Serving Opportunities
There are many ways to be involved in the life of the church and to give back to the community. Whether you can give an hour a week, a month or a year, we have opportunities for you to get involved and make a difference. Please click on any of the areas listed below to be taken directly to the serving opportunities available within that area. We are adding new serving opportunities often, so check back regularly. We appreciate your interest!
Welcome Ministry
Administration
Small Group Ministry
Outreach Ministry
Education
Youth Service
Worship Ministry
Welcome Ministry Opportunities
Serving Opportunity: Guest Information Host
Spiritual Gifts: Pastoring, or Serving/Helps or Mercy
Description: Proactively greeting visitors as they arrive. Provide information and answer any questions they may have about worship and Foothills. Help introduce them to others to make them feel comfortable.
Time Commitment: 45 minutes once a month (serve 30 minutes prior to service and 15 minutes following service)
Hours: 1st service, Sun., 8 – 8:30 a.m. & 9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
2nd service, 10 – 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Special Abilities: Welcoming spirit and interpersonal skills
Contact: Jeanette Ham – jeanetteh@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Sunday Morning Outdoor Greeter
Spiritual Gifts: Serving/Helps or Mercy/Compassion
Description: Assist and greet visitors as they walk up from the parking lot to our sanctuary. Answer any questions they may have about our worship service or Sunday school and how to get to different areas on our campus.
Time Commitment: One Sunday per month for a year. Can choose to either greet at 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. service. Greeters arrive 30 minutes prior to worship service.
Hours: 8:00- 8:30 a.m. or 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Special Abilities: Friendly and welcoming spirit. Interpersonal skills
Contact: Jeanette Ham 619-670-4009, jeanetteh@foothillsumc.org
Serving Opportunity: Mug Ministry Volunteer
Spiritual Gifts: Assistance/Helps, Mercy/Compassion, Sheparding, Pastoring
Description: Deliver mugs to first-time visitors within the first 72 hours of their visit. (Mugs and info. are provided.)
Time Commitment: One hour per month
Special Abilities: Welcoming spirit, Interpersonal skills
Contact: Jeanette Ham 619-670-4009, jeanetteh@foothillsumc.org
Administration Opportunities
Serving Opportunity: Footnotes Mailing Crew Volunteer
Spiritual Gifts: Administrative
Description: Stuff, fold, secure the Footnotes for mailing.
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours every two weeks. You may volunteer in this position for as long as you like.
Hours: 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. every other Friday morning.
Special Abilities: Ability to work together on a work crew stuffing and folding then securing the newsletter for mailing.
Contact: Mary Lou Standiford, Church Secretary, 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Office Volunteer
Spiritual Gifts: Administrative
Description: Greeting visitors to church office, answering church phone, writing phone messages for staff, copying, preparing for mail, and other miscellaneous jobs at direction of staff.
Time Commitment: 3 hours a week. You may volunteer in this position for as long as you like. Substitutes will be available for when you are sick or away.
Hours: Weekday morning from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Special Abilities: Excellent people skills, phone skills, multi-tasking and basic office procedures.
Contact: Mary Lou Standiford, Church Secretary, 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Pew Volunteer
Spiritual Gifts: Administrative
Description: Cleaning and restuffing the pew pockets in the sanctuary. This is a job you do by yourself and will take patience and perseverance
Time Commitment: Once a month for about 4 hours. You may volunteer in this position for as long as you like.
Hours: You are scheduled once a month. Work to be done at your convenience during your assigned week.
Special Abilities: Ability to work on your own. Result needs to be clean, neat and orderly, so requires attention to detail and organizational skills.
Contact: Mary Lou Standiford, Church Secretary, 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Mailings
Spiritual Gifts: Administrative
Description: Job could entail copying, folding, preparing cards for enclosure, adhering labels, stuffing envelopes and sorting in zip code order for general mailings to church members of Conference mailings.
Time Commitment: 6-8 hours on a one-time basis when you are called.
Hours: At your convenience.
Special Abilities: Attention to details and organizational skills.
Contact: Mary Lou Standiford, Church Secretary, 619-670-4009
Small Group Ministry Opportunities
Serving Opportunity: Small Group Leader
Spiritual Gifts: Teaching or Leadership with Diligence (pastoring) or Leadership with administration, Sheparding
Description: Lead and facilitate small group discussion. May include preparing material / activities for discussion.
Time Commitment: Anywhere from once a week, to twice monthly. Depends on how often a month the small group decides to meet.
Hours: Mostly evenings, depending on time group decides to meet.
Special Abilities: Foothills will offer Small Group Leader training. Small Group Leader should have ability to be a good listener and desire to facilitate and include others in the discussion.
Contact: Jeanette Ham 619-670-4009 or jeanetteh@foothillsumc.org
Serving Opportunity: Small Group Host
Spiritual Gifts: Helps/Assistance, Leadership with administration
Description: Host small group (about 6- 12 people) in your home.
Time Commitment: Once a week or 2x a month. Depends on how often a month the small group decides to meet.
