Volunteer Ministries
For over 50 years, Volunteer Ministries has provided opportunities for people to share their gifts of service and witness to others. Through the act of foot washing, Jesus makes clear God’s call to serve others. We are invited to ministries of service that reflect God’s love by responding to the needs of the world and involving ourselves in efforts to challenge injustices. The logo of the towel and basin remind us of God’s call to serve.
This Partners in Service listing provides a wide variety of opportunities for people to engage in meaningful service, in cooperation with local churches, Conferences and host agencies. The philosophy undergirding Volunteer Ministries is that all God’s people have been given gifts and that through our baptism we are called to offer these gifts in the service of others. Read on to learn how you may offer your gifts through Partners in Service. . .
Full-Time Placements throughout the United States for Adults of All Ages
700 Prospect Avenue East
Cleveland, OH 44115-1100
www.ucc.org/volunteer
866.822.8224 ext. 3214 or ext. 3216
PDF Format Available
Apply Online- Apply Here
CONTENTS
Contact Information
Bulletin Insert
Partners in Service Program Description
Three-Way Partnership Agreement
General Information
Application Procedure
Covenant & Commissioning Service
Diverse Ministries
Host Agency Listing (By State)
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Resources
Service Opportunities
For Additional Information, Please Contact:
Mary Schaller Blaufuss
Executive for Volunteer Ministries
Phone: 216.736.3214
Toll-Free: 866.822.8224, ext. 3214
E-mail: blaufusm@ucc.org
Tonya Adams
Administrative Assistant for Program
Phone: 216.736.3216
Toll-Free: 866.822.8224 ext. 3216
E-mail: adamst@ucc.org
Volunteer Ministries is part of Wider Church Ministries. Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ works with Conferences and local congregations to develop relationships with partners throughout the global church. As companions with many partners nationally and internationally, we seek to lift up needs in our world and unite in a common mission of service. www.ucc.org/wcm
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Partners in Service program offered through the Volunteer Ministries Office of the United Church of Christ, provides a variety of opportunities for service in diverse settings as described in the following pages. Volunteers serve terms of two weeks to a year or more.
Who Volunteers?
Adults of all ages, 19-89, who are eager to serve, and have a willingness to learn and to gain a better understanding of themselves serve as full-time volunteers. Partners in Service does not discriminate against applications on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disabilities.
U.S. Young Adults, Busters and Baby Boomers
Adults of all ages participate in on-going service and advocacy ministries with partner organizations and congregations.
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Video arts publicity
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Disaster Recovery:
Construction Site Coordinator
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Hunger Education
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Hospitality
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General Maintenance
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Volunteer Coordination
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Providing Transportation
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Financial Development
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Presence Among the Vulnerable
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Alumni/Church Relations
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Disaster Recovery:
Volunteer Coordinator
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Immigration & Border Ministries
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International Volunteers
International volunteers are placed upon the recommendation of partners in the Ecumenical Diaconal Year Network and recognized church partners of the United Church of Christ.
Additional Full-time Volunteer Opportunities through UCC Volunteer Ministries
Young Adult Service Communities (YASC)
This young adult emphasis of UCC Volunteer Ministries places interns, ages 21-30, in intentional communities with host UCC churches to serve with local mission agencies and congregational leadership with reflection on service and spiritual conversations as integral to the program.
Summer Young Adult Service Communities
Similar to the UCC Young Adult Service Communities (YASC), this summer program is an ecumenical collaboration between the UCC Volunteer Ministries Office and the Alliance of Baptists. Interns are between the ages of 19 and 30 years.
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SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
* UCC Young Adult Service Communities
Period: June - August and September - May
* Long-Term Partners in Service Volunteers
(9-12 months)
Period: September - August and January - December
* Short-Term Partners in Service Volunteers
(2-8 months)
Period: Begin throughout year
* Summer Partners in Service Volunteers
Period: End of May through mid-August
* Ecumenical Diaconal Year Network
(International Volunteers serving in U.S.)
Period: September - August
* Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland
Arbeitsstelle ZDL und Freiwilligendienst
(International Volunteers serving in U.S.)
Period: August/September - July/August
* Action reconciliation Service for Peace
Placements for German volunteers coordinated through U.S. office of ARSP
(International Volunteers serving in U.S.)
Period: September - August
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
- Complete introductory on-line application for Partners in Service available at www.ucc.org/volunteer/volunteer-on-line-application.html or call to request a printed application form at 866 822-8224 ext. 3214 or 3216.
