Volunteer

Mission Opportunities:

There are so many ways to get involved in the life and community of Westminster this year. We have volunteering, musical, and teaching opportunities. These groups required different levels of commitment-from once a month to twice a week. No matter how much time you can give, every person matters!

Weekly Offerings:

Each Sunday of the month has been dedicated for a specific mission in the Dubuque area. The first Sunday supports the DACU Food Pantry, which offers food on a monthly basis to needy individuals and families; we collect both funds and canned good items.  The second Sunday benefits the Teresa Shelter, which offers emergency housing to women and children; Westminster has pledges to provide the shelter with paper products (paper towels, diapers, toilet tissue, etc.) as well as monetary support. The third Sunday supports Westminster's Deacons Emergency Fund, which provides monetary funds to local people who need fuel, utility, rent, and grocery assistance.  Finally, the fourth Sunday is a Youth Offering for Camp Wyoming, the nearby Presbyterian camp where many of us send our children each summer. Please continue to consider these highlighted needs as you give in the coming months.

Scrip

We need more Scrip sellers and promoters. Money from Scrip sales plays an important role at Westminster: it helps to maintain the church van, it offsets costs for youth trips and programs, and it goes towards mission opportunities like the trip to Mexico. Selling scrip is an easy opportunity that requires the seller to be present before and after Sunday worship to sell. We will train you-although there is really nothing to it! If you wish to volunteer to sell scrip to help ensure our Mission Trips, you may volunteer on a regular basis or just once. Drop us a note at westminsterdbq@mchsi.com if you are interested in this Mission project.

Tutoring

The tutoring project is one of the most challenging yet rewarding mission opportunities at Westminster. Last year, we tutored eleven children from Irving Elementary School. The children are in third-fifth grade, and each comes with his or her own specific needs. Westminster's Tutoring Program is very appreciated and supported by the staff at Irving, and we make a HUGE difference in the lives of these kids, not only in their school work but also as mentors in their lives.

Music

All God's people have a place in the choir; some sing low, some sing higher! The Westminster music groups are always looking for more talent to join them as they worship God in music. If you like to sing, consider the choir! The Adult Choir meets Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:00 p.m., in the balcony, and the Children's Choir meets Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in the Choir Room. Other groups to consider are Adult Handbells (Wednesday, 5:15-6:00 p.m. in the balcony), Youth Handbells (Wednesday, 6:30-7:15 p.m. in the balcony), and Church Band (third Sunday of the month, 11:45 a.m. in the choir room).

"Worship is the work of the people."

We celebrate the Presbyterian tradition that "worship is the work of the people." You are invited to be one of the out front "workers" by signing up to be a liturgist or reader. We need you to read a scripture, lead the liturgical parts of the service (such as the Call to Worship and Prayer of Confession), or guide the congregation in the Giving of Our Offerings and the Prayer of Dedication. If you would like to do any of these, please indicate your interest by emailing the church office at westminsterdbq@mchsi.com .

Child Visitation Exchange Program

Child Exchange was developed in response to a need in this community for a safe and non-confrontational place for divorced parents in conflict to exchange their children for visitation. We provide the physical facility and the supervision of volunteers to allow custodial parents to drop off their children for weekend visitation with the non-custodial parents. Without this program, children are at risk for irregular, conflicted, and emotionally distressing transfers between their parents.

No skills are needed from volunteers, only reliability and a small amount of time. The Child Exchange Program requires a team of 6 volunteers each Friday and Sunday evening to facilitate the exchange. Volunteers either sit with one of the parents or escort the children between the custodial and non-custodial parents. Volunteers are assigned one Friday or Sunday each month, usually between 5 to 7 p.m. (often less hours). Switching assigned dates with other volunteers occurs as needed and a pool of substitutes is available. Contact Yasyn Lee at 583-1729 or email at westminsterdbq@mchsi.com with questions or to volunteer.

_______ Yes, I want to participate in a Ministry of Reconciliation by volunteering 1 to 2 hours every month (either a Friday evening or a Sunday Evening) for Westminster's Child Exchange Program.

_______ Yes, I want to volunteer, not regularly, but as a substitute.

Contact me:

Name: ____________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________

Or Email: __________________________________