A Note from Our Pastor ...
Christianity is very much a team sport. Participation is essential for faith development. When connected with others we have their insight and strength to add to our own. Greg Seckman, Senior Pastor |
All of us remember the children's game. With hands folded we began, "here is the church and here is the steeple, open the door and here are the people." With those words wriggling fingers were revealed. That image sums up the nature of the church. Below you will see described a kaleidoscope of ministries all designed to meet various needs. The demonstrate the many ways we are connected and how we care for one another. First & Calvary Presbyterian Church offers many avenues through which you can support missions both in the church and in the community. There are outreach and missions ministries, prayer and congregational care ministries, and plant service ministries. We are confident that there is a place for you at First & Calvary! Please call the church office at 862-5068 or email us at blessings@fandcpres.org if you would like to take part in one of the ministries listed below, or contact the ministry coordinator directly where information is provided below.
Crosslines
Crosslines collects and distributes food for our Fish Day each month at Crosslines. Crosslines has many volunteer opportunities available from working with food and clothing donated, to helping clients with paperwork, to helping to distribute toys and food at the holidays. Volunteer time commitment varies.
Contact Neal and Juanita Cannon at 881-5751 for more information.
Evangelism Committee
Make a personal contact with visitors who have attended Sunday morning worship! Committee members host new member receptions, maintain new members bulletin boards with photos along with monthly communication with their list of prospective members. The Committee meets monthly.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity builds homes for low-income individuals and works with the family to build a home in the Habitat subdivisions. Volunteers with all skill levels are needed as there is always a job to be done! Variable time commitment.
Contact Habitat for Humanity at 829-4001 to participate in this ministry.
Mission Giving Opportunities and Trips
The Festival of Hope is held each November as an alternative giving opportunity for church members and the community. All proceeds benefit persons in need through the organization represented at one of the booths set up for your shopping pleasure. The Heifer Project, SERRV, Olive wood carvings, Fair Trade coffees, and Rainbow Network are just a few of the not-for profit organizations featured. Volunteering to host a booth and sell items is a great way to help these ministries. For the past several years we have offered opportunities for mission outreach in other states and countries for youth and adults to Haiti, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Israel, Turkey, and Brazil. A family mission trip became a reality in 2002 and a local family mission event happened in 2003. Watch for upcoming mission trips!
Regional Girls' Shelter Auxiliary
The Regional Girls' Shelter is a regional treatment center providing safety, structure and supervision for girls, ages 11-21, who are experiencing difficulities in their personal or family life. Volunteer opportunities available include one-on-one mentoring, helping with fundraising and friend-raising events, helping with day-to-day office needs, etc. Monthly volunteer hours vary with service chosen. Auxiliary meets on the second Tuesday in the months of September through May, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. at the Regional Girls' Shelter located on 2740 Pythian in Springfield, MO.
Well of Life
The Well of Life is a project of the Center City Christian Outreach member churches. The Well of Life serves as a place not only for emergency assistance with food, but is a place where clients obtain information about existing resources in Springfield. Our efforts are coordinated with several agencies to help avoid duplication of services. A vital part of our ministry is to offer intercessory prayer for clients. Free Bibles are available to all. Volunteers are needed to help with intake/interviewing, food sorting and purchasing or administrative tasks. The Well of Life is currently open 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
For more information about Well of Life, contact Cynthia Bennett at 831-4241.
Prayer Chain
These dedicated First & Calvary volunteers pray twice a day for all concerns received. Every other week, volunteers receive a Prayer Chain letter with all current requests. Prayer requests that come in between letters are relayed by phone alone the prayer chain to members.
Care Teams
A Care Team is a group of six to twelve volunteers organized as a team to provide practical, emotional, and spiritual support to persons in temporary crisis or facing long-term challenges who would benefit from our care and concern. Team members do what they love to do, when they are able to do it, in an organized fashion, with a built-in support system. The care team has a leader, and members must attend a short orientation. Service is very flexible, but most team members serve an average of three hours per month. Activities depend on the needs of the person/family being cared for, but may include running errands, shopping, yard work, reading aloud, transportation, prayer, being present, respite care for the caregiver or providing meals or social outings. Team members meet once a month to plan the calendar and determine needs.
Child Care
First & Calvary provides childcare for all church-related events, Bible studies, meetings, rehearsals, etc. Volunteers assist paid staff in caring for children at various times in the church building. Time commitment varies according to event.
Flower Ministry
Help decorate the church for the Advent season and deliver flowers to our homebound members--a great way to interact with some our our senior members. Time commitment varies as to area of service.
Food Ministry
Prepare food for families who have had a death, host a reception at church after a funeral service, and prepare or deliver a meal for someone coming home from the hospital. Food will be made at home and delivered to the church for a reception or a family. These are opportunities within the Food Ministry at First & Calvary. This is a very flexible ministry commitment.
