TIME

Together In Ministry Everyday

This page contains brief descriptions of First United Methodist Church service and ministry opportunities. When used in association with the TIME Pledge Card, it should prove to be a valuable tool for helping you find a place of service.

Take a few moments to review the areas in which you have an interest. The Total Number of Volunteers column indicates how many servants are needed for that particular area. The Frequency of Service and Length of Time columns indicate how often and how long a person would serve in that area. Please take these factors into consideration as you make your selection(s) as to where you will serve.

Select as many areas as you feel led to choose or which you would like to try. None of your selections will be lifetime appointments! We ask that you commit to serve a minimum of one year to ensure that you have an opportunity to learn if the ministry is a good fit for you and you are a good fit for that ministry.

After you have prayerfully considered where God wants you to serve at First United Methodist Church, please mark your TIME Pledge Card and turn it in to the office. If you have further questions about a particular area, please call the church office. Our pastors and staff would be happy to help.

Adult Education Ministries
Create and manage programs that help adults develop a living faith in Jesus Christ.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
Adult Education Planning Team	Coordinate adult education activities and promote adult education.	Unlimited	4-6 meetings per year	2 hours per meeting
Course Instructor	Instructors are needed for Adult Sunday School classes, Live Wire Wednesdays, and Sunday Evening Adult Studies.	Unlimited	Once per week for 12 weeks or up to 34 weeks	2-5 hours per week
Library Assistant	Assists with a variety of library duties as needed. Opportunities include, but are not limited to re-shelving books, light housekeeping, assisting visitors of the library, shelving books and media.	4	2 – 3 times per month – can work on own schedule	1-2 hours
SonShine Class	Work with adults with intellectual challenges, sharing love, Bible stories, and snacks.	Unlimited	As often as desired	1 hour on Sunday mornings.
Building Care Ministries
Keep FUMC and its property and equipment maintained for worship and the various programs that use our facilities.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of Time
Art Committee	Schedule artists to display their work in the south entry of the church, develop additional beautification projects.	3 to 4	Once per month	Varies
Fall Cleanup	Inside the church: windows, dusting, etc. and outside the church: police the church grounds, cut grass, trim grass, bushes, and prune trees.	10-12 for inside and 10-12 for outside	Annually	4-6 hours
Job Jar Pals	Work with Trustees and staff on miscellaneous light maintenance projects.	10 to 12	Meets Wednesday mornings from 9-11.  Additional dates and times on occasion.	2 hours
On Call	Available to work with Trustees and staff on miscellaneous light maintenance projects on an as needed basis.	10 to 12	As needed	Varies
Outside Buildings Maintenance	Work with Trustees on various projects on the exterior of the building, including weatherization and grounds keeping.	3 to 4	As needed	Varies
Spring Cleanup	Inside the church: windows, dusting, etc. and outside the church: police the church grounds, cut grass, trim grass, and bushes, put out mulch.	10-12 for inside and 10-12 for outside	Annually	4-6 hours
Children’s Ministries
Create and manage programs that help children develop a living faith in Jesus Christ.
Children’s Ministries Planning Team	Coordinate and promote children’s discipleship activities.	8 to 12	4 to 6 meetings per year	1.5 hours meeting plus additional tasks
Children's Moment	Invite children to the front of the sanctuary, share a brief story or parable from the Bible to relate the week's message to their lives.	12 or more	Children's moments are done once or twice per month.	5-10 minutes plus prep time
Children’s Sunday School Teacher Assistants	Aid in the delivery of a lesson from a prepared curriculum for children age 3 through grade 6.	5 to 10	Sunday mornings at 10 AM for (min) 12 or (max) 36 weeks	1 hour plus prep time
Children’s Sunday School Teachers	Prepare and teach a lesson from a prepared curriculum for children age 3 through grade 6.	5 to 10	Sunday mornings at 10 AM for (min) 12 or (max) 36 weeks	1 hour plus prep time
Children's Worship Helper	Be available with a gentle hand to help direct the attention of children to the story being told.  During response time, be available to help children respond to the story (hand out art supplies, marvel over creations, interact with children in this sacred space).	12 or more - can serve one week or more at a time	Once per week, at both 9:00 and 11:00 services	1 or 2 hours
Children's Worship Storyteller	Lead the worship for children by telling a story with wooden pieces and cloth (script provided, does not need to be memorized), by leading liturgy (provided), and by being available during response time to interact with children. Training provided.	12 or more - can serve one week or more at a time	Once per week, at both 9:00 and 11:00 services	1 or 2 hours
Live Wire Wednesday Spark! Leaders	Lead children through their rotation workshop activities designed to teach a Bible lesson and develop relationships with God and neighbor. Children are ages K-4th grade.	2 to 4	Every Wednesday evening during the school year.	1 ½ hours
Nursery Volunteer	Provide child care in the nursery for children from infants to elementary school age as needed to provide backup for paid staff or for activities other than Sunday mornings.	Safe Sanctuary: 2 adults or 1 teen with 1 adult.	As needed	As needed
Resource Coordinator	Prepare rooms for classes, ensure adequate supplies are on hand in each room for classes, periodically clean and organize resource room for teachers.	1 to 2	Once per week during school year	1 hour on Sunday mornings.
