1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,400 Well, good morning, guys. 2 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:05,400 Good morning. 3 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:06,400 Good morning. 4 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:11,520 I'm really excited to have you joining me on Trinity Talks today because today marks 5 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:16,040 the beginning of National Volunteer Week here in Canada. 6 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:22,840 So we have Liz, we have Bruce, and we have Chris, all of whom volunteer here at Trinity. 7 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,640 And I'm really glad to have you on the show with me today. 8 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:26,640 Great to be here. 9 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:27,640 Yes. 10 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:28,640 Thank you. 11 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:32,920 So, according to National Volunteer Week in Canada, a volunteer is someone who gives their 12 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:37,840 time, their skills, their empathy, and their creativity. 13 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:41,520 And it is vital to the inclusivity and the strength of a community. 14 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:45,400 And we were just talking a little bit before we started the show about how important the 15 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:49,480 volunteers are here to the general life of our church. 16 00:00:49,480 --> 00:00:54,480 But before we get started, I would love to get to know you guys a little bit better. 17 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:59,000 And we were talking before the show in the sermon about the Bible. 18 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:02,840 And one way that Rob described the Bible is a library. 19 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:07,800 So when you go to the library, I'm curious, or in your home, your bookshelf, what kind 20 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,960 of books do you reach for? 21 00:01:10,960 --> 00:01:14,040 I love to read detective fiction. 22 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:15,040 Yes. 23 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:20,640 I read quite broadly, but I like something that sort of just takes me, sucks me in. 24 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:25,640 And my goal is to solve the crime before the author reveals it. 25 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:27,120 And do you ever solve the crime? 26 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:29,640 Yeah, once in a while. 27 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:31,680 It depends. 28 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:32,680 Detective Liz. 29 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:33,680 All right. 30 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:36,280 So we know what your next calling will be, Detective Liz. 31 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:37,280 What about you, Bruce? 32 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:40,040 Yeah, I like reading spy novels. 33 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:41,040 Okay. 34 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:42,040 Yeah. 35 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,720 Some Christian novels as well, but I get wrapped up in a spy novel. 36 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:46,720 All right. 37 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:47,720 Little suspense perhaps? 38 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:48,720 Little suspense, yeah. 39 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:49,720 Nice. 40 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:51,800 I like bad guys, bad guys and good guys. 41 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:52,800 Yeah. 42 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:53,800 Love it. 43 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:54,800 I love it. 44 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:55,800 What about you, Chris? 45 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:56,800 Are you a reader? 46 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:57,800 Yeah. 47 00:01:57,800 --> 00:01:58,800 I mean, I like to read books. 48 00:01:58,800 --> 00:01:59,800 I find that I don't do it enough. 49 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:04,120 But when I broke my knee about a year ago, though, I spent the entire, pretty much two 50 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:05,800 months just reading nonstop. 51 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:08,720 And I just got back into all the books I hadn't read in a long time. 52 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:11,840 I found new authors, new series. 53 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:13,560 It was pretty good. 54 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:18,800 But mostly just like a fictional kind of fantasy novel. 55 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:19,800 Those are usually pretty good. 56 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:20,800 Yeah. 57 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:21,800 Yeah. 58 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:22,800 That's fun. 59 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:23,800 You can imagine it yourself. 60 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:28,440 It's like kind of nice to be able to put yourself in the book or like you're watching a movie 61 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:29,440 almost. 62 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:30,440 Yeah. 63 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:32,320 So that sounds like a little silver lining to a broken knee story. 64 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:33,320 Yeah. 65 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:34,320 Yeah, that's all right. 66 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:36,120 We'll look at the glass half full there. 67 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:37,600 Two months vacation. 68 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:38,600 Why not? 69 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:39,600 All right. 70 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:44,360 So Liz, you are not only a volunteer here at Trinity, but you are also our stewardship 71 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:45,360 director. 72 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:50,200 Needless to say, you probably know just a little bit about giving and volunteering here 73 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:52,800 is really all about giving. 74 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:56,200 What is the theme of this year's National Volunteer Week? 75 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:57,920 It's a great theme, I think. 76 00:02:57,920 --> 00:03:01,060 It's every moment matters. 