Service Opportunities

If you would like to help with any of the volunteer opportunities listed below, just CLICK on the appropriate box or boxes; then CLICK “Submit”. Your message will be sent to someone who will get in touch with you as soon as possible to answer your questions and help you get started.

Or you may call the church offices at 205-871-4695 and we will put you in touch with the right person. Thanks for your interest and for all that you do at Canterbury.

You MUST fill out your name and email address for us to contact you! You have to fill out name and email for each section you want to volunteer for and hit submit within that section.

Click on the title to take you to that section:

Congregational Care Ministry

Outreach Ministry

WORSHIP

• NEW TRADITIONS WORSHIP

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Communion Server Assist clergy by serving elements during weekly service of word and table. (servers rotate, flexible scheduling)
Lay Reader Lead responsive readings, read scripture lesson, or offer prayers.
Usher Welcome worshippers, hand out bulletins (one month at 1.5 hours per week).
Altar Guild Work in teams to maintain and prepare altar area for worship services. Meet with acolyte team on Sunday to help them prepare for worship. Serve as church hostess greeting and assisting visitors during weddings. (teams serve one month out of the year at 2 hours per week)
Flower Guild Work as a team to arrange flowers for worship services (two weeks per year)
Communion Guild Team members prepare the elements for Holy Communion prior to services.

• TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

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Communion Server Assist clergy by serving elements during monthly service of word and table. (flexible scheduling)
Usher Welcome worshippers, hand out bulletins (one Sunday/ month)
Altar Guild Work in teams to maintain and prepare altar area for worship services. (teams serve one month out of the year at 2 hours per week)
Flower Guild Work as a team to arrange flowers for worship services (two weeks per year)
Communion Guild Team members prepare the elements for Holy Communion prior to services. (one Sunday per month. 2 hours/ month)

• CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

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Visuals Team/Altar Help create meaningful altar arrangements (set up between Thursday and Saturday, scheduled according to your availability; guidance provided by team leader)
Canterbury Center Set-up Team Set out Welcome Cards, Prayer Cards, and pencils for the coming Sunday (1-2 hours/week on day of your choice).
Coffee Crew Ensure beverage area is well-stocked and welcoming (stock from provided supply; done any time during the weekend before 9 am on Sunday mornings)
Communion Server Assist clergy in serving elements during worship on first Sunday of the month (scheduled according to your availability; minimum age is 7th grade or completed Confirmation)
Worship Reader Lead readings or prayers during worship (occasional Sundays during the year)
Advent Family/Group Read liturgy and prayer and light Advent candles during December (can be any family unit or group of singles, etc.)
Greeter/Hospitality Team Welcome guests, pass out bulletins, point out coffee area, seating, nursery, etc. (scheduled as you are available; 10:15 - 11:30 am)
Usher Collect offering during worship (scheduled as you are available; 10:20 - 11:30 am)
Welcome Pad Collector Collect Welcome Pads after worship and tear off sheets (refill with pads and pencils as needed; 1-2 Sundays/month or as available)
Worship Band CrossRoads (All instruments and Vocals) Sing with, play in, or help with set up (Sundays 8:15 - 9:00 am and 10:15 - 11:30 am, and rehearsals Wednesdays from 7:00 - 9:00 pm)
Worship Media Computer Run computer and other media for worship; basic computer skills required (as available)
Children's Moment Presenter Present children with a one-point message during worship (ideas and/or script are available; scheduled according to availability on all except first Sundays of the month)

• NEW TRADITIONS/TRADITIONAL/CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

FRONT DESK

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

• NURSERY MINISTRY

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Worship Care Angel Work with nursery staff and children (Sundays from 10:30 - 11:45 am — Must be at least 18 years old).
Hostess/Greeter Greet and help families find children's classes on Sunday morning. Information will be provided, just bring a smile and servant's heart (8:45 - 11:00 am).
Nursery Care Substitute Be available to help in large nurseries for special events (as needed; must be at least 18 years old).

• PRESCHOOL MINISTRY (2-4 Yrs)

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Sunday School Teacher or Aide Co-teach 2K, 3K, or 4K children at the Sunday school hour (9:15 - 10:15 am). Teachers are required to arrive 20 minutes early to prepare and greet children. Teaching materials, snack, and craft supplies are provided.
Sunday School Crafts Preparer Help prepare crafts for Sunday mornings...This is a weekly need but very flexible. Work can be done at church or at home.
Easter Egg Hunt Committee Help plan and coordinate Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for the Saturday before Easter (rain or shine).
Hostess/Greeter Greet and help families find their children's classes on Sunday morning. Information will be provided, just bring a smile and servant's heart (8:45 - 11:00 am).