Vacation Bible School Director	Select curriculum, coordinate and prepare volunteers and supplies needed for Vacation Bible School for preschool through youth participants	2	1 week plus planning meetings	3 hours each day
Vacation Bible School Helper	Plan, teach, assist, cook, serve, sing, play or supervise one week in the summer.	20-30	1 week plus planning meetings	3 hours each day
Communications
Create and maintain print and other materials that share the good news of Jesus Christ and His Church.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
Bulletin Boards	Work in cooperation with Church office to update bulletin boards throughout building.	4	Once per month	1 hour
Welcome Center	Stand behind the Welcome Center in the Narthex. Share print and other materials to communicate Church activities and missions to members and visitors. Ensure area is neat and uncluttered.	Unlimited	Once per week	Sunday mornings before and after both services
Dinner Theatre
Build fellowship and community through an intergenerational, multifaceted creative experience.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of Time
Bazaar Helpers	Make items to sell at bazaar, staff tables before show and during intermission.	8 to 10	3 nights in November	3 to 4 hours
Dinner Theatre Committee	Select scripts, assign tasks, recruit volunteers for annual Dinner Theatre production. Review funding requests and allocate resources to FUM ministries.	6 to 8	Monthly meetings	1 to 2 hour meetings, additional hours in project prep
Kitchen Crew	Prepare dinner, plate items, clean and put away dishes.	6 to 8	3 nights in November	3 to 4 hours
Performers	Auditions held each fall for production - many ages are needed each year so watch for announcements.	Varies	Varies	Varies
Servers	Greet guests, carry plates, serve drinks and coffee, and clean tables at the end of the meal.	15 to 20 each night	Varies	Varies
Set Crew	Build sets per director design, assist with backstage work, tear down and put away at the end of the show.	6 to 8	Varies	Varies
FUM Child Learning Center
Provide caring service to share the love of God with the children and teachers of FUM CLC
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of Time
Advisory Board Member	Assist with fundraising, administration, and program evaluation for the FUM CLC. Board members serve 2 year terms.	8 to 10	Monthly meetings	2 hours plus some additional meetings
Classroom Aide	Assist CLC teachers in the classroom with supervision, reading, singing, and playing with children.	4 to 8	As needed	Several hours
Story Time	Share a story or object lesson to the CLC students and teachers.	Unlimited	Once per week, Tuesday morning at 10 AM	15 minutes plus preparation
Kairos Outreach
Build Christian community in correctional institutions.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
Cookies for Kairos	Bake cookies and bring to Church for Kairos weekends.	Unlimited	1 or 2 times per year	Varies
Kairos Team Member	Through Kairos International, train and serve on a team to minister to men in correctional institutions.	1 to 3	1 or 2 4-day "weekends"	Approximately 194 hours including several weekends
Lay Ministry – Compassionate Care Visitors
Provide care for the people in health or spiritual need.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
Divorce Support Group Child Care	Provide child care in the nursery for children from infants to elementary school age as needed.	2 adults per Safe Sanctuary	Twice per month	2-3 hours
Hospital Ministry	Visit FUMC family in the hospital during the assigned weeks as scheduled. Training provided.	Unlimited	5 or 6 weeks per year	2-3 hours
Lay Ministry	Provide encouragement and support for FUMC families through regular prayer, Once per month contact, and availability during a crisis.	Unlimited	Once per month or as needed	2-4 hours
Lay Ministry Committee Member	Assist in administrative support of Lay Ministry ministries, ensure contact information is updated and training sessions are available.	4 to 8	Once per month or as needed	2-4 hours
Nursing Home/Assisted Living Ministry	Make visits to residents of assigned nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Training provided.	Unlimited	Once per month	1-2 hours