Health Ministry and Faith Community Nursing
The Health Ministry and Faith Community Nursing seeks to aid the congregation in understanding the connection between physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and to encourage each individual to be a good steward of his or her own health and health resources. We emphasize caring for one another when individuals and families face challenges to health and well-being using the Care Team Model. Monthly worship opportunities, Taize, with an emphasis on healing and wholeness, meditation and prayer are held. Programs focus on illness prevention, encourage wellness and healthy lifestyle choices.
The Faith Community Nurse (FCN) serves as educator, coordinator of volunteers, advocate and counselor for health concerns and integrator of spirituality and faith when health crisis occurs. Volunteers with an interest in health and wholeness may serve as visitors to individuals and families, speakers, worship leaders, health screeners, and leaders of support groups. The Committee meets monthly to determine programming and direct the work of the FCN.
Helping Hands
This minsitry deals with the occasional one-time smaller tasks such as leaf raking, garage clean-up, recycling, etc. Tasks that to many of us might seem routine. The Chairperson will match volunteers to those needing service and will call the requesting member to arrange a mutually convenient time. Volunteers need not be an expert and are not expected to undertake major projects or provide ongoing assistance, just a helping hand or helpful advice when needed. There are no meetings, and time commitment varies according to the task.
Membership Care
The Membership Care Committee looks for opportunities to care for members and offers times for fellowship outside of Sunday worship. Through one-on-one caregivers and health ministries members needs are addressed. Additionally, Cardinals games, dinners, float trips, and concerts are a few of the activities that you would help plan and facilitate. Monthly meetings with volunteer opportunities vary according to events.
One-on-One Care Ministry
Church members regularly visit homebound and those in nursing homes and assisted care facilities. Volunteers strive to be a significant presence and be the church to those who can no longer participate in weekly church life. We strive to be in tune to our F&C family and will visit all who welcome us. Meetings take place at the discretion of the volunteer and convenience of our members.
Shawl Ministry
"You created every part of me, knitting me in my Mother's womb. For such handiwork, I praise You." Psalm 139:13
This group gathers together once a month to knit/crochet together, share stories, have a brief devotional time and to pray for those for whom we are knitting. To be a part of this ministry you may knit/crochet and attend gatherings, knit/crochet at home and bring shawls to church to be given, request a shawl for someone, donate yarn, or pray for this ministry as it grows.
Stephen Ministry
We minister one-on-one to people who are in transition, moving from one point of experience to another. Divorce, grief, or illness are some of the needs Stephen Ministers are trained to help with. Volunteer training begins in the fall with a service committment of two years. Meetings are held twice monthly with other Stephen Ministers. Approximately four to ten hours per month are spent with care receivers.
Growing Through Grief
If you are grieving the death of a loved one, please join us in our "Growing Through Grief" gatherings every Tuesday evening in May, 7:00-8:30 PM, in the Reception Room. You will experience support, fellowship and hope for your journey as you travel with us. Click here for more ... information.
Telecare
The Telecare Ministry provides monthly phone contact with members recently hospitalized, new members, or members who have had a recent event in their lives. This can be done from the church office or your home on the third Wednesday of each month.
Transportation
Volunteers provide transportation to church services on Sunday and to other special events held at First & Calvary. Sharing a ride is a great way to meet other members and serve Christ. Times and hours vary weekly in this ministry.
Ushers/Greeters
Ushers and Greeters provide a friendly welcome face at all our worship services. Volunteers may choose to usher at any of our three worship services on Sunday mornings. Greeters are stationed at the outside entrances from 9:30 - 9:45 a.m. to welcome everyone and help those needing directions. You may choose the month and times you would like to volunteer for either of these positions.
Wedding Coordinators
Wedding Coordinators are specially-trained volunteers who serve as on-site hostess/coordinators for weddings held at First & Calvary. Openings are limited. If you would like to serve as a Wedding Coordinator, contact Sheila Grisham Pippin at the Church office or email her at s.grishampippin@fandcpres.org.
Building and Grounds
Keeping our building and grounds in top condition is the primary focus of this department. Volunteers help with special maintenance projects regarding the interior of the building. Volunteer time varies depending on the specific project. The Building and Grounds Committee meets monthly.
Please contact Mike Thurman, Maintenance Supervisor, at 862-5068 or email him at m.thurman@fandcpres.org if you would like to assist in this area of ministry.
Church Office
Volunteers assist with special projects, mailings, and answering phones during the week or on Sunday mornings. Times and hours vary and can fit into many schedules. If you enjoy a fast paced office environment then this is the area of ministry for you!
Contact Sandy Durham, Office Manager, at 862-5068 or email her at s.durham@fandcpres.org if you would like to help in the Church office.