Serving Opportunities
Get involved at Central
Central United Church has numerous serving opportunities with different time commitments and a variety of ways to share your skills. Volunteers are the foundation of Central United Church and we value your service. Browse through the categories below to find a serving opportunity. If you find something you are interested in, contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
To help you choose a serving opportunity, please Download and use our Spiritual Gift Assessment
Sunday School Volunteer
What Would You Be Doing ?
Ensure a friendly, creative and faithful environment for the Children. Assist with the Sunday School Activities. If you are interested in leading a class this can be organized. Helping with cleaning up is optional. You can Volunteer as often as you like. All volunteers are required to fill out volunteer registration form. Completing a Police Check is also required and the Church can help with this process.
How Many People Do We Need?
One Adult for each Sunday.
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sunday mornings 10:30 to 11:30am
Time Of Honouring Children
What Would You Be Doing?
Telling the children a 3-5 minute story during “Time Of Honouring Children” in the morning service based on the scripture reading for the day. The child focused story can be one that you come up with or one you glean from other sources.
How Many People Do We Need?
3-4 adults
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sunday mornings 10:30 to 10:50am
Teen and Young Adult Volunteer
What Would You Be Doing ?
Ensure a friendly, creative and faithful environment for the Teens and Young Adults. Assist the Teens and Young Adults to further develop their relationship with their Church. Introduce the Teens and Young Adults to the history of the Church, the other Volunteer opportunities, the special Volunteer opportunities and the special faith enhancement programs at Central.
How Many People Do We Need?
One or two Adults for each program.
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sunday mornings 10:30 to 11:30am
Sunday School Sign-In and Registration Volunteer
What Would You Be Doing ?
Be welcoming and friendly. Assist parents and Guardians with Sunday School Sign-in and Registration. All supplies will be provided and a more detailed duties description is available.
How Many People Do We Need?
One adult each Sunday.
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sunday mornings 10:15 to 10:45
Communications Writer
What Would You Be Doing ?
We have so many great stories to share here at Central. Do you love to write? We are looking for a few gifted writers to join our team to write for our newsletter, Heartbeat, as well as a few other areas.
How Many People Do We Need?
1-2
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Communications Photographer
What Would You Be Doing ?
Photographers provide event and promotional coverage for worship services, baptisms, church sponsored community events, and ministry events. Images are used in social media, church publications, and as part of in-service graphic elements.
How Many People Do We Need?
1-2
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Communications Advertising / Resources
What Would You Be Doing ?
Photographers provide event and promotional coverage for worship services, baptisms, church sponsored community events, and ministry events. Images are used in social media, church publications, and as part of in-service graphic elements.
How Many People Do We Need?
1
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Fridays
Communion Preparation Team
What Would You Be Doing ?
This team member is responsible for preparing communion on the Saturday of communion weekend. This entails: filling all the juice trays, portioning out the communion wafers in their trays and placing the juice and wafer trays in the Sanctuary. You’re not responsible in this role for ordering supplies but you are asked to report back on what the supply levels are after each service. Serving Time: Random Saturdays
How Many Do We Need?
2
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Communion Server
What Would You Be Doing ?
This team member is responsible for serving whenever communion will be served (approximately 4x/year). This entails acquiring the elements (wafer and juice trays) at the time of communion in the service, teaming with the person assigned to you to pass down the elements in assigned rows. Serving Time: Random weekends on a monthly basis. Serving Time: Random Sundays
How Many Do We Need?
Many
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Occasional Sundays
Communion Clean-Up Team
What Would You Be Doing ?
This team member is responsible for cleaning up the communion trays after the Sunday 10:30 service. This entails: collecting all the trays from the Sanctuary and back hallway, cleaning all the trays and returning trays to their storage place. This is a great ministry for families. Serving Time: Random Sundays
How Many Do We Need?
3-4
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Occasional Sundays
Concession Operator
What Would You Be Doing ?
Setting up and selling water, pop, chocolate bars, etc. at public concerts held at Central and all clean-up that is required after the event. One of the bonuses of this position is that you get to hear great concerts for free! All money raised goes to the Creative Arts Ministry.
How Many Do We Need?
8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Varies
Operation Christmas Child Coordinator
What Would You Be Doing ?
Coordinate, organize and plan the annual Operation Christmas Child shoe box distribution and collection for Central. Serving Time: Random days in October and November.
How Many Do We Need?
