Your Opportunities to Serve A Guide to Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church Trinity United Methodist Church 213 Main Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840 Phone: (908) 852-3020 Fax: (908) 850-3290 Email address: info@catchthespirit.org Website: www.catchthespirit.org
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Table of Contents I. II. III.
IV. V.
How to Use This Book ……………………………………………………………………………….. Sharing Abundance ..……………………………………………………………………….………… Adult Service Opportunities.…………………………………………………………….………. a. Small Group Ministry (010) ..………………………………………………….………. b. Administrative Ministries (050-055)………………………………………..……… c. Congregational Care (070-071) ………………………………………………………. d. Children, Youth and Young Adult Ministries (100-111) ………….…….. e. Music Ministries (200-204) ……………………………………………………..….….. t. Food Service Ministries (300-301) ……………….…………….….……….………. g. Mission & Advocacy (400-416) …………………………………………………..…… h. Church Family Ministries (500-501) …………………………………………….… i. Worship – Saturday Night (600-603) ………………………………………..……… j. Worship – Sunday Morning (604-616) ……………………………….…….……… k. Worship – Special Services (617) ……………………………………………………. l. Men’s and Women’s Ministries (700-701) …………………………….….….. m. Miscellaneous (800-802) …………………………………………………………….….. Youth Service Opportunities—Grades 7 to 12 (S10-S21) …………….…….……. Child Service Opportunities—Ages 3 to Grade 6 (C10-C17) …………….………….
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How To Use This Book This booklet contains brief descriptions of Trinity’s ministry opportunities. It will be an essential tool for helping you find places and ways to serve when used along with the Growing in Generosity Gratitude Card which will be mailed shortly. Upon receiving this book, take a few minutes to consider how God has called you for service and review areas where you have an interest. The numbers you see on the left column correspond to the numbers on your Gratitude Card. Please note the details such as length of time and frequency of service indicated for each ministry area and consider these factors as you make your selection(s). If you have questions about a particular ministry, please call the church office. After you have prayerfully considered where God wants you to serve during 2024 at Trinity, check your Growing in Generosity Gratitude Card in the appropriate places and return your card on or before Gratitude Weekend, Saturday, November 4, or Sunday, November 5. This information is also available on our website at www.catchthespirit.org where you may view and discern your choices online.
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Sharing Abundance 1. God’s creation intended abundance “29 God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” – Genesis 1 :29-31a
2.Trust in God for all things 16 “Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have
nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.” – Matthew 14: 16:20
3. Jesus Affirms the Intent of Abundance “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10b The Biblical concept of tithing (giving 10% to God) is based on giving in proportion to how God has blessed us. Perhaps you are already tithing. If not, we invite you to join the other members of Trinity who tithe or are growing towards giving a tithe. We pray that you will be moved to commit an extra 1% of your income towards God’s mission and ministry this coming year. This year we’re focusing on Sharing Abundance. God created the world abundantly with enough for creation to sustain every person on the planet. It’s up to us to look at how this abundance is distributed and share in ways that provide equity and abundance for all. We serve a God of abundance not scarcity so let’s share that abundance! WEEKLY INCOME $1 $50 $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600 $700 $800 $900 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500 $3,000 $5,000 $10,000
Lower Range Giving
1% $.01 $.50 $1 $2 $3 $4 $5 $6 $7 $8 $9 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $50 $100
2% $.02 $1.00 $2 $4 $6 $8 $10 $12 $14 $16 $18 $20 $30 $40 $50 $60 $100 $200
3% $.03 $1.50 $3 $6 $9 $12 $15 $18 $21 $24 $27 $30 $45 $60 $75 $90 $150 $300
Middle Range Giving
4% $.04 $2.00 $4 $8 $12 $16 $20 $24 $28 $32 $36 $40 $60 $80 $100 $120 $200 $400
5% $.05 $2.50 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40 $45 $50 $75 $100 $125 $150 $250 $500
6% $.06 $3.00 $6 $12 $18 $24 $30 $36 $42 $48 $54 $60 $90 $120 $150 $180 $300 $600 3
Upper Range Giving
7% 8% $.07 $.08 $3.50 $4.00 $7 $8 $14 $16 $21 $24 $28 $32 $35 $40 $42 $48 $49 $56 $56 $64 $63 $72 $70 $80 $105 $120 $140 $160 $175 $200 $210 $240 $350 $400 $700 $800
