How To Volunteer At Greece United Methodist Church

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1 Galilee United Methodist Church Student Ministries Adult Volunteer Packet 1

2 July 20, 2011 Dear Potential Volunteer: I am so excited that you are taking the time to prayerfully consider becoming a part of our Galilee United Methodist Church Student Ministries Adult Leadership Team! Student Ministry can be so invigorating and I have seen how God has used service opportunities like this to mature many leaders faith. Of course, I trust that you are not just exploring these possibilities for your own spiritual growth, but also because you care about students and their faith journeys. Adolescence is a time of growth, change, and identity formation. It has been found that most adult Christians came to faith in Jesus Christ during their teen years. Research has also shown that young people who have a greater network of healthy adult relationships make better choices and more easily transition to adulthood. But this isn t what motivates us to do student ministry. What motivates us is our love for Jesus Christ and our love for students! We want to give the young people we love the opportunity to experience the all- encompassing and life- transforming love of God. We do student ministry because we feel called by God to walk beside students as they journey toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ! Student ministry is about Relationship! As such, we are looking for adult volunteers who are in relationship with Jesus Christ and with the church. We also want leaders who are willing to work as part of a team. And of course, we desire leaders who are interested in taking the time to listen and build relationships with our students! In this packet you will find information about the various student ministries we hope to offer during the next school year. As we are starting anew, we have made the decision to not start any program until we have the leadership to support it. If you have been given this packet it means that your name has been mentioned as someone who would be excellent at student ministry! My prayer is that you would take the time to carefully read through the information contained here and consider if there is a place that God is calling you to serve. If you decide to join our leadership team, please complete the application and contact me to schedule an appointment where we can discuss your involvement in student ministry. As you prayerfully consider where God may be calling you to serve, please know that I am also praying for you. Whether or not you sense God s call to student ministry, I pray that this discernment process may strengthen your faith and relationship with our Almighty. Sincerely, Stasia Fine Director of Student Ministries, Galilee UMC 2

3 Table of Contents 1. Letter from Director of Student Ministries 2 2. Ministries & Volunteer Opportunities 4 a. Sunday Roots 4 b. Confirmation 6 c. Youth Group, Small Groups, & Fun Events 8 d. YouthSERV & Missions 9 3. Volunteer Requirements & Expectations Application 12 a. General Information 12 b. Experience 13 c. Personal & Spiritual History 14 d. Faith & Conduct Form 15 e. Legal & Lifestyle Concerns 16 f. Personal Information & Background Check 18 But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 3

4 Galilee UMC Student Ministries Our Ministries & Our Volunteer Opportunities Ministry: Sunday Roots Sunday Roots or Sunday School takes place from 9:00 10:15 a.m. each Sunday. During this time youth have an opportunity to connect, worship, and grow together. Connect (Breakfast Club) On the first Sunday of odd numbered months the youth gather in the Fellowship Hall for Breakfast Club. Worship (Emerge) On the first Sunday of even numbered months youth gather for a unique worship experience. Grow (Sunday Roots Live) On the second through fifth Sunday of each month youth meet in gradelevel classes for Bible study and spiritual growth. Grow (Confirmation) Young people who are ready to dig deeper and make a personal commitment to their faith are invited to take part in our annual confirmation class. In this class confirmands are reminded of the basics of the Christian faith, given tools to grow in their faith, and introduced to the uniqueness of the United Methodist expression of faith. Volunteer Opportunities: Sunday Roots Breakfast Club Team This team will plan and coordinate our bi-monthly Breakfast Club. This includes planning the menu, set-up and clean-up, and assisting youth in preparing the meal. Emerge Worship Facilitators These adults will work together to facilitate creative opportunities for worship. Sunday Roots Teacher This person of faith is committed to the spiritual growth of the young members of Galilee UMC. Our Sunday Roots teachers work in teams of two or three to create a safe environment where youth can discuss topics of life and faith. Our teachers work on a rotation, each team teaching a full unit before trading off with another team. See diagram on next page for curriculum schedule. Sunday Roots Back-Up Because of career or life circumstances some people are unable to make a commitment to help with Student Ministries even though one has a desire to help. We need volunteers who have completed a volunteer packet/background check who may be available to teach or help out when one of our more regular volunteers is on vacation or is sick. 4

