Why do you serve at Caring Community?
You wouldn't think this would be a difficult question, yet as I think about it, I'm almost overwhelmed with reasons. Part of me wants to say "I just do" in the same way that I don't consciously think about the whys and hows of breathing, it's something my body does automatically because it is necessary for the health and longevity of my body. A part of me wants to answer why would I NOT volunteer at Caring Community. Another part of me says volunteering is a behavior based on the convergence of generational learned values and a holy spirit guided obedience response to being adopted as a child of God through the service and sacrifice of Christ (Eph. 1:4-5). I grew up in a family that demonstrated their values of love and care for family and service to others. As I deepened and matured in my Christian walk, that made for a natural bridge to prioritize service to the church as my extended and adopted family, and as a gratitude and love response to God's blessings to and Christ's sacrifice for me. Caring Community is where God has chosen to place me as a part of the body of Christ for His purposes. At the end of all of that, I think it really boils down to love, Christ's love for me, Christ's love for the Church, my love for my community and family.
How long have you been serving at Caring Community?
I have been attending and serving at Caring Community Church since 1990 when I was a freshman at Albion College, so that would be some 34 odd years now at CCC. Some years my attendance and service were more sporadic than others as I navigated transitioning young adulthood and a habit/practice learned at my mother's and grandmother's knees to ownership of a real and personal faith and commitment of my own.
What area(s) do you serve in, or have you served in the past?
I am currently serving on the worship team as a vocalist and Sunday worship leader and on the recently created Human Resource Commission which helps our church navigate personnel practices, policies and procedures as we grow and expand. In the past, I have served on the Pastoral Search Committee, as co-director of the Worship Team, chair of a sub committee for the most recent building campaign, as a member at large and treasurer on the Local Board of Administration, various roles in vacation bible school over the years, youth group leadership team, a teacher for teen sunday school classes when we had them, nursery worker, and the general if you see something that needs to be done do it kinds of service.
What is something you would like to share to encourage others to volunteer?
1 Peter 4:10 "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." We were each gifted with specific and unique talents, skills, experiences, passions and knowledge as God formed us in His image and specific spiritual gifts when we accepted the gift of salvation. Volunteering in ways that utilize those gifts is a part of our purpose and has benefits to others, and even deeper benefits to our emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. It also provides you with a sense of connection, belonging and ownership to the community that you have chosen to call home. Volunteering will help to draw you deeper into community, deeper into your purpose and deeper into a relationship with the God who loves you.