Prayer Shawl Ministry	Knit or crochet shawls for people in health crisis or spiritual need. Create Baptismal Blankets for new babies. Meets third Tuesday of month at 1:00 PM Sept-May. Patterns provided. Knitting can also happen at home.	Unlimited	Once per month	1-2 hours
Shut-In Ministry	Make contact through mail, telephone, and home visits. Training provided.	Unlimited	Once per month	1-2 hours
Membership and Evangelism Work Area
Ensure that members and visitors have opportunities to connect in fellowship and community outreach
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
Baked Goods Provider	Bake or buy 2 dozen cookies, muffins, or donuts for Sunday coffee service.	4 per week (8 dozen items)	Weekly	Several hours
Church Picnic Coordinator	Select date, plan menu, organize games or activities, invite neighbors, and order supplies for annual Church picnic.	1	Annually	Several hours
Church Picnic Helper	Assist with completion of Church picnic details, including set up and clean up.	Unlimited	Annually	Several hours
Coffee Service Coordinator	Coordinate schedule of coffee helpers to ensure that coffee is prepared each week, station is set up with food and drink, and other supplies.	1	As needed	Several hours
Coffee Service Helper	Set up: Brew coffee, set out air pots, mugs, and accessories. Clean up: Collect and wash used mugs, put away clean dishes and supplies.	Set up: 2 per week Clean up: 2 per week	4 to 6 times per year	Several hours
Community Outreach	Plan and participate in community outreach events, sharing the good news with our neighbors through service events and projects.	Unlimited	4 to 6 times per year	Several hours
Directory updates	Working with office staff, update contact information for members in an annual paper directory.	4 to 6	Jan-Feb each year	20-40 hours
Greeter	Greet people at the South Entrance on Sunday mornings, either service.	Unlimited	4 to 6 times per year	15 to 30 minutes
Greeter Coordinator	Help schedule people to greet at the South Entrance on Sunday mornings, either service.	Unlimited	As needed	Several hours
Membership and Evangelism Work Area Member	Write letters of welcome to potential members, work with Church staff to schedule orientations, coordinate welcoming ministries.	Unlimited	Meets second Monday of the month at 7 PM	1 hour
New Members Orientation Lunch Helpers	Purchase/Prepare/Serve/Clean up lunch meal during New Member Orientation.	8 (2 people for each orientation)	Once a year (new orientation – 4 times a yr)	3 hours
Thanksgiving Dinner Coordinator	Select date, plan menu, invite neighbors, and order supplies for annual Thanksgiving Dinner.	1	Annually	Several hours
Thanksgiving Dinner Helper	Assist with completion of Thanksgiving Dinner details, including set up and clean up.	Unlimited	Annually	Several hours
Welcome Letters	Write letters of welcome to visitors.	Unlimited	As needed	Several hours
Missions Work Area
Share God's peace and love with people in need locally, nationally, and internationally.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
First Angel Project	Minister to people in need at Christmas by shopping, bagging, donating food, clothing, and toys. Deliver to families who are homebound/no transportation.	Unlimited	Annually	3 to 4 hours or more if desired.
Garden Committee	Making plans for garden and finding needed items and volunteers.	4-6 people	Monthly meetings, regular checkup of garden, supplies	Varies with season and needs
Martha's Kitchen	Provide main dish, salad, or dessert, help set up/clean up, help serve food.	10 to 12	Once every 16 weeks	3-4 hours
Mission Kits	Purchase or donate products to fill health, sewing, school, or layette kits.	Unlimited	Assemble kits each fall	3 to 4 hours
Mission Team Member (International)	Be a member of a Mission Team sent from FUMC to another location outside of the USA to lend assistance and share God’s love.	12	Varies	1 week ±
Mission Team Member (Local)	Be a member of a Mission Team sent from FUMC to work locally to lend assistance and share God’s love.	12	Varies	1 week ±
Mission Team Member (National)	Be a member of a Mission Team sent from FUMC to another location outside state of Ohio but within USA to lend assistance and share God’s love.	12	Varies	1 week ±
Missions Work Area Member	Attend Missions meetings and participate in the development of plans and help in decisions. Meets Second Monday of the month at 7 PM for 1 hour.	6	Once per month	1 hour
