Volunteer Opportunities

UALC offers projects for small groups and individuals.

Transform Lives and Volunteer with Family, Youth and Children’s Ministries

God is at work here and there are many amazing ways to contribute! The ministries serving children and youth have some specific volunteer roles for you to consider. Many talents needed to work directly with kids of all ages or behind the scenes. We’ll help you find the right fit for your talents and availability. Fill out an online application here, which includes descriptions of volunteer opportunities. Questions? Contact David White, dwhite@ualc.org, 614-451-3736, ext 4691.

Community Outreach

The World is Coming to Columbus!

International Friendships, Inc (IFI) partners with universities and Christian volunteers to promote friendship and hospitality for international students, scholars, and their families. You and/or your small group can support the IFI Friday night Bible study by setting up or providing and serving dinner, no training is required. Some IFI volunteer opportunities require training like hosting students for holidays, being a conversation partner, etc. Help with Friday event at Lytham Road. Contact Jerry Cable, jerry66.cable@gmail.com. Online training courses available anytime at www.ifipartners.org.

Full Family ESL (English as a Second Language) Program

A full family educational program where each international family member is taking steps out of poverty through education, especially in English. Volunteers are needed to work with all ages: in the adult classrooms, with children of all ages in Kids' Club or the nursery, or even provide snack hospitality. Volunteer Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, beginning Oct. 4, 6:00-8:30 pm at Mill Run. Training provided. Contact Dave Mann, dmann@ualc.org or Trish Barne, tbarne@son-ministries.org.

Highland Pen Pal Program

Looking for pen pals to write to 5th grade students at Highland Elementary. Letters are exchanged once a month, and there is a Meet & Greet party at Highland sometime the end of May. Contact Mim Braaten, mimbraaten@gmail.com.

Feeding Those in Need

Serve those in need at Lutheran Social Services (LSS) food pantry by filling orders for non-perish- able food items, assist shoppers with the selection of fresh produce and meat items, make Christian material available, and be alert for opportunities to prayer with shoppers. Contact Tom Andres, tom.andres@att.net.

Clothes Closet Ministry

“Folding Clothes to the Glory of God to people in need everywhere!” What we take? Gently used, clean clothes, coats, shoes, accessories, and linens. Would you like to know more or volunteer? Wednesdays, 9:00 am-12:00 pm at Mill Run. Contact Cathy Shaw, ceshaw59@gmail.com.

Give Hygiene, Give Dignity

Donation drive for basic hygiene through the God's Hygiene Help Center. Current needs: feminine products, detergent, and diapers. Updates on most needed items: godshygiene.wordpress.com. Contact godshygiene@gmail.com.

Community Garden

We strive to deliver Jesus’ love by growing food for the hungry, welcoming immigrants and refugees through gardening and cooking, along with preserving His creation by turning waste into compost. Every Saturday morning through Nov., 9:00 am at Mill Run community garden. Find details at ualc.org/garden. Contact Todd Marti, todd-kelly@columbus.rr.com.

Bed Brigade

Help build simple beds for families in need. Volunteers needed for building and delivering beds, gathering mattresses, interacting and praying with the families. Contact Dale Cory, dcory2015@wowway.com.

Global Outreach

Operation Christmas Child

Pack a shoe box (or two) to send to children around the globe. Find instructions on what to buy and how to pack at www.samaritanspurse.org. Contact Keri Sutter, fredkeri@ee.net.

Serve at Church

Encountering God Through Music-Making and Fellowship 

We are a group of musicians who seek to lead the Mill Run Sanctuary congregation each week to worship God and to encounter Him in a powerful yet personal way. If you are an instrumentalist, a vocalist, or musician who’s interested in music ministry, please come join us! Rehearsals on Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm at Mill Run. Contact Shine Wu, swu@ualc.org.

Worship Tech Volunteers

Looking for additional volunteer sound and slide technicians for our worship services. All training is provided and schedule is flexible. Contact Steve Gill, sgill@ualc.org.

Connect Center

Help share the love of Jesus with members and guests visiting our church on Sunday mornings. Be a part of helping others know Jesus by seeing His love through your smile, kind words and service. The Connect Center serves as a place where people can come to find out “what’s happening” in the church. Mill Run: Dawn Griebel, dawn@martinellicpas.com. Lytham Road: Carole Roys, croys@ualc.org.