9% $.09 $4.50 $9 $18 $27 $36 $45 $54 $63 $72 $81 $90 $135 $180 $225 $270 $450 $900
Tithe
Beyond A Tithe
10% $.10 $5.00 $10 $20 $30 $40 $50 $60 $70 $80 $90 $100 $150 $200 $150 $300 $500 $1,000
12% $.12 $6.00 $12 $24 $36 $48 $60 $72 $84 $96 $108 $120 $180 $240 $300 $360 $600 $1,200
15% $.15 $7.50 $15 $30 $45 $60 $75 $90 $105 $120 $135 $150 $225 $300 $375 $450 $750 $1,500
ADULT SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES MINISTRY
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
FREQUENCY OF SERVICE
LENGTH OF TIME
Varies
2 Hours per session
Varies
½ Day
As Needed
Varies
As Needed
Varies
Varies from weekly to monthly
Varies
Once a month
1 Hour
Weekly or as needed
Varies
Monthly
1 Hour
As needed
2-3 Hours
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY 010
Small Group Leadership
Potential leaders/facilitators receive training in small group dynamics and leadership. After training they can lead various small groups. You are invited to employ your gifts of teaching, experience, hospitality, and care.
ADMINISTRATIVE MINISTRIES 050
051
052
053
054
055
Office Ministry
The church office is looking for volunteers to assist staff with miscellaneous clerical tasks such as photocopying and preparing mailings. Phone Calls Volunteers are needed to make phone calls from home or church office for a wide variety of Trinity’s organizational needs. Family Assisting with printing/folding documents/flyers, Ministry mailings, phone calls, preparation for Family Admin Ministry special events and retreats. Some work Support can be done from home. Growing in This is a broad-based program that includes Generosity coordination of volunteer ministries information and the stewardship campaign each fall. Help is needed in a wide variety of areas – organizing the four week stewardship campaign and maintaining communications throughout the year. Church Mice Sanctuary care is the focus of this group. Members are needed to insure that pew supplies are properly stocked. Property Care Members meet each week or as needed to keep and Repair grounds and buildings in proper condition. Anyone with an interest in the areas of general repairs, painting or landscaping would be very welcome.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE 070
Congregational Care/Visitation Team
071
Edible Blessings
Visit and connect with shut-ins and residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals to share the love of Christ and to let them know that they are not forgotten by their church family. A ministry that provides meals for a limited time to families who are in need due to an illness, recent hospital release or crisis. 4
MINISTRY
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
FREQUENCY OF SERVICE
LENGTH OF TIME
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES 100 101 102
KidVenture Teacher KidVenture Substitute KidVenture Headquarters Support Team
103 104 105
Nursery Volunteers Child Care
106
Christmas Pageant
107
Secret Angel Program
108
KidVenture Wednesday Night Family Worship Vacation Bible School
109
110
111
Youth Ministry Volunteer Guardian Angel Ministry
Prepare and present weekly lesson for class (3 year olds – 6th grade) from September – June. Provide coverage when regularly scheduled KidVenture volunteer cannot be present. Aid KidVenture volunteers and Church School volunteers before and during the 9:15 hour, procuring supplies, collecting attendance and offering, and ensuring the overall smooth running of Sunday morning ministry. Provide loving, Christian childcare in the mornings during the 9:15 or 10:45 service. Childcare for special worship services. Trinity presents a Christmas Pageant each year. Each class takes part in some aspect of the presentation. Help is needed with planning, organizing, directing and costumes. An intergenerational program where volunteer “angels” are matched with a child age 3 years to 4th grade. Angels send their child notes, cards, or a small memento each week for four weeks. The program culminates with a time of fellowship where the children meet their angels. Help prepare for worship, pizza, kid crafts and adult study on the fourth Wednesday of the month. This service is geared toward PreK- 6th graders and their families. Participate in fun theme-related activities while shepherding a group of elementary or preschool children through each half-day of Bible instruction, music, mission, and handicrafts. Help is needed with publicity, registration, creating scenery, decorating, set-up, music, and one evening celebration. Assist with weekly ministry and various weekend events with grades 7-12. Looking for volunteers with a heart for college students who can help us stay connected to them.
