Metropolitan United Church - Get Involved

Support for Aging Parents

Claire Sauve — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:02:46 -0400

Support Group for Adult Children of Aging Parents

The Support Group for Adult Children of Aging Parents is a network of congregation members at Metropolitan United Church who are, or have recently been, engaged in caring for elderly parents. We seek to learn from each other and to support each other as members of a faith community who are facing a common set of challenges, including:

Food preparation/serving (Out of the Cold)

Claire Sauve — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:24:00 -0400

What is the focus of this volunteer role?

Metropolitan’s Out of the Cold team provides a Thursday mid-day dinner for those in need from November to April.

What does this typically involve?

Members of the Wednesday food preparation group gather in the kitchen of the Met Centre to do the chopping and preparing. Thursday is busy with setting up, serving and visiting with the guests, and clean up.

When do these activities usually take place?

There are volunteer opportunities on Wednesday and Thursday during the winter months.

What skills or knowledge are helpful in this role?

For more information call Kathy Priestman at 416-691-5808.

Bakers (Out of the Cold)

Claire Sauve — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:04:36 -0400

What is the focus of this volunteer role?

Our weekly lunch program runs during the winter (November to the end of March). On the menu for dessert? Cookies, faithfully baked by volunteers from our congregation.

What does this typically involve?

Baking approximately 2 dozen cookies.

When do these activities usually take place?

Out of the Cold Lunches are every Thusrday from November to March. If you'd like to contribute home-made cookies, you can pick up an empty cookie tin in the Narthex every Sunday during the winter months, and deliver them on Thursday morning.

What skills or knowledge are helpful in this role?

An oven, and interest in baking.

Who coordinates the activities of this volunteer role?

Bill Chapman

Painting and cleaning

Claire Sauve — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:10:01 -0400

What is the focus of this volunteer role?

To help with some projects both inside and outside the church.

What does this typically involve?

Painting the hallway downstairs (out side the dining room)
Preparing the area for painting
The garden needs to be cleaned up

When do these activities usually take place?

Maintenance projects are ongoing, whenever you can help. that's when we need you!

What skills or knowledge are helpful in this role?

Desire and ability to do manual labour to keep Met looking beautiful.

Refreshment Organizer

Claire Sauve — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:50:21 -0400

What is the focus of this volunteer role?

To procure and serve refreshments to the audience at concert performances.

What does this typically involve?

Purchase water and glasses. (Generally, only water is served at concert performances at no charge. However, this could change.)
Prepare for the serving of water at intermission.
Clear up at the end of the performance.
Submit receipts for reimbursement of water and cups purchased.

When do these activities usually take place?

1.5 hours on concert day

What skills or knowledge are helpful in this role?

Dependability
Efficient and welcoming manner
Carrying cases of water can be quite heavy. This activity is best suited to someone who has the ability to carry reasonably heavy items.

Is there a current opening in this role?

Not at the moment, but feel free to contact us if this is how you feel inspired to get involved. Yes

Usher

Claire Sauve — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:46:24 -0400

What is the focus of this volunteer role?

To welcome people attending performances organized by the Music Committee.

What does this typically involve?

Check patrons’ tickets.
Provide patrons with programs.
Seat patrons in the appropriate sections.
At the interval (if any), be prepared to provide directions to washroom facilities.

When do these activities usually take place?

1+ hours on concert day

What skills or knowledge are helpful in this role?

Dependability
Efficient and welcoming manner

Who coordinates the activities of this volunteer role?

Avril Hill

Front of House Coordinator

Claire Sauve — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:40:32 -0400

What is the focus of this volunteer role?

To ensure an efficient, smooth and timely start to Music at Met performances.

What does this typically involve?

1. Four weeks ahead of performance:

Obtain the required number of volunteers.
Ensure that each volunteer understands and is comfortable with his/her assignment (2 hours).
Prepare all required signage including detailed instructions for phone answerers (1 hour).

2. Two weeks ahead of performance:

Contact Director of Administration and Facilities re: parking and Narthex set-up.

3. One week ahead of performance:

Confirm availability of volunteers (1 hour).

