We need you! With several greeters "retiring," mostly for health reasons, the opportunity, and need, is there for others to serve in this important, yet simple, ministry of hospitality. All that is needed is your ability to extend a warm hello to everyone arriving for worship and a bit more of your time before worship on the Sundays you serve as a greeter. This is also a wonderful ministry for young families to be a part of. All kinds of scheduling options are available.
Help Gethsemane continue to be a welcoming place for all. Contact Bev Paterson at 952-476-1340.
If you already serve as a greeter, Bev still needs to hear from you to clarify your preferences for the coming year.
"Welcome one another therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:7
Each 3rd Sunday of the month Gethsemane sends a team of 4-5 people to the People Serving People homeless shelter in downtown Minneapolis to serve supper to the residents.
Anyone 12 or older can volunteer. Time commitment is 3:30-6:30 pm, including travel time. New volunteers are always placed in a group with those who "know the ropes."
To volunteer call Barb Krig at 952-474-2041.
Volunteers are needed to staff the church nursery on Sunday mornings in one-hour shifts. Sign up under "volunteer opportunities" in Access Gethsemane, or contact Sari Johnson at sari@silverimages.com or 952-908-0790.
Are you looking for a way to serve at Gethsemane but don't have a lot of time? Consider becoming one of our Sunday Scripture Readers. Contact Amy in the church office if you are interested in getting on the list.
Gethsemane offers transportation to individuals who need a ride to and from church for our traditional worship service on Sundays. We have a need for more volunteer drivers. A driver usually drives about once a month. Please consider volunteering for this important ministry. Questions? Call Sally Haugen at 952-935-5611 or e-mail her at sallymhaugen@live.com
Hospitality is more, much more, than saying “Good Morning!” Still, being greeted with a sincere “hello” when you arrive for worship is an important part of hospitality. Thank you to everyone, from adults to youth and children, who has stepped forward to serve as a greeter for worship. An additional thank you to those who have been willing to commit to a specific time in the effort to establish a regular yearly schedule and minimize the need for telephoning.
Still, there are openings. Please check, regularly, the sign-up chart under the Welcome Kiosk in the Gathering Space and help when you can. If you haven’t served in this way before and feel like being a greeter is a fit for you, please call Bev Paterson at 952-476-1340.
“Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7
Gethsemane has a dedicated group of Caring Visitors who commit to making monthly visits to members who are unable to attend worship or are a bit isolated for some other reason. Their time and compassion extend the pastoral care of this congregation and maintain important connections with some of our less visible members.
We would like to increase the number of visitors so that we are able to respond more quickly as needs become known. There is a particular need for more men to serve as visitors.
If you think this ministry is a fit for you or would like more information about it, please contact Bev Paterson at 952-476-1340, or make your interest known to one of the pastors or someone in the church office. Each visitor undergoes a background check as a safeguard for both the members being visited as well as the visitors themselves.
Are you looking for a way to enhance your worship experience? Why not assist in the serving of communion? We are currently looking for additional volunteers to assist in this important sacrament. Instruction will be provided. If interested contact the church office at 952-935-1753.
Dinner at Your Door substitute drivers are needed to fill in when someone cannot make their 2nd Monday or 2nd Tuesday shift. Time commitment begins at 11:15 a.m. and takes 60-90 minutes. Contact Jan Quist at 952-474-8194 to get on the contact list.
Nearly every Sunday, a volunteer or two go to the homes of first-time worship visitors to deliver a greeting, information and a fresh loaf of bread. These volunteers are the GLC Ambassadors for Christ.
This ministry of welcome has been happening since early 2001. Panera Bread in Knollwood has donated each and every loaf. This generous gift has truly enabled our ministry of welcome to continue for so many years. As one current Ambassador said,
"You can’t imagine the surprise on people’s faces and the thanks they express for both the personal visit and for the delicious bread. It’s definitely what keeps me participating in this ministry. When I see people return for worship or even become members, it’s an added bonus."
We need a few more people to be Ambassadors and make periodic visits. An individual or a couple or even a family can do this. Currently there are four rotating teams, but it would be preferable to have six or more. You can control the time commitment because you get to choose the Sundays that are most convenient for you. If you’d like more information about joining the Ambassadors for Christ team, please check with Pastor John. With your assistance, this program can continue in 2012 and, hopefully, for years to come.
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Jesus - Luke 22:19
Volunteers are needed to help serve communion during worship service on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in joining the team or want more information, please contact Lisa Shelstad at lshelstad@comcast.net or 952.938.2270.
It's always a great time to think about how you can engage in new opportunities at Gethsemane. A tool that can help you match your interests with opportunities is the Serving Attributes Survey. Use your gifts and strengths to make a difference in our church and in our world! Log in to Access Gethsemane and complete the survey on your profile page.
Lutheran World Relief has challenged quilt makers to create 500,000 quilts in 2013. We need your help to meet this challenge! Anyone who can press fabric, cut squares, sew tops, assemble layers, tie, and/or complete the edges of the quilts is welcome to lend a hand.
You can join the Wednesday morning quilters, or work on your own time from home. Contact Carol Rodine at crodine@blakeschool.org or 952-935-9457 for more information.