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Weekly
1 ½ Hours
5-10 Times per year Year round
1 ½ Hours
Weekly
1 ½ Hours
Varies
1 to 3 Hours
Oct-Dec
1 Hour select evenings
4 Weeks
30 Minutes – 1 hour
1 Time per month
2 ½ Hours
Depends on area of assistance
Depends on area of assistance
Weekly
Varies
1 Time per month
Varies
Varies
MINISTRY
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
FREQUENCY OF SERVICE
LENGTH OF TIME
MUSIC MINISTRIES 200
201
Saturday Night Worship Music Celebration Praise Band
202
Agape Ringers
203
Chancel Choir
204
Worship Musicians
Be one of our of multigenerational musicians, Twice a 3-4 Hours who offer praise music at Saturday Night month Worship. We are also looking for folks to step in on a once or twice a month basis. These musicians provide contemporary music 3-4 Sundays 1 ½ Hours for Sunday morning worship service. Vocalists per month weekly and instrumental talents are welcome. A unique instrumental ensemble experience 1 Time per 1 ½ Hours contributing musically and spiritually to the 10:45 month weekly worship service once a month September – June plus holidays and special occasions. Traditional choral group provides music for Most Sundays 1 ½ Hours Sunday morning worship September – June, Sept-June weekly Christmas and Easter services and on special occasions. Instrumentalists, ensembles, vocal soloists, and Varies Varies vocal groups are all needed to present special music at worship services, holiday worship services, and special events.
FOOD SERVICE MINISTRIES 300 301
Sunday Coffee Special Care Hospitality
Prepare, maintain and clean up coffee service on Sunday mornings. This “on-call” ministry coordinates receptions after funeral services as its main function. Occasionally, catering and set-up services are offered for other events during the year.
1 Time per month 5-10 Times per year
1 Hour 5-7 Hours
MISSION & ADVOCACY 400
401
402
Lord’s Pantry The Lord’s Pantry provides food for anyone in need. Volunteers work with clients and restock shelves. They also shop, work food drives, pick up food from NORWESCAP, and prepare holiday baskets. Thrift Shop One of the longest running missions at Trinity, Main Street the shop provides donated clothes and Shop household items at affordable prices. Additional help is always needed to sort and stock merchandise, accept drop-off donations and assist customers. Thrift Shop Assistance is needed with furniture pick-ups as Furniture well as assisting customers during shop hours. Gallery 6
Once a week or as needed
2-6 Hours
Varies
Varies
Varies
Varies
MINISTRY 403 404
Thrift Shop Donations Prayer Ministry
405
Prayer Shawl Ministry
406
Greetings Ministry
407
Bread of Life
408
Christmas Assistance
409
We Care (Trinity Community Kitchen) Thanksgiving Day Dinner
410
411
Midnight Run
412
UNTO
413
Caravan of Hope
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE Help is needed sorting donations in the barn.