5 Possible Rotation Team A Team B Team A Team B Team A Team B Team A Sunday Roots Curriculum Schedule 6 th Grade 7 th /8 th Grade High School Sept Belonging in Community Oct The Full Story of God Nov Dangerous People Dec Following Jesus Jan Life of Jesus: Things That He Said Jan Grow on Your Own Feb Sexuality: What Was God Thinking? Sept Belonging in Community Oct The Full Story of God Nov Dangerous People Dec Following Jesus Jan Life of Jesus: Things That He Said Jan Grow on Your Own Feb Sexuality: What Was God Thinking? March Team B March Pain & Struggle Team A April Identity April Identity Pain & Struggle Team B May Who is God? May Who is God? Team A June Changes or June Family Changes or Family Team B July 8-29 Reading & July 8-29 Reading Understanding Your & Understanding Bible Your Bible Team A Aug Changes or Family Aug Changes or Family Sept Identity Sept. 25, Oct Biblical Purposes Nov Family Life Dec Life of Jesus Part 1 Jan Law & The Prophets Feb Sex March & April Spiritual Habits May Friendship June Life of Jesus Part II June 24 Prayer Part I July 8-29 New Testament August 12 Prayer Part II 5

6 Confirmation Mentor A confirmation mentor is a person of mature Christian faith who makes a commitment to walk besides youth as they discern whether or not they are ready to claim the Christian faith as their own. Mentors will be part of the entire confirmation process, attending Sunday morning classes, special field trips, and the confirmation retreat. Mentors also follow up with confirmands periodically during the year to see how they are doing Proposed Confirmation Schedule Confirmation Class meets from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Sunday mornings, except where otherwise noted. Unit 1: Know Your Story Sunday, August 28 th Welcome to Confirmation! Plan on this trip taking most of the day. We will meet back at church at 5:00 for dinner and to debrief / share our experiences. Parents are highly encouraged to participate! Mentors are required to participate. Unit 2: Confirm Your Faith Sunday, September 11 th Sunday, September 18 th Sunday, September 25 th Sunday, October 9 th Sunday, October 16 th Sunday, October 23 rd Sunday, October 30 th Sunday, November 13 th Friday, January 13 - Sunday, January 15 Sunday, January 22 nd Sunday, January 29 th Creation Sin Redemption Field Trip Visit Churches Holy Spirit Church Entire Class Attends 9:00 a.m. Worship Together New Creation (alt. Field Trip day) Confirmation Retreat: Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, Witness Participation in Retreat is required of all participants and mentors. Way of Discipleship Way of Salvation 6

7 Sunday, February 12 th Extra Long Session The Sacrament class will take place either in the afternoon or evening on the 19 h. Pastor Wayne Snead will teach this class. Special Unit: Easter Project (not required, but highly encouraged) Sunday, February 19 th Sunday, February 26 th Sunday, March 11 th Sunday, March 18 th Sunday, March 25 th Sunday, April 8 th 8:45 10:15 a.m. Christian Dating 10:30 11:30 a.m. Attend Worship Together 11:30 12:30 p.m. Lunch & Games 12:30 2:00 p.m. Worship 2 Sessions (see note in left column) 8:45 10:15 a.m. Wesleyn Quadrilateral Afternoon/Evening - Sacraments Living a Holy Life What is Easter? (required class in this unit) Plan Sunrise Easter Service Practice Sunrise Easter Service Easter Sunday Confirmation Class leads Sunrise Service! Unit 3: Live Your Commitment Sunday, April 15 th Renounce, Reject, Repent Sunday, April 22 nd Sunday, April 29 th Sunday, May 6 th Sunday, May 13th Saturday, May 19 th 9 am - Noon Sunday, May 20 th 9 am 2:30 p.m. Accept Confess Breakfast Club confirmands cook I Believe (the Creeds) Confirmation Rehearsal & Frog Kisses Confirmation Sunday! 7

