Do you have a calling in your faith community?

[GardenLady]

When my husband and I joined our parish, we were asked to indicate areas of service where we felt called to contribute. There was no requirement, just an opportunity to volunteer. My husband and I have both served as greeters and communion ushers and I have been a reader as some services. But in addition to that, I feel called to help feed people through parish ministries to prepare meals for the county men's shelter, meals for the interfaith women & children's shelter, and Meal Train support for parishioners who are recovering from surgery or going through chemo.

I have no idea why I feel called to do that and not something else. Others in our parish are Stephen Ministers, who visit the sick and dying. Bless them. I don't know if I would have the emotional fortitude; it's hard enough to help my parents who are 94 and 100. Others help with community workdays or other projects.

Do you feel that you have a calling to help in your faith community? Anything you'd like to share here?

This isn't for purposes of "halo polishing," but to share the range of service and callings we experience.

 

[SalixIncendium]

As it happens, I just started a commune this morning. As of now, I'm called to do everything, because the commune is in my room and I'm the only one currently in the commune.

However, I am looking for people who have had a calling to clean windows or toilets to join.

 

[JustGeorge]

I don't have a faith community.

If I did, I think I'd probably sign up where ever I was able. It would make me very happy to be a part of anything, even if it was just cleaning the grounds.

 

[metis]

When my husband and I joined our parish, we were asked to indicate areas of service where we felt called to contribute. There was no requirement, just an opportunity to volunteer. My husband and I have both served as greeters and communion ushers and I have been a reader as some services. But in addition to that, I feel called to help feed people through parish ministries to prepare meals month for the county men's shelter, meals for the interfaith women & children's shelter, and Meal Train support for parishioners who are recovering from surgery or going through chemo.

I have no idea why I feel called to do that and not something else. Others in our parish are Stephen Ministers, who visit the sick and dying. Bless them. I don't know if I would have the emotional fortitude; it's hard enough to help my parents who are 94 and 100. Others help with community workdays or other projects.

Do you feel that you have a calling to help in your faith community? Anything you'd like to share here?

This isn't for purposes of "halo polishing," but to share the range of service and callings we experience.

It was for this reason why I rejoined our parish as there's so much work that can be done.

So, to you: Congrats!

 

[RabbiO]

@GardenLady -

Can you provide the definition you are using for "calling"?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Let's eat?

 

[exchemist]

When my husband and I joined our parish, we were asked to indicate areas of service where we felt called to contribute. There was no requirement, just an opportunity to volunteer. My husband and I have both served as greeters and communion ushers and I have been a reader as some services. But in addition to that, I feel called to help feed people through parish ministries to prepare meals for the county men's shelter, meals for the interfaith women & children's shelter, and Meal Train support for parishioners who are recovering from surgery or going through chemo.

I have no idea why I feel called to do that and not something else. Others in our parish are Stephen Ministers, who visit the sick and dying. Bless them. I don't know if I would have the emotional fortitude; it's hard enough to help my parents who are 94 and 100. Others help with community workdays or other projects.

Do you feel that you have a calling to help in your faith community? Anything you'd like to share here?

This isn't for purposes of "halo polishing," but to share the range of service and callings we experience.

I sang in the choir for many years and now I am a reader. My wife, when she was alive, used to cajole me into cooking for the Christmas lunch given for the old folks of the parish. And I make the odd cake for the summer hog roast. Suppose I do what I feel comfortable I can do well enough to be appreciated. I’m not sure I’d elevate any of this to a “calling”, though.

 

[Vinayaka]

I don't have a faith community.

If I did, I think I'd probably sign up where ever I was able. It would make me very happy to be a part of anything, even if it was just cleaning the grounds.

That is the spirit of true volunteerism. "I'll do what you need me to do." Very few people, in my view, truly get that.

 

[Vinayaka]

I've been called a lot. Much of the time it is/was because nobody else in the community was coming forward, and it was a necessary job. Somebody had to do it. My Guru's words 'proceed with confidence' was the deciding factor. It's difficult to see a potential large project such as building a temple fall apart because nobody steps up. One of my close friends has been the treasurer now for 28 years. Twice somebody else tried to do it, but resigned after a few months because they recognized it was too much work for them to take on. Hopefully when my friend finally stops, the Lord of Obstacles will find another capable individual.

 

[JustGeorge]

That is the spirit of true volunteerism. "I'll do what you need me to do." Very few people, in my view, truly get that.

My husband and I joined the UUs in the beginning of our marriage... that's pretty much what we did. We cleaned the building once a week, he was on a rotating list to mow, I was on one to tend the garden. We both gave sermons at various points, and were on several different councils involved in running the place. We taught RE. When the person leading the Pagan group decided to end it, I stepped up to lead(and about got my head bit off... apparently, she wanted it dead. I lead anyways). I did reach out for members in need, we both provided music...

It was busy work. The UUs weren't a good fit for us, but I miss being able to have something like that I could be a part of.

 

[Vinayaka]

My husband and I joined the UUs in the beginning of our marriage... that's pretty much what we did. We cleaned the building once a week, he was on a rotating list to mow, I was on one to tend the garden. We both gave sermons at various points, and were on several different councils involved in running the place. We taught RE. When the person leading the Pagan group decided to end it, I stepped up to lead(and about got my head bit off... apparently, she wanted it dead. I lead anyways). I did reach out for members in need, we both provided music...

It was busy work. The UUs weren't a good fit for us, but I miss being able to have something like that I could be a part of.

Yes, that sounds great. Here we have certain attitudes that restrict the process. Probably the worst is cliques. When the potential volunteer asks, 'Who else is coming?" that can indicate trouble. But I get it too. Some people are indeed difficult to work alongside.

 

[JustGeorge]

Yes, that sounds great. Here we have certain attitudes that restrict the process. Probably the worst is cliques. When the potential volunteer asks, 'Who else is coming?" that can indicate trouble. But I get it too. Some people are indeed difficult to work alongside.

My husband quit cleaning the day someone nagged him that he was doing things wrong... There had been commentary leading up to it, but the day a woman took him into the bathroom and showed him how he ought to have put stuff back, he told her "You do it, then. I'm done." And that was the end of that. (At that point, we were on the way to realizing we were in the wrong spot.)

 

[Vinayaka]

My husband quit cleaning the day someone nagged him that he was doing things wrong... There had been commentary leading up to it, but the day a woman took him into the bathroom and showed him how he ought to have put stuff back, he told her "You do it, then. I'm done." And that was the end of that. (At that point, we were on the way to realizing we were in the wrong spot.)

Yes, that happens a lot. The volunteer co-ordinators can become like project managers some days thinking the volunteers are employees. We have volunteer office managers here, and the board called a meeting to get things more consistent, laid out the rules, etc. in a fairly condescending way, and lost about a third of their managers. I've quit landscaping a couple of times for similar reasons, but after some time, the property looked so bad, I just couldn't stand it. But the good thing is they learned something from it, because I call them out. At the last meeting the phrase 'volunteer abuse' came out a few times. It's hard, though, as the board themselves are volunteers. They pretty much leave me alone now.