77 00:03:01,060 --> 00:03:07,240 And to me, that sort of reinforces how, you know, whatever we do in a volunteer role, whether 78 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:13,360 it's something that we think is huge and great and special or out in front of everybody or 79 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:19,440 whether it's behind the scenes, what we're doing as volunteers matters for us collectively 80 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:25,040 as a community and for people who are at the receiving end of our volunteer efforts. 81 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:26,980 That's a really good point. 82 00:03:26,980 --> 00:03:33,240 So Liz, why do you think volunteers more specifically are important to the life here at our church? 83 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:39,060 Well, the reality is, I mean, we have a small staff and we do a lot of things as a church 84 00:03:39,060 --> 00:03:46,740 and virtually anything that we do at church, whether it's within the walls of the building 85 00:03:46,740 --> 00:03:52,740 or it's out in the community, it would not happen without volunteers. 86 00:03:52,740 --> 00:03:59,320 And Rob was saying in the sermon earlier, we have 289 people and those are different 87 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:04,740 people and some of those are volunteer in multiple ministries, but who are actively 88 00:04:04,740 --> 00:04:07,300 involved in volunteering. 89 00:04:07,300 --> 00:04:13,440 And without them, there would just be no way we would even begin to have any kind of impact 90 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:15,480 in the kind that we have. 91 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:16,480 For sure. 92 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:17,480 Wow. 93 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,480 And when you say at 289, that is not an insignificant number by any means. 94 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:21,480 No, not at all. 95 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:28,120 I was really surprised when I, you know, sort of cobble together that number because, you 96 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:34,160 know, in church on a Sunday morning, we see there's only certain volunteer that we see 97 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:38,980 people who are maybe up on the platform, you know, leading music or at the door greeting 98 00:04:38,980 --> 00:04:41,400 or ushers, you know, that sort of thing. 99 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:47,560 But there are so many ministries that are not seen, they're behind the scenes work, 100 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:53,560 they're sort of quiet ministries, you know, maybe like Stephen ministry or the meal train 101 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:59,560 that all happens behind the scenes and we have really no idea who those volunteers are. 102 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:01,720 No, but just strengthens the life. 103 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:02,720 Absolutely. 104 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:03,720 Yeah. 105 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,600 So, Chris, you're one of our volunteers here. 106 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:07,400 You're one of the 289. 107 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:13,120 So how do you find yourself currently being an active volunteer at the church? 108 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:17,840 So right now I work as a camera operator in the general live stream. 109 00:05:17,840 --> 00:05:18,840 Right. 110 00:05:18,840 --> 00:05:24,680 Yeah, I'm mostly just been doing that most of this time because I thought, you know, 111 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:28,900 I need to get back to the church somehow, you know, and need to get involved in it. 112 00:05:28,900 --> 00:05:29,900 It's something I enjoy doing. 113 00:05:29,900 --> 00:05:30,900 Right. 114 00:05:30,900 --> 00:05:34,720 So it's a very physical kind of thing that I like, you know, and I have a sort of a hobby, 115 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:35,920 I guess you say photography. 116 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:37,800 So something to expand on to. 117 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:41,360 So in your work life, you're not a photographer or a videographer. 118 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:42,360 No, not even close. 119 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:43,360 I'm an electrician. 120 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:44,360 So it's a little different. 121 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:50,360 But it's a way for you to exercise your talents and your skills, it seems like, and your passions 122 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:52,020 outside and then give back. 123 00:05:52,020 --> 00:05:57,120 So if you watch live stream church, if you're ever joining us on YouTube or on Facebook, 124 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:01,520 and you see some of those camera angles specifically from the back of the church, you can thank 125 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:07,680 Chris for that because he is quite often the camera guy who is controlling that camera 126 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:09,280 and you do such a good job at it. 127 00:06:09,280 --> 00:06:14,320 I think sometimes I wonder, you know, it's great. 128 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:19,840 And in fact, we actually get a lot of compliments on the production of the church service. 129 00:06:19,840 --> 00:06:23,440 And so we can thank you for that because you do bring a lot of talent to that. 130 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:27,520 Now, Bruce, you yourself are also actively volunteering here at Trinity. 131 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:28,520 What does that look like? 132 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:29,520 Yeah. 133 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:38,840 So I work in the cemetery committee and help beautify the grounds outside. 134 00:06:38,840 --> 00:06:43,080 And I also work in the kitchen for coffee hour on Sundays. 135 00:06:43,080 --> 00:06:45,080 OK, which is happening right now behind us. 136 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:46,080 Which is happening right now. 137 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:47,080 Yeah. 138 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:49,200 We made the coffee and tea and got it all set up. 139 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:50,520 It takes an hour to do. 140 00:06:50,520 --> 00:06:51,520 Right. 141 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:52,520 Yep. 142 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:53,520 And you don't do that either. 143 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:54,520 Right. 144 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:55,520 And that's where a lot of the great conversations happen. 145 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:56,520 That's right. 146 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:59,920 So what led you to serve Trinity in those two ways? 147 00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:00,920 Both are quite different. 