Volunteer Opportunities: Nov. - Dec. 2008

1. Cooks to Prepare Thanksgiving Meals

On November 26, 2008, the day before Thanksgiving, we will cook for several needy families in our parish. Volunteers will start work at about 8:30 AM on that day. For each recipient family, volunteers will roast a bird, cook and prepare two quarts of mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, dressing, pumpkin pie, rolls, butter, and candy for the children. Volunteers will then assist with the delivery of these meals. Only requirements for volunteers are coming with a smile, a hat or hairnet, apron, gloves, and gloves. Children age 9 and older are welcome to volunteer with an adult. Donations of to support the purchase of food and containers for the event are also welcome.

2. Assistants to Help Organize Interfaith Centennial Event

Get involved in helping to plan an interfaith event to celebrate our parish's 100th anniversary.

3. Giving Tree Helpers

Each year at Advent, Giving Tree tags with the name of a child from the parish or a local organization who might not receive a gift without parishioners' help are placed on a Christmas tree. Parishioners choose a tag and purchase a gift for the child whose name is on the tag. Volunteers are needed to help collect gifts that have been returned after Masses on December 6-7 and 13-14 (about 30 minutes after each Mass); to help sort gifts on December 19 (6-9 PM); to wrap and pack gifts on December 20 (1-4 PM); and to help distribute the gifts on December 21 (2-4 PM). We appreciate your help!

4. Church Decorators

Help decorate the sanctuary for Christmas to add to the holiday spirit at St. Charles as we prepare for the birth of our Savior and Lord.

Monday, December 2 in the morning, and from 4-9 PM; and/or Tuesday, December 23, from 3 to 6:30 PM

Meredith Scovill
kaditny@verizon.net
703-527-2758

5. Promotors for Visit from St. Joseph’s Gospel Choir

Help notify the St. Charles Community that the St. Joseph’s Gospel Choir will visit us for the Vigil Mass on Saturday, January 17, 2009 as part of MLK Day celebration. This Choir visits every year and brings a great musical tradition and boundless energy to the liturgy they support! Duties include planning nbulletin, Web site, poster, and flyer notices for this event and ensuring that we spread the word about this amazing event.

Not provided

Mike Doyle mdoyle67@verizon.net
703-528-2743

6. Assistants for the January International Festival

Volunteers are needed for our St. Charles International Festival on the evening of January 24, 2009. Help is needed selling tickets, greeting attendees, decorating, setting up food, serving and cleaning up. Join in a wonderful night of festivities and celebration!

Ticket sales after Masses in December and January. Day of event January 24 to decorate, set-up and clean-up.

Rebecca Kimball
rkimball@stcharleschurch.org 703-527-5500

7. Liturgy Team Helpers for Centennial Mass on January 24, 2009

Help the liturgy planning team to prepare for the first Centennial Event of 2009 - the Vigil Mass on Saturday, January 24 at 5 PM. Volunteers are needed to assist with General Intercessions, décor help, presentation of the gifts and program preparation (order of Mass, music and readings). Volunteers skilled in using PC publishing software are especially needed.

8. Leaders for 11 AM Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children's Liturgy of the Word is a special part of the 9 AM and 11 AM Sunday liturgy, usually held every Sunday from mid-Sept. to mid-May in the Chapel. Children 3 years old and up are invited to hear the Word of God in a version of the Sunday scripture especially prepared by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and approved for children.

9. Singers and Instrumentalists for St. Charles Chorale

Volunteer performers are needed for the Jefferson Communion Service Choir, Liturgy Life Ministry. Join others in the choir to sing hymns and service music at the Jefferson retirement home in Ballston!

Performances are on the first Sunday of the month from September through June at 11-11:30 AM. No practices are held.

10. Liturgy Writers

Liturgy Writers prepare a presider’s guide in outline format for Sunday and Holy Day Eucharistic Celebrations – the Mass. These guides are prepared from various resources each week - in addition to the priest-celebrant, the sacristan and the cantor (or music leader) refer to this guide before and during Mass. The liturgy writer needs to know the general outline of the Order of Mass, understand the church’s liturgical calendar, and have good word-processing, e-mail and internet access skills. The liturgy based knowledge will be provided through a period of apprenticeship with an experienced Liturgy Writer.

For existing volunteers this is a once a month assignment. Once trained, Mass outline preparation takes about four to six hours effort each time you are scheduled. Volunteers are asked to commit for at least a year of service.

Mike Doyle
703-528-2743 mdoyle67@verizon.net

11. Donut Sellers After Masses

Volunteers sell donuts, bagels and cheese, and coffee and punch after the 7:30 AM, 9 AM and 11 AM Sunday Masses as a fundraiser for the school. No experience necessary, just come and enjoy our customers.

After Mass on Sundays

Fran Hobbs
fshdlee@aol.com

12. Ushers for 6 PM Sunday Mass

Volunteers are needed to serve as greeters to welcome parishioners to St. Charles before Mass, perform the collections during the Mass, and ensure an orderly communion process.

Danny Murray
703-598-4521 dhmurray22@comcast.net

Gerry Foley
301-717-0992 foleyg007@aol.com

13. Advocacy Letter Writers for SALT

SALT organizes volunteers to advocate on important issues, such as through letter writing. Even one letter can make a difference! (Our friends at the General Assembly tell us that just five letters to a delegate on a single issue is a major response!) Consider: For more information go to www.S-A-L-T.org or contact John Horejsi.

14. Chicken Packers for Arlington Food Assistance Center

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) needs volunteers to pack chicken. It's not glamorous work ,but makes a big difference for Arlington families who rely on AFAC to supplement their groceries! Instead of a one pound pack of hotdogs, a person eligible for supplemental groceries from AFAC can choose fresh chicken. AFAC buys the chicken in bulk and the chicken packing team repacks it into individual leg quarter servings. Wear your old clothes and AFAC will provide aprons and disposable gloves. AFAC is located at 2708 S Nelson St., just off Four Mile Run near I-395 and Shirlington. Check the AFAC website for a map and directions:
http://www.afacinfo.org/afac_find.html.