There are a multitude of ways to serve with us at East Lake UMC! Find an area that fits you and/or your group! We also call for volunteers from time to time on Facebook and in our Chimes newsletter.
Thrift Store
We need volunteers to work our Thrift Store on Tuesdays and Thursdays (and on Saturdays during Farmers Market Season, May-mid October)! Volunteers will sign up for shifts and check customers out, keep track of sales, help set up items, and so on. Even if you can’t make it on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we often need extra hands to come sort through donations, organize the store, and so on. Contact elummcomm@gmail.com if this is something you are interested in!
Senior Market Bags
During Farmers Market Season (May-mid October), a group of volunteers meets at the church on Saturday morning, gathers produce from the farmers, packs bags for our Senior Market Bag program, and delivers them to people in Senior Living Apartments in our neighborhood. If this is something you are interested in, contact sydnee.elm@gmail.com.
Lunch With Our Neighbors
Each third Sunday of the month, we gather in worship and then host a free community meal that is open to all. The meal takes place in the Downstairs Diner (bottom floor of our main building) after our 11am worship service (around 12:30pm), although prep usually begins after our 9am service (about 10am). We encourage people to come not only to come share food, but to come spend time getting to know and hanging out with some neighbors! Roles might include being an extra helping hand in the kitchen, serving plates to everyone, supplying food, greeting guests, or just chatting it up at a table! Contact smcallocca@gmail.com if you want to take part.
Gardening and Other Small Maintenance Projects
We have several flower beds and other small areas around the church that need some maintenance and attention from time to time. You’re welcome to reach out to smcallocca@gmail.com and see if there are some things around the church that need to be done!
Kids’ Programming
If you are passionate about caring for kids in our community, there are several ways you could get plugged in. We follow a Safe Sanctuaries policy, meaning that each volunteer in our children’s programs will be trained, background checked, and have multiple other adults around at all times. Volunteers can assist at Kids’ Corner on Saturdays during Farmers Market season (May-mid October), at seasonal events like the Halloween Carnival, in nursery on Sunday Mornings, and more! Email smcallocca@gmail.com to learn more and get started.
Leading/Teaching
Do you have some helpful skills or knowledge to share? We have had lots of cool workshops, lessons, and groups in the past led by volunteers who are willing to share with others. This has included a Teens Teach Technology class for Seniors, sewing lessons in the Diner, seminars/book studies on topics related to social justice, and so on.
New Ministries
Is there a service opportunity you have been dreaming of and feeling called to that you don’t see listed here? We are always open to hearing about potential new ministries and how God is moving in your life. Contact us to see if there’s a good fit for something new we could get started!