MOPS Childcare Volunteers

While the UALC Mothers of Preschoolers group meet, childcare is provided through our MOPS KIDS program. If you love spending time with kids and are interested in being a blessing to new moms, we’ll find a fit for you. First and third Tuesdays beginning Sept. 18, 9:00-11:15 am at Lytham Road. Contact Laura Natalie, mops@ualc.org.

AWANA®

Seeking adults and teens to “Be a Hero” to elementary-aged kiddos at our Awana program. Awana does Bible teaching and verse memorization exercises. Many roles exist, including some with shorter time commitments as well as prayer warriors and scholarship donors. Training and support provided. Wednesdays, 6:30-7:45 pm at Mill Run. Find details at ualc.org/awana. Contact awana@ualc.org.

Serve your Worship Community

Each community has a team of leaders who ensure the smooth operation of each worship service, connect members and attenders to Congregational Care and pray for the worship services. There are many ways to lend a hand on Sunday mornings: usher, serve communion, lector, bake communion bread, run sound or slides, pray and many more. Contact a member of the Community Leadership Team to serve:

Lytham Road Traditional - lrtrad@ualc.org

Lytham Road Celebration - lrceleb@ualc.org

Lytham Road Xalt - lrxalt@ualc.org

Mill Run Sanctuary 9:00 - mrsanct9.00@ualc.org

Mill Run Sanctuary 10:30 - mrsanct10.30@ualc.org

Mill Run Xalt 9:00 - mrxalt9.00@ualc.org

Mill Run Xalt 10:30 - mrxalt10.30@ualc.org

Check the Know Your Row pads for information on your Community Leadership Team.

Donating Throughout the Year

During the year we collect items for mission to the community far and wide.

Ongoing Collections:

• Hygiene items: diapers, feminine hygiene, soap, deodorant, cleaning supplies, etc. 

• Non-perishable food for LSS

 • Bibles and Christian materials

Find details at ualc.org/service. Drop-off in Ministry Exchange Center or bins at Lytham Road and Mill Run.

Special Event Collections:

• Toys: big and small

 • Winter gloves, hats and scarves 

• Cookies for Kairos Prison Ministry

 • Preschool shoes and socks

 • School supplies

Details to come at ualc.org/service and watch The Cornerstone newsletter for the latest news.

Looking Ahead

Winter Coats, Toys and Food

It’s not too early to be thinking about those in our community who will be in need of winter coats, holiday meals and kid’s Christmas gifts (toys, gift cards and small items for stockings). Watch for details of needed items and volunteer opportunities for the SON Ministries coat drive, Operation Christmas Child, Angel Tree, LSS Food Pantry and Helping Appalachian Rural People.

God’s Hygiene Help Center Updates

We are looking for volunteers for one to two hours a month as we help people in need and living in poverty to live more dignified and comfortable lives. We provide cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, school supplies and winter accessories to those in need. Donations may be left in the Exchange Center at Mill Run or Lytham Road. Contact Tammy Jewell or Diane Hendrickson, godshygiene@gmail.com; or Terry Starr, terrystarr70@gmail.com. Visit www.godshygiene.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/godshygiene for current donation needs.

Reaching Out to the Homeless

God’s Hygiene Help Center is starting a new project to reach out to those living in homeless camps. Donations are appreciated: blankets, socks, pop-top soup, instant coffee, pot holders and sample size hygiene items. Drop off items at the Mill Run and Lytham Road Exchange Centers. Questions? Contact godshygiene@gmail.com.

Quilting Ministry for Missions

Join the Beacons quilting ministry on the second Thursday of each month. Thursday, Sept. 13, 11:30 am-1:30 pm at Lytham Road. Contact Sue Logan, through the church office, 614-451-3736.

Visitation Ministers

As we are called to care for the body, you have an opportunity to care for others by serving as a Visitation Minister. Visit those who are hospitalized, homebound, in care facilities, and connect with people going through various life experiences. Training is provided. Contact Becki Bork, bbork@ualc.org.

Retirement Home Ministry

Serving four local care facilities by sharing the love of Christ with residents and staff. We currently need piano players, volunteers to assist residents, and people to lead the service and give a short Bible message. Contact Jeff Morlock, jmorlock@ualc.org.