4. On performance days:

Meet the first phone answerer in the church office to give instructions.
Place all signs and confirm Narthex set-up (1 hour).
Meet volunteer ushers one hour before the start of the performance to issue name tags and final instructions.
Supervise all activities at the door.
Solve problems and troubleshoot where necessary.
After performance begins, count and sort all ticket monies and credit card forms.
After performance, deliver ticket monies and credit card forms to Music Director.
Remove all signage and oversee tidy-up. (Total time: 4 hours)

5. Write thank-you notes to volunteer ushers promptly after the performance (1 hour).

When do these activities usually take place?

Good Friday Concert: 10 hours Theatrical Presentations: 25 hours Variety Show: 4 hours

What skills or knowledge are helpful in this role?

Experience in planning.
Ability to organize volunteers efficiently.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Basic computer skills.

Who coordinates the activities of this volunteer role?

Patricia Wright

Is there a current opening in this role?

Not at the moment, but feel free to contact us if this is how you feel inspired to get involved. Yes

Choir Member

Claire Sauve — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:33:57 -0400

What is the focus of this volunteer role?

To provide vocal music of a very high standard that is an integral component of worship services at Metropolitan, as well as to entertain the Metropolitan congregation and the broader community.

What does this typically involve?

When do these activities usually take place?

Thursday evening rehearsals, September through June: 2 hours/week
Sunday services, September through June (including pre-service rehearsal): 2 hours/week
Carol Service (Sunday evening in December): 2 hours
Variety Show (Saturday evening in February): approx. 5 hours
Good Friday Concert rehearsals (six Sunday afternoons before Easter and dress rehearsal on Maundy Thursday afternoon): 14 hours
Good Friday Concert: 3 hours
Additional choir concerts and recording sessions may occur between September and June, for which advance notice would be provided.

What skills or knowledge are helpful in this role?

Regular attendance at rehearsals, services and other events. The Director of Music must be given advance notice of absences. Excessive absenteeism may affect membership in the choir.
Learning all assigned music. This may require practising at home.
Well-groomed appearance at performances (subject to the Director of Music’s discretion).
Maintaining good condition of sheet music and choir folder.
Ensuring that sheet music is returned to the choir librarian promptly after use.
Ensuring that choir gown is clean and in good repair (sewing work is done by designated choir members).

Who coordinates the activities of this volunteer role?

Patricia Wright

Is there a current opening in this role?

Not at the moment, but feel free to contact us if this is how you feel inspired to get involved. Yes

Bell Choir Member

Claire Sauve — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:31:14 -0400

What is the focus of this volunteer role?

To contribute to the celebration of God’s presence through the Bell Choir program.

What does this typically involve?

Attend rehearsals regularly, and make a commitment to doing so
Report planned absences to the Bell Choir Leader
Support the Bell Choir Leader in setting up and dismantling the bells at rehearsals
Support fellow ringers during rehearsals and performances
Learn and practice new techniques as required

When do these activities usually take place?

Rehearsals: 1 hour per week, 40 weeks per year Performances: 15 hours per year

What skills or knowledge are helpful in this role?

Ability to read music in the treble and bass clefs

Who coordinates the activities of this volunteer role?

Patricia Wright

Bell Choir Leader

Claire Sauve — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:24:15 -0400

What is the focus of this volunteer role?

To direct the celebration of God’s presence by helping others in their musical achievement through participation in a handbell choir.

What does this typically involve?

Create a program of rehearsals and performances that will entice musicians to play the bells
Teach techniques involved in playing the instruments
Encourage learning of handbell techniques and musical interpretation
Select music to be performed, and equipment required to perform
Work with the Director of Music to select performance dates and times
Ensure that the handbells and other equipment are well-maintained
Maintain an accurate accounting of funds spent, supplying receipts for purchases
Conduct the handbell choir during performances
Play handbells as required to fill in for absent members
Maintain the library of handbell scores
Plan the budget for bell acquisitions, music acquisitions, bell maintenance, etc
Report on the activities of the handbell choir to the Music Committee
Attend Music Committee meetings

When do these activities usually take place?

performances at Sunday worship: 6 hours per year
weekly rehearsals: Thursday evenings, 1½ hour per week (including setup), 40 weeks per year
planning and studying scores: 20 hours per year
attend music committee meetings: 10 hours per year

What skills or knowledge are helpful in this role?

Program planning and implementation experience an asset
Ability to read and adapt musical scores
Knowledge of, and experience playing, the handbells

Who coordinates the activities of this volunteer role?

Patricia Wright

Is there a current opening in this role?

Not at the moment, but feel free to contact us if this is how you feel inspired to get involved. Yes