First United Methodist Church

1526 E. Wooster St. Bowling Green, OH 43402 419-353-0682 www.fumcbg.org

Together

In

Ministry

E

FUMC Ministry Directory

“There is a time for everything,
       and a season for every activity under heaven...” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Dear Friends,

You hold in your hand a tool that invites you to discover how you can offer your unique gifts to serve with joy in the shared ministry of First United Methodist Church. Together, we are the body of Christ and each of us matters in carrying out God’s ministry of love. This booklet describes many opportunities for you to serve. It can be used along with any information you may obtain at the annual ministry fair to further clarify what way you will honor God with your time and talents.

It is important to continue to pray about how God wants you to serve. We truly want to offer each member of our church family the opportunity to engage in ministry that best fits our talents as special persons equipped for extraordinary work. We pray that this booklet will open your eyes to the many opportunities to grow in faith, have fun, make new friends, and serve God.

Together we can do great things for the cause of Christ in Bowling Green and beyond. We pray that you will sense God’s Spirit as you consider these important decisions.

HOW TO USE THIS DIRECTORY

This page contains brief descriptions of First United Methodist Church service and ministry opportunities for adults, kids, and youth. 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.

Upon receiving this directory, take a few moments to review the areas in which you have an interest. The Total Number of Volunteers column indicates how many volunteers are generally needed for that particular area. The Frequency of Service and Length of Time columns indicate how often and how long a volunteer 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.

If you have further questions about a particular area, please contact the church office. Our pastors and staff would be happy to help. You can reach us at 419-353-0682 or via email church.office@fumcbg.org

After you have prayerfully considered where God has gifted you to serve at First United Methodist Church, please mark your TIME Pledge Card in the appropriate places and return your card either on Commitment Sunday or any other time to the church office.

Our mission is to glorify God,

develop a living faith in Christ,

and share God’s peace and love in the world.

Building Care Ministries
Ensure FUMC and its property and equipment are 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 east entry of the church, develop additional beautification projects	3 to 4	once per month	Varies
Fall Clean-up	Inside the church: windows, dusting, etc.; and outside the church: remove trash from the church grounds, cut grass, trim grass, and bushes, put out mulch.	10 to 12 for inside and/ or outside	Annually	4 to 6 hours
Job Jar Pal	Work with Trustees and staff on miscellaneous light maintenance projects.	10 to 12	Meets Wednesday mornings from 9 to 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 Building 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 Clean-up	Inside the church: windows, dusting, etc.; and outside the church: remove trash from the church grounds, cut grass, trim grass, and bushes, put out mulch.	10 to 12 for inside and/ or outside	Annually	4 to 6 hours
Children's Ministries
Help children (birth through 6^th grade) develop a living faith in Jesus Christ.
Ministry	Description of Service	Total # of Volunteers	Frequency of Service	Length of time
Children’s Ministries Planning Team	Coordinate and promote children’s education and activities.	8 to 12	4 to 6 meetings per year	1 ½ hours meeting plus additional tasks
Children’s Sunday School Teacher Assistant	Aid in the delivery of a lesson from a Hands-On Bible curriculum for children age 4 through grade 6.	12 or more	1 Sunday per month	1 hour
Children’s Sunday School Teacher	Prepare and teach a lesson from Hands-On Bible curriculum for children age 4 through grade 6.	12 or more	Quarterly or annually	2 hours per week
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	Once or twice per month.	5 to 10 minutes plus prep time
Children's Worship Storyteller	Lead the worship of 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 hand out art supplies, marvel over creations, interact with children in this sacred space). Training provided.	12 or more	Once per week, at 9:00 or 11:00, can serve one week or more	1 or 2 hours
Children's Worship Helper	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	Once per week, at 9:00 or 11:00, can serve one week or more	1 or 2 hours
Live Wire Wednesday Leader	Lead children through activities designed to teach a Bible lesson and develop relationships with God and neighbor using provided material. Children are ages K to 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 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
Substitute Sunday School Teacher	Be available to teach a Sunday School class on an as- needed basis.	Unlimited	As needed	One hour per week plus preparation
TrebleMakers (Children's Choir) Helper	Assist TrebleMakers Director with costuming, snacks, props, and scenery for musicals.	2 to 4	As needed	As needed