1
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Varies
Sandwich Making for Drop-In Centre
What Would You Be Doing ?
Making sandwiches to be picked up by the Drop-In Centre for their clients. Serving Time: Second Thursday of each month from 9 – 11 AM
How Many Do We Need?
8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
2nd Thursday morning each month.
Care Callers
What Would You Be Doing ?
Calling people who are shut-in, have had a hospital stay, have an illness or disease, who are grieving, who have been absent from church for a few weeks.
How Many Do We Need?
8-10
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Varies
Card Ministry
What Would You Be Doing ?
Sending cards (get well, thinking of you, anniversary, birthday [85+], sympathy, children’s birthday, graduation, etc.) to Central’s church family.
How Many Do We Need?
6
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Your choice
Christmas and Easter Flower Deliverers
What Would You Be Doing ?
Delivering poinsettias, roses and lilies to shut-ins, hospitals, care centres and homes.
How Many Do We Need?
As many as we can get
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sunday morning or evening during Advent and/or on Easter Sunday
Flower Deliverers
What Would You Be Doing ?
Delivering flowers to members of Central.
How Many Do We Need?
8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sunday morning or evening
Visitation Coordinator
What Would You Be Doing ?
Matching up the visitor with the one being visited, providing address, phone number etc. to the visitor, communicate with Congregational Care Coordinator
How Many Do We Need?
1
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Visitors
What Would You Be Doing ?
Visiting people in hospitals, hospices, homes, lodges, care centres.
How Many Do We Need?
4-6
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Sanctuary Choir Member
What Would You Be Doing ?
The Sanctuary Choir rehearses every Thursday from 7:00 – 8:45 PM and is the cornerstone of music ministries at Central. Singing diverse styles, from contemporary to gospel, this choir sings twice a month from the middle of September until the first Sunday of June and occasional special services. Previous experience &/or ability to read music is beneficial but not mandatory. No audition required.
How Many Do We Need?
As many as we can get!
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Thursday evenings, Sundays
Possibility Singers Member
What Would You Be Doing ?
Sing in the Possibility Singers ensemble once a month during the morning service as well as the early Christmas Eve service. The Possibility Singers sing more difficult or sensitive contemporary music. Previous experience &/or ability to read music is expected. Audition or invitation required.
How Many Do We Need?
Maximum 16
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Thursday evenings, Sundays
Christmas Choir (“Voices of Central”) Member
What Would You Be Doing ?
Every year in mid-December the Christmas Choir (Voices of Central) presents a full service of music accompanied by a full orchestra. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from 7 – 8 PM from mid-October to December. In 2016 rehearsals are from October 20 – December 15 with the presentation during the morning service on December 18.
How Many Do We Need?
As many as we can get!
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Thursday evenings (October 20 – December 15), Dress Rehearsal December 17 and performance on December 18
Heart song (AM Band) Instrumentalist
What Would You Be Doing ?
Playing in the morning band for congregational worship. (guitar, piano, bass, drums) Auditions required. 10:30 AM service twice monthly, monthly Saturday rehearsal.
How Many Do We Need?
6-8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Saturdays, Sundays
Instrumentalist
What Would You Be Doing ?
Playing an instrument (primarily guitar, bass or drums) with the choir as needed. Auditions required.
How Many Do We Need?
4-6
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Music Librarian
What Would You Be Doing ?
Serve the Choirs by distributing, collecting and filing sheet music.
How Many Do We Need?
1
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Whatever day works best!
Music Assistant
What Would You Be Doing ?
Helping the Music Director manage the mounds of music that gets reviewed each year. This includes data entry, filing and sorting music.
How Many Do We Need?
1
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Drama Actor
What Would You Be Doing ?
To rehearse and perform in drama or video. Audition or interview required. Some performing experience would be an asset. Occasional dramas, Sunday services, special events.
How Many Do We Need?
8-10
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Drama Creative Writers
What Would You Be Doing ?
Creative writers collaborate to create scripts to be presented creatively through onstage drama or creative videos. Submission of writing samples and/or interview required.
How Many Do We Need?
3-4
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Facility Odd-Job Squad
What Would You Be Doing?
Come and show off your handyman repair skills! We are looking for a team of volunteers who can meet as needed to work on various repair projects to keep this old building in good repair! Projects can include painting, building and other repair or upgrade projects. Use your passion for handyman work to positively affect people coming into our church for services, mid-week groups or concerts.