FREQUENCY OF SERVICE Varies
LENGTH OF TIME Varies
Limitless possibilities exist to help individual Daily 15-60 members of the congregation or aid far-reaching Minutes concerns with prayer. Receive the Prayer Chain by email. Members prayerfully knit and/or crochet prayer Monthly 1 ½ Hours shawls that convey God’s love, care and concern to the recipients. Instruction is provided. Join in writing notes to shut-ins, seniors, those Monthly 20 on the prayer chain, or anyone who needs a Minutes hello. We will provide the cards, envelopes, addresses and stamps you provide the warm hello. Assist with Saturday mission to feed and 4 Saturdays 6 Hours minister to homeless in Newton, NJ. We will be providing a Christmas Assistance Once a Year Varies Program for families in need during the Christmas season. Help is needed in sponsoring families. We provide a free meal to anyone in the Up to twice a Varies community on the first and third Wednesday of month each month. Help is needed in the planning, shopping, set up, cooking, serving and clean up. The Thanksgiving Day Dinner provides a free Once a year 1-3 Hours meal to the community and our congregation. Volunteers are needed to raise funds, purchase food, decorate, prepare food but mostly be a host or hostess on Thanksgiving Day making all feel welcome and “at home.” We travel to NYC and provide bag lunches, Once a month 8 Hours bottled water, coffee, soup, hot cocoa, toiletry bags with new socks, and new and gently used clothing, coats and blankets. We distribute beginning at 10pm Fridays or Saturdays. Some months we travel in the morning for a Breakfast Run departing at 7:00am. Both adults and youth can travel to Lancaster Once or twice All day County, PA where the UNTO Logistics Center a year operates year-round receiving, processing, packing, and shipping humanitarian aid to places around the globe. We help pack much needed items to be shipped to those who need it the most. We feed 5000 people in one day by delivering a Once a year 1-5 Hours boxed lunch to ministry partners for distribution. Help is needed with apple picking, meal box assembly and delivery. 7
MINISTRY
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
FREQUENCY OF SERVICE Once a year
LENGTH OF TIME 1 Week
414
Christian Outreach Program (COP)
415
Appalachian Service Project
416
Church and Society
The Christian Outreach Project seeks to provide free home repairs for those people in northwest New Jersey who do not have the means to pay. Youth and adults from churches donate their caring and skills while learning and growing in the process. Weeklong home repair project that involves both students and adults working together in southern Appalachia (VA, WV, KY or TN) each summer. Areas to help with the project include two fundraisers through the year. Volunteers are needed for both the mission and fundraising events. This is the local church branch of the Global Board of Church and Society, which is one of 13 international agencies within the United Methodist Church, that is dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Our goal is to increase awareness on social issues, to educate, organize, and advocate. We are the voice for those whose voices go unheard. All can participate, there are many ways to serve in this ministry and your gifts can be matched to one or many of them.
Once a year
7-10 Days
As needed
2 Hours and as needed
As needed
4 Hours
Once per year
4 Hours
Provide sound or visual assistance at SNW. Audio equipment knowledge helpful, but team would provide training. Knowledge of PowerPoint is helpful, but team can train. Provides hospitality by setting up tables and chairs, preparing the SNW snacks and coffee and greeting folks as they arrive for worship.
Weekly, Bi-weekly, or once a month
2 Hours per SNW
Weekly, Bi-weekly, or once a month
1 Hour
Volunteers hand out bulletins as well as help with seating, count attendance, receive offering, and collect attendance sheets. General straightening up for next service.
Weekly, Bi-weekly, or once a month
2 Hours
CHURCH FAMILY MINISTRIES 500 501
Community Events Church Picnic(s)
Help is needed organizing for and staffing a Trinity booth at community events. All-church event(s) held on the Trinity campus. Helpers needed with set up, serving, various other jobs and clean up.
WORSHIP – SATURDAY NIGHT 600
601
602
Saturday Night Worship Media Saturday Night Worship Hospitality Saturday Night Worship Ushers
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603
MINISTRY
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
Saturday Night Scripture Readers
Volunteers read the scripture lesson at the SNW worship service.
