Volunteer Opportunities

 

The Holy Spirit gives each of us special abilities. Within St. Matthew's, there are many areas that benefit from these gifts when members give of themselves and their time. Below are some of these areas. Contact Sue Swing at the church office for any of these opportunities, or the additional contact listed as appropriate.

 

Volunteers at the heart of St. Matthew’s Ministries
Did you know that in the course of a week, dozens of people volunteer their time for a variety of ministries at St. Matthew’s? Here are just a few whom I saw this week at church.

Roger Wedel loaded up and delivered donated food and household items to Reformation Lutheran Church.

Darlean Furst and Judy Kettler came in on Monday morning to assist the office staff with processing the Sunday offering.

Sue Hansen came to check on communion set-up and supplies, washing soiled linens, and making sure everything is in order for the next communion service.

Lois Weber comes with Sue occasionally and works with her on cleaning the altar (candle wax !) as well as taking care of the pastors’ albs (robes).

Chuck & Marge Shantz regularly keep tabs on the cleanliness and order of the Commons kitchen.

Russ Whitehead came in to look at the Sundays’ upcoming Scripture lessons, as he writes the introductions to these lessons read each week by the lay reader.

Folks came in to package donated food for distribution to a variety of locations in the Milwaukee area, the Just One More ministry.  On this day, the workers were Larry Jurss, Larry & Deann Gjenvick, Don Birschel, Bill Schier and Jody

Our weekly bulletin stuffers performed their faithful service: Joanne Schoenherr, Marian Clem, Mary Wenzel, Marie Korth, Dolores Reed, Peter Korth.

Bruce Johnson came in to process the Mt. Meru Fair Trade Coffee ordered twice a month. Bruce has been our ‘coffee ambassador’ since we begin selling Mt. Meru coffee many years ago.

Council Officers Kristen Charlson and Amy Schmidt came in to sign checks to pay the chruch’s bills. Other officers who make themselves available for this task at any time during the week are Al Van Lith and Rob Wedel.

Tom “Flash” Gordon comes in often to check our lighting.  Flash keeps track of all the lighting fixtures in the entire building, maintaining our supply of light bulbs and changing them as needed. They are not all easy to access!  Tom also does a variety of repair and handy-man jobs, and we can also count on him to update the outside signs when the service times change.

Ed Bross comes in regularly to make sure our sound/lighting equipment is working properly. He has also consulted with us on our phone system, trouble-shooting problems. When there is a special event, Ed can be counted on to be there, with the proper equipment, often without being asked

Bev Etzelmueller comes in often to work in the library (as our librarian) and also to coordinate the distribution of our quilts (as the quilt ministry coordinator).

Vernell & Kristen Schlienger come in occasionally to work in the library at any tasks that Bev would like them to do.

Larry & Deann Gjenvick come in regularly to maintain our plants, including watering and feeding them. They monitor the plants’ health.

Jennifer Kramer came to check the “ReUse a Shoe” barrel as well to deliver kids’s snacks for coffee hour. She regularly shops for cookies and juice to keep the kitchen supplied for our younger members during coffee hour.

 

 

Serving in the Summer
Thanks to all of our Sunday morning volunteers who faithfully assist with worship, greet­ing, ushering, serving coffee and providing childcare in the nursery. You represent our church every Sunday and we are grateful for your service. As summer approaches, we know that there are vacations and schedule changes that may make it difficult for you to be at church from time to time. If you find that you cannot be here on a Sunday that you are scheduled, please take a moment to find a substitute.

Email lists are now sent with schedules to assist with contacting a sub when needed. Or, contact the church office and let us know of your anticipated absence. This will help us to plan accordingly and to ensure that St. Matthew’s maintains a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the summer months!

 

This page is very long because of the many opportunities available. Click on each title to open list of opportunities. Click again to close it. When one section is open, the others close.

Worship Assistants

Greeters: Greet people as they enter the sanctuary.

Acolytes: Light the candles for worship and assist with the distribution of communion.

Lay Readers: Read the appointed lessons for the day. A copy of the lessons is sent in the ail a few days prior to the person’s scheduled Sunday.

Communion Preparers: Prepare the elements for communion and clean up the communion ware after the service.  Preparers work in teams of 2-3.

