Volunteers Needed
Volunteer opportunities abound at First Church. We hope you will find something that interests you in the list below. Please note that listings are divided between short-term (one time) and long-term (ongoing) opportunities. If you have specific questions about a listing, please contact the appropriate person below. If you have questions about service at First Church in general, contact Mimi Raper, Pastor of Ministry Development at 478-5684, ext. 214, or mimi@fumcaustin.org.
Ushers for 9:00 Sanctuary Service
It’s 8:30 in the morning--time for a cup of coffee, a handshake with John; time to put the offering plates out, check the oil in the candles, etc.; time to greet the worshippers, hand out bulletins, hold a crying baby, pass the plate, assist with communion; time to do a little clean-up after worship and then go off to Sunday School. Volunteer once a month or more often. To volunteer, please contact Bill Derryberry at william.derryberry@co.travis.tx.us or 854-4741.
Vacation Bible School Beach Party
Calling all surfer dudes and dudettes! Would you like to spend a whole week this summer (August 4th-8th) at a huge Beach Party complete with surfing lessons, great beach music, beachcombing adventures, and so much more? Sign up for a Vacation Bible School leadership role and you will be promised an incredible week of fun in the Son as you help our children surf through the Scriptures and develop new Beach Be-Attitudes! To volunteer or for more information, please contact Leslie Ivey at texasivey@sbcglobal.net.
Children’s Sunday School Teachers
Yes, you can! If you truly believe what we all say together as a baby is baptized into our church community, that he or she belongs to all of us, that we are all to love and care for this child and family, showing God’s love and grace, then do I have an opportunity for you! There is no better, more direct way to have a lasting impact on the life of a child than to teach about God’s love. By passing on the stories told for generations of Jesus’ amazing miracles, God’s creation and our role in His plan, you are changing a life forever! If you choose to take on this wonderful role of teacher in our children’s Sunday school department, you will not be alone; you will be part of an amazing team of women and men committed to helping our children grow in faith. We need teachers for summer and fall. If you feel at all moved to answer this call for help, please act on it immediately by contacting Dr. Paula Stiernberg at paula@fumcaustin.org or 478-9186. We cannot promise it will always be an easy job, but we can promise you that God will give you more than enough energy, time, and love to share with His children.
Bereavement Ministry
My Healing Place is up and running! Now we need people who are interested in addressing needs that may arise when a family member dies. Please contact Marilyn Bettis at mmmonroe@austin.rr.com.
Care Callers Ministry
Agree to place four to five phone calls to those who have prayer concerns each week. Please contact Dean Cluck at BlueBonnetQueen@austin.rr.com or 440-0142.
Faith In Action Caregivers-West Austin
Provide transportation for older adults to enhance their ability to continue to live independently. Volunteers are not obligated to a certain day or time. Volunteer opportunities are strictly at your convenience. Please contact Marilyn Bettis at mmmonroe@austin.rr.com or 343-2361) or Pat Rosenblad-Nolen at patrarose@austin.rr.com or 443-4212.
Homecare Ministry
First Church currently has some 80 members who no longer are able to attend Sunday School or church. Volunteers are needed to visit several of these homebound members on a quarterly basis. Please contact Martha Stuber at mstuber@austin.rr.com or 463-2627.
Hospital Visitation Ministry
Devote several hours one weekday each month to visit First Church family members in the various hospitals. Please contact Eleanor Smith at eleanors@austin.rr.com or 267-2242) or Jan Ashmos at jabc1129@yahoo.com.
Pickle Elementary Mentors
First Church is starting phase two of our adoption of Pickle Elementary. The school has requested that we assist them in finding volunteers who might be willing to mentor students as part of the Seedling Program, a structured program designed to provide support to children with a parent (or parents) in prison. If you are interested in participating, please contact Brooks Schuelke at brooks@civtrial.com or 302-4970.
Faith in Action Caregivers--West Austin
Volunteer Drivers Needed
First Chruch recently joined a coalition of 15 congregations to support Faith in Action Caregivers--West Austin, and we are in dire need of volunteer drivers from First Church!
The mission of the coalition is to enhance the independence of individuals age 60 and over. (About 800,000 elderly people quit driving in the United States each year.) Services are provided at no cost to the client and include: transportation to medical appointments, shopping, and other destinations; picking up prescriptions and other needed items; involving clients through personal visits, telephone calls and social programs to avoid isolation and loneliness; minor home repairs (like replacing light bulbs); and helping to find needed community resources and services.