148 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:01,920 Yeah. 149 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:02,920 Yeah. 150 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:07,880 Well, both were friends that I've developed in Trinity over the years. 151 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:12,480 And I just wanted to help out. 152 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:20,120 And I gravitated to the kitchen where my friends were and began to help out. 153 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:26,520 And with the cemetery, I was talking to another friend and I said, I know how to do all that 154 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:30,040 stuff that has been done out in the cemetery. 155 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:31,040 I can do those things. 156 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:32,040 OK. 157 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:38,320 And I was directed to the cemetery committee to volunteer, to help volunteer. 158 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:39,320 That's great. 159 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:42,440 We were just chatting before that this is not the work that's done out in the cemetery. 160 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:43,960 It's not something that just anybody could do. 161 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,960 It's actually quite skilled that you're talking about laying stones. 162 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:47,960 Yeah. 163 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:48,960 Yeah. 164 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:49,960 And you said you've done that before. 165 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:50,960 Yeah. 166 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:51,960 It's great that you sort of found your fit in that way. 167 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:52,960 Yes. 168 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:56,960 Because if I was trying to lay stones, it wouldn't look the same as the way it looks 169 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:57,960 out there. 170 00:07:57,960 --> 00:07:58,960 Yeah. 171 00:07:58,960 --> 00:07:59,960 Right? 172 00:07:59,960 --> 00:08:00,960 Yeah. 173 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:01,960 Well, that's good. 174 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:06,120 And Liz, you're actually on staff here as the stewardship director, but you also do 175 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:07,120 volunteer work. 176 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:08,120 That's right. 177 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:09,120 That's right. 178 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:10,120 So what does that look like? 179 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:17,400 So I recently joined the chancel guild, which I'm quite excited about. 180 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:18,680 It's a beautiful ministry. 181 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:22,800 And I tend to look at things through a hospitality lens. 182 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:30,080 And so the chancel guild people are the ones who prepare and get ready for communion and 183 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:31,520 cleaning up and that kind of thing. 184 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:36,400 And I always think of it in terms of setting the Lord's table for these people. 185 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:37,880 And I just love that. 186 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,440 So that's a new endeavor for me. 187 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:47,840 And I also involve in music ministry and have been from when we, Al and I started here in 188 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:51,120 2006 years ago. 189 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:57,440 But within that, I also do run the slides in media. 190 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:01,920 There was a point a couple of summers back now where there was a gap and they didn't 191 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,480 have anybody to run slides. 192 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:09,640 And Libby said, can you just learn how to do it? 193 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:15,400 Someone will sit beside the person who's doing it for a week and then take off. 194 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:16,400 And I was terrified. 195 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:21,080 Like, I'm not super techy. 196 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:30,560 But again, I think it's a hospitable ministry because we're projecting the words on the 197 00:09:30,560 --> 00:09:35,300 screen so people can easily participate in the service. 198 00:09:35,300 --> 00:09:37,440 So I really quite enjoy it. 199 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:38,440 I love that. 200 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:41,820 And that's probably something a lot of us, myself included from time to time, take for 201 00:09:41,820 --> 00:09:46,000 granted as just expecting those slides and the words to come up on the screen. 202 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:48,240 And that someone is there. 203 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:52,560 So what I'm hearing is like, so Bruce talking about his skills that he's bringing to his 204 00:09:52,560 --> 00:09:53,560 rules. 205 00:09:53,560 --> 00:09:56,240 I hear Chris bringing in some passions. 206 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:59,360 And then Liz, even when you don't have that skill set, it was really your hospitality 207 00:09:59,360 --> 00:10:01,040 and your willingness to learn. 208 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:02,560 Then you got to learn some new skills. 209 00:10:02,560 --> 00:10:05,680 So that's pretty exciting stuff. 210 00:10:05,680 --> 00:10:08,960 I have a question more general for everybody here. 211 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:13,200 And maybe you at home, if you're listening in, can even reflect on this question as well. 212 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:18,640 But how have you found yourself impacted by the volunteer work here at Trinity? 213 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:24,400 It's a great question, I think, just to sit back and think about maybe in general in life, 214 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,040 but just specifically here at the church. 215 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:35,280 Well, for me, I remember when we had our son Alex, who's now 24. 216 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:41,600 And I was five days in the hospital with him when we got home and we were like so overwhelmed. 217 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:49,200 And the meal train stepped up to support us for the first couple of weeks that we were 218 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:50,200 home. 219 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:57,400 And I mean, I still remember that knock on the door and the first meal dinner that was 220 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:02,740 delivered by someone actually who was a neighbor around the corner who came to Trinity. 