministry keeps our grounds clear and the bushes and flowers growing year-round. From April through November, the small group meets every week for three hours. Karen Andersen grows plants at home and transplants them in the garden. The Garden group is in desperate need of help, so please think about volunteering.
The Creative Arts Project and the Women's Ministry
The Creative Arts Project began in July 2024 by Nancy Bauer-King , Nikki Fisher, and Pauline Mitchell. The project began by inviting people to share their activities that "bring them joy, calm their spirits and soothe their souls." This would be a gift to the church community and would also help us to get to know each other better. From August 2024 to August 2025. eighteen "North Pointe Creators" shared their passions during a Sunday morning church service. The eighteen were honored with a community wide celebration of "Joy and Creativity" in September 2025 with over sixty in attendance. In addition, a book was published for each contributor with the script of their presentation and picture with their project.
In 2025 the Women's Ministry supported the church financially by donating monies to the Youth Group, the Pastor's Discretionary Fund, the Nursery Worker, the Diaper Ministry, and the Quilting Ministry. We also funded birthday bags that the Youth Group assembled for the Food Pantry.
Outreach Ministry facilitated by
Nikki Fisher encapsulates ten categories:
The Diaper Ministry
The Diaper Ministry - Jean Gobeli: With the generous support of North Pointe UMC members and local businesses, the diaper ministry serves individuals in the community who need diapers but cannot afford them. In 2024, the diaper ministry gave out 34,113 diapers to 1,758 babies. So far in 2025, the diaper ministry has given out 25,534 diapers to 1,561 babies. This year the missions committee held a creative campaign -- step up for the diaper ministry - which encouraged individuals to give a dollar for each shoe they had in their closet. That campaign raised over $3,700!
Northside Food Pantry
Led by Steve Oppeneer, the Northside Food Pantry provides emergency food supplies every Tuesday and Thursday to families who seek our help. The number of families served through October 2025 were 1,537 - an average of almost twenty families per day -- and the numbers continue to grow. During the October/November 2025 government shutdown and the threat to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, we set a record of thirty-eight families in one day. We covered the increased volume with generous financial and food donations from the community. Help has also come from grants from Johnson Bank and the United Lutheran and Covenant Presbyterian churches.
Tuesday Night Community Supper
Steve Oppeneer: The food pantry partners with St. Vincent DePaul in providing meals, clothing and personal care items at North Pointe every Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 to anyone who comes. Between 120 and 150 people are served every Tuesday. During the government shutdown, 190 meals were served on one Tuesday, an all-time record.
Clothing and School Supplies
Led by Georgia Owens: In January and September 2025, the church collected and delivered warm clothing and school supplies to Olympia Brown Elementary and S.C. Johnson elementary schools. We are currently collecting coats, hats, and gloves to be given to these schools again in December.
Baby Quilts for Teen Parents
Linda Jackson: The quilting ministry donates handmade baby quilts and blankets to the Racine Unified School District School Age Parenting Program (SAPAR). SAPAR Is available to all students, male or female under the age of 21 years who are not a high school graduate and are a parent, an expectant parent, or have been pregnant during the last 120 days. In December 202, the Quilting Ministry donated thirty-five quilts and blankets to SAPAR. This was an all-time high record due to the youth assisting with making fleece blankets plus a donation from a church member. For 2025, we are on track to donate close to 30 quilts and blankets due to diligent fellowship members. The quilters this year include Adrienne Schimek-White, Kathy You9ng, Canaria Jordan, Dyan Parkhill, Karen Kaplan, Janice Craig, and Linda Jackson.
Community Events
Led by Nikki Fisher: In February, we held another in our series of Community Conversations about issues that affect our community and the world. The topic in February was: "Immigrant Myths and Realities in 2025," presented by Linda Boyle and Sue Spices, co-chairs of the Racine Interfaith Coalition Immigration Task force. The event had more than 60 attendees and was also recorded and available for viewing online on our Facebook page.
Media and Communication
Mike Boldus, Jeanne Tyree-Francis and Kathy Young: An underappreciated aspect of our community outreach are the ways in which we regularly communicate who we are and what we do through our website, Facebook page, live broadcasts of Sunday services and our outdoor signage. As of November 17th, our Facebook page, managed by Jeanne Tyree-Francis, had 248 followers, which is a reach of more than 7500 individuals. Our followers are mostly local with 92% coming from Racine, Caledonia, Sturtevant and Burlington. The remainder come from elsewhere including Milwaukee, Yorkville, Madison and Waukegan. Our highest participation in online services in the last three months was October 26 with 305 views. Our outdoor electronic sign, managed by Kathy Young, broadcasts updated information about our services and events to everyone driving or walking up and down Erie Street.
Worship facilitated by
Jeanne Korndoerfer encapsulates seven categories:
Pastor Sue Barham: Does an excellent job of planning and conducting our worship services. She continues to offer wonderful sermon/worship series. The themes are engaging, interesting and thought-provoking.
A/V Team
The A/V Team is led by Jean Gobeli and assisted by Tom Leih. This includes soundboard operation, projection of visuals, live streaming, and troubleshooting technical issues. we currently have 3 members who help with visuals and look forward to training 3 more members in the near future to operate the sou9nd board. This important ministry creates an environment where all attendees, both in person and online, can fully engage in the worship services.
Ushers
Led by Ron Schmidt, are an essential part of our church's hospitality and worship experience. We have three usher teams who alternate serving for one-month periods, each team serving 4 months per calendar year. The usher teams are always open to new people and would welcome more members.
Music Ministry
Led by Tony Roland, we have a variety of musical performances to enhance our services, Tony Roland and Margie Girdzius offer solo performances and Tony accompanies and leads congregational hymns. Tony and Sally Hoezel offer lively and engaging duets periodically. Our very talented Bell Trio (Martha Oppeneer, Tony Roland, and Carol Smith) performs monthly not only for or services, but for the Lutheran service at 11:00 as well. They also perform for special services throughout the year. Their performances are both beautiful and moving. The Bell Choir, under the leadership of Martha Oppeneer, has been performing beautifully in services every 4 to 6 weeks, excluding summer months. The Bell Choir currently has eight members.
Children's Time
Led by Pastor Sue Leih, who kindly offers a fun and engaging message each week which is meaningful and enjoyable for all children of God.
Altar/Sanctuary Decoration
Karen Andersen works on our sanctuary/altar set-up and decor. She does a stunning job of arranging altar flowers on a weekly basis, as well as providing decor to enhance Pastor Sue's themed worship series. Her gifts create an environment that draws the congregation closer to God.
Liturgists"
We have a strong group of approximately 19 Liturgists who assist Pastor Sue in leading worship by reading scripture, prayers, and other designated parts of the service. Suzanne Pritzlaff does an excellent job of scheduling and coordinating liturgists. Their clear and confident voices help guide the congregation in connecting with God's Word.
Communion Stewards
We have a great team of 13 communion stewards who set up and serve our communion elements every first Sunday of the month and for special services. They play a crucial role in preparing the worship space for Holy Communion, ensuring the congregation can fully experience this important sacrament.