Once per month Food Giveaway	On the first Friday of each month, greet people, help them select food, carry bags to cars for elderly,	5 to 10 – should be able to carry and lift up to 30 lbs.	Once per month	1 to 3 hours
Once per month Food Giveaway Prep	Go to NW Ohio Food Bank Once per month to bring bulk purchases back to the Church, set up tables, and prepare bags. On the first Thursday of each month, set up tables for food giveaway.	5 to 10, especially people with trucks or vans	Once per month	3 to 4 hours
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
Supports and encourages moms through relationships established in a caring atmosphere for mothers of young children.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
MOPS Child Care	Provide child care in the nursery for children from infants to elementary school age as needed.	Minimum 2 adults per childcare group per Safe Sanctuary	Twice per month, first Tuesday and third Saturday from 9-12	3 hours
MOPS Coordinator	Leads the Steering Team, coordinates the MOPS ministry and acts as a liaison between MOPS International and the Chartering Ministry. She is the emcee of the MOPS meeting and leads the group by her enthusiasm.	1 or 2	Twice per month	3 to 6 hours
MOPS Mentor	A mom with older children who often teaches, schedules guest speakers, and encourages the Steering Team. She is a mentor to the MOPS women by being a listening ear, as women need her godly advice.	4 to 6	Twice per month	3 to 6 hours
MOPS Steering Committee	Positions available: Creative Activities Team Leader, Discussion Group Team Leader, MOPPETS Team Leader, Finance Team Leader, Hospitality Team Leader, Publicity Team Leader.	4 to 6	Twice per month	3 to 6 hours
Music
Glorify God through music of all kinds.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
Chancel Choir Singer	Sing in choir and attend rehearsals.	30-40	2 hours per week	2 hours
Joyful Noise Bell Ringer	Ring in Bell Choir and attend rehearsals.	14 - 20	Once per week	1 or 2 hours
Pianists	Piano players to play with SonRise praise team and accompany TrebleMakers children's' choir.	2 to 4	2 hrs/week or As needed	2 hrs perweek
Sonrise - SonBeams	Sing at 9:00 service as a backup to the SonRise Praise Band, once per week rehearsals Wednesday from 6-7, ages 7th grade and up.	4 to 10	Once per week	2 or 3 hours
Sound Technician	Oversee sound board for worship services, weddings, and special events. Training provided.	4 to 10	Once a month on Sundays and as needed for other events	Varies
Special music	Play an instrument or sing during a service.	Unlimited	Once or twice per year	1 or two hours plus rehearsal
TrebleMakers (Children's Choir) Helper	Assist TrebleMakers Director with helping children learn music, maintaining order, providing snacks.	2 to 4	1 or 2	once per week
Office Help
Help the office staff provide friendly, accurate, and timely service to members and visitors.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
Church Receptionist	Greet visitors, answer phone, copying, pew pads and miscellaneous projects.	5	Once per week	3 hours per day, Monday-Friday
Miscellaneous Projects	Be willing to come in and collate Church-wide mailings, directory, and any other miscellaneous projects that require extra help.	Unlimited	As needed	1-2 hours
Once per month newsletter	Run duplicating machine to produce the newsletter, Collate and label newsletter.	2 to 4	Once per month	3 hours
Sub Call List	Be willing to work one or any of these areas when one of the regular volunteers is unavailable to come in.  The office will call to see if you are available for the time needed.	Unlimited	As needed	Varies
Sunday Bulletin	Run duplicating machine to produce bulletin, collate and fold the bulletin.	1 to 2	Once per week on Thursday afternoon	2 hours
Prayer Ministry
Provide intercessory prayer for the physical and spiritual needs of the FUMC family and for our neighbors
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of Time
Prayer Partner	Pray daily for partner, pray once per week for pastors and staff of the Church, participate in prayer vigils and prayer breakfasts. Meet with prayer partner as often as desired. Learn and grow through prayer.	Unlimited	Daily, or as desired.	As desired
Small Group Ministries
Establish and nurture persons in a relationship with God through small covenantal discipleship groups who are then equipped to bring about the mission of the church.