221 00:11:02,740 --> 00:11:09,880 And I'm just like, I was so thankful because it just seemed an impossible thing for me 222 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:12,160 to do to manage meals and all that sort of thing. 223 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:16,560 So that impacted me incredibly. 224 00:11:16,560 --> 00:11:19,840 Also I would say the prayer chain. 225 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:21,840 That's another great one. 226 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:27,400 There's been so many times in the past number of years, especially when loved ones have 227 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:33,640 been sick and have passed away and it's been really difficult. 228 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:37,320 But I could really feel those prayers lifting me up. 229 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:39,160 And I'm so thankful. 230 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:40,160 I love that. 231 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:41,160 I love that. 232 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:44,760 I love that your thoughts, you've been coming to the church for quite some time, are back 233 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:46,440 24 years ago. 234 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:51,080 So it really shows how the impact of volunteering can have these long lasting effects. 235 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:53,560 It was a cannelloni dinner that came to my door. 236 00:11:53,560 --> 00:11:54,920 You can still taste it. 237 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:55,920 I can. 238 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:56,920 Right? 239 00:11:56,920 --> 00:11:57,920 How many meals have we had in our lives? 240 00:11:57,920 --> 00:11:58,920 But you can remember that one. 241 00:11:58,920 --> 00:11:59,920 So that speaks volumes. 242 00:11:59,920 --> 00:12:01,440 Actually get a little goosebumps here. 243 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:03,320 What about you, Bruce? 244 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:08,880 I think Libby and her team impacted me in the beginning. 245 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:09,880 Okay. 246 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:10,880 Yeah. 247 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:13,080 And that's a volunteer role, right? 248 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:22,040 And you know, the music, what the music said to me, it all impacted me when I was new. 249 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:28,600 And I felt like a part of this community, the Christian community through the music. 250 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:29,600 Okay. 251 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:30,600 Yeah. 252 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:34,120 There's a lot of volunteers who work in our music and worship ministry up there. 253 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:35,200 Libby's on staff. 254 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:37,360 Everyone else is a volunteer. 255 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:38,360 Right. 256 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:42,240 And you mentioned the words on the screen and I was reading those. 257 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:46,440 I was literally like taking those to heart. 258 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:50,080 And it meant something to me. 259 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:51,080 Yeah. 260 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:52,080 Right. 261 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:53,080 It just touched you. 262 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:54,080 Thank you. 263 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:55,080 Yeah. 264 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:56,080 Now, Chris, you had a story from when you were a little guy. 265 00:12:56,080 --> 00:12:57,080 Yeah. 266 00:12:57,080 --> 00:13:04,160 I know just when I was very young, I would be cleaning the sanctuary from the downstairs 267 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,360 thing for cleaning maybe once a month or whatever. 268 00:13:06,360 --> 00:13:10,080 And I didn't know where my parents were sitting, but Usher always walked, oh, hey, Chris. 269 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:12,080 And he walked me over to my parents. 270 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:14,160 And I never was worried or lost. 271 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:17,480 So I always remember that one from when I was a kid. 272 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:18,480 Yeah. 273 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:20,200 Yeah, Usher's bringing you to your parents. 274 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:21,200 Perfect. 275 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:23,120 No, that's really great. 276 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:26,880 So we have this whole week here that we are actually going to sort of be celebrating. 277 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:29,080 We're going to have some social media comments. 278 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:30,880 We have a cake out back. 279 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:36,080 Why do you think having a week to celebrate volunteers is something of value for our church? 280 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:46,360 I think it's a good reminder that together we make an impact. 281 00:13:46,360 --> 00:13:52,200 And keeping volunteering and the need for volunteering sort of at the forefront of everybody's 282 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:58,640 mind and the impact it has and thinking about, well, what would it be like if there was nobody 283 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:00,640 volunteering? 284 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:08,960 So it's important to recognize volunteers and to thank them and to tell stories about 285 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:15,960 the impact that volunteering has individually or us collectively as a congregation. 286 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:22,360 Thinking about all the Easter activities that we did out in the community. 287 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:23,360 Right, just a week ago. 288 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:24,360 150-ish volunteers. 289 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:28,280 And it would not have happened. 290 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:31,440 And the impact in the community is huge. 291 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:38,880 So that's something that I think every day should be volunteer recognition day. 292 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:40,440 So maybe one week is not enough. 293 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:42,160 But it's a good start. 294 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:47,720 And thinking too that it's like organizations, tens of thousands of organizations across 295 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:51,400 the country use volunteers. 