Volunteer Opportunities

Mission Ministry
Current Mission Calendar

Mission Ministry allocates and disburses the Mission budget; provides support to our local, national and international ministries; promotes the four PCUSA Special Offerings received each year; coordinates special all church projects and programs such as Saturday Dinners, Adult Mexico, the Angel Store, Mission Possible and Thanksgiving baskets; organizes and plans international trips with our covenant partners; collaborates with other ministries to increase and promote mission awareness and provides opportunities for education and involvement in Mission Ministry. See a complete list of our mission partners. Contact Phil Friedman ((JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) or Tom Elander ((JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).

• Mission Team Member Meet once a month and serve in specific, supportive roles that plan and carry out the mission activities of BPC.
• Special Event Coordinator Builds a team to implement a special mission event such as the Angel Store, Thanksgiving Baskets, etc. Coordinates volunteers and publicity and is required to meet with the Mission Team as needed to coordinate and report on the event.
• Ministry Liaison This is a person who has a heart for the work of a specific outside agency that BPC supports financially and with volunteers. They are knowledgeable about the work the agency does in the community and provide information to BPC about the agency’s current needs and coordinate our publicity and involvement with events and activities taking place. Attendance at Mission Team meetings is helpful when promoting events with the agency. E-mail communication works too!

Worship & Music

Worship is carefully planned each week by three teams who coordinate all elements of worship. Those of us with skill in performing, directing, writing, fine arts, are invited to be a part of the Creative Arts Network (CAN) which meets at different times during the year to incorporate the arts into worship. BPC has a choir and praise singers and a band which bring music to the Sunday services and at special services throughout the year.

Worship requires many willing hands, talents and skills!

Long term commitments:

• Media Technician – Runs all the sound and media from the “booth” which is located in the balcony. Knowledge in microphone set up and running a sound board. Persons with good listening and technical skills are welcome to become part of a rotating Sunday schedule. Training is provided, and we ask that a person be willing to commit to at least one year of service. Must attend a Thursday evening tech rehearsal prior to each Sunday you serve. Contact Bill Blanke (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Worship Planning Team – If you would enjoy learning about how worship is developed at BPC and are willing to participate in the set up and coordination of regular Sunday and special services and contribute to the creativity and tasks that go into worship you are welcome to come aboard! Monthly meeting is required. Contact Richard Kitzrow at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Chancel Choir and Praise Singers - The choir rehearses every Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. No audition necessary. The choir has parts for soprano. alto, tenor and bass. The praise singers are a smaller group of singers who sing for Sunday and special services, and an audition is required. Contact: Katheryne Levin at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 310-826-5656 ext. 3126
• Worship Band - If you have skill playing guitar, bass, drums and other instruments and are willing to offer your talent to the band for Sunday and special services. Audition is required. Contact Katheryne Levin at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 310-826-5656 ext. 3126 (This may be either a long term commitment, or short term, as needed.)

Short term commitments:

• Usher: Greet worshippers as they enter the sanctuary and offer them a worship bulletin. Collect the offering at the 8 and 11 am services. Training is offered. Ushers are needed for special services as well.
• Creative Arts Network: This group of artistic folks (music, drama, fine arts) meets occasionally to develop ways in which to use the arts in worship. Time commitment would be to attend meetings and offer your talent, when needed. If you have an artistic talent to contribute and wish to be invited to participate. Contact Katheryne Levin at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 310-826-5656 ext. 3126
• Decorating: The sanctuary uses art, banners, flowers and other liturgical and seasonal decorations to enhance our worship experience. Be willing, when called upon, to come and help decorate.

Congregational Care

Contact the church office if you would like the rewarding experience of serving in any of these Caregiving Ministries:

• Chain of Prayer - If you have the gift of prayer, and promise to hold prayer requests in confidence, you are welcome to join our prayer chain. People on the prayer chain receive requests via e-mail and are to pray privately for these requests. Contact Pam Taylor at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Meals Ministry - A meal volunteer takes a meal to a household: homemade or purchased. No meetings! Must have own transportation. To help contact Gina Garcia (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Transportation Ministry Provides a ride for people who are unable to drive themselves to church. Contact Elaine Wagner at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Flower Ministry - Deliver the flowers that are in worship, to homebound or hospitalized persons after the 11 am service. Must have own transportation, a caring heart and be at ease meeting new people who are in a state of sadness or ill health. Contact Betsy Newell at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Memorial Service Ministry - Helpers are needed to provide a reception after a funeral or memorial service at BPC. Persons to set up, serve, clean up and provide cookies or other finger food. Contact JoAnn Flynn at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Bereavement Support - If you have the gift of compassion, good listening skills and have a high comfort level around grieving you are welcome to serve. Training IS required. Contact Pam Taylor at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
• Care Team - Visit and provide spiritual support through compassionate presence and listening, scripture reading and prayer. Training IS required. Contact Pam Taylor at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
• Home Communion Ministry
• Christmas Caroling

Youth Programs

Working with teens is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. You will need lots of patience and energy but, in return, you will receive the immense gratification of seeing the youth achieve their goals, excel, grow up, go to college, pursue their dreams… and deepen their experience of God's grace and love. Amazing things are happening in BPC Youth Ministry - please join us for the ride! You can begin anytime during the year, and we suggest you commit to one school year at a time.