How Many Do We Need?
8-10
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Facility Room Set-up Team
What Would You Be Doing?
Looking for teams of 4-6 volunteers to help with setup tables and chairs for special events or luncheons, such as Annual Congregation Meeting. We could use your help for approximately 1 hour on random Saturdays after 11 AM.
How Many Do We Need?
As many as we can get
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Facility Room Clean-up Team
What Would You Be Doing?
Looking for teams volunteers to help wiping off tables, re-stacking chairs & tables and putting them back to where they belong in the church – approximately 30 minutes.
How Many People Do We Need?
4-6
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Sunday Greeters / Ushers
What Would You Be Doing?
To greet people as they enter the building, offering a warm smile and handshake; providing directions if required. The friendly faces of our Greeters play an important part in making people ‘feel at home’. Many Greeters also take up the offering. Serving times: Sunday 9:45 AM.
How Many Do We Need?
As many as we can get
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Weekday Greeter / Security
What Would You Be Doing?
To greet people as they enter the building through the alley door for noon hour meetings during the week, offering a warm smile; providing directions if required. Greeters are often the only face of Central that the hundreds of people that come through our door during the week see.
How Many Do We Need?
5-10
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Weekdays, Monday to Friday
Resource Centre
What Would You Be Doing?
To provide assistance and a warm welcome to anyone who comes to the Resource Centre for help. Before and after services. Times for serving: Sunday 10:15 am and 11:30 am or 5:45 pm and 7:00 pm
How Many Do We Need?
8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Emergency Response Team
What Would You Be Doing?
The role requires this person to be on call during the Sunday service they regularly attend on a rotational basis in the event of a medical emergency that may arise during that service. This person needs to be currently certified at a minimum of Standard First Aid Training and CPR.
How Many Do We Need?
8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Funeral Reception Coordinator
What Would You Be Doing?
Duties are to order the sandwiches, squares, and any other food required. Train any new leaders. Email / call leaders and members when funeral receptions are requested.
How Many Do We Need?
1
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Funeral Reception Team Leader
What Would You Be Doing?
Duties: guide and oversee the reception team members for each funeral reception as to what needs to be done on the day of. Arrive 60 minutes prior to the service starting and begin preparations.
How Many Do We Need?
2
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Funeral Reception Team Helper
What Would You Be Doing?
To assist in the preparation of the funeral reception. Duties include: cutting sandwiches and setting them on platters, putting out squares, slicing pickles, making coffee, tea, punch and filling water jugs. Arrange plates, napkins and centrepieces on tables provided. Setting up cups, cream, sugar and stir sticks. Arrival is usually 60 minutes prior to the start of the service and then stay for clean up when the majority of the people from the service have left.
How Many Do We Need?
10-12
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
Library Volunteer
What Would You Be Doing?
Library Volunteers are responsible for shelving incoming items, check-in and check-out, and general customer service. Volunteers are required for Sunday, after the 10:30 am service.
How Many Do We Need?
4
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Morning Pre-Service Coffee Hosts
What Would You Be Doing?
Meet in the Fellowship Lounge and share coffee and conversation with anyone who drops in.
How Many Do We Need?
4
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays from 9:30 – 10:15 am
Morning Post-Service Coffee Hosts
What Would You Be Doing?
Serve coffee to people after the morning service.
How Many Do We Need?
8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays from 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Bulletin Folding
What Would You Be Doing?
To fold and put inserts into Sunday Morning and Evening Bulletins
How Many Do We Need?
2
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Fridays
Graphic Designer
What Would You Be Doing?
Designing posters, brochures and promotional materials for upcoming events. Designs will be used in the weekly bulletin, future monthly newsletters (both hard copy and email), as well as all promotional material and advertising on our website and Facebook.
How Many Do We Need?
1
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Your choice!
Holiday Office Coverage
What Would You Be Doing?
To cover the office (answering phones, photocopying, general office help) as needed for Vacation days or time off
How Many Do We Need?
1
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Fridays
General Office Coverage
What Would You Be Doing?
To help in the office – answering phones, photocopying, general office help
How Many Do We Need?
1-2
What Days Would You Be Needed?
1 or 2 afternoons a week
Online Prayer Team
What Would You Be Doing?
The Online Prayer ministry serves as a web based prayer chain for the purpose of getting emergency prayer request
How Many Do We Need?
As many as we can get
What Days Would You Be Needed?