Communications
Create and maintain 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
Prepare Press Releases to Local Papers	Collect, edit and prepare press releases to local media covering significant activities, events, achievements, plans and opportunities at FUMC for congregation and community. (Could concentrate on a particular area to Youth, Adults, UMW, Worship/Music, Missions, etc.)		3 to 5, or one per area		Varies		Varies
Proofreader	Help the office produce accurate print materials by proofreading bulletins, newsletters, and other documents		2 to 4		As needed per document		Varies
Welcome Center	Staff 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 or after both services
Creative Arts Ministries
Use artistic expression to deepen faith and introduce others to God.
Ministry	Description of Service		Total # of Volunteers		Frequency of Service		Length of time
Drama Ministry Team	Help others learn to use drama to develop a living faith in Christ, schedule drama elements in worship or other events		4 to 8		Varies		Varies
Performer	Write and/or perform Christian drama		Unlimited		Varies		Varies
Puppet Ministry Team	Help others learn to use drama to develop a living faith in Christ, schedule drama elements in worship or other events		4 to 8		Varies		Varies
Puppeteer	Write and/or perform Christian puppet shows		Unlimited		Varies		Varies
Visual Arts	Create works of art to enhance our building and extend hospitality to all who enter		Unlimited		Varies		Varies
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
Dinner Theatre Bazaar	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		7 to 8 meetings per year		1 to 2 hour meetings, additional hours in project prep
Dinner Theatre Kitchen Crew	Prepare dinner, plate items, clean and put away dishes.		6 to 8		3 nights in November		3 to 4 hours
Performer	Auditions held each fall for production; many ages are needed each year so watch for announcements.		Varies		Varies		Varies
Server	Greet guests, carry plates, serve drinks and coffee, and clean tables at the end of the meal.		15 to 20 each night		1 or more nights		2 to 3 hours
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
Discipleship Ministries
Create and manage programs that help adults become committed disciples of Jesus Christ.
Ministry	Description of Service		Total # of Volunteers		Frequency of Service		Length of time
Course Instructor	Instructors are needed for adult Sunday School classes, Live Wire Wednesdays, and Sunday Evening Adult Studies. Training provided.		Unlimited		Once per week for 12 weeks or 34 weeks		2 to 5 hours per week
Discipleship Planning Team	Coordinate activities/programs that encourage people to grow spiritually.		Unlimited		4 to 6 meetings per year		1 hour per meeting
Library Assistant	Assists with a variety of library duties as needed. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, processing books, typing, light housekeeping, assisting visitors of the library, shelving books and media.		4		2 to 3 times per month – can work on own schedule		1 to 2 hours
Small Group Leader	Leaders/facilitators are needed for a variety of short (6 to 13 week) small group studies. Topics vary with group interests and include Bible studies, topical studies, and special interest studies such as parenting, care giving, financial management, personal development, etc. Leaders guide group discussions of topics and share their gifts of teaching and knowledge to help their friends apply Christian principles to their lives. Training provided.		Unlimited		One session per year		1 to 2 hours per week
SonShine Class	Work with adults with mental challenges, sharing love, Bible stories, and snacks		Unlimited		As often as desired		1 hour on Sunday mornings.
Family Ministries
Provide opportunities for people of all ages to celebrate and connect with one another.
Ministry	Description of Service		Total # of Volunteers		Frequency of Service		Length of Time
Advent Workshop	Help plan and run activities for the annual advent workshop		8 to 10		A few meetings as needed		Several hours
Friday Night Life Team	Help plan and run quarterly all-ages fellowship events that may include games, service activities, dinner, movies, etc,		4 to 6		4 Friday evenings per year		Several hours of planning for each event, can be done at home
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		Once per week, Tuesday morning at 10 AM		Several hours
Story Time	Share a story or object lesson with the CLC students and teachers.		Unlimited		Once per week, Tuesday morning at 10 AM		15 minutes plus preparation
