Volunteer Opportunities

Serving God, Serving Others  

How to volunteer at APC? The Volunteer Ministry Design Team, in its new booklet “Volunteer Opportunities,” has identified and described 97 ways. Of course, you may know of other ways that are not listed here.

If you don’t have a copy of this booklet, pick one up in the narthex, or contact Virginia Shoemaker, volunteer coordinator, at 303.422.3463 or virginia.shoemaker@arvadapc.org.  

Besides publishing ways to become involved, members of the Volunteer Ministry Team have visited with nearly all APC members to help them identify their interests.

Service, Fellowship and Donations

In general, volunteer opportunities at APC fall under the broad categories of Service, Fellowship or Donations. The following are 97 ways to volunteer published in the Volunteer Opportunities booklet. (See the booklet for more detailed information)  

Service Opportunities with the Board of Deacons

Van Drivers

Drive the church van to transport worshipers  

Prayer Chain

Pray and follow-up on prayers requests (received by phone or e-mail); help maintain prayer chains  

Hospitality

Help prepare and deliver meals to those in need; host and serve food at APC receptions  

Visitation/Visiting Angels

Visit APC members in need as identified by the APC staff  

Extended Home Communion

Deliver communion to members unable to attend worship (must be an ordained/ trained Elder or Deacon)  

Stephen Ministry

Counsel individuals experiencing difficult times; four to six months of communications training is provided  

Service Opportunities with the Administration & Support Ministry

Finances

Stewardship Team

Be part of an annual task force which plans the stewardship campaign and recruits members to conduct it  

Stewardship Callers

Make initial and follow-up calls to congregation members to encourages pledges  

Treasurer’s Association

Help APC’s treasurer open, organize and record each Sunday’s offerings  

Buildings & Grounds

Snow Removal

Shovel sidewalks on weekends when APC has no custodial care  

Gardeners (flowers)

Work on flower beds in front of the church and courtyard  

Maintenance Team

Perform a variety of maintenance and chores around the church (i.e. painting, tree/shrub trimming) on the second 2^nd Saturday of the month  

Sunday Lock-Up

Check the church on Sundays following the 11 AM service to ensure doors are locked, candles are blown out and the church is secured for the day  

Custodial Assistant

Assist APC’s custodian in setting up and cleaning during busy times; serve as a temporary replacement when custodian is unavailable  

Office

Glad Tidings Editor

Type and add graphics to articles submitted by APC members for the monthly Glad Tidings newsletter  

Printed Material

Help assemble Glad Tidings (monthly), directories, annual reports, offering envelopes and other special mailings. Send thank you notes for memorial fund gifts  

Telephone

Help answer phones and make calls when the office is especially busy or during staff meetings  

Service Opportunities with the Educational Ministry

Young Children’s Ministry

Nursery

Provide loving Christ-centered care for children ages birth – 3 ½ years on Sunday mornings and during special worship services  

Children’s Church

Assist the teacher/ Bible storyteller by leading children (ages 3 – l^st grade) in a craft to enrich their understanding of the Bible story  

Wee TREC (Teaching, Reaching, Engaging and Connecting)

Help teach children ages 2 – 3 years and 4 years – 1^st grade from 9:45 – 10:45 AM on Sunday mornings  

Elementary

Extreme Bible TREC (Teaching, Reaching, Engaging and Connecting)

Guide children (ages 2^nd – 6^th grades) in a Sunday morning Bible worship rotation format for five weeks. Activities include cooking, carpentry, storytelling, games, drama, puppetry, Bible skills, computers, video and mission.  

