Parish Volunteer Opportunities--- September 2013
volun...@stcharleschurch.org
Parish Volunteer Needs: September 2013
8:45 AM Choir Seeking Members
· The 8:45 AM Choir is looking for singers and instrumentalists. Join others in the choir to provide traditional congregational and special hymns and service music at the 8:45 am Mass from September through June.
· Time: During 8:45 AM Mass and practice times, which take place before and after Mass each Sunday from 8:15-8:40 AM and from 10:00-11:00 AM.
· Contact: Jack Lane (703) 528-1327 (H) john...@yahoo.com
Singers and Instrumentalists Wanted for the Jefferson Choir
· Join others in the choir to provide hymns and service music during the Communion Service in the fourth floor lounge from 11-11:30 am at the Jefferson Retirement Home in Ballston, usually on the first Sunday of the month from September through June. No practices are held. The address is 900 N. Taylor Street.
· Time: 11-11:30 AM the first Sunday of each month
· Contact: Jack Lane (703) 528-1327 (H) john...@yahoo.com
Giving Tree Registration Volunteers
· We are in need of bilingual (Spanish and English speaking) volunteers to help register families for our annual Giving Tree Program. This program benefits the needy children of the parish community during the Christmas season.
· Time: Volunteers are needed for all of the Sundays of October—the 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th—from 1:30 PM until 4:00 PM.
· Contact: Katie Malec kathry...@gmail.com
Giving Tree Committee
· Do you love the giving spirit that comes with the Christmas season? Is it your favorite time of year? Then the Giving Tree Committee is for you! This program benefits the needy children of our parish during the Christmas season. Come be a part of the process where Christmas begins in October with family registrations, continues through the Big Sorting and Distribution Weekend in mid-December, and concludes with a committee potluck in January.
· Time: Meetings will take place about twice a month from September to December. The first meeting will be held on Thursday, September 26 at 7 PM in Room 101.
· Contact: Katie Malec kathry...@gmail.com or Jo-Ann Duggan jdu...@stcharleschurch.org
Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolate Sale Volunteers
· Are you interested in helping spread the word about Fair Trade? Do you enjoy quality foods that also help independent farmers develop thriving businesses? Join the Fair Trade Committee at St. Charles and spread some goodness both abroad and in our own parish. We sell delicious and organic Fair Trade chocolate, coffee and tea. If your skill set is more organizational than sales, we are currently seeking someone to help us plan the schedule of volunteers for sales each month. Scheduling takes a minimal amount of time and is accomplished with a few emails to the committee before each monthly sale. This is a perfect volunteer opportunity for parishioners who are interested in meeting other people in our community and for high school students looking for community service activities.
· Time: Volunteers are needed after the 7:30, 9:00, 11:00, and 6:00 PM Masses the second Sunday of each month; flexible scheduling
· Contact: Elise Cleva (703) 527-5500 x24 ecl...@stcharleschurch.org or Suzanne Hayes hayes...@me.com
Help With Funerals
· The Circle of Caring needs help with funerals. Volunteers would provide assistance to parishioners by completing funeral preparation tasks, including setting up the church, greeting attendees, handing out programs, and cleaning up afterward. Our bereaved parishioners are very grateful for our help.
· Time: Varies with a special need for volunteers who would be able to help weekdays
· Contact: Nora Lawson nora_...@hotmail.com
KAIROS Prison Ministry
· Volunteer with women from many Christian denominations to bring a3 ½ day retreat experience to Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women. The women in prison are mostly in their 20's, and 30's and have said, "I feel like a person again when you Kairos ladies are with us." Some are there for life. Most all meet Christ in this experience of community, forgiveness, challenge, and love, and we meet Christ in them in the laughs and tears.
· Time: The retreat will take place October 10-13; planning meetings will occur in Woodbridge, Virginia on Saturday, August 3 and 24 and September 7, 21, and 28; a team retreat will occur October 9.
· Contact: Jean Sweeney (703) 685-7410
Help Prepare for KAIROS Prison Ministry Weekend: Baking, Writing Notes of Encouragement, Prayer
· Bake and freeze cookies to be served at the October 10-13 KAIROS retreat. The cookies help to invite the women to come and are a sign of unconditional love from God through the community. If you are interested, please contact for specific instructions on what the prison allows or see flyer found at the parish doors. Volunteers are also needed to write 30 notes on pretty cards with a “Dear Sister-in-Christ” greeting to each prisoner. Each note should have the same message of support and encouragement and be put in an unsealed envelope. Please pray for all involved in this special weekend.
· Time: Cookies should be brought to the church October 5 or 6.
· Contact: Jean Sweeney jean...@gmail.com
RCIA Sponsors
· We are looking for several parishioners who are interested in sponsoring those seeking initiation in the Catholic Church through the RCIA process at St. Charles. A sponsor's role is to journey with those in formation in the RCIA process and be a supportive friend. You don't need to be an expert on "all things Catholic" to be a sponsor. The main time commitment of a sponsor is attending Tuesday night RCIA sessions, attending any special rites and retreats, and being available to support the person you are sponsoring.
· Time: Varies
· Contact: Jennifer Pence Jennife...@gmail.com
Dominican Republic Committee
· The Dominican Republic Committee welcomes new members interested in helping to plan projects to serve our sister parishes in Banica and Pedro Santana. Time commitment varies with project. We are currently looking for someone with graphics ability to design the committee’s alternative gift card.
· Time: Monthly meetings, usually on 4th Thursday of the month at 7 PM. The next meeting will be September 26th.
· Contact: Julie Atkins (703) 524-5625 jatk...@verizon.net
St. Charles Interfaith Committee Has Many Opportunities
· The St. Charles Interfaith Committee is seeking a new chair / co-chair to lead the Committee, as well as new members to help facilitate interfaith activities. This is a wonderful way to promote greater understanding and friendship among members of different faith communities while participating in spiritual, social, educational, and service activities.
· Time: Meetings are held once a month - members help plan events and activities according the amount of time they are able to contribute.
· Contact: Rebecca Cataldi (412) 726-2153 shado...@yahoo.com
Arlington Food Assistance Center’s Stuff the Bus Event
· Help AFAC stuff a bus with 20,000 pounds of food donations at Giant. This is the Spout Run Giant. Shop at Giant, buy a few extra items for our clients, and then put them on the ART bus in the parking lot.
· Time: Friday, September 27- Sunday, September 29
· Contact: volunte...@afac.org (703) 845-8486 or visit the AFAC website at www.afac.org
Gleaning with AFAC
· Come help harvest fresh fruits and vegetables for our clients. It's physical, outside work, but great for groups and a wonderful way to see some local farms hard at work.
· Time: Nearly every Saturday morning between now and November 2. Contact to schedule a time.
· Contact: volunte...@afac.org (703) 845-8486 or visit the AFAC website at www.afac.org
ESOL Tutors Needed for Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
· The LCNV is Northern Virginia’s preeminent provider of English instruction to beginning level adults. We serve over 1500 adults each year with the help of volunteers and currently need more volunteers to help those on our waiting list. English is a new language for all of the students in our ESOL program. These adults need help learning to speak, understand, read, and write English. No previous teaching experience is required. As an ESOL tutor with the Council, you can make a real difference in the life of an adult learner and their family!
· Time: Tutor-student pairs meet for a couple of hours each week. A mandatory three day training will take place on three Saturdays: October 19, October 26, and November 2.
· Contact: Ruba Afzal volun...@lcnv.org