Hospitality Ministries
Welcome people and share God's love.
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 morning coffee service.		Unlimited		2 per week		1 to 2 hours
Church Picnic Coordinator		Select date, plan menu, organize games or activities, invite neighbors, and order supplies for annual FUMC picnic.		1		Annually		Several hours plus planning
Church Picnic Helper		Assist with completion of FUMC picnic details, including set up and clean up.		Unlimited		Annually		Several hours
Coffee Service Coordinator		Coordinate schedule of coffee helpers to ensure that radical hospitality occurs when coffee is prepared each week, station is set up with food and drink, and cleaned when complete.		1		As needed		Several hours plus planning
Coffee Service Helper		Set up: Brew coffee, set out 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
Greeter		Greet people at the East Entrance on Sunday mornings, either service.		Unlimited		4 to 6 times per year		15 to 30 minutes
Greeter Coordinator		Schedule people to greet at the East 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 FUMC staff to schedule orientations, coordinate welcoming ministries.		Unlimited		Meets second Monday of the month at 7 PM		1 hour
Thanksgiving Dinner Coordinator		Select date, plan menu, invite neighbors, and order supplies for annual Thanksgiving Dinner.		1		Annually		Several hours plus planning
Thanksgiving Dinner Helper		Assist with completion of Thanksgiving Dinner details, including set up and clean up.		Unlimited		Annually		Several hours
Kairos Outreach
Build Christian community in correctional institutions.
Ministry		Description of Service		Total # of Volunteers		Frequency of Service		Length of time
Cookies for Kairos		Grow in faith through praying and baking cookies - bring prayed-over cookies to FUMC for Kairos weekends to share God’s peace and love with prisoners and Kairos team.		Unlimited		1 or 2 times per year		1 to 2 hours
Kairos		Encounter the transformative Christ through Kairos Prison ministry by training and serving on a team to minister to men in correctional institutions.		1 to 3		1 or 2 4-day "weekends"		4 -Day weekend, some add-itional days as needed
Lay Ministry
Provide congregational care for the people in health or spiritual need.
Ministry		Description of Service		Total # of Volunteers		Frequency of Service		Length of time
Hospital Ministry		Visit FUMC family in the hospital during the assigned weeks as scheduled. Training provided.		Unlimited		5 or 6 weeks per year		2 to 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 to 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 to 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 to 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. to May. Patterns provided. Knitting can also happen at home.		Unlimited		Once per month Sept. to May.		1 to 2 hours
Shut-In Ministry		Make contact through mail, telephone, and home visits. Training provided.		Unlimited		Once per month		1 to 2 hours
Membership
Ensure that members and visitors have meaningful opportunities to connect.
Ministry		Description of Service		Total # of Volunteers		Frequency of Service		Length of time
Directory Updates		Working with office staff, update contact information for members in an annual paper directory.		4 to 6		Ongoing		Varies
Membership 101 Lunch		Meet and connect with persons considering membership at FUMC. Share stories about life at FUMC with new members. Purchase/Prepare/Serve/Clean up lunch meal during Membership 101.		4 to 6		3 to 4 times per year during Membership 101		2 to 3 hours
Membership and Evangelism Work Area Member		Coordinate welcoming and related ministries.		Unlimited		Meets second Monday of the month at 7 PM		1 hour
Welcome Letters		Use gift of hospitality and write letters of welcome to visitors.		Unlimited		As needed		Several hours
Missions
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 to 6 people		Monthly meetings		1 hour
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 to 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		Varies
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		Varies
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		Varies
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 one hour.		6		Once per month		1 hour
Monthly Food Giveaway		Greet people, help them select food, carry bags to cars for elderly on the first Friday of each month.		Unlimited		once per month		2 to 3 hours
Monthly 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
