| Using our gifts by Serving within First Methodist |
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Acolytes are youth (at least 9 years old and tall enough to reach the candles on the altar in the sanctuary) or adults who performs ceremonial duties such as lighting altar-candles and assisting the clergyperson in worship. Acolytes are used at both 8:30 and 11 a.m. services. This service involves gifts of leadership, service, listening. |
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Acolyte Trainers are adults who wish to add to the beauty of the First Methodist worship experience are encouraged to train, and coach youth who serve as acolytes to light and extinguish the candles used in Sunday services. This service involves gifts of teaching and encouragement, especially related to youth. |
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Adult Education Volunteers are individuals who are inspired to accompany others on an intentional discovery of Christ can lead a Sunday school class. Classes' covers a wide variety of subjects and anyone interested in teaching a new class may work with the Director of Discipleship for Adults to select curriculum. Persons gifted as teachers, leaders and/or administrators may volunteer to teach these weekly Christian education sessions on either Sunday or Wednesday. |
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Altar Guild (Adults) members preparing the sanctuary to glorify God through worship requires gifts of serving and faith from members of the altar guild. Members polish the church's brass, prepare the communion elements and the altar in the sanctuary for all communion services. Members also help "rework" altar flower arrangements for other uses and deliver the flowers as requested. Persons gifted with helping/serving, leadership, hospitality are invited to participate. |
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Adult Leaders for UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship) are adults (parents and others) who are valuable mentors to First Church's Middle and High school youth and are called upon to lead or co-lead large-group experiences. The fun, invitational environments encourage relationship-building in a Christian context. Servants called to this area commit up to 2 hours per week over the course of six months to one year, including a weekly UMYF gathering and a leaders' get-together. All servants are screened due the nature of the work. The spiritual gifts called upon include leadership, encouragement, hospitality, and helping/serving. |
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Cantata Choir These groups are made up of individuals who combine their talents with the Chancel Choir for special musical events. Though most are members at First Church, there are some who are not. This indeed provides a wonderful outreach to the greater church community of Charlottesville! Over the years, First Church, has been blessed with the participation of musical individuals not only from Albemarle County, but also students from the University of Virginia and our local colleges. |
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Celebration Singers Facilitate the worship experience through song at the 8:30 a.m. service |
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Chancel Choir This choral group is open to all interested individuals from age13 and up. It is responsible for leading worship at the vibrantly traditional Sunday service at 11:00 o'clock throughout the year. It meets every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. in Room 101. Two major choral works with instrumentalists are offered by this group during the year, one during Advent and the other at Easter. This choral group also has the wonderful opportunity of working with top notch vocal clinicians during their Annual Retreat and by attending the Worship and Music Conference at Montreat, North Carolina. |
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Children's Choir Helper Help with administration and supervision of the Children's Choir. |
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Children's Council members are individuals who are inspired to accompany children on an intentional discovery of Christ can lead the formation of the Children's Ministry. Anyone interested in helping to design the children's formation ministry including vacation Bible school and appropriate missions activities in conjunction with the churches Outreach Ministry plan may work with the Director of Discipleship for Children to select curriculum and activities. This service involves gifts of listening, encouragement, discernment, helping/serving, knowledge and leadership. |
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Church Mailings Assistants If you can stuff an envelope, staple, or affix labels, your talents can be used at First Church. Monthly, all church staff and program areas benefit from volunteer assistance with the church newsletter mailing and other special projects. Gifts include administration, and helping/serving. |
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Coffee Host Provide and set out coffee and snacks following the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services or coffee and snacks during the 10:40 a.m. on an occasional basis |
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Communications Team Member Together, team members enhance the visibility of our church in the community through advertising, website and other means. The team also facilitates communication within the church through signage, assisting groups with brochure design, production of the church newsletter, and other communications projects. Members engage in creative layout and design projects, advertising, administrative support, and team meetings and minutes. Gifts called for include creative communication, administration, and helping/serving. |
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Communion Stewards Serve home communion once a month to a select number of shut-ins.. |
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Cooks/Baker/Meal Server Can you throw a fantastic party or make a mean chocolate cake or chicken cordon bleu? You can share your talents with the church by baking bread for first-time visitors and to welcome new members or helping with church-sponsored functions such as Wesley Dinner, Monday Soup Kitchen and other events. Volunteers help with food preparation, host/hostess duties and meal service. Gifts called for include helping/serving, leadership, hospitality, and encouragement. |
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Connection Friends Church members who are familiar with First Church understand the need to incorporate new members quickly and completely into the life of the church. Hospitality volunteers are friendly, motivated, warm, and excited about the wide range of activities that First Church offers. Training will be provided for anyone who wishes to serve this ministry and share all First Church has to offer with new and prospective members. Gifts of knowledge, encouragement, hospitality, and serving also apply.. |
