Service Opportunities

We believe God creates a loving and just world through people!
Here's what you can do to help connect people in the Twin Cities with life-giving resources:

HIGHLIGHTED THIS WEEK:

Habitat for Humanity 2024 Project: Volunteers can sign up for the Habitat for Humanity 2024 Project at the Habitat Humanity Hub:  http://holyhammers.tchabitat.volunteerhub.com. The project will run from April 15 - June 14. Volunteers can sign up for any day during the project. Centennial has been asked to focus on 6/24, 6/3-6 and 6/10-14. If you can help out with food service contact: Bonnie Bougie (bougiebj@hotmail.com) or Pat Torgrimson (pat.torgrimson@gmail.com). Questions? Contact Jack Griffin (jacklgriffin@hotmail.com).

Midwest Mission Service Trip: Centennial UMC will be sending two teams to serve at the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Pawnee, IL in July of 2024.
  • One team (up to 10 individuals) will be serving for four days, Monday July 15 to Thursday July 18, with anticipated travel days on Sunday July 14 and Friday July 19. Cost to register: $150.
  • Another team (up to 16 indivduals) will be serving for two days, Wendesday July 17 and Thursday July 18, with anticipated travel days on Tuesday July 16 and Friday July 19. Cost to register: $63.
Contact Pastor Jen (janderson@centennialumc.org), Mike Ash (michael_ash@comcast.net) or Diana Ash (dianalynnash@gmail.com) with questions.
[SIGN UP HERE] 

Coffee Hour Volunteers: Volunteers are needed for the Sunday Coffee Hour at the Roseville Campus. [CLICK HERE] for easy online sign-up . If the link is not for you, please sign up on the paper form at the Roseville sign-up center or email Dodie (dodiewoodis@gmail.com) with the Sunday(s) you are available.

Office Volunteer Sign-up: Can you help us cover the Roseville front office desk until the new Communications and Office Manager position is filled? Volunteers will be answering phones and helping with light office work as needed (details and instructions provided). [CLICK HERE] to sign up!
Responding for Racial Justice in the Twin Cities: 
As people of faith, we believe that we are called to heal a broken world, and this includes racial justice. Thank you!

Food Distribution to Schoolchildren in Partnership with Every Meal

Mission: To fight child hunger by providing weekend food to schoolchildren, helping to cover the weekend food gap when they are not in school for meal programs.
Description:  Packing culturally diverse food bags in the Every Meal warehouse.  Covid precautions are taken with a cap of volunteers at any one time, a requirement of masks and gloves, social distancing in workspaces and thorough cleaning of work areas between usage.
Qualifications: Desire to make an impact on child hunger.
When:  Schedule at your convenience.  Go www.everymeal.org, click on the yellow volunteer button at the top.  Scroll down to the scheduling options and select what will work for you.
Where: Warehouse, 2723 Patton Road, Roseville, just off County Rd. C on City Center Dr.

Want to get involved?

Contact: Anita Mayfield | k.anita.mayfield@gmail.com | 651-483-8339
Or Bonnie Koch | toouray@aol.com | 651-683-2992

Outreach to Fairview Alternative High School (FAHS) Students

Mission:  To support students with unique challenges who are working to meet the requirements for a high school diploma and pass the GED.
Description:  A pool of volunteers will organize and sponsor specific events for students during the school year, such as, end of term celebrations, recognition events for student progress, etc. Other student needs will be met, such as providing bus cards, hygiene items, clothing, emergency assistance, etc.  
Qualifications:  Desire to help plan and organize events, including specific tasks of purchasing supplies, setup, cleanup, etc., divided among volunteers by interests and availability.  Desire to organize ways to meet other student needs on an occasional basis.
When:  Once or twice a month, as requested by the FAHS Social Worker.
Where:  Fairview Alternative High School, Fairview Community Center, Roseville

Want to make a difference?

Contact: Anita Mayfield | k.anita.mayfield@gmail.com | 651-483-8339
Or Bonnie Koch | toouray@aol.com | 651-683-2992

Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Cooks for Kids Small Group

Mission: Provide home-away-from-home meals for families whose children are being treated for life-threatening illnesses at Twin Cities-area hospitals. Since its beginning, Centennial has served meals to more than 5,000 family members, staff and volunteers.
Description: Members of Centennial’s Cooks for Kids group purchase, prepare and serve dinner for 75-90 people about once a month at the RMH Oak Street House near the U of M. Some members donate food, while others donate food, prepare and serve the dinners.
Qualifications: All volunteers must be 14 years or older. For the safety of the children and families served, no one in the group should be exposed to chickenpox in the last 21 days or had any communicable diseases such as mumps, strep throat, measles or other infection. In addition, anyone who has had a cold, fever or flu-like symptoms within the previous 24 hours should not attend.
When: Dates and individual’s participation vary. Generally: once a month on Monday or Tuesday nights from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers are not required to stay the entire time. Approximately 15-20 members participate in every dinner.
Where: Ronald McDonald House, near the Minneapolis Campus of the University of Minnesota.

Want to brighten someone's day?

