At First UCC, we believe that we are called to cultivate our love for God and for our neighbors. As a body with many parts, we know that love -- and the growth in faith it encompasses -- takes many forms. These include service, activism, deep relationships, learning, worship, and silence. As your faith grows you may be looking to explore new opportunites in our spiritual community.
Below you will find a list of skills often needed around the church, followed by some specific roles that are open to members and friends of our congregation. Please check any skills you are currently or are willing to share, as well as any roles you currently fulfill or might be interested in playing.
Below you will find opportunities in each area of ministry. First you will find the explanations, then use the buttons below to select.
Worship volunteer positions include:
Communion Assistance: Assist monthly with setting up and cleaning up communion; or volunteer to serve communion on a rotating basis
Digital Greeter: From your computer, welcome other online attendees and offer assistance as needed. Sunday mornings as needed.
Drama: With instructions from drama coach or director, present scripture in alternate ways; or participate in larger drama productions. As available.
Flower & plant care: Take turns watering the plants, etc. As needed.
Sanctuary set up: Changing the paraments and pulpit flower/plant arrangements, setting up for special events, etc. As needed.
Visual arts: Contribute to the beautification of our sanctuary especially for thematic or seasonal displays. As needed.
Senior Choir: Rehearse and sing most weeks during the program year
Spirit Voices: Rehearse and sing monthly (more contemporary music)
Play an instrument: As needed
Sing solos or in small ensembles: As needed
Read scripture: Read the scripture selected by the preacher. As needed.
Tech support for worship & events: Run the audio and video at the back of the church during service and special events such as funerals, presentations, concerts, etc. As needed.
Usher: Greet worshippers, distribute bulletins, take offerings, tidy sanctuary following. Monthly rotation.
Faith Formation Postions include:
Adult Bible Study: Participate in Bible study for adults. As available.
Book groups, adult studies, or Connect groups: Participate in any of these groups. As available.
Lead adult studies, book groups, or Connect groups: Ideas suggested by pastors or presented to pastors for approval. As needed.
Children's Faith Formation: Adult opportunity to grow in intergenerational relationships with children in grades PreK-5th grade, spending time with them in community school faith formation hour on Sunday mornings, 9:15-10:15 a.m. No preparation needed; background check required.
Children's/Youth Faith Formation Team: Plan, prepare, and discern Children's Faith Formation curriculum and program calendar of events, coordinate adult faith formation volunteers, set up and maintain Children's Faith Formation rooms and materials.
Confirmation Mentor: Every other year opportunity. Partner with an 8-9th grade Confirmation student in several group and independent opportunities through the program years. Grow in intergenerational relationships, show interest, and mentorship with a student.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Leader: Social and sexual health values-based program for 7-8th grade (24-week program) and 11-12th grade (10-12-week program) students. 3-day certificate with the wider UCC-UU OWL training plan and background check required for this highly rewarding experience and wonderful program.
Middle School Youth Group: Lead activities or provide snacks for 6-8th grade students for Sunday mornings during the faith formation hour (9:15-10:15 a.m.). On Sunday mornings or as determined with youth group leader(s).
High School Youth Group: Lead activities or provide snacks for 9-12th grade students on Sunday evenings twice a month, as coordinated with youth group leader(s).
All Justice Teams invite people to participate in a planning team or to participate just in events. Your interest here could indicate either leading or participating.
Beyond Land Acknowledgement: A group that helps build our awareness of and acknowledgement of the history of genocide and colonization of Indigenous peoples and lands. Time commitment is dependent on level of activity.
Creation Justice: A group whose activities affirm the gifts of Creation and recommends ways to live our creation care and justice in all dimensions of our congregational life. Time commitment is dependent on level of activity.
Immigrant Welcoming: The Immigrant Task Force provides opportunities for learning, advocacy, and volunteering with our immigrant neighbors. Time commitment is dependent on level of activity.
Open and Affirming: This team works to make our church open to and affirming of all regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, age, economic or marital status, race, physical or mental ability, cultural heritage, or sexual orientation. Time commitment is dependent on level of activity.
Peace and Justice for Israel and Palestine: A team that explores and raises awareness to the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the struggle of Palestinians for justice. Time commitment is dependent on level of activity.
Racial Justice: A team which addresses our congregation's commitment to racial justice through anti-racism education, fostering relationships and learning from those who are most impacted by racism. Time commitment depends on level of activity.
Community Life includes:
Baking or serving for special functions: Organizer will communicate specific needs as occassions arise.
Building maintenance/repair: Activities are at the request of facilities chair, facilities committee, or pastors as needs arise.
Care Team: Transportation for medical appointments (mileage reimbursable!), transportation to/from church on Sunday mornings, contacting homebound members, making meals for sick members, etc.
Childcare on Sunday mornings: Assist with childcare when our paid care person is unavailable for worship services or other gatherings from time to time.
Coffee Hour hosting: Plan food for coffee hour or have office order standard breads, make coffee, set up and clean up. Time commitment: occasionally. Set up one hour prior to worship, serve and clean up after coffee hour is over.
WFFF Dinners: Plan or assist with weekly Wednesday evening meals during the program year. Jobs are available for different interests and skill levels. Click here to learn more.
Fighting Apostles Softball Team: Team plays weekly during summer months.
Front office volunteer: Assist with office tasks with the office manager is not available. E.g. answering phone, making copies, tasks needed by pastors.
Meals on Wheels: Each driver will pick up 3-4 coolers with marked bags of food and delivery instructions from the Northfield Hospital at 12:00 noon. Most routes take less than an hour to deliver. As needed.
Memorial Garden: Tend to gardening needs, monitor current and new memorial additions to garden, notify congregation or garden's status.
Membership: The membership committee oversees the processing of visitor information, membership orientation, membership installation, and volunteer recruitment.
Prayer Shawl Group: open to anyone who knits or crochets. No commitment required.
Yard work/Landscaping: Work independently or on occasional workdays (primarily in spring, summer and fall) under supervision of organizer.
Administrative Committees and teams meet monthly and more often as their duties dictate. All of them are mandated by the Church Constitution and their membership is voted upon at the Church's annual meeting.
Council: The Church Council oversees pursuit of the mission and management of the business and affairs of this church, and adopts policies and procedures to support this effort. Monthly meetings with strong commitment to attendance and occasional prep between meetings.
Facilities: The Facilities Committee oversees and maintains the church building, grounds and use of the church facilities. Monthly meetings and participation in work days and other building projects.
Nominating: The Nominating Committee ensures that all elected governance positions are filled in a timely manner, either by election at the annual meeting or as needed during the year to fill vacancies that occur. The work of this committee is primarily in the Fall so that a slate of candidates for Constitutional offices can be presented at the annual meeting.
Stewardship: The Stewardship Committee oversees and organizes the annual stewardship campaign to support the church's mission using its financial resources. The work of this committee is primarily in the Fall with occasional work throughout the year.
Trustees: The Trustees Committee assists the Church Council in its oversight of the Church's financial resources, including budgeting and investments.
