Get involved
Why Serve?
The church is not about the building, it’s about the people. Church is a family where everyone has a role to play. Serving the church family increases our sense of belonging. It is also part of our discipleship: Jesus calls us all to follow his example, as he “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).
If we don’t get involved, the whole church is missing out on the gifts we bring and the particular part which the Lord has given us to play. As the apostle Paul explained, “God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” (1 Corinthians 12:18). Different people contribute and help by getting involved in a variety of ways; it’s not only for certain people.
Serving is not only about giving - you will also find that you receive while you are serving. Being part of a team is a great way to meet people, get to know them better, and feel that you have a place in church. Even better, God often meets us and teaches us when we serve others.
What can I do?
There are loads of ways you can be involved in church. We have put some ideas below. A few of the roles need a bit of previous experience, but if it’s not listed, you can assume no experience needed. Training is given for all our roles. In some cases you will need to undertake some safeguarding procedures and/or training before you’re ready to serve.
We ask that you pray and ask the Lord to reveal which area(s) He’d like you to serve in, and then be in touch. If you feel there’s something you’d like to do and it’s not listed here, feel free to be in touch to explore this further too.
Outreach
Friday Fridge Team Meeting each Friday evening, Friday Fridge serve food and drinks to anyone who comes, but especially those on the fringes of our society. We need volunteers to help cook, serve and host our guests.
If you are an early riser and prefer to be part of a smaller team, then we need a few people to be on a monthly rota to clean up, sweep floors and put away furniture on a Saturday morning before 830am.
Commitment: As little as once per month, 3 hours on a Friday, or early on Saturday morning.
Activity Level: Medium/High.
Hope Cafe Team Meeting on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, the Hope Cafe is a space for people to come for prayer for healing and wholeness. Team members work across the ministry, from serving tea and coffee, to praying.
Commitment: As often as you like, Saturdays from 9:30 am - 3 pm.
Activity Level: Medium.
Hope Into Action Team We work alongside Hope into Action, a charity which helps the church to house the homeless. As well as a home, the church provides a Friendship and Support group for the tenants. We are looking for more people who can come alongside our tenants, befriending them by meeting up regularly and also praying for them.
Commitment: Up to 1 hour a week.
Activity Level: Low - Medium.
Reception Team We love to have our building open during the week, and would like to expand our team of people who can help us do this. You will sit in reception, responding to enquiries, offering refreshments and chatting to guests. If you can’t commit to a regular slot, we would also love to hear from people who might be able to help on an occasional basis, to fill gaps when a regular volunteer is away.
Commitment: 2 hours per week (or occasionally as needed)
Activity Level: Low - Medium.
Little Tiddlers Team Meeting weekly (in term time) we’re looking for people to help us set up, run the group and pack away at our weekly session for preschool children and their parents/carers.
Commitment: Wednesdays 9:30am - 12:30pm (or less if you can only help with set up/pack down)
Activity Level: Low - Medium - High.
10:45 Communion Set Up.We have communion once per month at our 10:45 am morning service. We need someone to arrive early to set up and stay afterwards to pack away. It should take about 30 minutes on either side of the service.
Commitment: Once a month, Sundays 10:15am - 12:15pm.
Activity Level: Low.
10:45 Coffee team We love coffee and tea and love to share with each other. We need people to serve on this team once a month, arriving about 30 minutes before the service to set up, and being around for about 45 minutes after the service to clear up.
Commitment: Once a month, Sundays 10:15am - 12:30pm.
Activity Level: Medium.
Service Managers and Stewards at 9am and 10:45 services This wonderful team of people take care of everything which happens behind the scenes. Serving once per month, these people are responsible for making sure the building is open, and safe and people know what they are doing and where they are going.
Commitment: Once a month, Sundays 10:15am - 12:15pm, or 8:45-10:15am for the 9.
Activity Level: Medium.
Welcome Team at 9am and 10:45 services These amazing people are the face of St Jude’s. They welcome everyone on arrival, and ensure that new people are connected into the life of the church.
Commitment: Once a month, Sundays 10:15am - 12:15pm, or 8:45-10:15am for the 9.
Activity Level: Low.
Kids and Youth Team We are always looking for team to join our volunteers to work with our children and young people. You’d need to have enthusiasm and energy, and be ready to answer some fun questions.
Commitment: Usually once per month, 10:15am - 12:15pm
Activity Level: Medium.
10:45 Musicians. Do you have a hidden musical talent? Do your drumsticks need a dust off? It would be great to have you on board.
Commitment: Up to once a month, Sundays 9.30am-12noon
Activity Level: Medium.
Skills Needed: Musical skills and a heart for worship
Flower Team. Do you have a particular skill in flower arranging? We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to join our small but dedicated team of people who, each week, make the church look beautiful for our worship services.
Commitment: Up to once a month.
Activity Level: Medium.
Skills Needed: Flower Arranging.
10:45 AV Team. We would love some more people to join us to help us run our Audio and Visuals systems. Whilst both might look complicated, an average-level computer user should be able to pick it up quite quickly. If you can make and run a PowerPoint, you can run our projection system (although we don’t use PowerPoint).
Commitment: Once a month, Sundays 9am - 12:15pm.
Activity Level: Low.
Skills Needed: Basic IT skills.
Projection System Setup To help the team above, we’re looking for someone who would be able to set up the projection system each week. You could do this from home, and once you’re used to the settings, it should take about 30 minutes. To do this from home, you’d need good IT skills. From the building, you’ll only need a basic level of IT skills.
Commitment: Once a week, half an hour (at your leisure) from Thursday morning before Sunday morning.
Activity Level: Low.
Skills Needed: Basic IT skills.
Sermon Audio Uploading We are looking for someone to upload our sermons to the podcast each week. Again, this can be done from home and will take about 30 minutes a week.
Commitment: Once a week, half an hour (at your leisure).
Activity Level: Low.
Skills Needed: Basic IT skills.
Sunday Morning Services
What to do if you want to know more?
Please get in contact with the church office who will forward your details onto the right team leader, you can e-mail them at office@sjs.church or use this form to be in touch.