Saint Paul's Church Outreach / Volunteer

Outreach / Volunteer

Choir/Adult Sanctuary (to Music page)
Christian Ed Volunteers Needed
Deliver Meals on Wheels
"Partners in Ministry" - Opportunities
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Special Opportunities for Service
- Bible Studies
- The Food Barrel
- Greeters
- Library Committee
- Outreach Committee
- Sponsor Coffee Hour, Flowers, Bulletin or be a Lay Reader

CHRISTIAN ED VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Please consider leading the children’s learning session for Journey of Faith Night. The commitment is about once per month on Wednesday evenings. A simple lesson plan will be provided in advance. Contact church office if you are interested.
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Deliver Meals on Wheels

Do you have an hour a month to help your neighbors? Team up with Edgcumbe's drivers and make some new connections! Southwest Area Meals on Wheels needs drivers. The folks at Edgcumbe Presbyterian would like to invite you to join us driving the 4th Tuesday of every month. Contact Sid at 651-699-4481 if you are able to volunteer to deliver meals to the most appreciative and needy in our midst.

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Discover Ushering

We have a new usher program called "Discover Ushering". It's a new program for people form the last year of confirmation an beyond to experience the Satisfaction of ushering. of more information talk to Gary M.

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"Partners in Ministry" - Opportunities
Title: Sunday School Teacher or Helper
Description: Work with either pre-school or Multiage (elementary) on Sunday mornings from 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. using the Seasons of the Spirit Curriculum. You may be in a team with one other person who might rotate once a month or teach a lesson for several weeks in a row - you offer what you can. We ask that all teachers/guides attend the upcoming Christian Education Workshops listed in the Messenger.

Title: Nursery Volunteers
Task Description: Care for children under 4 during worship service on Sunday.
Time: 10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Contact: Sign-up sheet is posted in the Narthex.

Title: Hospitality Coordinator (Summer Sunday Coffee Hour)
Task Description: Coordinate with others to prepare and serve light refreshments for 50+ following the 10:30 a.m. worship service, to include clean-up.
Time: Food prep time plus 45-60 minutes
Contact: Church office to be signed up for a particular date or sign-up on the bulletin board near the office.

Title: Mustard Seed Program Reader
Task Description: Read faith-based stories to little ones from the St. Paul Childhood Center who participate in this program. We read stories, sing songs, learn prayers, sometimes do a craft project, and we always have cookies and milk for 12-16 little ones from the St.Paul Childhood Center. You needn’t teach, rather help as an assistant.
When: Tuesday mornings from 9:15 to 11 am in the Fireside room
Time: approximately 30 minutes
Contact Person at this time: Gail Westby

Title: Volunteer Receptionists for Office Needed
We are looking for volunteer receptionists to do light office-related duties (answer phones, etc.) weekday mornings.
Please call Tami at 651-224-5809 for details.

Title: Food Shelf Delivery
Task Description: Deliver food to the local food shelf.
Time: Occasionally - Contact the church office at 651-224-5809.

Ride Share Program
Due to maintenance issues we have sold our van. We currently have four people who need help getting a ride to Church. Not only would this be a great opportunity for fellowship and friendship, but your help would be gratefully appreciated! If you live near West St. Paul, Lake Phalen, the Cathedral, or Oak Meadows and could help, please call church office.

Information Update
We need to update our church records. We especially need your e-mail addresses to create an e-mail list to get quick announcements out. Please fill out the information sheet in the Narthex.

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THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Update

Our Prayer Shawl ministry continues! If you would like to participate, there are a number of ways to do so. If you would like to make a shawl, easy-to-follow instructions (knit, crochet, or no-sew hand-tied fleece) are in the brochure rack in the narthex (lobby). If you would like to donate money towards materials, Prayer Shawl offering envelopes are in the same rack. See Anita McCarthy if interested in participating in some way. We greatly appreciate our members who continue to support this ministry with shawls they make with such love and care.
The prayer shawls can be hand or machine knit, crocheted, sewn, or polar-fleece hand-tied. Prayers are said for the recipient while they are being made.
To keep this wonderful healing ministry going, we are calling on volunteers and donations.
The suggested donation is $15-20 for materials, but any amount helps. White envelopes labeled “Prayer Shawl Ministry” and/or instructions (knitting, crocheting, or polar-fleece hand-tying) can be found on the brochure rack in the narthex (lobby) or mailed to you by calling the office at 651-224-5809.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is new at St. Paul’s UCC but it is an ancient tradition, dating back centuries. The shawls/ quilts are a way to wrap, enfold, comfort, give solace, warmth and a hug all at once to a person in need.
They can be made in different ways but are all symbolic of God’s all inclusive, unconditional love for each one of us.

The shawl/quilts are a considerable gift of time, love and care shown by their maker(s). Throughout the preparation from purchasing the raw materials and with each stitch or tie, a prayer is said for the person who will eventually receive the shawl. They can be hand-knit (the most common form), machine knit, crocheted or polar-fleece hand-tied for those of us who are not able to knit or crochet.

Each shawl is truly a project of compassion and love. A supply of 10 shawls needs to be on hand to get the project started. When the Pastors know of persons who are in need of support because they are facing a time of challenge in their life, they will deliver a bag to the individual. In the bag with the shawl/quilt will be a card of support telling the story of the history of the shawls/quilts and a copy of the prayer said as they were made. The Holy Spirit leads each one of us if we just listen.

Here’s how the Holy Spirit brought this wonderful ministry to St. Paul’s UCC:
While shopping in a fabric store during the Christmas holidays, Anita McCarthy met a friend she hadn’t seen in a long while. She was holding several skeins of beautiful, homespun yarn. The friend said she “was purchasing the yarn for the ladies at her church who were knitting Prayer Shawls. Then Pastors would share the Prayer Shawls with those in need.” Anita expressed an interest in learning more about this “Prayer Shawl” Ministry thinking it might be something we would welcome at St. Paul’s UCC.
After her friend shared all the patterns and information, Anita then shared the idea and information with Pastor Matt and the Working Women’s Group. All agreed that it was a great ministry worth pursuing here at St. Paul’s. Several beautiful hand-knitted shawls have already been donated to get the supply started.

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Special Opportunities for Service

	One, Two...and Counting As our ministry and needs become more visible we would like to solicit for a second counter on Mondaymornings. Every Monday, Bev S count the monies that have been contributed to the church in the previous week.
	The Food Barrel enables us through the New Beginnings Center to reach out and touch someone with kindness. You may bring these non-perishable food donations not only during thisholiday season but all year long.
	Greeters - Again, we need Greeters for the new year ahead. Greeters are the people - who welcome you when you enter the church for the 10:30 service. Greeters are important especially to welcome guests when they arrive. The Greeting period is either 2 weeks or a month at a time. Please call the church office 651-224-5809 or email church office at spoffice@comcast.net
	Library Committee Assistance is needed to catalogue and maintain the Library in the Fireside Room, if interested, call or email church office at spoffice@comcast.net
	Outreach Committee Members needed to actively assist with current outreach programs, if interested, call or email church office spoffice@comcast.net
	Sign up Opportunities Please sign up on the board sheets (located in Fireside Room) to do the following: Sponsor Altar Flowers ($40 payable to SPUCC) Sponsor Coffee Hour (bring your own food) Sponsor Service Bulletin ($10 payable to SPUCC) Volunteer being Lay Reader

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May God's Blessing Be Upon You