The program provides very flexible scheduling. As a volunteer driver you are not committing to a certain day each week, a certain time of the day, etc. You tell the staff what works best for you--every two weeks, once a month, preferably Tuesdays, etc. To become a volunteer driver, please contact the First Church Co-Chairs for this ministry, Pat Rosenblad-Nolen (patrarose@austin.rr.com) or Chris Nolen (madnolen@austin.rr.com) or call them at 443-4212.
Note: Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless!
Team: Sunday Morning Office
Time Commitment: 2 1/2 hours/month
Tasks involved: Receving telephone calls, assisting members and visitors with questions, directions, or special Sunday morning needs.
Contact: 478-4584
Team: Administrative
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours/month
Tasks involved: Catalog new books, type book cards.
Contact:
Sharon Doss
453-3601
sldoss@austin.rr.com
Team: Administrative
Time Commitment: 1 hour/month on Sundays
Tasks involved: Help maintain space and check out books on Sunday
Contact:
Sharon Doss
453-3601
sldoss@austin.rr.com
Team: Children & Family
Time Commitment: 15 minutes/week on Sundays at 10:45 a.m.
Tasks involved: Help acolyte get snuffers lit, velcro robes, prepare for service
Contact:
Paula Stiernberg
478-5684, ext. 211
paula@fumcaustin.org
Team: Care Call
Time Commitment: Varies
Tasks involved: Agree to place four to five phone calls to those who have prayer concerns each week.
Contact:
Dean Cluck
440-0142
Bluebonnetqueen@austin.rr.com
Team: Evangelism
Time Commitment: 30 minutes/week on Sundays
Tasks involved: Identify first-time visitors; copy sign-in sheets; call volunteers to deliver coffee cups
Contact:
Cheryl Etie
288-8360
cheryl@printgraphics.com
Team: Evangelism
Time Commitment: 30 minutes/week
Tasks involved: Deliver coffee cups to first-time visitors
Contact:
Cheryl Etie
288-8360
cheryl@printgraphics.com
Team: HomeCare
Time Commitment: 1 hour/quarter
Tasks involved: Visit homebound members and deliver resources from the church
Contact:
Martha Stuber
463-2627
mstuber@austin.rr.com
First Church currently has some 80 members who no longer are able to attend Sunday School or church. Volunteers are needed to visit several of these homebound members on a quarterly basis. Please contact Martha Stuber at mstuber@austin.rr.com or 463-2627.
Team: Hospital Visitation
Time Commitment: 2 hours/month
Devote several hours one weekday each month to visit First Church family members in the various hospitals.
Contact:
Eleanor Smith
267-2242
eleanors@austin.rr.com
Jan Ashmos
jabc1129@yahoo.com
Team: Membership
Time Commitment: Twice per year
Tasks involved: Provide meal for 15 people for one of 10 First Church 201 classes
Contact:
Calley Callahan
219-8646
cdc@khkclaw.com
Team: Membership
Time Commitment: 1-hour training, plus 1-2 hours/month
Tasks involved: Meet new members in a one-on-one setting
Contact:
Calley Callahan
219-8646
cdc@khkclaw.com
Team: Missions
Time Commitment: 2-3 meetings/year
Tasks involved: Represent FUMC at delegate meetings to help foster interfaith cooperation and understanding
Contact:
Ann Teich
836-1054
annteich@austin.rr.com
Team: Missions
Time Commitment: 3 hours/month on Sundays
Tasks involved:Prepare and sell food and coffee from 8-11 a.m. under direction of a coffee master. You will be assisting a mission team in raising funds for mission trips.
Contact:
Team: Missions
Time Commitment: 2-16 hours/month
Tasks involved: Prepare and serve food to homeless on Tuesday and Thursday every week; clean up
Contact:
David Nicastro
892-2504
baer-nicastro@austin.rr.com
Team: Youth
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours/week
Tasks involved: Supervise and minister to youth through regular Sunday night programming and special events/programs
Contact:
Kyle Toomire
478-5684, ext. 215
kyle@fumcaustin.org
Team: Prayer Shawl Ministry
Time Commitment: each 1st and 3rd Wed. at 1:30 PM
Tasks involved: knit or crochet, want to meet new friends, enjoy lively conversation and support a project that provides love and support to those in need.
Contact:
Carol Dickerson
345-0619
Laurie Barr
478-5684
laurie@fumcaustin.org