Small Group Ministries Planning Team	Discern and coordinate small group ministries at FUMC. Plan and conduct training for new small group leaders	4 to 6	4-6 meetings per year	2 hours per meeting
Small Group Leader	Leaders/facilitators are needed for small groups which can be either home-based or church-based.  Leaders facilitate regular, covenantal meetings with their peers so that all group members grow into a deeper relationship with Christ.	5 to 10	One session per year	One to two hours per week
United Methodist Student Organization (UMSO)
Share the light and love of Christ with the BGSU community through discipleship, fellowship and a community based faith.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of Time
Annual Fundraising Banquet	Help students plan UMSO's annual fundraising banquet to support the work of this campus ministry.	5 to 6	Monthly	1 to 2 hours, banquet prep up to 5 to 7 hours
Cook for Arise	Prepare a dish for the on-campus potluck meal.	7 to 9	Once per month	Varies. 1 to 2 hours
Pancake Socials	Purchase supplies, prepare and serve pancakes to college students 11 PM-2 AM on one Friday per month.	2 to 3	Once per month	4 hours
Small Group Leader	Leaders/facilitators are needed for a variety of short (6 to 13 week) small group studies for and with college students. Topics vary with group interests and include Bible studies, topical studies, and special interest studies Leaders guide group discussions of topics and share their gifts of teaching and knowledge to help university students apply Christian principles to their lives.	3 to 4	Once per week	2 hours
UMSO Mission Trip	Plan, fundraise, and go on a mission trip with UMSO in the spring.	3 to 4	Annual trip plus planning meetings	One week plus planning meetings
United Methodist Women
To foster growth among women in our Christian faith, fellowship, and missions of the Church.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
United Methodist Women ∙ Louise Crawford Circle ∙ Sharon Crowe Circle	A supportive community among women of the Church to grow in faith and enhance to work of our Church. Circles meet Once per month September through May with some additional activities for service and fellowship.	All women of the Church are welcome	Meets 5 times a year for special programs	Varies
Upward Basketball
Evangelism through sports.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of Time
Planning Team	Help Coordinator recruit and train volunteers, assist with program publicity.	2 to 4	At least once per season	2-4 hours
Devotion reader	Give a halftime devotional to kids participating in games held at FUMC's gym, materials provided.	Unlimited	At least once per season	2-4 hours
Scorekeeper	Keep score for Saturday morning games held at FUMC's gym, training provided.	Unlimited	At least once per season	2-4 hours
Upward Coordinator	Recruit volunteers, provide regular updates to congregation about the ministry, work with coordinators at other churches,	1 or 2	Several meetings in advance of season, weekly on Saturdays	8 hours on Saturdays throughout season
Volunteers In Mission
Assist people who have suffered loss in natural disasters restore their homes, and thus, lives.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
Katrina Recovery Team Member	Participate in mission trips to reconstruct damaged homes in the Gulf Coast.	12	Annually	9 days
Worship Work Area
Provide assistance to the pastors in the preparation of worship through the gift of time and other resources to create and preserve worship experiences, spaces, and materials.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of time
Acolyte Coordinator	Train and schedule acolytes.	1	Once per month	1 hour
Altar Guild	Ensure the altar is prepared for worship each week by placing paraments, flowers, or other items Meets on Friday mornings from 10-11.	1 or 2	Once per week	1 hour
Banner Hangers	Hang banners up high for liturgical seasons.	1 to 4	Seasonal	1 or 2 hours
Communion Stewards	Assist in preparing bread and juice for Communion, help with set up and clean up of Communion dishes and paraments.	3 or 4	Once per month	1 or 2 hours
Decorators	Decorate Church at Christmas. Put away decorations after Epiphany.	6 or more	Twice around Christmas	2 hours
Flowers	Check flower chart. Take unclaimed altar flowers to shut ins.	one	Once per month	Less than 1 hour
Liturgist	Orally read the selected scripture during the worship service and any other pre-assigned selections to assist the pastors.	3 or 4	As needed	1 or 2 hours
Usher	Seat people, collect offering, serve communion when it is served in the pews, ring Church bell, help count attendance, prepare & clean up sanctuary, work with the pastoral staff to insure a smooth service. Be available throughout assigned service for specific needs.	Unlimited	9:00 and 11:00 each week, plus special services.	1 ½ hr. each service
Worship Work Area Member	Assist the staff and worship work area with activities concerning the area of worship, such as special services and once per week services. Meets second Monday of the month at 6:30 PM.	12	Once per month meetings and events/activities as needed	1-1 ½ hrs. For mtgs.; 1-2 hrs. for special events
Youth
Create an environment of invitation and acceptance that connects youth to each other and to the Body of Christ, whose example will help them to discover a love for God, recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit and desire to be a disciple of Christ.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of volunteers	Frequency of service	Length of Time
ARMS (Adult Role Models)	Attend and participate with youth during Sunday Evening Youth Group meetings and other Youth Group events.	Unlimited	As often as you have time	2 hours minimum, weekend retreats maximum
Small Group Leader	Leaders/facilitators are needed for a variety of short (6 to 13 week) small group studies for and with youth. Topics vary with group interests and include Bible studies, topical studies, and special interest studies Leaders guide group discussions of topics and share their gifts of teaching and knowledge to help the youth apply Christian principles to their lives.	3 to 5	Once per week	2 hours
Youth Mission Trip	Plan, fundraise, and go on a mission trip with the Youth Group in the summer.	8 to 10	Annual trip plus planning meetings	One week plus planning meetings