8 Ministry: Youth Group & Small Groups On Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings during the school year we offer opportunities for the youth to connect, relax, and grow. This is a newer or revitalized part of our student ministries so it is in the process of being developed. In addition to meeting during the week, each month we offer a fun activity for each age group. Connect (Small Groups) These small groups for high school students meet twice a month. They may be organized by gender or by neighborhood. Small Group facilitators choose from a variety of pre-approved curriculum that includes everything from evangelism training and spiritual formation to life-application topical studies. Recommended meeting time: 1 st and 3 rd Tuesday of each month. Connect (Youth Group) This large group gathering of middle school students is a time for fellowship, play, and growth. This fall the focus of our teaching time will be on media literacy. This group will meet the 2 nd and 4 th Tuesday of each month. Connect (Fun Events) Each month a fun event/activity will be planned for each age group. This is the proposed scheduled for the fall: Month Middle School High School Both September Talk Like a Pirate Day Awakening Music Fest Fall Fest, See You at the Flagpole October Mall Madness Bi-District Youth Oktoberfest - Springfield Passport Diner November Ignite Conference Ocean City Turkey Olympics December Poor Persons Winter Formal Poor Persons Winter Formal New Year s Eve Party? Grow (Small Groups, Youth Group, Fun Events) Every gathering we have will be an opportunity for youth to grow in their relationship with God, with the church, and with each other. 8

9 Volunteer Opportunities: Youth Group & Small Groups High School Small Group Facilitator These volunteers are people who care about relationships. Small group leaders plan and organize small group meetings. These meetings include a time of fellowship and games or food, a time of study, and a time of prayer. Small group facilitators are also mentors who follow-up with the youth outside of group meeting time. Middle School Youth Group Leaders These volunteers are people who care about relationships and like to have fun. Leaders will meet on a monthly basis to plan that month s meetings. Leaders will help facilitate games, skits, and conversation during each large group meeting. Leaders also help with set-up/clean up & maintaining a safe environment for the youth. These leaders are also mentors who follow-up with the youth outside of group meeting time. Fun Activity Planning & Support Team This team helps work out the logistics in making each fun activity a success. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, promotion, volunteer recruitment, planning & organizing, and transportation for the fun activities/events. Missions Fundraiser Team This is an opportunity for those who desire to help plan and support our missions fundraisers throughout the year. Ministry: YouthSERV (Students Engaged in service and love.) One of Galilee UMC s strengths is its commitment to service. In our student ministries this commitment is realized in our monthly YouthSERV. YouthSERV takes place the third weekend of most months. We worship God through both song and service, as we begin each YouthSERV with a time of worship and then go for the to serve our local community. Our desire is that YouthSERV become a student-led ministry, where the youth plan and facilitate all aspects of it, including the service projects. Worship (YouthSERV) Our service is connected to our worship. Each YouthSERV begins with a time of worship. Serve (YouthSERV) On a monthly basis we serve the community. The youth come up with the ideas for the service projects and the Youth Band leads our time of worship. Serve (Mission Possible) During the summer we offer a weekly opportunity of service. We spend half a day serving and the other half of the day connecting through a fun activity such as miniture golf or a learning opportunity like going to the Washington National Cathedral. Serve (Missions) During the summer and some school breaks we offer opportunities for youth and families to serve God and neighbor beyond our local community. 9

10 Volunteer Opportunities: YouthSERV YouthSERV Adult Support Team This team supports and encourages the youth to take leadership in planning and leading our monthly YouthSERV. There are aspects of YouthSERV that require adult support, as such team members help youth to discern how best to organize a service project. Team members also support YouthSERV by providing transportation and adult supervision. Mission Possible Supervisors Missions Adult Team Members & Chaperones 10

11 Volunteer Requirements & Expectations Procedural Spiritual Relational Training - Completion of Volunteer Application - Initial Volunteer Interview with Church Staff - Completed & Passed Background Investigation - Regular attendance and participation in church worship services. For example, this means that a volunteer who teaches Sunday Roots also attends the 10:30 worship service on the same Sunday that s/he is teaching. - Volunteers integrate spiritual practices into their everyday lives. - Volunteers text, call, , and/or meet with the youth served by his/her ministry on a monthly basis. - Volunteers make an effort to meet and be available to the parents of the youth served by his/her ministry. - Volunteers schedule a meeting and meet with the Director of Student Ministries once a quarter. - Attendance at or completion of all required training. - Read monthly volunteer training newsletter. (It will be no more than 2 pages in length.) 11

12 Student Ministries Volunteer Application GENERAL INFORMATION Full Name: Phone Number(s): (home) (cell) (work) Cell Phone Provider: Best way to reach you: Work Status: home part time full time student Education: Volunteer Position(s) for Which you are Applying: 12