Youth Sponsor – Requires a major commitment of time and energy to devote to the youth. Attending Sunday night youth meetings, making phone calls, connecting with youth and attending trips when possible. Gifts for this role are strong relational skills, servant’s heart, good listener, encouragement, mature faith.

Youth Planning Team – Commitment of a year to participate in the planning and implementation of the activities and events. One hour meeting once a month, assist with tasks for special events, help with trips, coordinate events. Gifts for this role are administration, team-player, creative ability.

Kitchen Assistant – A great deal of food is involved when serving with the youth! If you can serve for an hour or two to help prepare and serve food for trips and events…….we need you! Gifts for this role are helping, cooking skills, take direction well.

Prep/Cleanup for Trips - Highlights of youth ministry are the annual rafting and Mexico work camps. Two plus hours per event is commonly required for special tasks for these trips: packing equipment, picking up vans, packing and unloading trucks, cleaning, repairing and storing equipment. All gifts can be used.

Childrens Programs

There are dozens of ways to support Children’s Ministry if you have a passion for children. Commitment of time varies upon task. There are events for children all year long:

• Sunday School classroom teacher
• Sunday School classroom helper
• Special event coordinator
• Event

For specific ways to help for a one-time event or longer commitment contact Rebekah Clark – Director of Children’s Ministry at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 310-826-5656 ext 3125.

Welcome & Discovery

The Welcome & Discovery team is responsible for welcoming and encouraging new visitors and guests by inviting them to discover the ministry and faith community of BPC, and for overseeing the process for those who wish to explore membership and join BPC.

• Welcome Table: Contact: Wendy Morgan at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  • Staff the Welcome Table on Patio after worship (1 Sunday per month commitment)
• New Member Discovery Class: Contact: Eva Satori-McClane at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 
  • Assist with and coordinate the New Member Discovery Class Schedule presenters from various ministries
  • Photography
  • Shepherd a New Member
  • Bake or Cook for church events
  • Host or Hostess church events
  • Assist with a Spiritual Gifts Class
• Connecting Contact Sue Mallory at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  The Connecting Ministry assists and supports members of BPC to live into the concept of Worship plus 2. This concept means to worship on Sunday, and connect to a ministry/place to be nurtured and a ministry/place to serve. To assist all members and guests find the opportunities at BPC where they may connect to ministry areas that will help them grow in faith, while serving others.
  • Ministry Connectors – (Liaison with other teams in the church)
  • 1:1 Connector Team (Meet and follow up after people take spiritual gifts class)
  • New Member Reunions (Assist/support team with events)
  • Data Base Team (Ensure information in church database is current and accurate)
  • All-Church Ministry Description Booklet (Information to be at Welcome table and provided to New Members for their class)
• Equipping (Leadership Development) team is the leadership development team that provides education, training and spiritual support to BPC’s leaders, staff, Session and Deacon Boards to enable them to serve more effectively. Contact: Sue Mallory at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 
  • Officer Orientation
  • Annual Leadership Retreat
  • Retiring Officer Recognition
  • On-Going Leadership Training
  • Fellowship of the Ordained
• School of Christian Learning (SCL) Planning Team meets monthly in the evening for 2 hours. Team members have specific roles as well as discussing the overall schedule, speakers and topics. Team members are asked to commit to one year of service with an option to continue. Contact Darrell Hallenbrook at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
  The team roles are:
  • Class Coordinator
  • Speaker Recruiter
  • Publicity Coordinator
  • Classroom Host
  • Book Sales Coordinator
  • Team Meeting Devotions Coordinator
  • Class Refreshment Coordinator.

Stewardship

A Steward Team is formed each year to inspire and encourage giving. The team meets bi-weekly during the planning stages (June – Sept.), weekly during the Stewardship season (October – November) and bi-weekly after Stewardship season for review and follow up.

If you would like to be involved in educating, inspiring and coordinating our Stewardship season you are welcome. Gifts of creative ability, planning, administration are helpful.

Contact Sarah McClintock at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)