Why We Serve
We serve because God has first served us. We believe that no one has ever served others quite the way that Jesus served others when he lived the life we could never live and died the death we deserve. We serve as a response to that, as an act of worship. We have lots of amazing opportunities to serve at City on a Hill Church. See below for how you can be involved.
Volunteer Interest Form
Check out descriptions of each team below!
Worship Team
Description of the team and roles: Leading the church to experience God and encourage one another in song.
Team leads: Emmanuel & Erica Okharedia
Additional meetings/trainings required: Thursday rehearsal at 7PM
Minimum commitment level: Once a month, arrive at 8:30AM on Sundays
Skills needed: Proficient at instrument or vocals.
Membership required or no: On track to become a member
Next steps: Fill out the audition form here.
CoaH Kids
Description of the team and roles: CoaH Kids equips and encourages the minds and souls of the children in our church community through Christ-centered discipleship. On Sundays, we welcome the children to engage with God and deepen their relationship with him through his Word, prayer, community, and creativity. Every week, we need volunteers in the following areas:
Hospitality: 1 volunteer to run check-in/out
Infant Nursery (age range: 6-23 mos): 2-3 helpers
Toddler Classroom (age range: 2-3 yrs): 1 leader, 1-2 helpers
Younger Classroom (age range: 4-6 yrs): 1 leader, 1 helper
Older Classroom (age range: 7-10 yrs): 1 leader, 1 helper
Team leads: Alexis Donnelly (CoaH Kids Director); Maddie Ruf and Susan Redus (CoaH Kids Leadership Team)
Additional meetings/trainings required: Onboarding requires an application (with character references), ~2 hrs of video trainings, and a conversation with the Kids Director; classroom leaders will shadow at least once as a helper; at least once a year, the CoaH Kids team meets for additional training/fellowship.
Minimum commitment level: Most volunteers serve once a month; volunteers arrive 30-60 mins before service; all roles except hospitality serve for the entirety of the service.
Skills needed: This is different for every role! Generally, an appreciation/excitement for children and their discipleship in Christ is a good base line, but we welcome volunteers with a range of different experiences working with and teaching kids.
Membership required or no: No, except for classroom leaders
Next steps: Complete the CoaH Kids Application or talk to Alexis for more information.
First Impressions
Description of the team and roles:
Chairs, Tables, Signs: Set up our signs, welcome table, and chairs. Stay after church to put the signs and tables away.
Coffee: Prepare the coffee and set up the refreshments table before church. Clean up and put everything away after church.
Bagels: Pick up bagels from a local bakery on your way to church. This role is best for people who drive to church.
Mug Washers: Take our coffee mugs home to wash and return the following week. This role is best for people who drive to church and have a dishwasher.
Team Leads: Riley Orrell
Additional meetings/trainings required: N/A
Minimum commitment level: Arrive early and stay late once/month
Skills needed: N/A
Membership required or no: No
Next steps: Notify Riley of your interest. The first time you are scheduled on the team will be alongside an experienced team member who can show you what needs to be done.
Audio/Visual Team
Description of the team and roles: Each Sunday, a member of the team will turn on and troubleshoot the sound system at the church and will set up the livestream. Team member assigned for that Sunday will also need to tear down and put away equipment after service.
Team leads: Emmanuel Okharedia, Michael Villalobos, Brenden Roberts
Additional meetings/trainings required: Read documentation, Watch X32 basics course, Shadow a Sunday, Be shadowed a Sunday, Lead a Sunday.
Minimum commitment level: One Sunday per month, show up 1.25 hours (8:15AM) before service starts, stay after to tear down for .25 hours.
Skills needed: Musical ear to hear sound composition, attention to detail, problem solving
Membership required or no: No
Next steps: Let any of the team leaders know you are interested.
Slides Team
Description of the team and roles: For each Sunday, a member of the slides team will make slides with song lyrics and liturgy. Before service, they will work with the A/V team to set up the livestream and recording. During service, they will advance slides to stay in sync with the worship team and, with the A/V team, troubleshoot livestream issues.
Team leads: Jonathan Redus
Additional meetings/trainings required: On the job training the first 3-5 times
Minimum commitment level: Once per month, show up 30 minutes before service and stay 5 minutes after.
Skills needed: Basic computer skills, attention to detail.
Membership required or no: No
Next steps: Let Jonathan know you are interested. After that, you will go through a simple training process before independently making and running slides.
Communion
Description of the team and roles: All covenant members of City on a Hill Somerville are able to serve communion to the congregation. There are 4 volunteers needed each Sunday to serve communion and to set up and tear down the communion station. Each week the volunteers for the upcoming Sunday will receive an email reminder and a document which outlines the role’s expectations and instructions for how to serve communion.
Team leads: Leah Chestnut
Additional meetings/trainings required: N/A
Minimum commitment level: Once per month at most, typically less often
Skills needed: Ability to stand for 5 minutes
Membership required or no: Yes
Next steps: When you become a member, you are automatically added to this team. You may contact Leah to be removed from the team if you prefer.
Announcements
Description of the team and roles: When you’re on announcements, you’re doing more than making announcements. You’re leading God’s people through an important part of the worship gathering. Your disposition and presence should reflect someone who is participating in a worship gathering.
Team leads: Chris Chestnut
Additional meetings/trainings required: N/A
Minimum commitment level: Every other month
Skills needed: Ability to review the announcement script ahead of time & flush out any details. You will also need to get to the church at 9:15AM to join in prayer and logistical coordination.
Membership required or no: Yes
Next steps: Reach out to Chris Chestnut.
Scripture Reader
Description of the team and roles: This is leading an important part of the liturgy - reading God’s very Word to His people! Scripture readers have the opportunity to bring God’s Word to life and share it with their community.
Team leads: Amanda Bares
Additional meetings/trainings required: N/A
Minimum commitment level: Once every 8-12 weeks. Read through the passage a few times before the service to ensure you can read it with minimal stumbling and to ensure emphasis is where you’d like it to be. Please arrive at the church by 9:15AM on Scripture-reading days to join in prayer and logistics coordination.
Skills needed: Ability to read smoothly and confidently in front of the congregation. If this is something you’d like to work on through this role, please reach out to Amanda!
Membership required or no: Yes
Next steps: Email Amanda if interested.
Prayer Counselors
Description of the team and roles: Prayer counselors on the responsive prayer team will help facilitate an opportunity for congregants to respond to God through intercession and encouragement at the end of the worship service.
Team leads: Alexa Villalobos
Additional meetings/trainings required: 1.5 hour prayer preparation training
Minimum commitment level: About once monthly. Arrive 15 minutes before the service to pray with other volunteers. Pray with any congregants who ask for prayer after the sermon and stay for a few minutes after the service ends.
Skills needed:
Membership required or no: Yes
Next steps: Email Alexa if interested.