Volunteer Opportunities

From Sunday services to justice gatherings and neighborhood service, the fabric of our community is powered and shaped by our congregants. One of the best ways to connect at Common Table is by becoming involved as a volunteer. Explore some of the many ways to serve below!

Kids Ministry

Common Table Kids Ministry provides theologically-centered, trauma-informed spiritual formation for our youngest and most vulnerable members. While our primary point of connection is during worship in the Kids Ministry space, the opportunities to connect with our kids go beyond Sundays.

As we build toward a vibrant, sustainable program, we need adults who will invest their time, energy and attention. Below you will find more information about volunteering with Kids Ministry. You can also learn more about our frameworks for connecting with kids here.

Reach out to Kids Ministry Coordinator Kimmothy Cole with questions, concerns and suggestions: kids@commontablerva.com

All kids ministry volunteers are expected to:

Sign and return Common Table’s Kids Abuse Prevention Policy and Procedures
Offer care in accordance with Kids Ministry Expectations

Anyone volunteering in drop-off programs where children are under direct care of non-familial caregivers (i.e. Sunday service) is required to:

complete virtual training on child safety and abuse prevention and pass a background check

Sunday Service

Join a team of volunteers for a story circle, related activities and Communion. Training provided.
Time commitment: Medium/High
Scheduled Time: Sunday mornings, 10am or 11am service

Kids Council

Discuss upcoming events, community needs and future plans. Give feedback. Share your ideas!
Time commitment: Medium
Scheduled Time: 30-minute virtual meeting 4 times/year

Chaperones

Help out with special Kids events. Set up, break down and preparation.
Time commitment: LowMedium
Scheduled Time: As needed/available

Buddy System

Choose one child at Common Table to get to know better in the next year.
Time commitment: Low
Scheduled Time: None

Sunday Volunteering

There are many essential roles involved in our Sunday services possible. Volunteers will be scheduled through the Services app, and can set their own schedule and preferences for volunteer frequency within that app.

First Impressions

Welcome visitors to Common Table! Responsibilities include

Sacristy Team

The sacristy team prepares the physical liturgical components of worship (e.g. the communion table and the candlelighting tables) and tends to the liturgical supplies in the kitchen.

Arrive 15 minutes before the start of service
Prepare candle lighting stations
Prepare communion elements and table

A/V Team

Propresenter
- Man the computer at the back of the worship space and click through presentation slides during service, displaying lyrics and other liturgical elements.
Soundboard
- Turn on and off mics
- Manage sound levels
- Turn on the livestream

Liturgical Team

The liturgical team includes the many layperson roles involved in our worship services.

Liturgist
- Reads the scripture passage and leads the congregation in liturgical group prayers.
Host
- Reads a script to welcome the congregation at the beginning of service and reads announcements and a benediction to close the service.
Communion Server
- At Common Table, we serve by intinction: One server breaks bread and dips into the cup, sharing something like "the body of Christ, given for you" The other server holds the cup and shares, "the blood of Christ, given for you".

Music Team

Musicians and vocalists help us to unite and sing together. Below in a non-limiting list of some instruments we've included in our band:

Acoustic guitar
Bass
Electric guitar
Keys
Drums (cajon, bongo, or a small acoustic snare setup)
Harmonica
Vocals
Occasionally Strings and flute
Musicians are requested to arrive at 8:30 for a brief (and fun!) practice. Musicians generally serve at both the 9am and 11am services. Music and audio for weekly preparation is provided ahead of time, to ensure that our musicians feel comfortable and resourced.

Birdhouse Community Garden

Three-year commitment
Four to six meetings per year (one to two hours each)
Attention to email communications

Community Fridge

Human resources
Administration
Communication
Interpersonal skills

Amelia Street School Urban Forest

Empathy, truth-telling, helping, administration & confidentiality

Neighborhood Service

serves to provide support to church clergy and staff, to act as a liaison between the congregation and church clergy/staff, and to provide ongoing personnel support for the church.

Sunday Service

Join a team of volunteers for a story circle, related activities and Communion. Training provided.
Time commitment: Medium/High
Scheduled Time: Sunday mornings, 10am or 11am service

Chaperones

Help out with special Kids events. Set up, break down and preparation.
Time commitment: LowMedium
Scheduled Time: As needed/available

Buddy System

Choose one child at Common Table to get to know better in the next year.
Time commitment: Low
Scheduled Time: None

Volunteer Opportunities

Kids Ministry

Sunday Service

Kids Council

Chaperones

Buddy System

Sunday Service

Chaperones

Buddy System

Student Ministry