- Application part II will be sent to you. Complete application part II and distribute reference forms to be returned directly to Volunteer Ministries Office. All applicants must complete an application, provide references, and be screened according to UCC guidelines to protect against sexual misconduct.
- A telephone interview with the Executive for Volunteer Ministries is conducted after the application deadline and once the application and references are complete.
- Additional information on projects/host sites of interest is shared to assist the volunteer in discerning an appropriate placement.
- The Executive for Volunteer Ministries arranges for direct conversation between the project/host site and the volunteer applicant. Although an applicant requests a particular project/host site, the project/host site makes the final decision as to whether or not to invite the applicant. *Some projects request that the applicant complete a site-specific application.
- All details concerning service, expectations, and benefits are negotiated prior to the beginning of service by the applicant, project/host site, and Volunteer Ministries. Written confirmation is provided by Volunteer Ministries office.
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APPLICATION DEADLINES
UCC Young Adult Service Communities
Application Part I Due: March 1, 2011 & Part II Due: March 15, 2011
UCC Young Adult Service volunteers will be notified of placement by the end of April, 2011.
Long-Term: (9-12 months)
Start Date: September, 2011
Application Part I & II Due: March 15, 2011
Long-Term:
Start Date: January, 2011 Application Part I & II Due: September 30, 2011
Short-Term: (2-8 months)
Application Part I & II Due: 3 months prior to desired starting date
Short-Term: Summer
Application Part I & II Due: March 15, 2010
Some application deadlines are flexible. To inquire about application deadlines, contact Mary Schaller Blaufuss, Executive for Volunteer Ministries blaufusm@ucc.org or 866 822-8224 ext. 3214 or 216 736-3214.
Partners in Service volunteers in long-term and short-term assignments are placed as applications are received and a good match is discerned.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PLACEMENTS
Volunteer placements with international partners are available through the Global Ministries Office of Mission Personnel.
Global Mission Interns are recent college graduates appointed for one to three years, working with church agencies or ecumenical partners in ministry with the poor, or working with Christian action groups dealing with Human rights, reconciliation and development projects.
Contact Global Ministries Personnel Office, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, Indiana 46262. Phone: 317.713.2565. (www.globalministries.org under "People in Mission.")
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OTHER RESOURCES
“With the Heart and Mind of a Servant” is an 8 minute video/DVD telling the story of UCC Volunteer Ministries through the actions and reflections of those who have participated in the past and encouraging individuals and groups be part of Volunteer Ministries in the future. View on-line at www.ucc.org/volunteer. DVD available to order. Call 866.822.8224 ext. 3214.
UCC Mission Trips Opportunities 2009 lists sites for opportunities in the United States for groups to participate in volunteer service. Posted on UCC Website: www.ucc.org/volunteer/mission-trip-opportunities.html. Order copies from United Church of Christ Resources 800.537.3394.
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ECUMENICAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES
A Christian Ministry in the National Parks
Mission: places individuals in U.S. national parks to lead worship and fellowship activities in the parks.
Volunteer Position: Participants work with park concessionaires while leading worship and Bible study in the setting of the national park.
Contact: ACMNP - Phone: 207.865.6852 or 800.786.3450; Fax: 207. 865.6852; (www.acmnp.com)
Period: Summer
Housing: Live with other summer national park employees in dormitory style housing
Age: 18-30 years
Brethren Disaster Ministries and Children's Disaster Services
Mission: ecumenical effort that trains volunteers to provide special childcare in disaster locations.
Contact: Roy Winter; 601 Main Street; P.O. Box 188; New Windsor, MD 21776. Phone:410.635.8748 or 800.451.4407.
Prisoner Visitation and Support
Mission: nationwide visitation ministry to federal and military prisoners. The focus is on prisoners who do not ordinarily receive visits from family and friends, want or need supportive human contact, are in solitary confinement, or are serving long sentences. (www.prisonervisitation.org).
Volunteer: Trained PVS volunteer visitors offer friendship and a listening ear to help prisoners prepare to assume a useful place in society.
Contact: Eric Corson, PVS; 1501 Cherry St.; Philadelphia, PA 19102. Phone: 215.241.7117; e-mail: pvs@afsc.org.
Informational DVD: available to borrow. Call 866.822.8224 ext. 3214.
Servcorps (Farmington, CT)
Mission: non-profit organization offering the facilitation of week-long trips for groups and long-term placements for individuals in order to promote “a culture of service.”
For more information see website: (www.servcorps.org).
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