296 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:56,600 And it's like one of the largest sectors in our country. 297 00:14:56,600 --> 00:15:07,000 And thinking that they together, and we are part of that collective body of volunteers 298 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:08,960 across the country too. 299 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:16,040 It's like individually here we're the body of Christ, but we're also a body of national 300 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:17,040 volunteers. 301 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:19,160 It's pretty interesting to think about the broader impact of volunteering. 302 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:20,640 I love thinking about that. 303 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:21,640 Right. 304 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:22,640 Yeah. 305 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:23,640 Thank you. 306 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:26,360 So how do you think we can, maybe this question's already been answered, but how can we as a 307 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:30,400 church do a better job at recognizing the volunteers here? 308 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:34,120 Does anyone have any answers? 309 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:37,360 Thoughts? 310 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:42,520 I think it comes back to sort of telling the stories. 311 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:49,800 So when we're in the church service, if we're talking about an event we're doing or whatever, 312 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:56,280 whether it's Alpha or Steve ministry or whatever, just talking about this wouldn't be possible. 313 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:58,240 It wouldn't be possible without volunteers. 314 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:02,520 And we're so thankful for you. 315 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:07,080 So there's so many things that go on behind the scenes. 316 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:12,640 And so telling those stories of what happens behind the scenes in a volunteer capacity 317 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:16,880 is really important because people can then see themselves maybe in that role as well. 318 00:16:16,880 --> 00:16:17,880 Right. 319 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:18,880 So it probably has ripple effects. 320 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:19,880 Yeah, absolutely. 321 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:23,000 Some might see an opportunity they didn't know actually existed. 322 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:24,000 Right. 323 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:25,000 Absolutely. 324 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,440 So it has a ripple effect, right, so that you might start getting ideas. 325 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:28,440 Yeah. 326 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:29,440 I love that. 327 00:16:29,440 --> 00:16:30,440 So telling stories is a larger church. 328 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:34,360 And then I really just appreciated hearing your three stories right here. 329 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:38,120 So just think if we told more stories, that's a really great idea, Liz. 330 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:44,200 So lastly, maybe each of you could share a message with everyone listening, what you 331 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:49,040 would say to someone who might be considering volunteering here at church. 332 00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:53,240 Maybe someone who has never just taken that next step, or maybe someone who's even just 333 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:55,280 thinking about starting a new role. 334 00:16:55,280 --> 00:17:00,640 I know in September, we have our sign up. 335 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:01,840 Our ministry fair. 336 00:17:01,840 --> 00:17:10,360 Our ministry fair, where you can sign up to one or two or three ministries and get involved 337 00:17:10,360 --> 00:17:12,120 that way. 338 00:17:12,120 --> 00:17:21,720 So there is that set up so that it's official, we can get in there, make an impact where 339 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:33,200 we want to fit in, and help out, and be of service to the church, give back to the community, 340 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:40,320 give back to the church, you know, and enjoy being a part of the church, as opposed to 341 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:45,480 just sitting there and not getting involved. 342 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:46,480 Right? 343 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:50,200 This creates community within the church and friendships. 344 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:51,200 That's a great word. 345 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:53,320 Yeah, the creation of community. 346 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:58,560 And as you mentioned, the official sign up usually happens, I think, second week of September, 347 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:02,800 sometimes third week of September, our official ministry fair, where all of the ministries 348 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:07,760 and all of the volunteer opportunities are represented, both online and in person, and 349 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,360 give you that opportunity to sign up. 350 00:18:10,360 --> 00:18:14,600 Yes, thank you for reminding me about that. 351 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:16,520 Anything else? 352 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:25,040 I think I would say to someone who's thinking about volunteering, I'd say, like, do it, 353 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:33,360 explore, come and learn and grow and be blessed and be a blessing. 354 00:18:33,360 --> 00:18:36,320 I'm going to leave it right there because that was really well said. 355 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:38,200 That was a great synopsis. 356 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:42,520 And I just want to say thank you to the three of you for taking your time away from the 357 00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:47,520 cake, which I'm hoping there are still three slices left with your names on them because 358 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:51,280 it looks delicious, and for having this conversation. 359 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:56,320 And I'm really hoping that someone who is out there found this inspiring as well. 360 00:18:56,320 --> 00:19:01,580 And we'll take the time to hear a story, share a story, or maybe even get involved. 361 00:19:01,580 --> 00:19:02,580 So thank you very much. 362 00:19:02,580 --> 00:19:03,580 Thank you. 363 00:19:03,580 --> 00:19:04,580 Thanks for having us. 364 00:19:04,580 --> 00:19:12,600 Thank you.