Helping Hands is a ministry designed to assist people in our church who are facing temporary difficulties or are otherwise experiencing temporary challenges in carrying out the day-to-day responsibilities. These may include situations such as a death in the family, the birth of a child, or a short-term illness or injury that prohibits a parent from caring for the household responsibilities.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called upon to help one another. If everyone in the church who is able volunteered for one position, most people would only be called once or twice a year to fill their commitment.

The volunteer duties are not on-going. Usually people need help for less than three weeks. Therefore, meals would be spaced out accordingly to help the family, and yard work or house cleaning might need to be done once during that time, if at all, likewise with errands. When we have a church family who is moving within the
community or out of the community, it is a big help to have a team of people show up to make the job easier and go more quickly.

A more specific breakdown of what would be required is as follows:

Meal Preparation: You may be needed to prepare a meal for a family. For this you would either make a casserole or a main dish and one side dish. Choosing to provide more than this, such as a dessert or bread, would be your decision. If it is a planned need, such as the birth of a child or a surgery, it may be possible for you to make a casserole and give it to the family ahead of time so that it can be kept in the family’s freezer until it is needed. Meals will not be planned for every day, but rather spaced throughout the time needed.

Assisting with Yard Work and/or Cleaning: Occasionally, a family has a longer-term temporary need. When this happens, some weekly or monthly jobs pile up. Outside, you may be needed to help shovel snow, rake leaves, or mow someone’s lawn. Inside, you may be needed to help clean someone’s house, which may include changing beds, vacuuming, and cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. These jobs would most likely be done with at least one other volunteer in a single day or partial day.

Running Errands: If someone is temporarily housebound or unable to drive for a shortperiod of time, there may be a need to help them out with errands. You may be asked to go to the grocery or pharmacy or take someone to a doctor’s appointment.

Helping People Move: You may be asked to work with a team of people to help a church family move to or from the area. Helping people with a move is not only good exercise, it’s also a great way to get to know people! Usually a moving team consists of six to twelve people who help move all but the heavy items. (The moving family is responsible for coordinating or hiring a company to move large items, such as appliances, pianos, big screen TV’s, etcetera.) Men, women, and teens can help. If you have a truck and would
be willing to use it, please indicate so.

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Himas you have helped His people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).

You will find out that serving your brothers and sisters in Christ is also a ministry to you!

To volunteer with this ministry or if you have any questions that have not been answered here, please contact Elena Liggett at 233-4749 or eliggett@sc.rr.com