Hours: Evenings
Special Abilities: Welcoming and inclusive.
Contact: Jeanette Ham 619-670-4009 or jeanetteh@foothillsumc.org
Serving Opportunity: Stephen Minister
Description: Provide Christian caring to one who is hurting and growing through hard times like divorce, death of a loved one, job change, or other significant life event.
Time Commitment: This significant commitment requires 50 hours of training over a year. After initial training, twice monthly meetings for continuing education, supervision and support.
Special Abilities: Spiritual maturity, inclusive caring, and good personal boundaries.
Contact: Rev. Leigh Ann Shaw 619-670-4009 or LeighAnnShaw@foothillsumc.org
Outreach Ministry Opportunities
Serving Opportunity: Meals on Wheels Volunteer
Spiritual Gifts: Serving/Helping
Description: Delivering lunch and dinner meals, during the noon hour, in Lemon Grove/Spring Valley area. Meals-On-Wheels provides nutritional support and social contact to homebound people. The goal is to help senior citizens remain independent in their homes and live their lives with dignity.
Time Commitment: Minimum of one weekday per month for 2 hours. More if you desire.
Special Abilities: Friendly and welcoming spirit. Interpersonal skills.
Contact: Jan Crutz 619 390-9588, dacru@juno.com or church office at 619 670-4009.
Serving Opportunity: La Roca Orphanage Volunteer
Spiritual Gifts: Helping, Giving, Administration, Compassion, Leadership, Faith or Exhortation (encouragement)
Description: Aid in the construction of new buildings on this growing and vibrant campus. There is also a chance to spend time with the children who stay there by either organizing a craft or playing games. Help nurture this beacon of light in an area thirsty for hope.
Time Commitment: Every 3rd Saturday of the Month. We meet at Foothills (in the lower parking lot) at 7am, and usually return around 2pm.
Special Abilities: Anyone who likes to work with their hands, in carpentry, building, etc. Also, the ability and interest in working with children. Spanish is helpful but not necessary.
Contact: Christian DeMent (619)670-4078.
Serving Opportunity: Outreach Ministry Volunteer
The following Mission groups are seeking volunteers: Family Mission Project, Interfaith Shelter, Russian Mission Trip, Good Neighbor Center (People-to-People), and Common Ground Collaborative.
Spiritual Gifts: Helping, Giving, Administration, Compassion, Faith, Leadership, or Exhortation (encouragement)
Description: These are the various opportunities for you as a member of this great congregation or community to help our brothers and sisters here in San Diego and around the world. Russian Mission Trip to Vladivostok happens twice a year usually in June and December. The Family Mission Trip is geared toward families who together want to travel to an area and provide assistance. Last summer’s mission work trip to Shiprock New Mexico was a huge success. Foothill’s also hosts the Interfaith Shelter which is 2 weeks between the months of December and February and is a great opportunity for us to assist and serve as a shelter for the homeless for these 2 weeks every year.
Time Commitment: Many of these opportunities are seasonal but some (People-to-People, and Common Ground) you have the ability to help whenever you can. We usually ask for help from volunteers in two areas: those who can donate their time volunteering at the particular place, and those who can donate gifts or money. The commitment you choose to give is really up to you, but it is a hope that you find some avenue of service that fits your call.
Special Abilities: Care and Love for others less fortunate.
Contact: Christian DeMent (619)670-4078.
Education Opportunities
Serving Opportunity: Children’s Sunday School Teacher
Spiritual Gifts: Shepherding, Teaching, Exhortation
Description: Using the curriculum provided by the church, lead each week’s class time and involve children in studying and learning God’s word through various teaching methods and activities.
Time Commitment: September through June, weekly or every other week.
Hours: Preparing for each week’s lesson (one hour or more per week) and participating in quarterly teacher training event (one and one half hours three times a year)
Special Abilities: Dependable, ability to communicate well with children and a passion for nurturing a group of children.
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Children’s Sunday School Assistant
Spiritual Gifts: Shepherding, Serving, Exhortation
Description: Assist Sunday school teacher in leading the class, help children with crafts or activities as needed.
Time Commitment: September through June, weekly or every other week.
Hours: Preparing for each week’s lesson with the Sunday School teacher (less than one hour per week) and participating in quarterly teacher training event (one and one half hours three times a year)
Special Abilities: Dependable, ability to communicate well with children, able to allow someone else to lead, but willing to help, and a passion for providing support for others.
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Adult Education Class Facilitator
Spiritual Gifts: Shepherding, teaching, exhortation
Description: Using the curriculum provided by the church, facilitate adult education class and involve participants in studying and learning God’s Word, promote spiritual growth and unity among class members
Time Commitment: Length of time varies from six to 34 weeks depending on the course offered
Hours: Class time and preparation approx. 3 hours per week.
Special Abilities: Dependable, a passion for teaching and leading others
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Sunday School Team Leader
Spiritual Gifts: Exhortation, shepherd, administration, leadership
Description: Work with church staff to support Sunday School teachers, gather attendance information and assisting in providing a high quality sunday school education for our youngest faithful.