It varies…
After Service Prayer Team
What Would You Be Doing?
This ministry requires a spiritual/emotionally and physically mature person to pray with and in some cases give very minor and suggestive (only) counsel to people who come for prayer following a service. This person must feel comfortable praying for people in public.
How Many Do We Need?
4-6
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays after each service
Trusted Servants
What Would You Be Doing?
To greet people as they enter the building, offering a warm smile and handshake; providing directions if required. The friendly faces of our Trusted Servants play an important part in making people ‘feel at home’. Trusted Servants also take up the offering. This is a screened position. Serving times: Sunday 5:30 PM.
How Many Do We Need?
As many as we can get
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Projection Operator (using MediaShout)
What Would You Be Doing?
MediaShout operators have a unique task, in that they lead worship from the tech booth using a laptop! This role is pivotal in creating a focused service because the screen is so big and impactful, that it can have the power to draw or detract focus forward. The goal is to create an environment that gets people to a place of worship, and screen plays a significant role in that. Training is provided.
How Many Do We Need?
8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays from either 9:00 am – 12:00 pm or 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Lighting Technician
What Would You Be Doing?
It’s fairly obvious to understand why we need lighting technicians; we need people to see! Lighting technicians are critical because they add an element of emotion and art to the service. It’s a place where the artistic and technical worlds meet; there is some artistic license allowed and technology is required to execute it. Lights are one of the key tools in maintaining focus throughout the service, as they allow people to visually see what we want them to focus on, and what to ignore. By maintaining focus and flow throughout the service with lighting, we are able to allow people to focus on the one thing; the word of God. Training is provided.
How Many Do We Need?
8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays from either 9:30 am – 11:30 am or 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Videographer
What Would You Be Doing?
The Videographer is part of the Tech Team on the weekends and is responsible for recording the message at one or both of the two services. Training is provided.
How Many Do We Need?
8
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays from either 10:15 am to 11:45 am or 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Video Camera Operator – Live Feed
What Would You Be Doing?
Camera operators are responsible for having a ‘live-feed’ on the screen for baptisms and other special events.
How Many Do We Need?
2
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Occasional Sundays at either service
Sound Operator
What Would You Be Doing?
The Sound Operator is responsible for operation of our 32-Channel Personis Digital Soundboard for the two regular worship services as well as other services as needed (remuneration is provided for additional services). Operators are responsible for set-up and tear-down of equipment, as communicated by the Director of Music. Training is provided.
How Many Do We Need?
4
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays and other dates
Service Preparation
What Would You Be Doing?
To prepare the Sanctuary for worship. This would involve filling candles with oil and lighting them, roping off pews as needed, filling the font for baptism, etc.
How Many Do We Need?
1-4
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays at 9:30 AM or 5:00 PM
Scripture Readers
What Would You Be Doing?
Reading the scripture (as provided to you) during the service. Microphone training and public speaking training required.
How Many Do We Need?
As many as possible
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Making Announcements
What Would You Be Doing?
Preparing a script for the Sunday announcements that the staff has determined need to be highlighted. Microphone training and public speaking training required.
How Many Do We Need?
1-4
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Service Leader
What Would You Be Doing?
Participating in the service by leading the congregation in the various service elements based on that week’s scripture & theme (Invitation To Worship, Opening Prayer, Morning Prayers). These could either be provided to you, written by you, or a combination of both. Microphone training and public speaking training required.
How Many Do We Need?
As many as possible
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Worship Service Clean-Up
What Would You Be Doing?
Volunteers would spend 10-15 mins following a service straightening the Sanctuary. Take pride in God’s house by picking up and disposing of any left behind coffee cups, water cup/bottles, bulletins, misc. paper. Straighten and/or organize offering envelopes and contact cards. This is a great way for families to become involved in serving! We need 2 or more people following each service.
How Many Do We Need?
4 or more
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Sundays
Worship Planning Team
What Would You Be Doing?
Volunteers would meet to brainstorm ideas for morning worship services. Special attention is made to ‘special’ services / seasons (i.e. Advent & Christmas, Lent & Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving, etc.). Those involved currently meet during the day as needed, however this team is hoping to expand with those interested in making a real impact to the environmental / visual impact of the Sanctuary as well as suggesting videos, reading, music, drama, etc. for inclusion in the service.
How Many Do We Need?
Many!
What Days Would You Be Needed?
Weekdays (during the day)