Volunteers Are A Legacy of Pentecost
(Posted June 5, 2025)
It’s really quite perfect that this Sunday is not only the Birthday of the Church- Pentecost- but also the Sunday we honor the many volunteers who not only give of themselves, but in many roles that First Church needs their help to be a church.
Our All-Volunteer Thrift Shop
While we are all getting older, I am constantly in a state of gratitude for our volunteers who dig deep and help us with huge projects, like the recent rebuilding and renovation of our Thrift Shop. And then there are the helpers that man the registers and cheerfully assist shoppers every Friday and Saturday. That involves all the sorting, fixing and hanging of garments and all items, including housewares.
Every person who donates clothing and wares is a part of this effort to aid those who need help. Of course, Bob Botelho himself is a kind of volunteer, choosing to repair and invest in parts of the Meeting House building that he doesn’t have to fix.
Volunteers Keep It All Going
Our Fellowship folks are the people who pull together luncheons and, more importantly, set up and clean up for Coffee Hour every Sunday, Movie Night every month, and Game Night every week, or who raise their hand whenever we need someone to do any of the hundreds of details it takes to run this church. Truly, this every- Sunday gathering is an extension of our time in worship. For me it is just as important because this is when we find out what really is going on among our members and friends.
Music Ministry Volunteers
Our Choir and our soloists are the ones who bring the Sunday services alive. I can say with full confidence that many people tune into our broadcast services just to hear and enjoy the uplifting music as a prayer that goes out over the airwaves (or the WiFi.) Jim Moriarty has led these gifted voices to incredible musical achievements!
Church Council Volunteers
And then there are the unsung heroes of keeping a church alive. Church Council members who endure many hours and challenges because they love our little community. Deacons who arrive early and prepare the Sanctuary in ways that are invisible to those in the pews, but that are essential to the service and to Communion. Also invisible to the community are those whose busy fingers, in the evening at home, weave prayers into prayer shawls and pocket versions, so that people in crisis can carry our love with them.
Volunteers: Pentecost’s Legacy
Yes… Pentecost is the Birthday of Christ’s church, because it was the day the disciples stood alone and with authority, as the Holy Spirit washed over them, and motivated them to go out and work to help God’s kingdom manifest itself on earth in caring, in unity with all people.
You, our volunteers are the living legacy of that Spirit that still lives in us. On behalf of all of us, thank you for being our “umbrella” protecting God’s people in life’s rain!