Time Commitment: September through June
Hours: Weekly during Sunday School, little preparation
Special Abilities: Dependable, cheerful, energetic, desire to help others, compassionate
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Vacation Bible School Teacher/ Station Leader
Spiritual Gifts: Teaching, exhortation, shepherding
Description: Provide leadership and instruction to a specific age-group of children in a designated area of VBS: teaching, craft-making, games, snack preparation, bible study, music
Time Commitment: One summer session
Hours: Five hours a day during VBS (August 1 – 5, 2005) plus minimum of fifteen hours planning and training prior to VBS.
Special Abilities: Dependable, compassionate, communicates well with children and adults, and enjoys having fun.
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Resource Room Manager
Spiritual Gifts: Serving, administration
Description: Organize and keep inventory record of supplies in the children’s ministry resource room
Time Commitment: One year
Hours: One to two hours a month
Special Abilities: Organizational skills
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Faith Formation and Education Home Helper
Spiritual Gifts: Servanthood, helping
Description: Working at home or the resource room of the church prepare materials for Sunday School, VBS or special events
Time Commitment: Seasonal
Hours: One to two hours per week as needed
Special Abilities: Dependable, able to follow directions,
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Create and Design Bulletin Boards
Spiritual Gifts: Evangelism, helping
Description: Design and change bulletin boards in education building quarterly or seasonally
Time Commitment: One year
Hours: Four to five hours per month
Special Abilities: Creative, energetic
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Hospitality for Sunday School Team
Spiritual Gifts: Serving
Description: Provide snack for Sunday School leaders, welcome and assist teachers as they gather supplies for the day
Time Commitment: Twice a year to once a month
Hours: 20 minutes before each service
Special Abilities: Dependable, enjoy meeting and serving others
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Seasonal Help for Faith Formation and Spiritual Development Team
Spiritual Gifts: Helping, servanthood, administration
Description: Organizing and preparing for seasonal events such as Easter “Eggstravaganza”, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner, Advent Event, VBS, Welcome Sunday, 4th grade Bible presentation
Time Commitment: Seasonal
Hours: Opportunities to help vary from one to 15 hours
Special Abilities: Creative, dependable, friendly
Contact: Theresa Erb - theresaerb@foothillsumc.org or 619-670-4009
Youth Service Opportunities
Storefront
Youth deliver dinner to homeless and run away teens downtown at the Storefront every second Tuesday of the month. At 5:45 PM youth gather in the kitchen at Foothills to prepare and deliver the food, and we usually eat with the teens and return to Foothills by 8 PM. Contact Matthew Halgren at 619-463-8723 to volunteer.
Good Neighbor Center
The Good Neighbor Center is an organization supported by the United Methodist Church and is located at Chollas View UMC. Youth are invited to volunteer through helping sort and organize the food pantry and clothing thrift store. They also enjoy the help of yard work and general maintainance. Contact Kelly Fitzgerald at 619-234-3158.
Brighton Place
Brighton Place is an assisted living hospital located in Casa de Oro. They welcome youth who are willing to come to the hospital and spend time with those who are living there who usually spend most of their time alone. Contact Brighton Place at (619) 461-3222.
La Roca
La Roca is a Christian orphanage in Tijuana that Foothills UMC has had a long term relationship with. Housing over 30 to 40 young people, the orphanage enjoys the help from youth through donations of clothes and toys, taking a trip to spend time playing with the youth there, and helping in the upkeep of the facility. Contact Cody Clark at 619-670-4009 for more information.
San Diego Youth and Community Services
SDYCS is a public organization that has many service opportunities for volunteers. From helping young people with school work to organizing holiday parties for those who otherwise wouldn't be able to celebrate the holidays, SDYCS can find a place for your gifts to be put to good use. Contact SDYCS at (619)221-8600 ext. 235 or go to www.sdycs.org.
Common Ground Colaborative
CGC is a Foothills based interfaith organization that offers volunteers and donations to elementary school students in need who are right here in our own community. With a growing relationship with Bancroft, Spring Valley, and Kempton Elementary Schools, there are many opportunities for youth to volunteer their time by mentoring, tutoring and donating needed items. Contact Christian DeMent at (619)670-4009 to volunteer.
Other Youth Opportunities
If you are interested in putting your name on file for odd jobs offered through the church, such as gardening or painting projects, babysitting, etc., please go to our Volunteer Form and submit your information and interests.
Worship Ministry
Serving Opportunity: Acolyte
Spiritual Gifts: Helping, servanthood, leadership
Description: Lead the clergy into the sanctuary and light the altar candles, Present and receive the offering plates, Assist the pastors with various tasks such as helping with baptisms and presenting flowers during new member recognition Sundays
Time Commitment: One-year commitment, Service in worship is approximately every 8 weeks
Hours: 8:30am or 10:30am worship hour
Special Abilities: Positive attitude and willingness to help
Contact: Sherri Etter at 619-670-4009
Serving Opportunity: Theme team/Liturgical presentation for worship events. (Coming Soon)