Bread Bakers: Bake small loaves of bread used for communion. An easy recipe is provided for your convenience.

Ushers Guild: Adults (men and women) and high school age youth who assist at our worship services on a regular schedule.

Communion Assistants: Assist the Pastors with distribution of bread and wine during communion. Training is provided by the pastors.

Drama Group: Meets throughout the year to discuss, practice and present drama presentations at worship and for the Sunday School, as well as other occasions.

Sound System/Lighting: Work the sound board in the balcony and/or the lights during worship.  Training will be provided.

Church Decoration: Utilize your artistic talents to help decorate the sanctuary for festival occasions; including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost.

[Information about Music Ministry/Choir opportunities is on the Music Ministry page.]

Education

Teach Sunday School: Sunday School teachers are the backbone of our Children’s Education Ministry.  Detailed curriculum materials, including Biblical background on each story, are provided to all teachers.  If you enjoy working with children, this is a very rewarding ministry.

Co-Teach or Assist with Sunday School: Co-teachers and assistants support Sunday School teachers by helping with class activities and classroom management.  Co-teachers may be responsible for teaching part of the lesson or preparing for an activity on a regular or rotating basis.

Leader for Rotational Sunday School: This is our Sunday School program for 1st-5th graders.  Volunteers are needed to teach six-week sessions in our art, drama, music, games and reflection rooms. Detailed materials and Bible background provided. This is your chance to teach without committing to a whole year!

Shepherd for Rotational Model Sunday School: Adults are needed to guide classes from site to site and provide assistance to the teachers.  It is preferred that this be a year-long commitment so relationships can be formed between the shepherd and the class.  No planning is involved; just a willingness to get to know the children.

Help with Sunday School Events: Volunteers are needed to help set up for special events and to supervise activities during the events.  These include big group events for Rotational Sunday School every six weeks during the Education Hour, the annual Sunday School picnic in June and the bi-annual Christmas program.

Substitute Teacher for Sunday School: Substitute teachers are called upon on an as-needed basis to teach a class in the absence of the regular teacher.  In the case of teacher illness substitutes are sometimes needed on short notice.  Teaching materials are provided.

Church Library Helpers: Work in our church library on Sunday mornings, helping to check out books, CD’s and videos, re-shelving items and assisting library patrons. Choose your own dates to volunteer by signing up on the desk calendar in the library.

Teach an Adult Class: Take an active role in our Adult Education by facilitating a class or study/discussion group on Sunday morning.

Assist with Vacation Bible School: Loving adult and teen volunteers with big hearts for children are needed to make VBS a success. Teachers are needed for all age groups.  Many other volunteers are needed to serve as Tour Guides, help prepare and serve snacks, provide child care, build and/or paint scenery, etc.

Children, Youth & Family

Kids for Christ (Grades 1-3) and Disciples of Christ (Grades 4-5): KFC and DOC each meet about once a month for fellowship, devotions, crafts, games, food and fun.  Adult helpers are appreciated.

Junior High Group (Grades 6-8) and Senior High Group (Grades 9-12): Monthly activities, outings, retreats and trips are planned throughout the year.  Adults can help out by attending events to provide mentorship and friendship. Dates and times vary.

Help with Transportation: If you are 21 or older and have a good driving record, you can help provide transportation to and from various activities and events.  A fun-loving attitude and an ability to concentrate in the midst of noise are helpful.

Confirmation Mentors: Work with an 8th grade Confirmation student on a one-to-one basis for a period of about 5 weeks.  The focus of these sessions is discussion of faith issues; the mentorship packet provides the structure for each meeting.

Facilitator for Youth Forum/Small Groups: If you are interested in working with Sr. High Youth on a regular basis, consider facilitating a small group.  Group members will decide together which activities and/or studies they would like to pursue.  Adult participation is also welcome in Youth Forum, which meets on Sunday mornings.

Adults

Help Plan/Organize Retreats and Events (Women): Women’s Ministry sponsors an annual spring retreat and other events during the year.  Ideas are welcome and help is appreciated to make these events a success.

Help Plan Special Events (Men): Help plan or organize events and/or outings.  Help with men’s breakfasts, men's retreat, golf outings, fishing trips, sporting events, etc.