• PRIMARY MINISTRY (5K-3rd Grades)

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Sunday School Teacher Teach (with a partner) Kindergarteners, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd graders, 9:15 - 10:15 am. Teachers are required to arrive 20 minutes early to prepare and greet children.
Worship Training for 2nd Graders Assist with worship training activities for five consecutive weeks during Sunday school hour, 9:15 - 10:15 am.
Children's Ministry Phone Team Be part of telephone team to recruit volunteers for children's activities.
Bulletin Board Helpers Help create bulletin boards for Sunday school rooms and hallways (during the week).
Sunday Morning Hostess Greet families in lobby on Sunday mornings and help them find children's classrooms.
Craft Helpers Help create and prepare crafts for Sunday school (during the week).
Special Preparations Work behind the scenes to prepare for various special events.

• OLDER ELEMENTARY MINISTRY (KingDOME 4th & 5th Grades)

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Setup Committee for New Units Once every seven weeks
First Friday Leader Community Bible Study & Activity — 1st Friday afternoon of the month
Substitute Sunday School Teacher List Flexible
Prepare 12 prize bags Once every seven weeks
Name tag maker Once every seven weeks
Miscellaneous at-home jobs Flexible (laundry, repairs, cutting out materials, etc.)
Actor/Actress For Sunday gatherings, 9:15 - 9:30 (occasional, flexible)
Seamstress Make simple adult and children's Bible costumes (flexible)
Key Necklaces for memory work Prepare once every seven weeks

• CONFIRMATION MINISTRY (6th Grade)

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Small Group Leader Serve as shepherd/facilitator for a group of about 20 6th graders on Sunday mornings, 9:15 - 10:15 am. Be available to participate in retreats and special activities.
Gathering Leader Serve as "Master-of-Ceremonies" for the Sunday morning 6th grade gathering time, 9:15 - 9:45 am. Participate in other activities as much as possible.
Music Leader Assist with instrumental/vocal music for 6th grade on Sunday mornings, 9:15 - 9:45 am and other special activities as available.
Outreach Team Flexible (laundry, repairs, cutting out materials, etc.)
Hospitality Team Assist with hospitality for retreats and other special events for 6th graders
Prayer Team Help organize prayer support for 6th grade Confirmation
Retreat Leader Be available to chaperone 6th grade Confirmation retreats (3 per year)

• WEDNESDAY NIGHTS (Sept. - April, 6:15-7:15 pm)

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LAMBS Assist with Lessons, Activity, Music for 3 & 4 year olds
Children's Choirs Assist with GENESIS (5K & 1st grade) or CAROLERS (2nd - 4th grade)
CAMP Wednesday Assist with fellowship, bible study and outreach activities for 5K and 4th grades
Club "56" Assist with fellowship, bible study and outreach activities for 5th and 6th grade

• SPECIALIZED MINISTRY

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BUDS Special Needs Ministry Serve as a "Buddy" for a child with a special learning or developmental disorder on Sunday morning, Wednesday evening, or other special events
"Created by God" 5th and 6th Grade Human Sexuality Seminar Serve as a program leader or small group leader during this winter weekend seminar
Children's Holy Week Service Help direct older elementary children in presenting a special worship service during Holy Week
Vacation Bible School-Lower (3yrs - 2nd grade) or Upper (3rd - 5th grade) Serve on the Planning Team or as a teacher/leader/aide for these special summer events
Children's Outreach Team Help plan and coordinate opportunities for children to be involved in outreach ministries; may include but not limited to coordinating special offering projects for Advent and Lent
Costume Preparation Help sew and/or maintain simple Bible costumes for children's ministry

STUDENT MINISTRY

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Lead a Small Group
Teach Sunday School
Chaperone a Weekend Retreat
Chaperone a Week-long Mission Trip
Be a Behind-the-Scenes Person
Relational Ministry with Youth

COLLEGE MINISTRY

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Encouragement Letter Writer We will assign you a student and it is your job to write them an encouraging note at the beginning and end of each semester — praying for them while they are away at school. (4 times a year / 15 minutes)
Prayer Partner We will assign you a student and we ask you to pray for them weekly in worship or in your devotional time for the entire school year. (weekly / in your own devotional time)

CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRY

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Write Notes (Heart & Hands) Write notes to members who have experienced a baptism, confirmation, illness or death to let them know that they are thought about and cared for at important moments in life.
Visitation Team Send flowers to homebound, hospitalized and bereaved members of our congregation two to four times a year. Meet at the church to pick up flowers and assignments.
The Congregational Care Team Write, call or visit Canterbury UMC members who are sick or in crisis.
Grownups Luncheon and Program Meet great friends at Canterbury as you set tables, greet, and serve lunch to older adults. (Volunteer as you are able, meets once a month)
Conference Volunteer Set up or sign up participants for the two conferences hosted by Canterbury Mature Adult Ministries. An Aging and Ministry Conference is held in January or February and the Canterbury-Beeson Forum on Aging Conference is held in August.
Day Trips and Travel Drive the church van or assist older adults on a short trip to visit educational and spiritual sights around our state.
Knit Wits Make prayer shawls for those in need of a caring touch.

OUTREACH MINISTRY

Click here for the Summer 2013 Outreach Calendar

• THE BROWN BAG PROJECT (Canterbury's Food Pantry Ministry)

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Sort and Pack Sort and pack food on Wednesdays
Hospitality Assist with food for hospitality on Fridays by baking or purchasing food
My Little Brown Bags Help pack "My Little Brown Bags" for children during the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, Easter, and Summer).
Distribute Help distribute meal bags on Fridays
Organize a Food-Drive Organize a food-drive at your school or workplace

• CARPENTER'S HANDS MINISTRY (Affordable Housing Ministry)

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Home Repair Work Days Carpenter's Hands meets Monday through Thursday at 8:15 in the lower level of the parking deck. Come experience some great fellowship and improve your handyman skills.
Saturday Workdays The Carpenter's Hands meets the first and third Saturday of every month, excluding holidays, at 8:15 and try to return by 2:30. We can also schedule "Group Workdays" if your office or Sunday School Class would like their own work day, click here to learn more about Carpenter's Hands.
Donations Please consider donating any left over construction supplies or old tools. We can put these to good use and saves money from buying new items.

• VARIOUS OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

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Clothes for BHN Children's clothes closet Transport clothes to warehouse in Avondale (1 delivery / month; team members rotate)
Food for MPower Ministries Provide / transport lunch for 25 women at MPower Ministries while women take GED/basics classes. (1/month-team members can rotate...great for small groups!)
Lunch for Church of Reconciler Provide lunch for guests at COR on the last Sunday of the month. (2 hours a month-great for SS classes or families!)
Birmingham Hospitality Network Be an evening, overnight, or morning host when homeless families stay at Canterbury for a week. (guests are here 3 weeks. Volunteering once a year is fine!)
Festival of Three Kings Sponsor a child (max: $100.00/child); shop for a child with donations; or assist with organizing gifts prior to event; assist on December 10 (8-10 or 1:30 - 4:30)
Urban Ministries Kids Prepare lunch for daily lunch program for children during summer camp. (1 week / summer)
Firehouse Shelter Serve dinner, prepare, and serve 75 men dinner at downtown shelter, 6 - 8 pm Third Tuesdays a month (or fourth Monday at lunch for 150 men).
Disaster Kits-flood Buckets Assemble health kits and school supplies for various ministries
Volunteers in Mission Trip Canterbury will send about 20 missioners to Panama during Spring Break and again in October. First come, first served - $100.00 deposit per person required. Minimum age: 10; youth must have accompanying adult.
Disaster Team As schedules permit attend work trips to offer relief and support after disasters.

Service Opportunities

• NEW TRADITIONS WORSHIP

• TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

• CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

• NEW TRADITIONS/TRADITIONAL/CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

• NURSERY MINISTRY

• PRESCHOOL MINISTRY (2-4 Yrs)

• PRIMARY MINISTRY (5K-3rd Grades)

• OLDER ELEMENTARY MINISTRY (KingDOME 4th & 5th Grades)

• CONFIRMATION MINISTRY (6th Grade)

• WEDNESDAY NIGHTS (Sept. - April, 6:15-7:15 pm)

• SPECIALIZED MINISTRY

Click here for the Summer 2013 Outreach Calendar

• THE BROWN BAG PROJECT (Canterbury's Food Pantry Ministry)

• CARPENTER'S HANDS MINISTRY (Affordable Housing Ministry)

• VARIOUS OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

• DONALDSON PRISON

• CHURCH OF THE RECONCILER

• EAST LAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH