an invitation to
VOLUNTEER
AT CHURCH OF THE LAMB
Volunteer Opportunities
While we have a “volunteer scheduling cycle” once a year, many roles can accommodate newcomers out of that typical cycle.
We encourage you to find ways for all in your household to join in the work of the church while being mindful of your schedule and energetic limitations when volunteering.
You can read more about why we think volunteering is important not just for a flourishing church but for the spiritual and corporeal life of each individual parishioner here.
Sunday Morning Roles
We believe that belonging in the kingdom of God requires a healthy dose of both work and rest. We are grateful for the lay-leaders who serve each week so we can all experience worship through word and sacrament together on Sunday mornings. Furthermore, volunteering isn’t just a blessing to those being served, but to those serving.
We each have unique and distinct roles to play in the body of Christ. Consider the gifts of the Spirit you have been given as you find a volunteer role that suits you and your capacity in this season of life.
“Show Up and Serve” Roles
These volunteer roles are great first places to jump on in! They don’t require much preparation outside of showing up on (or before) a Sunday morning ready to roll.
While these roles are incredibly valuable and absolutely essential, they don’t require the practical or emotional preparation of other Sunday morning roles. If you have limited time or energetic resources, these are perfect opportunities to be involved while still balancing work and rest.
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Volunteer Expectations
Read and meditate on your assigned passage the week preceding your schedule date.
Arrive 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled service and check in with the Verger to confirm that you are present.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
On Sunday, read the passage printed for you in a binder on the lectern.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled service.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Volunteers serve for a month at a time. Teams are responsible for counting during the special services (e.g., Ash Wednesday) that fall within their month of service.
Two members of the offering counter team must be present to count the money at all times. One member will circulate the baskets during the service. Both team members will count the money.
Envelopes containing cash should be opened, counted, and then cash should be put back into the envelope.
Place cash, envelopes, checks, and completed documentation sheet in courier bag and give the bag to the Verger.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled service and check in with the Verger.
Garb yourself in the crucifer’s vestments, the cassock and cotta.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Special services (for example, Ash Wednesday, Advent Evensong) occur periodically. These have been divided amongst volunteers.
Volunteers will gather the processional cross and meet at the rear of the sanctuary with the Deacon and Priest five minutes before the service, and will process ahead of them to the front during the first song. They will then place the cross in its stand and return to their seats.
Before the Gospel Acclamation, volunteers will proceed to the front of the church, gather the cross, and walk to the center of the room for the Gospel reading. They will then return the cross to its stand following the reading.
After the final benediction, volunteers will gather the cross and lead the Verger and Priest out to the rear of the sanctuary during the final song before returning the cross to the stand and the crucifer’s vestments to their storage location.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of your scheduled service.
All Golf Cart Drivers must have a valid driver’s license.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Volunteers represent the church and provide a hospitable welcome for parishioners and visitors. Please cheerfully greet those who need rides and convey them slowly and safely to the barn.
Drive slowly and safely, taking all precautions to avoid a person falling off the golf cart.
The golf cart is stored near the church offices and a key will be in the machine. Extra keys are stored in the church offices in the center top cabinet.
Please continue to transport those who arrive for 5 minutes after the start of the service, and help transport those who need assistance back to their cars for 15 minutes following the service.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled service.
Retrieve the bagels from Mr. J’s and place them on the bagel trays prior to the service.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Special services (for example, Ash Wednesday, Advent Evensong) occur periodically. Bagel volunteers serve for a month at a time; volunteers are responsible for special services that occur in their month of service. Some special services do not require bagels to be served.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive 1 hour before the start of your scheduled service.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
5th Sundays and special services (for example, Ash Wednesday, Advent Evensong) occur periodically. These will be divided equally.
Brew the coffee in the church offices according to the directions. Transport the coffee carafes, water, cream, cream cheese, and bagel supplies and set them up at the appropriate location at the barn. Amounts of coffee needed will change due to time of year, temperature, and other variables. Kayla Simmons and Daniel Zimmerman will communicate the amounts needed.
If you notice that supplies are running low, notify Kayla Simmons.
Clean up tables after the hospitality and mingling time. Clear the coffee carafes and store upside down in the church offices. Take home tablecloths and towels to wash, and bring them back next week, please and thank you!
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive at least 45 minutes before the start of your scheduled service.
Volunteers will direct drivers to appropriate parking spots, maximizing space and efficiency.
“Requires More Prep” Roles
These volunteer roles are a little bit of a bigger ask in that they require more prep time both in and outside of a Sunday morning.
Naturally, this means we tend to have fewer volunteers in these roles, and we need more! If one of these roles feels like the right fit, we’d ask you to select one (or more than one!) of these roles as you’re filling out the form.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive one hour before the start of your scheduled service.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Special services (for example, Ash Wednesday, Advent Evensong) occur periodically. Team leader Stephanie Pellerin will coordinate volunteers for those services.
There is a manual for how to set up the table that describes the different colors appropriate to different liturgical seasons. This manual also includes pictures and specific information about how to set the Altar. Your team leader will introduce you to this process and you will refer to the manual each week.
Place the appropriate colored stoles on the front chairs for the Priest and Verger.
If supplies are running low, notify Stephanie Pellerin.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled service and notify the Verger that you are present.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
The people serving will bring the Eucharistic elements to the front during the offering; those serving grape juice need not come forward at this time.