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DVD Ministry Help produce copies of welcome DVD for first time visitors. |
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Fellowship Events Volunteer Anyone who has felt the bond of friendship can assist with fellowship events at First Methodist. A variety of spiritual gifts are valuable and useful for producing successful events, including leadership, planning, decorating, service, greeting, serving, and others. Events include Wednesday night supper and activities, music and arts events, Dinner Conversation Groups, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, and Christmas Dinner, Potluck dinners, Church Picnic and other fellowship events.. |
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Financial Steward works as part of a team one Monday morning a month to count Sunday receipts.. |
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First Methodist Preschool Volunteer First Methodist operates a weekday Preschool center as a ministry to working parents and the Charlottesville community. Volunteers from the church serve as occasional storytellers and share other talents and gifts with our preschoolers. Spiritual gifts include hospitality, encouragement, and helping/serving. All servants are screened due to the nature of the work. |
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Gathering Center Host Agree to serve in the Gathering Space once a month following either the 8:30 or 11 a.m. worship service to greet visitors and members, answer general questions and help connect visitors/guests with worship and service opportunities at FUMC. |
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Graphic Artist This professional volunteer takes care of ads, flyers, posters and bulletins. |
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Greeters Persons willing to share their enthusiasm for worship with those who enter our doors. Greeters are important to each of the three ser4vices and need not have knowledge about the inner workings of the church. Greeters are given information regarding weekly activities and where classes are taking place on Sunday morning. Gifts used are hospitality and helping/serving. |
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Handbell Choir This group is open to all individuals beginning the the seventh grade. General music knowledge is not a prerequisite. However, love of music is a must! The musical literature knowledge done by this gropu reflects the five octave Schulmerich Handbells used and recently with the addition of the Marlmark Choir Chimes. Not only do they get to ring at church, but also attend area Handbell Festivals where they learn the finer points of ringing under the guidance of experts in the field. |
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Handy Helper/Craftsman Are you good with tools? Like to build or spruce things up? The church occasionally needs assistance with a variety of special projects. Sign up if you wish to share your gift of craftsmanship. Gifts used are knowledge, helping and serving. |
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Homebound Member Visitor Volunteers are needed to prepare and deliver communion kits to homebound members on Communion Sunday each month. Each December, volunteers are needed for Operation Cookie and Poinsettia to deliver poinsettias and cookies to our homebound members. People are also need to send the homebound newsletter, and be caring writers and callers. Gifts used include encouragement and hospitality. |
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Instrumentalist Play instrument for worship services. |
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Lay Reader (8:35, 10:40 and 11 a.m. Services) If you can read and you would find fulfillment by sharing scriptural truth with other members you can serve as a lay reader. Readers share the scripture lesson for the 8:45 am service each Sunday. Gifts include knowledge and communications. |
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Landscape Team Be part of the team that cares for the landscape. |
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Library Committee member Works in the selection, display, cataloging, and check out process for the church library. |
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Light & Sound Equipment Operator Individuals who are gifted at the behind-the-scenes aspects of production will serve as operators of the sound and lighting equipment in the church. Training is provided for all equipment. Service of this type would be on a regular rotational basis, serving during Sunday and special worship services, and uses gifts of administration, helping, and creative communication. |
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Martha Ministry Helping others cope with grief is at the core of this ministry, which provides food and other assistance for church families who have suffered a death. It involves gifts of serving, mercy, giving, and encouragement. |
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Ministry Team Member Ministry teams and councils meet throughout the year and provide leadership in their respective areas. Examples of core teams are Finance, Trustees, Staff-Parish, and Property. General gifts used include leadership, administration, and discernment, and other gifts, depending upon area. |
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Music Librarian This opportunity exists for those who want to be involved in the music ministry without having to sing or play an instrument. Volunteers are needed to sort and file sheet music and other musical supplies. General gifts used include leadership, administration, knowledge, helping/serving. |
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Note writers Write notes to first time visitors thanking them for attending worship and inviting them to return |
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Parking Lot Attendant Serve once a month from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. or for a portion of this time to welcome those attending worship by helping them find parking spaces. |
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Parking Lot Sign Assistant Puts up and removes directional signs on specific corners and on lots where permission has been granted for church attendees to park. |
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Prayer Team Member Serve on one of the weekly prayer teams to pray with individuals or pray for specific prayer requests |
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Pew Pocket CoordinatorP reparing the sanctuary for worship and welcoming visitor's takes special care. Individuals who understand this call replenish supplies (offering envelopes, pencils, Friendship Pads, prayer request cards, etc.) in preparation for worship services. Service is on a rotating basis. Spiritual gifts of helping/serving and hospitality are used. |