13 EXPERIENCE What church or churches have you attended in the past five years? Church Name City/State Pastor s Name Years Attended What (if any) previous experience do you have working with students/youth? What skills/gifts/talents would you bring to the Student Ministry? Any other experience of which we should be aware? 13

14 PERSONAL & SPIRITUAL HISTORY How would you describe your spiritual journey? Describe three ways you have grown or are currently growing in your faith. How do you handle conflict? Are there any special issues or concerns happening in your life right now that would have an impact in your commitment and involvement in the student ministry? (e.g. relationships, travel, other commitments, etc.) 14

15 Faith & Conduct Form After prayerfully considering and discussing with my family the invitation to serve as part of the Galilee UMC student ministry team, I have decided to accept the invitation and I would like to serve in the following way: (please list below) Thus, I choose to commit to the following (please sign your initials next to each statement signifying your acceptance of this commitment): I acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ in my life and I have a personal relationship with Him. I am committed toward growing and maturing in my relationship with God through quiet times, active attendance at worship, and Bible study. I am committed to choices and a lifestyle that are both Godly and above reproach, knowing that my lifestyle is a model for the students. I agree to not engage in or promote immoral or illegal behavior with the youth. (This includes behavior that may be considered legal for an adult, but illegal for a minor.) I agree to complete any trainings or readings that are designated as required during my tenure as a volunteer. I am making a commitment to the student ministry for at least the rest of this school year (concluding at the end of June) or the following specified time: I will make a committed attempt to help recruit at least one other adult volunteer for our growing needs in the student ministry. I agree to fulfill the commitment expectations listed in this volunteer packet for the volunteer position that I fill. I agree to meet with the Director of Student Ministry at least once a semester. Because I am making a significant commitment and my presence is important, I agree to be consistent and timely to the program(s) I commit myself to. I also agree to communicate with our Director of Student Ministry if I will be absent. Signature: Date: Printed Name: Date: 15

16 LEGAL AND LIFESTYLE CONCERNS In caring for students, we believe it is our responsibility to seek an adult volunteer staff that is able to provide healthy, safe, and nurturing relationships. Please answer the following questions accordingly. Any special concerns can be discussed individually with the pastoral staff. Are you using illegal drugs? Have you ever gone through treatment for alcohol or drug abuse? Have you ever been arrested? Have you ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty of any crime? Have you ever had sexual relations with any minor after you became an adult? Have you ever engaged in and/or been accused or convicted of any form of child abuse, child molestation, or exploitation? If you answer YES to any of the above questions, please explain here. Any information you provide will be kept strictly confidential. If you would prefer to discuss the incident privately, please write discuss privately. If more space is needed, please attach additional pages to application. 16

17 PERSONAL INFO for BACKGROUND CHECK Date of Birth: Social Security Number: (SSN required of all GUMC Student Ministry Volunteers to perform National Background Check) Current Address: Previous Addresses: (if you have lived at the current address for less than 2 years, include places you have lived in the last 5 years) 1) 2) 3) REFERENCES 1) Relative Name/Relationship: Address: Phone: 2) Non-Relative Name/Relationship: Address: Phone: 3) Non-Relative Name/Relationship: Address: Phone: 17

18 STUDENT MINISTRY VOLUNTEER WORK VERIFICATION AND RELEASE I recognize that Galilee United Methodist Church is relying on the accuracy of the information I provide on the Student Ministries Volunteer Application form. Accordingly, I attest and affirm that the information I have provided is absolutely true and correct. I authorize Galilee United Methodist Church to contact any person or entity listed on the Student Ministry Application form, and I further authorize any such person or entity to provide the organization with information, opinions, and impressions relating to my background or qualifications. I voluntarily release the organization and any such person or entity listed on the Student Ministry Volunteer Work Application form from liability involving the communication of information relating to my background or qualifications. I further authorize Galilee United Methodist Church to conduct a criminal background investigation. I have carefully read the policy and procedures of Galilee United Methodist Church, and I agree to abide by them and to protect the health and safety of the children or youth assigned to my care or supervision at all times. Printed Full Name: Signature: Date: This box is to be completed by Galilee UMC paid staff. The following documents have been completed and verified: Student Ministry Volunteer Application Packet Faith & Conduct Form References Contacted Criminal Background Check This applicant has been APPROVED / NOT APPROVED for student ministry: Staff Signature: Date: 18