Approach the Table to receive Eucharist (and afterward serve the cup) immediately after Kevin finishes the Eucharistic liturgy.
Kevin will hand the chalice to you after you receive Eucharist.
Say, "The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation," as you serve.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled service.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Members on this team provide bread for all the services (regular and special services) for a month at a time (e.g., Ash Wednesday).
The Church will reimburse for bread pans, flour, yeast, or other supplies purchased. Submit receipts to Kelly (parishadmin@churchofthelamb.org).
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive 1 hour before the start of your scheduled service.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Special services (for example, Ash Wednesday, Advent Evensong) occur periodically. These have been divided amongst teams; we’ll attempt to spread them equally.
Set up chairs, liturgical equipment, heaters, fans, tents, and coffee tables.
If finished before church begins, feel free to join the pre-service prayer, look for any tidying that can be done around the property, or ask the team leader if there are any other jobs that can be completed.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled service.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
The Sunday Prayer Team provides a safe, confidential space where our church family members carry one another’s burdens and rejoice with those who rejoice. Each week, two team members pray together for each person who approaches and asks for prayer.
Receive training from the Team Leader (Zoe Hansen) before you begin volunteering.
Always ask the recipient of prayer if s/he would like a hand laid on their shoulder before doing so. Do not place your hand on any other part of his/her body.
If a recipient of prayer shares information that could imply or lead to his or her harm or harm toward others, speak with Kevin or Fabien immediately after the service.
Always pray for a parishioner in a public space AND in the presence of the other volunteer.
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Volunteer Expectations
Arrive 1 hour, 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled service.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Special services (for example, Ash Wednesday, Advent Evensong) occur periodically. They will be divided amongst the volunteers.
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Volunteer Expectations
Due to the nature of musical worship, this volunteer opportunity requires a (very low-key) audition.
Once on the worship team, arrive 1 hour, 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled service.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Musicians have the option to participate in worship nights that occur throughout the year.
Special services (for example, Ash Wednesday, Advent Evensong) occur periodically. These will be scheduled based on availability and needed instruments.
Weekday Roles
Sunday morning worship is the time we get to share in the bread and the wine as one united body.
That being said, there are times of connection throughout the week that reinforce our unity and refine our formation. These events remind us that we weave the elements of Sunday worship into our week through continued participation in worship, prayer, and the sacraments.
As we follow Christ in the midst of our weeks, we find additional opportunities to partner in the work of the church.
Read more about the ways you can assist with these opportunities and be blessed by membership in this body below.
“Show Up and Serve” Roles
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Volunteer Expectations
Technology assistants periodically assist church staff in solving technical issues that may emerge in our systems and in counseling the staff on various technological or website-related questions.
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Volunteer Expectations
Photographers memorialize various church functions and capture the physical beauty of activities on church property.
Photographers should share photographs with Daniel Zimmerman using Google Drive, and they agree that their images may be used in church marketing, brochures, website, and social media locations.
Daniel Zimmerman will organize the photographers. In general, photographers have a standing invitation to bring their equipment to any church gathering.
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Volunteer Expectations
The Groundskeeping Team volunteers ~ an hour/week to assist with primary upkeep and maintenance of the grounds. Tasks may include mowing, leaf removal, flower and tree watering, branch pickup, mulching, and various tasks.
The Groundskeeping Team may set their hours to work at their discretion, but should try not to interfere with ongoing events.
Jed Pascarella (Jed Pascarella | pascarellajedmo@gmail.com | 540-383-8011) will supervise this team and work in concert with the Director of the Abbey (Daniel Zimmerman) to create and implement a vision for the church property’s beautification, production, and care.
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Volunteer Expectations
The Hospitality Team helps the church organize and pull off major church feasts, food for classes such as the Abide class and other church functions, and other communal gatherings. They work with the Director of the Abbey (Daniel Zimmerman) to express one of our core values (hospitality) to our neighbors and visitors.
The team will meet early in the year to plan for Holy Week festivities; members will be expected to take on various roles and to participate in setup and decoration. The team will meet in the summer to plan for the Annual Party.
Daniel Zimmerman will contact members to assist with purchasing supplies or providing food as necessary.
“Requires More Prep” Roles
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Volunteer Expectations
Parish Group Hosts offer a clean and hospitable place for parish groups to eat, discuss the Scripture, and pray together.
Parish Groups typically meet September through mid December and January through the first of June.
Parish Group Hosts report to Fabien Pering and can email fabien@churchofthelamb.org
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Volunteer Expectations
All parishioners who work with minors must be trained and approved prior to service through the requisite diocesan training. Contact Renee Velker (renee@churchofthelamb.org)to complete this training.
Church of the Lamb hosts Adult Formation for prospective catechists once a year. Contact Renee to learn more.
If you have an unexpected absence, find a substitute and confirm the switch in our scheduling dashboard.
Youth ministry volunteers will eat together with the youth after the service. Then, they will work on projects at the church property in conjunction with the Director of Children’s Ministry (Renee Velker) and the Director of the Abbey (Daniel Zimmerman).
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Volunteer Expectations
All parishioners who work with minors must be trained and approved prior to service through the requisite diocesan training. Contact Renee Velker (renee@churchofthelamb.org)to complete this training.
Church of the Lamb hosts Adult Formation for prospective catechists once a year. Contact Renee to learn more.
Interesting in volunteering for one of the roles listed above?
Click the button below.