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Photographer/Videographer Individuals with special knowledge and skills are able to photograph new members, special services and church-sponsored events. These individuals serve on an occasional basis and use gifts of administration, helping, and creative communication |
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Set-up / Take Down Set up and take down Fellowship Hall for Sunday 10:40 a.m. worship and other fellowship events. |
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Small Group Facilitator Individuals with the gifts of teaching, knowledge, encouragement, mercy, and serving are trained to lead small groups, and in some cases, are asked to develop curriculum in collaboration with church clergy for support groups for church members and non-members. Some examples are: grief, divorce or other loss, study or spiritual formation groups on a variety of topics. Gifts used include discernment, knowledge, teaching, communications, evangelism, and helping/serving. |
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Special Children's Events Children and families engage in special fellowship events together throughout the year. Fostering a loving atmosphere for relationships requires coordinators and helpers with the spiritual gifts of encouragement, helping/serving, leadership, and administration. Events include Family Movie Night, Fall Festival, Advent Celebration, Short-term Bible studies and Plays. Servants will be screened due to the nature of the work. Spiritual gifts called for include teaching, encouragement, evangelism, knowledge, and faith |
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Special Youth Events Helper Specialized opportunities in lay youth ministry include mission trip leader, confirmation class leader, fun excursion leader, or leader for the youth leaders' weekly gatherings. Other lay ministry options with youth include serving as a food provider, assisting with transportation, etc. These volunteer activities involve such spiritual gifts as leadership, teaching, hospitality, and missions. |
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Stephen Ministry The Stephen Ministry is a lay care-giving ministry active throughout the United Methodist Church. Individuals commit to serve for at least 2 years and receive 50 hours of training over 5 months. They are paired with care receivers in the congregation and provide confidential care, support, and Christian love. Responsibilities of a Stephen Minister also include leading groups, visiting members in hospitals, and contacting persons by phone. Trained Stephen Ministers commit 10-12 hours per month plus ongoing continuing education. This ministry uses gifts of encouragement, faith, knowledge, mercy, helping/serving, and shepherding. |
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Summer Sunday School Teachers These are individuals who agree to provide curriculum instruction from the 3rd week in June through the 2nd week in September. |
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Sunday School Teacher The curriculum of Christian education and spiritual direction utilizing religious language, parable, sacred story, silence, and liturgical action is critical to help children in kindergarten through grade 5 become more aware of God's presence in their lives. Parents and other adults who serve as facilitators and co-leaders will be committed to the children's deepening relationship with Christ. All willing servants will commit to one or more Sunday’s per month. This role calls for the gifts of teaching, listening, evangelism, hospitality, and helping/serving. Servants will be screened due to the nature of the work. |
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Sunday Nursery Meaningful relationships with Christ can begin at a young age. Parents, grandparents and other adults who provide childcare during the 8:30, 10:40 and 11:00 a.m. Worship Services enable children to worship in their own way. Spiritual gifts include hospitality, encouragement, and helping/serving. Servants will be screened due to the nature of the work. |
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Sunday Worship Usher (8:30, 10:40 and 11:00 a.m. service) Adult ushers understand the process of the worship service and seek to facilitate the worship experience for others. They welcome and seat worshippers, distribute bulletins, collect offering and assist with communion and serve at special worship, memorial, and funeral services in addition to weekly Sunday services. Training is required for all ushers. Gifts include helping/serving, faith, hospitality, evangelism, and encouragement. |
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Telephone Receptionist Those who are personable and inviting individuals who treat others with warmth and kindness may be called to serve the telephone reception desk. Volunteers serve on weekdays in four-hour shifts (9:00 am - 1:00 pm and 1:00 - 4:00 pm) as "welcoming ambassadors" for the church. The telephone receptionist is the "face and voice" of First Church, serving as the first contact for callers, providing helpful information, and directing requests to the proper individual. Spiritual gifts include encouragement, evangelism, knowledge, and faith, helping and serving. |
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Transportation Provide transportation to church for those needing a ride. |
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United Methodist Men The mission of the United Methodist Men is to assist men to know Jesus Christ, to serve Him, to grow spiritually and seek daily to do his will. Gifts used in this ministry include teaching, serving, helping, evangelism, faith and encouragement. |
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Usher Welcome and assist those attending worship for 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services, collect offerings, and assist with communion. |
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Vacation Bible School Volunteer Vacation Bible School is a one-week morning experience that usually occurs the last week of June. Volunteers are needed to help plan, as teachers, to work with arts and crafts, recreational activities, music, decorating, play production and set construction. |
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Youth Council members are individuals who are inspired to accompany youth (middle school - High School) on an intentional discovery of Christ and lead in the formation of the youth ministry. Anyone interested in helping to design the youth ministry including retreats, youth Sunday School, youth group activities and youth mission activities in conjunction with the churches Outreach Ministry plan may work with the ministers for Christian Formation to select curriculum and activities. This service involves gifts of listening, encouragement, discernment, helping/serving, knowledge and leadership. |