Hospitality

Hospitality Hosts: Hosts (Greeters & Information Center) are stationed at the main parking lot entrance, in the Commons and at the Information Center where they welcome all who enter God’s house for worship. They also answer questions and give directions.

Ushers: Ushers work in teams to welcome people for worship, hand out bulletins, help seat people, collect the offering, and help assure that worship services run smoothly.

Coffee Hosts: Coffee Hosts serve coffee, juice and baked goods during the fellowship time in the Commons following the 8:30 service.  They provide the baked goods.  Working in teams, they are responsible for set up and clean up.

Nursery Helpers: Provide childcare in the church nursery (room 102 in the Education wing) during 8:30 & 11:00 services, the Education hour and special events or services.  One to three adults or teens are assigned to each service time.

Special Meal Providers: Members bring home cooked meals to families or individuals experiencing the birth of a baby, cancer concerns, recent hospitalization, chronic or extended illness, etc.  Volunteers are assigned a date by a meal coordinator.

Help with a Fellowship Event: If you have a knack for planning/organizing events, like to help behind the scenes, or have ideas for social events – your help would be greatly appreciated.  Game nights, movie nights, family outings, Christmas caroling, pie socials – the possibilities are endless.

Flower Deliverers: Deliver flowers to shut-ins or people who are hospitalized.

Communication Arts

Cross-Stitch Projects: St. Matthew’s has a tradition of giving a wedding Chrismon to each couple whose ceremony takes place in our sanctuary. Instructions, a pattern, cloth and thread are provided.  We also stitch a cross onto baptismal napkins for those baptized at St. Matthew's.

Drama Production: Participate in or assist with production of the Passion Scenes on Palm Sunday, the Christmas pageant, the Sunday School Christmas program, Sunday school skits, children’s musicals, etc. Help is needed in a variety of areas:  stage crew, actors, make-up, artists, costume assistants, etc.

Help Sew/Maintain Costumes: St. Matthew’s has a large collection of costumes.  Some are in need of repair.  Others need to be created for special productions.

Computer/Desktop Publishing: Use your technical skills to help create brochures, fliers and pamphlets for various events and areas of ministry at St. Matthew’s.

Calligraphy: Calligraphy skills are used to write names in the Memorial Book at the end of the year and for occasional projects as needed.

Writing: Use your God given talent to: write dialogues for the Drama Group, write items for our website, be a reporter for the Voice, help create informational materials for committees or ministries.

Art Projects: Use your creative skills to help with projects during the year, such as the Lenten family take-home projects, projects for special Sunday school events, scenery for Vacation Bible School, seasonal crafts for Luther Manor, etc.

Sew/Make Banners: Use your sewing skills or artistic talents to create banners for use in worship, different seasons of the church year, or for festival occasions.

Photography: Help preserve memories of church activities and ministries by taking photographs.  Photos can also be used to advertise upcoming events.

Bulletin Boards: Help decorate, maintain and keep current the bulletin boards located around the church and Church Office and education building.  Information to be posted and some supplies are provided.

Sunday Morning Technology Support: Help run and operate equipment on Sunday mornings to support the ministry of St. Matthew’s.

Outreach Ministries

There are numerous Volunteer opportunities in our Outreach Ministry -- including Meal Ministry, working with our Mission Partners and others.

Property

Painting, Plumbing, Carpentry, Electrical, Heating & Cooling, Computer Hardware: Help maintain our building, work on special projects or help another member in need.

Garden Crew: The Garden Crew helps to maintain the beauty of the grounds around the church building by planting flowers, weeding, watering, etc. as needed.  The work is done on Saturday mornings and during the day on weekdays.

Church Office

Bulletin Stuffers: This group collates the Sunday bulletins on Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m.  Four to six people are needed each week.  There is a sign-up sheet in the church office.

Office Projects: Help with church mailings – stuffing, collating, affixing stamps and address labels, stapling – and other projects as needs arise.  Volunteers often work in small groups of 2-5.  Most tasks are done during church office hours; occasionally the work can be done at home.

Church Audit Assistant: Assist with the annual auditing of the church financial books.  This task is usually done in late April.