At 200 South Fourth Street in Mebane, North Carolina, Mebane United Methodist Church is known for a 10:30 Sunday worship service shaped by traditional choral music, classes for children, youth and adults, and service that reaches neighbors through weekend meals, school backpacks and a porch pantry. The congregation grew from the 1941 union of two earlier churches and continues to pair worship and discipleship with practical care for Mebane.
A Sunday That Fits Together at South Fourth Street
Sunday morning has a clear rhythm. Adult Sunday School and children's Sunday school begin at 9:30 a.m., and worship begins at 10:30 a.m. at 200 South Fourth Street. The Chancel Choir sings traditional anthems during the morning service, and the handbell ensemble plays monthly. The adult class explores biblical principles and their application to life in a safe and comfortable environment.
Children ages six weeks through three are welcome in the nursery from 9:00 a.m. to noon each Sunday. Caregivers include a paid staff member and parent volunteers; staff maintain low child-to-staff ratios and follow safe sanctuary guidelines. They have CPR and first-aid certification, ministry-safe training and completed background checks. A parent signs in and may leave instructions for caregivers. Families are asked not to bring sick babies during cold and flu season.
Noah's Ark is a children's church program during worship for preschool through first grade. Children leave the sanctuary at 10:45 for Bible stories, lessons, singing and crafts, then are picked up after service in Room 215. The church office is staffed Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 919-563-4301.
Two Congregations United in 1941
Founded in 1941, Mebane United Methodist Church came into being when Central Methodist Episcopal Church South merged with First Methodist Protestant Church. Central Methodist Episcopal Church South stood on West Ruffin Street, while First Methodist Protestant Church occupied the South Fourth Street location now used by MUMC. The two congregations elected to merge, worship under one pastor and erect a new church building. That building was completed in 1949, and an educational building was added in 1957. The congregation's pastor is the Rev. Aaron Hayworth.
Children, Youth and the Next Steps of Faith
Children's Sunday School runs from 9:30 to 10:15 and relates scripture to worship and daily life. Younger classes use Deep Blue and the Whirl Lectionary, while the preschool class is always supported by at least two teachers. Another class uses sharing experiences, art, video, Bible study and games, and helps children learn about Methodism, church traditions and the workings of worship. An interactive Spice Rack class uses activities, discussion questions and games. Vacation Bible School is another part of the church's ministry for children and families.
Youth Group
Youth Group serves students in sixth through twelfth grades and meets on the first and third Sundays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the third floor of the education building. Youth elect their own officers, join district-wide and church events, and serve on church committees. Church membership is not required to participate.
Confirmation and Acolyte Service
Confirmation is a continuation of one's faith journey and the beginning of a covenant relationship with the church. The three-month course gives each confirmand an adult mentor and includes a weekend retreat at Camp Chestnut Ridge. Study covers scripture, church history and tradition, the core doctrines of Christianity and the United Methodist Church, spiritual practices and Christian discipleship. The course culminates in a confirmation ceremony during Sunday worship.
Acolytes are third-graders and older who have completed acolyte training. They assist the pastor with opening and closing worship and serve as companions and helpers to the congregation.
Adult Learning and Fellowship
Adult Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. Adult Bible study meets Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 212. Different leaders guide the lesson and open discussion, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
Men's Fellowship
United Methodist Men is a core group of men partnering with the pastor to invite and initiate spiritual growth opportunities. The ministry supports spiritual formation, church infrastructure and community service. The Men's Lunch Group meets for lunch every Thursday at noon.
United Women in Faith
The United Women in Faith unit welcomes women of all ages and does not require church membership. It combines mission work, education and fellowship while supporting concerns including domestic violence, immigration and the environment. Its work reaches women and children in Mebane as well as global ministries of the church.
Carla Parks and Sarah Jarvis co-chair the Helping Hands Circle, which meets on the first Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in Room 212 and goes to lunch around noon. Its projects include stocked purses for women at a shelter, hand-tied blankets for cancer patients, hygiene kits for elementary and middle-school girls, school supplies, children's clothing, birthday gifts for Meals on Wheels and necessities for the Giving Manger. The circles also make soup for sick and homebound members and support international United Women in Faith missions.
Choir Anthems and Wednesday Handbells
Music is a regular part of MUMC life, and no audition is required. The Chancel Choir is open to all and focuses on traditional anthems sung during morning worship. It also presents Easter and Christmas cantatas during worship, and choir members rehearse on Wednesday night.
Bell ringers from high school through adulthood rehearse Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The group has the capacity for a three-octave bell-ringing ensemble, enjoys a lively weekly rehearsal and plays monthly during worship.
Saturday Sandwiches and Friday Backpacks
Sandwich Ministry
The Sandwich Ministry grew from the realization that children receiving breakfast and lunch assistance during the school week may also be hungry on weekends. Every Saturday, bag lunches are prepared and delivered to community members experiencing hunger. On the third Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m., volunteers of all ages gather in the Fellowship Hall to prepare 150 lunches. Each lunch includes two sandwiches, chips, crackers, dessert and a drink.
School Backpacks
Every Friday during the school year, 20 backpacks of food are delivered to a local elementary school for children identified as food insecure. A small group of volunteers gathers at the church on Thursdays to pack the food. Backpacks contain a breakfast item, food for a family meal and a snack.
The Little White Box on Holt Street
The Little White Box ministry is available 24 hours a day on the porch of the church on Holt Street. Its simple message is to take what you need and bring what you can. The box accepts nonperishable food without glass containers, household cleaning products, personal hygiene items, new socks, hats and gloves, and household paper products. Congregation members and neighbors help keep it stocked.
Shawls Made with Care
The Shawl Ministry meets in Room 212 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month. Members knit and crochet shawls for people facing illness, experiencing a loss or celebrating a special event. The shawls are prayed over and blessed in worship. Yarn is available, and the supportive group welcomes people with any level of skill, including those who are just learning.
Scouting and the MUMS Weekday School
The Scouting Troop meets Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. under Scoutmaster Ryan Kerins. The Pack meets every other Sunday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. under Cubmaster Coleen Christensen. Both give children and youth regular opportunities to participate in scouting at MUMC.
The MUMS Kitty Hupman Weekday School provides preschool care and training for children of all races, genders and abilities. It serves children from 15 months through entering kindergarten, as well as school-age children up to 12 years old and through fifth grade. MUMS seeks to meet children's physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual needs in a manner reflecting God's love. The school is located at MUMC, is directed by Laura Andrews and can be reached at 919-563-5600.
Giving and Tithes
Giving can be placed in the offering plate on Sunday, delivered to the church secretary during the week or submitted through online giving. Online gifts may be made as one-time payments or as recurring contributions on a schedule chosen by the giver.
A Lighthouse Congregation in Mebane
MUMC is a Lighthouse Congregation of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, in partnership with The United Methodist Collective and the Office of New Faith Communities. The church is committed to remaining part of the United Methodist Church while serving people who have lost their church homes through disaffiliation or closure.
The United Methodist Church understands God's love for the world as an active and engaged love seeking justice and liberty. At MUMC, that love is demonstrated through worship, Bible studies and prayer gatherings, as well as community ministries that meet the needs of vulnerable residents. The church describes its commitment as living the life Christ modeled: a life of humility and service to humanity. From its merged beginnings to its music, education and outreach ministries, Mebane United Methodist Church's life on South Fourth Street is built around worship together, learning across generations and service to the community.