Club 56

Help plan and carry out games, activities and discussions for children in 5^th and 6^th grades on a monthly basis. (Volunteers are both adults or youth in 9^th grade and older)  

Arvada Puppet Crew (APC)

Teach puppetry to children in 3^rd – 6^th grade; prepare them for occasional performances during worship services  

Junior and Senior High School

Confirmation

Serve as a mentor for a young person during this 4 – 6 month faith exploration experience  

Youth Event Team

Help APC’s youth director plan special youth events throughout the year  

Children of the Revolution

Serve as a VYM (Volunteer Youth Minister) by helping with music, education and fellowship during middle school youth group on Wednesday evenings. (Must be at least 20 years)  

The Goonies

VYMs also work with senior high youth on Wednesday nights  

Adult Ministry

Adult Education Ministry Team

Help create, oversee and enroll volunteers for Sunday morning and midweek adult classes  

Family Ministry

Young Mother’s Bible Study

Provide child care while mothers of young children meet for Bible study

Young Families Ministry

Help plan and organize quarterly social activities for families with children ages birth through 6^th grade

Intergenerational

Vacation Church School (VCS)

Support this one-week experience in June by preparing materials, helping as a leader, or by donating craft and food items  

Library

Order new books that ensure selections for all ages; publicize and maintain the library  

Highlands Camp

Promote opportunities for spiritual growth through Christian camping during the summer; encourage participation by campers of all ages; help coordinate a Highlands Camp Sunday  

Labyrinth

Help others understand and walk the labyrinth; travel occasionally with the labyrinth to other churches  

Service Opportunities with the Membership Ministry

Members

APC Orientation Hosts

Support APC staff at the beginning of new member classes. Classes, led by staff, are held on five consecutive Sundays during the church school hour  

Attendance Card Ministry

Send notes to members who have been absent for four consecutive weeks to let them know they are missed  

Attendance Call Ministry

Call members who are absent for six consecutive weeks; find out if there are any concerns; contact the office if follow-up is needed  

Volunteer Ministry Team

Maintain a list of all volunteer activities within the church and a database of members’ participation, interests and talents  

Volunteer Visitors

Visit with friends and members to learn of their talents/interests and to encourage participation in volunteer and fellowship activities  

Picture Directory

Help coordinate the APC picture directory (published every three to four years)

Bulletin Boards

July 4^th Hospitality

From its location on the hill, APC offers one of the best seats in Arvada for viewing fireworks. Neighbors gather on the church lawns to watch the celebration while APC volunteers provide ice cream bars, chairs, restrooms and informational flyers.

Outreach

Cookie Bakers

Bake cookies for APC visitors; arrange for storage and delivery  

Cookie Messengers

Deliver home-baked cookies and APC information to first-time visitors at their homes  

Greeters Ministry

Welcome people to worship services; help enlist greeters

Coffee Fellowship

Host hospitality time following the 8:30 AM service; involves purchasing, setting up and serving coffee, lemonade, donuts or cookies  

Alpha – A Practical Introduction to the Christian Faith

Serve as a director, co-director, worship leader or discussion leader; or in meal preparation, service, set-up or clean-up during this ten-week course  

Publicity

Website Team

Use creative, technical writing and photography skills to write and create APC’s web site as well as keep it updated (www.arvadapc.org)  

Publicity and Outreach Team

Update bulletin boards and add displays/ signage to create a fresh look at APC  

Community Media Team

Communicate with the public/community through various media  

Service Opportunities with the Mission & Peacemaking Ministry

Arvada Food Bank

Work at the food bank or provide donations (financial or food). In November, provide Thanksgiving boxes or prepare boxes at the food bank.  

ACRA ( Arvada Community Resources Association)

Work at ACRA on Tuesdays to help sort and distribute clothing and household items to Arvada families in need  

CROP Walk

Raise money to help eliminate local and world hunger by walking in this annual October event or by sponsoring a walker  

Inter-Church ARMS (Area Resources for Ministry and Service)

Serve as a phone volunteer by directing people in need of emergency assistance (for rent, car repair, medical or utilities) to community resources; serve as a tutor or pen pal with elementary students  

Shelter Meals Preparation

Prepare meals for the New Genesis Men’s Shelter and Gemini House, a shelter for homeless teens  

Habitat for Humanity

Help build area homes. (APC may join a coalition of Arvada churches that builds homes for Humanity for Humanity)  

Mission Trips

Participate in APC mission trips; contact Mission and Peacemaking Ministry if you have an idea for a mission trip  