VIM Katrina Recovery Team Member		Participate in mission trips to reconstruct damaged homes in the Gulf Coast.		12		Annually		9 days
MOPS
Support and encourage 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 to 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		Once per month		3 to 6 hours
MOPS Mentor		A mom with older children who often teaches, schedules guest speakers, and encourages the Steering Team. The MOPS Mentor attends Steering Team meetings as an advisor, contributing ideas, but is not a voting member. She is a mentor to the MOPS women by being a listening ear, as women need her godly advice.		4 to 6		Once per month		3 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		Glorify God and create an excellent worship experience for self and church through singing		30 to 40		2 hours per week		2 hours
Joyful Noise Bell Ringer		Ring in Bell Choir and attend rehearsals.		14 to 20		Once per week		1 or 2 hours
Pianist		Play piano with SonRise praise team and/or accompany TrebleMakers children's choir or Chancel Choir to glorify God and create an excellent worship experience for self and church.		2 to 4		2 hrs/week or As needed		2 hrs/week
SonRise - SonBeam		Glorify God and create an excellent worship experience for self and church through singing backup to the SonRise Praise Band, weekly rehearsals Wednesday from 6 to 7, ages 7th grade and up.		4 to 10		Once per week		1 or 2 hours
Sound Technician		Oversee sound board for worship services, weddings, and special events so that God is glorified through worship and other corporate 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 to glorify God and create an excellent worship experience for self and church.		Unlimited		Once or twice per year		1 or two hours plus rehearsal
Office Help
Provide administrative services to ensure that the office provides 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, photocopy, collect pew pads, and other miscellaneous welcoming office projects.		5		Once per week		2 hours per day, Monday to Friday
Miscellaneous Projects		Collate and assemble large mailings, directory, and any other miscellaneous projects that require extra help.		Unlimited		As needed		1 to 2 hours
Newsletter Assembly		Collate and label newsletter.		4 to 6		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.  Training is provided.		Unlimited		As needed		Varies
Sunday Bulletin		Practice radical hospitality by ensuring church news is shared with the congregation. Copy, fold, and/or assemble the weekly bulletin.		2 to 4		Once per week on Friday morning		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 Ministry Team		Organize Prayer Partner Ministry. Assign prayer partners, pray once per week for pastors and staff of FUMC, organize prayer vigils and prayer breakfasts. Meet with prayer partner as often as desired. Learn and grow through leadership and prayer.		4 to 6		As needed		As desired
Prayer Partner		Pray daily for partner, pray once per week for pastors and staff of 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
Servant Evangelism
Be the church in the community by demonstrating God's love through acts of service.
Ministry		Description of Service		Total # of Volunteers		Frequency of Service		Length of Time
Community Outreach		Plan and participate in creative community outreach events, sharing the good news with our neighbors through serving them.		Unlimited		4 to 6 times per year		Several hours
Membership and Evangelism Work Area Member		Coordinate welcoming and related ministries.		Unlimited		Meets second Monday of the month at 7 PM		1 hour + some project work
Outreach Supplies Provider		Provide supplies for Servant Evangelism projects such as packaged cookies, seed packets, candy, etc.		Unlimited		Monthly		1 hour
United Methodist Student Organization
Share the light and love of Christ with the Bowling Green State University 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		Plan and attend UMSO's annual fundraising banquet to support the work of this campus ministry.		5 to 6		Once per month meetings,		1 to 2 hours, + banquet prep
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 on one late Friday night 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 such as financial management, leadership development, etc.		3 to 4		Once per week		2 hours
UMSO Mission Trip		Plan, fundraise, and go on a mission trip with UMSO.		3 to 4		Annual trip plus planning meetings		1 week plus planning meetings
United Methodist Women
Nurture and encourage one another in spiritual growth, personal leadership and transformation through service and study.
Ministry