Good Evening Topeka First UMC,

There are a few links that I'm sending you tonight. I want to make sure these didn't get buried in any previous communications!

In particular I'm worried that we've only had one person sign up to help Doorstep this month in the clothing pantry.  "We" are "responsible" for the September volunteers & apparently I haven't sent this out enough times to catch people's attention.  If you're available, please sign up to help our Mission Partner, Doorstep, fill these volunteer spots on Thursday, 9-13; Monday, 9-23; & Thursday 9-26.  Slots are available in the morning and the afternoon.

Next, let's talk about reading liturgy at the 10:45 am service...this volunteer is an integral part of our worship service during the Sanctuary worship time at 10:45 am.  There are 6 slots left through the end of the year just waiting :) for someone to say "YES!"  If you've never read liturgy during a worship service, Pastor Brad will help you!  We send the liturgy on Thursday afternoon so you have plenty of time to practice.  Generally, the liturgist also says a prayer and this can be as simple as leading the congregation in the Lord's Prayer.  Some volunteers write their own prayer, some ask Pastor Brad, Grace, or Sandra for help and simply read a prayer that is prepared for them.  Please pray about this opportunity.  It is so important that many voices are heard during service!  Call me if you still have reservations! Personally, I love reading scripture outloud but I always cry (what's that all about??!) when I pray in front of an audiance...for sure, I'd have a pastor help me with the prayer!  If you're concerned about walking up the chancel stairs to the podium...don't be!  We have a handheld microphone and you're welcome to simply stand at the front of the chancel!

Now, lets talk about being a greeter (smiling & handing people a bulletin) & serving communion. There are always spots open to volunteer to be a greeter...10:45 wins the award for having the most greeter volunteers help out, 9:30 service needs lots of help, and 8:15 is sorta doing ok.  I'm not a big fan of asking people to volunteer for an entire month (because that'd never work for my family's schedule...) which is why I've structured the sign-up so you can pick a particular Sunday & service. Communion is served every week in 9:30 but in 8:15 & 10:45, communion is only served the first Sunday of the month. 10:45 requires 6 volunteers besides the Pastors to effectively serve everyone communion. I am always surprised when someone tells me they've never served communion!  Serving communion to others is truly a powerful moment & connects so many people with God!! Prayerfully consider signing up. Call me if you'd like to talk about this further.  

I'll tell you a story that happened yesterday.  I had a HUGE day of kid responsibilities...an appointment in KC at 8 am, no school for kids BUT they all had games & practices with different drop-off & start times. You can imagine the 200 miles that I put on the van....anyway, I'm sitting at a middle-school volleyball game for Kay...I brought a book to read during her team warm-ups ("Why I Believe" by Dr. Henry Cloud...thanks Scott Beck!!) suddenly I hear someone asking for a line-judge...or they won't be able to play the volleyball game. I clearly heard the person asking...I also deliberately kept my head down and pretended I didn't hear (ugh, sorry)...& you know what happened??  This loud voice in my head said "Go!  This is important. Go, help." And, so I did...I was so worried about what messing up & what other's might say about me. I got over it though. In the end, I volunteered for something I'd never done before. I came out alive & no one made fun of me. Seriously, ask Kay, she'll tell you I did fine volunteering for something new. I'm not making this up!!!

Ok, that's enough for tonight.  I hoped I pulled on your "YES" arm. :)

Thanks a bunch & much love, 

Shawna