FREQUENCY OF SERVICE Varies
LENGTH OF TIME Varies
3-4 Times a year
2 Hours
Once per month
45 minutes
Once every 6 weeks
1½-2 Hours
Once per month
Varies
Once per month Several times a year 4 Sundays per year
Varies
WORSHIP – SUNDAY MORNING 604 605
Ushers
606 607
Greeters
608 609
Audio Operation
610 611
Video Operation
612 613 614 615 616
Livestream Operation Scripture Reader Flower Delivery
Volunteers hand out bulletins as well as help with seating, count attendance, receive offering, and collect attendance sheets. General straightening up for next service. Volunteers are needed to stand in the foyer to welcome those who attend the 9:15 or 10:45 worship services. Operate the sound system at the 9:15 or 10:45 worship services. Audio equipment knowledge helpful, but team would provide training. Operate the media system at 9:15 or 10:45 worship services. Knowledge of PowerPoint is helpful, but team will train. Operate the livestream system during the 9:15 or 10:45 service. Training provided. Volunteers read the scripture lesson at the 9:15 or 10:45 worship service. Take altar flowers to Trinity members listed in the prayer concerns, shut-ins, nursing home residents, or other special circumstances.
Varies 1 Hour
WORSHIP - SPECIAL SERVICES 617
Healing Service Ministry
This team seeks to provide three healing services per year, one each in the spring and fall and the Longest Night Service offered in December. We are seeking people to be involved in all aspects of these services such as prayer, reading, music, writing, altar display and bulletin preparation.
3 Planning sessions per year
2 Hours per session
Once per month
1 ½ Hours
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S MINISTRIES 700
United Methodist Men
Breakfast, fellowship, music, service, prayer, devotions, and spiritual growth. Meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 8:00am from September – June.
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701
MINISTRY
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
United Women in Faith
Formerly known as United Methodist Women, United Women in Faith (UMF) are honoring their 150-year-old legacy of commitment to equip women and girls for leadership, offer educational experiences designed to inspire spiritual growth, personal development, and community nurture to enable powerful collective change, as well as serve, advocate and make a difference. Join us as we create a new local unit of UMF here at Trinity UMC. Opportunities for local meetings and quarterly district events as well as jurisdictional and global events.
FREQUENCY OF SERVICE Ongoing
LENGTH OF TIME Varies
Varies
Varies
As needed
As needed
As needed
As needed
MISCELLANEOUS 800
Trinity Garden
801
Wherever the Church Needs Me
802
Other
Through the summer and into the fall, plants will continue to ripen and be ready for harvesting and donating to the Lord’s Pantry. We need plant-ers, water-ers, weed-ers, compost-ers, harvest-ers, and more! What an opportunity this could be for you! If you have looked over the Commitment Card and cannot decide where your talents or abilities may best serve the Lord, check this area. Volunteers are always needed in a number of places. Pray about this and God will lead you to the right spot. Do you have your own idea for a ministry? If you’d like to share an interest, or can think of something that needs to be done that the church is not doing, tell us your idea. Many ministries get their start this way!
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MINISTRY
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
FREQUENCY OF SERVICE
LENGTH OF TIME
YOUTH SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES (GRADE 7-12) S10
Acolyte
S11
Usher
S12
Worship Reader Church Bell Ringer
S13
S14
Youth Praise Band (YPB)
S15
KidVenture Sunday Volunteer Children’s Ministry Volunteers Vacation Bible School Volunteer
S16
S17
S18
Bread of Life
S19
Caravan of Hope
Participation would involve lighting the candles Once every 6 1 Hour to begin and extinguishing them to end our 10:45 weeks worship service. They may also be asked to light and extinguish the candles at other special services. (Grades 3-7) Volunteers hand out bulletins as well as help 3-4 Times a 1 Hour with seating, count attendance, and collect year attendance sheets. General straightening up for next service. (Grades 7-12) Volunteers read the call to worship or scripture Once per year Varies lesson at the 9:15 or 10:45 worship service. Help call people to worship by ringing the church 3-4 Times a 5 Minutes bell 5 minutes before the 9:15 or 10:45 worship year services. These students provide contemporary music for Once a month 1 ½ Hours the 9:15 worship service once a month from in the Weekly October through June, plus occasional Street Sanctuary. plus Fairs and other outings. Vocalists and Plus 3-4 instrumental talents are always welcome. outings/fairs (Grades 7-12) yearly. Prepare and present weekly lesson for class (3 Weekly 1 ½ Hours th year olds – 6 grade) from September – June. (Grades 9-12) Volunteers are needed to help set up and run Several times Varies activities at Children’s Ministry events. a year (Grades 7-12) Depends on Depends Participate in fun theme-related activities while area of on area of shepherding a group of elementary or preschool assistance assistance children through each half-day of music, Bible instruction, mission, and handicrafts. Usually scheduled for July – actual hours are 9-12:15. Help is needed with publicity, registration, fabricating scenery, decorating, set-up, music, and one evening celebration. (Grades 6-12) Assist with Saturday mission to feed and 4 Saturdays 6 Hours minister to homeless in Newton, NJ. Trinity will provide meals and fellowship to homeless three times. (Grades 7-12) We feed 5000 people in one day by delivering a Once a year 1-5 Hours boxed lunch to ministry partners for distribution. Help is needed with apple picking, meal box assembly and delivery.