Contact: Diane & Tom Anderson | dbanderson@comcast.net | 651-398-5904

Holy Hammers/Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Mission: Eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience.
Description: As part of a team, assist with carpentry, painting and clean-up of construction or remodeling sites.  Volunteers are also needed to donate beverages, snacks and to prepare and serve food for volunteers. Supervision is supplied by a Habitat site supervisor and an AmeriCorps member. You will be working with a crew of Centennial members and other community volunteers.
Qualifications: There are jobs for any skill level. 
When: Annual build is in the spring/summer—sign up for a day or more.  There is also a regular crew that volunteers every Thursday throughout the year.
Where: Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Want to help someone feel safe in a home?

Contact: Jack Griffin | jacklgriffin@hotmail.com | 651-587-9264   

Fairview Refugee Program

Mission: To provide basic skills to adult refugee students as they learn English and adapt to life in Minnesota.
Description: Volunteers provide friendly, supportive assistance to students from a wide variety of countries through the following small groups an after-school program:
  • Sewing & Knitting Skills: make easy, practical items for themselves or others.
  • English Conversation Groups: practice and improve language skills.
Qualifications: Share basic Sewing or Knitting skills.  Be able to lead small Conversation groups, as directed by the Adult Education Volunteer Coordinator.  (The AEVC organizes and assigns volunteers as needed in these and other educational programs.)
When: Groups meet in 8-week blocks during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Roseville Adult Learning Center located at the Fairview Community Center

Want to empower and learn from our newest neighbors?

Contact:  Anita Mayfield | k.anita.mayfield@gmail.com | 651-483-8339

Walker Methodist Health Center

Mission: A Methodist-related center for short term or long-term care, working closely with each and every person to provide care and services that promote dignity, autonomy, and comfort.
Description: Collect used jewelry year round for the Walker Auxiliary to clean, repair and sell, which supports the needs of Walker residents.  Be the link from Centennial’s United Methodist Women’s group to Walker.  
Qualifications:  Able to drive to Walker in south Minneapolis with deliveries; able to attend Centennial United Methodist Women functions and Walker functions 2-3 times a year.
When:  Collect jewelry all year, serve coffee party in the fall and collect items for “Give a Little Gift” bags at Christmas time.
Where: Walker in Minneapolis and Centennial Campuses

Want to bring comfort and dignity to someone?

Contact:  Carol Johnson | c2020johnson@gmail.com | or Debbie Wright | fdisthebest@comcast.net

Emma Norton Services Liaison

Mission: Affordable housing for homeless women and children dealing with challenges of mental illness and chemical dependency.
Description:  Be liaison between Emma Norton Services and Centennial’s United Methodist Women’s board who keeps up to date to the needs for personal products and especially paper products.  Attend and support annual fundraising dinner at Emma Norton.  Help re-decorate rooms at the Residence: painting, window treatment, bedding, décor items.
Qualifications:  Willingness to advocate and do hands-on work.
When:  Board meeting first Tuesday afternoon each month; as needed at Emma Norton.
Where:  Emma Norton Residence is in downtown St. Paul and Emma Norton Place is in Maplewood.

Want to help someone experience new life?

Contact: Judy Phillips | judy-phillips@comcast.net

Clothing & Household Items Drive

Mission:  Provide Clothing & Household Items to persons in need in various St Paul & Minneapolis places
Description:  Collect Clothing & Household Items in October on a Saturday & Sunday morning in Centennial’s Roseville parking lot and deliver.
Qualification:  Need persons with trucks or vans to transport items
When:  We usually collect in October on a Saturday & Sunday morning
Where:  Centennial parking lot and deliver to needy places in St Paul & Minneapolis

Want to make someone’s life a little easier?

Contact: Pauline Richards | richardsgp09@gmail.com

Meals on Wheels

Mission: Help adults live independently in the community by delivering meals to their homes. Also serves as a wellness visit.
Description: Deliver meals to individuals in need.
Qualification: A reliable form of transportation and a passion for connecting with people.
When: Every third Tuesday from 11:00am-approximately 12:00pm
Where: Roseville area

Want to bring comfort and companionship to someone? 

Contact: Rick Schultz | rickjs1850@gmail.com | 651-647-9381

Sierra Leone Mission Trip

Mission: Working side by side with several villages in the West African country of Sierra Leone to improve basic healthcare, primary education, essential physical needs, economic development, and offer spiritual nurturing.
Description: Teams of Centennial members and friends travel together to Sierra Leone to build relationships with our brothers and sisters in villages of northern Sierra Leone.  We also assist with projects as needed including, but not limited to, working in the clinic, primary school, assisting with building or maintenance projects in the villages, and worship at the local United Methodist Churches.
Qualifications:  An open and willing heart to serve and get to know the people of the country.  There are activities for many skill levels.  The climate is hot and humid – team members will be required to have their healthcare professionals sign off on their fitness for travel to a developing country.  Additionally, team members will need to visit a travel clinic and receive applicable vaccinations.  One health professional is also needed for the team to look after the team member basic health practices during the trip.
When: Winter or Spring each year.
Where:  Sierra Leone, West Africa

Want to improve someone's life and witness God at work in Sierra Leone?

Contact: Eric Bjorklund | ebjorklund@centennialumc.org | 651.633.7644