Service Opportunities with the Worship and Music Ministry

Children’s Bulletins

Prepare children’s bulletins using church resources  

Communion Bread Baking

Bake communion bread for monthly communion services and special occasions  

Coordinator and Lay Worship Leaders

If you have public speaking skills, you may be needed during worship services  

Drama and Dance

If you are interested in performing drama or dance during worship, contact the pastor  

Parament Changes

Change the paraments on the lectern, communion table and behind the choir loft in accordance with the seasons of the church calendar  

Seasonal Sanctuary Flowers

Take and place orders for lilies during Easter and poinsettias during the Christmas season; arrange for delivery to APC  

Sermon Tape Ministry

Help the office staff in organizing the sermon tapes  

Taize Worship

Help provide instrumental music, publicity and preparation of the worship space for Taize meditative services  

Ushering

Usher during either service; head usher coordinates volunteers  

Visual Arts

Help the visual arts coordinator decorate the sanctuary and/or communion table for special events seasons and events

Christmas Decorating – Sanctuary

Decorate the sanctuary for the Advent/Christmas season generally on the Saturday before the first Sunday in Advent  

Music

Voice of the Spirit

Sing in APC’s principal choir; rehearse on Thursdays at 7:30 PM  

Voce Spiritus

Sing in this small vocal ensemble which provides music during the 8:30 AM worship service; rehearse on Thursdays at 6:30 PM  

Joyful Noise

For children in 2^nd through 6^th grade, this musical ensemble features a variety of experiences including playing Orff instruments. Rehearsals are 9 AM Sundays; performances are in worship at various times throughout the year.  

JoyBurst

For children 3 years old through 1^st grade, JoyBurst meets at 9:45 AM Sundays and performs during worship services at various times throughout the year  

Fellowship Ringers

If you’re an adult with a desire to learn hand bells, consider joining this ensemble which plays monthly in worship. Practice is 6:30 PM on Wednesdays  

A.I.R. ( Arvada Interfaith Ringers)

For youth in 6^th grade through 12^th grade, this hand bell ensemble plays monthly in worship. Rehearsals are Sundays at 12:30 PM  

Clarinet Ensemble

If you play the clarinet and are available for rehearsals on Tuesdays at 8:45 AM , consider joining this ensemble. Performances are during worship several times a year.  

Other Service Opportunities

There are several volunteer opportunities that not (some new some old) that are not currently under a specific ministry team. They include:  

Gardeners (Vegetables)

Create a vegetable garden this spring with other members; donate the produce to needy families.  

Men’s Fellowship Group

Provide input in leadership and direction for a Men’s Fellowship Group  

Outdoor Christmas Decorating

Help light the walk-way and place other outside decorations for the Advent season and Christmas Eve services; help take down the decorations  

Holiday Music – Outside

Help share holiday music with the nearby community on special occasions (i.e. Easter, Christmas Eve) by helping set up equipment and monitoring music  

Intergenerational Events

Help with worship, education, outreach, fellowship or food during all-church gatherings held at various times throughout the year  

Recycling Coordinator

If you’re interested in conservation, encourage the congregation to use the recycling bins located south of the church house. (Materials in the bins are picked up by Waste Management Co.; additional resources may be used to take used aluminum cans to a recycling center. 

Donation Opportunities

Arvada Food Bank

Besides working at the Food Bank, food or financial donations are always welcome  

ACRA ( Arvada Community Resources Association)

ACRA, which provides clothing and household items to needy Arvada families, appreciates financial support as well as small donated items.  Items are picked up weekly from the cart in the APC lobby near the church office.  

CROP Walk (Walk for Hunger)

You can support this annual walk by sponsoring walkers.  Locally, ARMS Inter-Church ARMS and the Arvada Food Bank benefit from this event.  

Heifer Project and Women’s Bean Project

Each November, you have to the opportunity to support these programs by through the purchase of alternative products

Caring Cards

The Board of Deacons welcomes donations of greeting cards throughout the year. Types of cards needed include:  thinking-of-you, thank you, congratulations, military/college of the week, anniversary and sympathy  

Sanctuary Flowers

Worshp services are enhanced each week by floral arrangements which are donated by APC members.A sign-up sheet and instructions are available in the narthex.