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MINISTRY S20
S21
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
Christian The Christian Outreach Project seeks to provide Outreach free home repairs for those people in northwest Project (COP) New Jersey who do not have the means to pay. Youth and adults from churches donate their caring and skills while learning and growing in the process. (Grades 8-12) Appalachian Weeklong home repair project that involves both Service students and adults working together in southern Project Appalachia (VA, WV, KY or TN) each summer. Areas to help with the project include three fundraisers through the year. Volunteers are needed for both the mission and fundraising events. (Grades 9-12)
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FREQUENCY OF SERVICE Once a year
LENGTH OF TIME 1 Week
Once a year
7-10 Days
MINISTRY
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE
FREQUENCY OF SERVICE
LENGTH OF TIME
CHILD SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES (AGE 3-GRADE 6) C10
Christmas Pageant
C11
Acolyte
C12
Church Bell Ringer
C13
KidVenture Wednesday Night Family Worship KidVenture and VBS Mission Projects Littlest Angels
C14
C15
C16
Bread of Life
C17
Caravan of Hope
C18
Vacation Bible School Volunteer
Participate in the annual Christmas Pageant, in One Sunday December, as part of their KidVenture class. in December (Age 3-Grade 6) Participation would involve lighting the candles Once every 6 to begin and extinguishing them to end of our weeks 9:15 or 10:45 worship service. They may also be asked to light and extinguish the candles at other special services. (Grades 3-7) Help call people to worship by ringing the church 3-4 Times a bell 5 minutes before the 9:15 or 10:45 worship year services. Help prepare for worship, pizza, and kid crafts Once a month on the fourth Wednesday of the month. This service is geared toward PreK- 6th graders and their families. Participating in KidVenture and Vacation Bible Varies School Mission Projects (i.e. Haiti Ministry, UNICEF, Heifer Project, Midnight Run, Lord’s Pantry) (Age 3-Grade 6) We sing, dance, play instruments, and spread Once every 6 God’s love! The Littlest Angels sing at the 10:45 weeks worship service about every 6 weeks and on Sept - June Christmas Eve. (Grades K-3) Assist with Saturday mission to feed and 4 Saturdays minister to homeless in Newton, NJ. Trinity will provide meals and fellowship to homeless three times. We feed 5000 people in one day by delivering a Once a year
1 Hour
1 Hour
5 Minutes
1 Hour
Varies
45 Minutes weekly 6 Hours
1-5 Hours
boxed lunch to ministry partners for distribution. Help is needed with apple picking, meal box assembly and delivery.
Participate in fun theme-related activities while shepherding a group of elementary or preschool children through each half-day of Bible instruction, music, mission, and handicrafts. (Grade 6)
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Depends on area of assistance
Depends on area of assistance
Gratitude Weekend November 4 and 5, 2023 www.catchthespirit.org
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