Ministries Committee: Serving Up More than a Cup of Coffee
Stroll through the Gathering Space just before, in between, or after a worship service (depending on which time you go), and you’ll see some friendly people offering coffee, donut holes and other snacks. Chances are good that they’re either part of the Ministries Committee or a volunteer coffee server for the day.
Why coffee? Why not?!? Lutherans love their coffee, and great fellowship can happen around a nice hot cup of it. “It’s amazing how much coffee we go through each Sunday!” Committee member Cynthia Zach exclaimed. “And there are always earlybirds!”
Zach became involved in this committee “because Craig Remmen asked me!” she said. “I’ve known Craig for over 30 years and we’ve been good friends forever.” She said she has served on this committee two times, and although her term ends in January, she doesn’t want to leave! That speaks volumes for how serving coffee can indeed feed your own soul.
The time commitment isn’t huge, either. Zach mentioned a little baking time at home when necessary, but usually donut holes and pretzels are the main fare. And then there’s the coffee. Potfuls of coffee… Sunday mornings usually require about 2.5 hours of assistance, Zach explained.
One of her favorite memories that happened over coffee was when she was serving with another Trinity member, Sandra Willis. Zach said she appreciated getting to know Willis better. Had it not been for serving coffee together, the two might not have had the opportunity to become acquainted with each other.
Another Ministries committee member, Mindy Farland, used to be a volunteer where she and her husband, enjoyed serving coffee together. Now she serves in a different role and has a new perspective. “There are a lot of regulars each week, pretty devoted people!” she said. “When I come in at 8 AM to make coffee, a few of the regulars are already waiting…and the church staff!” she laughed.
As a committee member, Farland made sure coffee was flowing during the busy times and kept everything stocked and cleaned up as the second service began. She was a great example of what goes on “behind the scenes.”
One Ministries committee member and a volunteer always work together each Sunday, and the volunteer of this past Sunday was Liz Fitzgerald and her daughter, Sophie. The mother/daughter duo can often be found volunteering at Trinity in many capacities. “I’m a very go with the flow person,” Sophie said. “Wherever she goes, I go.” The two were very diligent about their job, chatting with people and filling the atmosphere with laughter and smiles. Why volunteer in this way? Their smiles said it all…
Kevin Hendrikson, another Ministries committee member, also weighed in on the importance of this ministry. “It gives an opportunity to be in front of people and provide a welcome to the church…a ministry that everyone enjoys.” He added, “Look around. People are still here eating donut holes! If you didn’t have coffee here, they’d pass right on out the door after the service. This provides a sense of community.”
Penny Bennett is the head of the Ministries committee, and she stressed, “We try to welcome everyone on Sunday mornings and have meaningful conversations. Everyone is important at Trinity!” She also learned that this committee does so much more than just serve coffee. Other services include Easter baskets, the Giving Tree, New Member Receptions, Welcome and Farewell Receptions, and other events as needed. “I feel like we are making a difference,” she said. Bennett loves the fellowship of the other members as well as the congregation, but if she had to choose a favorite part of this ministry, it would probably be “when the kids come up to get donuts and pretzels!”
If you are interested in volunteering by being a coffee server, reach out to anybody on the Ministries committee or check with Denise in Trinity’s office. Hendrikson said, “This doesn’t take a lot! There’s no heavy physical part…just bring your smiley face!”†
If you’d like to get involved at the church, CLICK HERE to fill out our Volunteer Survey and we’ll get you plugged in!
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