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Youth Sunday School Teacher Parents and other adults who lead or co-lead small group and large group experiences with Middle School and High School youth create a learning environment that fosters spiritual growth and friendships. Servants commit 2 hours weekly over the course of six months to one year, including class preparation, and leading the class. All servants are screened due to the nature of the work. Spiritual gifts called for include teaching, encouragement, evangelism, knowledge, and faith. |
| Using our gift with an outward focus by serving Outside First Methodist |
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Angel Tree Ministry Provides gifts for preschool scholarship children and their siblings plus other selected groups of children. This ministry also provides Christmas cards to the local correctional facility and youth and adults and the women's correctional center. Gifts include encouragement, administration, helping, serving, and evangelism. |
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Belize Mission Team Member Travel to Belize to help with vacation Bible School and other in country ministry efforts. |
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Book Buddies First Methodist church members serve together as volunteer tutors for kindergarten through 4th grade students in reading skills. Servants commit 1½ hours per week during the school year (1 hour tutoring, ½ hour travel time). Gifts include encouragement, administration, and teaching. |
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Bread and Blessings Those who are called to service at Bread and Blessings engage in fellowship with the homeless and working poor while providing a nourishing meal. Meals may be cooked at church or prepared in advance. Gifts include hospitality, encouragement, helping/serving. |
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Chocolate Festival Volunteer Assist with the planning and execution of the annual Chocolate Festival to include children's events, auction, music, food court, set-up and take-down, run/walk, baking contests, advertising, logistics, booth construction, and cookbook. |
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Grant Proposal Writer Help write grants for Outreach Ministries. |
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Habitat for Humanity Building for an area resident in need of housing one house at a time. Various levels of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and painting skills are needed. Service includes gifts of a missions, evangelism, faith, and helping/serving |
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Hearts and Hands Knit baby caps or blankets to donate to the hospitals for newborn premature babies. |
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IMPACT: Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together This is a grassroots community-organizing group made up of representatives from the various faith communities. First Methodist members seek to make the community a better place by advocating for education, jobs, economic development and healthcare. Also IMPACT volunteers participate in action teams, community meetings and assemblies. Gifts include helping, administration, faith, and evangelism. |
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Lithuania Partner Church Ministry First Church has a partnership relationship with Sanciai Untied Methodist Church in Kaunas Lithuania. This ministry includes financial support for the upkeep and ministries of that church as well as personal communications and support for the people of Sanciai Church on a regular basis. In addition, travel to Lithuania to participate on one of the ministry teams including music, prison ministry, vacation Bible school, medical, and women's ministry is encouraged and supported. |
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Loaves and Fisher Food Pantry and Holy Comforter Food Pantry The Food Pantry provides food to the working poor on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings at Jackson Via School. The Holy Comforter Food Pantry operates on Wednesday from 10 a.m. - noon and stockers and packers are needed. Gifts include encouragement, hospitality, administration, helping/serving, and evangelism. |
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Men Who Shop provide supplemental Food and supplies to families, and non-profits groups plus helps with special projects. Gifts include missions, evangelism, encouragement, faith, and helping/serving. |
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Missionary Support First Methodist supports missionaries in Angola and Lithuania. People who wish to strengthen the worldwide community of Christ can communicate with missionaries on a regular basis and arrange visits to First Methodist when missionaries are traveling in the United States. |
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Mission Teams First Methodist offers opportunities for adult and youth volunteers to participate on mission trips in the United States and abroad. Recent trips have included Appalachia service project in Kentucky, Lithuania, and Belize. Service includes gifts of missions, evangelism, teaching, encouragement, faith, and helping/serving. |
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PACEM Faith community homeless shelter operating out of local churches on a rotating basis beginning in October. First Methodist usually host the men for two weeks and women for one week. Service includes gifts of evangelism, faith, hospitality, and helping/serving. |
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School Angels Those who recognize the invaluable contributions teachers give to their students can assist in facilitating two teacher appreciation luncheons plus a school-wide holiday party each year. Caring servants shepherd children during these special events and ensure children's engagement in activities. Service includes gifts of missions, evangelism, faith, and helping/serving. |
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Special Projects Helper Missions are successful through those who are called to organize special projects for the trips related to mission trips. Projects may include helping to collect supplies needed for the trip, arranging prayer partners for team members, packing donations, organizing writing campaigns for cards and notes for trip participants, and others. Assistance for similar local projects is also crucial. Service includes gifts of evangelism, faith, and helping/serving. |
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Wesley Foundation This on-campus United Methodist community is designed to meet the spiritual needs of students attending area colleges. Assist by preparing a Thursday evening meal to serve to students and participate in fellowship with them. Service includes gifts of missions, hospitality, evangelism, faith, teaching and helping/serving. |
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