BEL CANTO RINGERS
The Bel Canto Ringers is a handbell choir which predates the disastrous fire in 2001. The fire destroyed all of the handbells (except for one solitary G4 bell that is sorely out of tune), all of the handbell equipment and most of the handbell music. With insurance money and generous donations to the handbell program, five octaves of brand new Malmark handbells and handchimes were purchased in 2002, along with bell tables, pads, miscellaneous handbell related items and replacement music. The Bel Canto Ringers continue to flourish under the baton of Chungsam Doh, Musical Director of SLOUMC. On Easter Sunday we look forward to ringing all five octaves in joyful celebration of the reopening of our new church facility.

The handbell program at SLOUMC is a growing program that welcomes newcomers at all levels of handbell ringing ability. We are especially good at teaching novices how to ring handbells. If you are interested in ringing with us or learning how to ring handbells, please call Ginny Rodgers at 784-0266 or Prudy Lovtang at 544-2120. 

WEEK BEGINNINGS
In 1995, SLOUMC Pastor Nelson Stringer decided, with a small group of supporters, to begin a “contemporary” worship service in addition to the traditional service currently offered. He enlisted Rich Van Houten, guitar in hand, to help lead the singing. Rich had sung and played with Nelson and popular Methodist folk singercomposer Jim Strathdee at inner-city urban churches back in the ’60s. This contemporary service met first in the Wesley Building, then in the downstairs Chapel, then in the entryway of the old (pre-fire) church. Rich was eventually joined by several other SLOUMC guitarists. The service soon grew from just a few worshippers (one Sunday we had three!) to over forty.

When the church burned in 2001 and all worship services were moved to the Wesley Building, there was floor space to add a harpist! It was about that time that the group officially adopted the name “Week Beginnings.” This play-on-words name communicated not only that the music was a good way to begin the week, but also playfully deflected any criticism that the beginnings of their songs were “weak!” Since that time, Week Beginnings has welcomed into its fold several other instrumentalists and vocalists from the congregation. The group is happy to report that because (or in spite of!) their leadership, the contemporary service has continued to grow and thrive, in size and depth. The popular music version of this group of performers is known as BOOMERANG! This group plays around the area as well as for special UMC events

WORSHIP HELPERS
Each week there are opportunities to serve as ushers, greeters, liturgists, and communion servers. There are also opportunities to creatively prepare the worship space with flowers and paraments and operate the sound system and computer.