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Volunteer Opportunities
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for multiple upcoming events. Able to help?
Contact Laurie Wallace Theisen, Director of Lay Ministries.
Saturday, March 27, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Children’s Journey Through Holy Week)
– parking lot helpers
Friday, April 2, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM (Good Friday)
– temperature checks
Sunday, April 4 (8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Sanctuary, 10 AM – 11:15 AM Outdoor)
– parking lot helpers
– registration help
– temperature checks
Leaders are needed for small group studies around the Adam Hamilton book “The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life.” This 6-week study, which will also serve as the basis for the Lenten sermon series, focuses on some of the core pieces that all followers of Jesus must have.
Leaders will be equipped with a leader guide and access to streaming video for all 6 sessions (preview session 1 here).
Please email Pastor Barbara Lee (blee@asburylv.org) if you would consider facilitating a study group so we can order materials for you. Also, please call the church office (610-398-2577) or email if you have any questions.
JANUARY 14, 2021 UPDATE:
All teachers and staff have been signed up for! Thanks for your support!
ORIGINAL MESSAGE
Thanks in part to your tremendous response to the notes of encouragement for educators and staff at our partner school, Luis E. Ramos Elementary School, Asbury in Mission (AIM) is asking for Asbury members to help show our support for educators and staff at Parkway Manor Elementary.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parkland elementary schools have been offering in-person and online classes with frequent shutdowns when a student tests positive. Teachers are really stressed attempting to teach this year—particularly those involved with younger ages and those teaching students with learning disabilities.
Sign up to write a personal, hand-written note of encouragement to one or two teachers or staff members!
Sign up now by adding your name to this Google Sheet. Please write a note to that person ASAP (due date is January 15)!
Put the teacher/staff member’s name on outside of the envelope, leave the envelope unsealed and place it in the container outside Asbury’s top entrance before January 15. • AIM will add a $5 gift card to Wawa and seal the envelope for delivery to Parkway Manor.
Not sure what to say? While you’re encouraged to make it your own, if you have writer’s block, here are a few phrases/ideas to help you get started:
• I want you to know that you are seen and you are valued. You may not be listed as essential workers. But you are essential.
• As a former teacher, I know all the work that goes into teaching under typical circumstances. Teaching during this coronavirus pandemic is so far from typical. It’s literally nothing school systems have ever done before.
• This isn’t what you signed up for, and yet you’re doing it anyway. You’re putting together distance learning plans. You’re adapting your teaching in the blink of an eye.
• I know you miss your students, the classroom community, and the culture you cultivated. I know how much your students mean to you—how they become “your kids” year after year—and how much you love seeing them light up when they learn something new.
• Even though it may not feel like it sometimes, you’re teaching. Right now your kids are learning social-emotional skills that no curriculum could account for.
• You’re the first teachers to tackle a challenge like the one we’re facing now. Years from now, 2020 will be remembered as the year we all learned how to live life at a distance from each other and continue to function as a society.
• Pause a moment and realize that what you’re doing matters. It matters not just for the students you have in your classes today, but also for the future. You’re part of large-scale systemic change and are making history.
• For now, it’s OK to cry together, too. (Or on your own.) If you’d all known that goodbye would be the last for the year, maybe you would have hugged a little longer or high-fived more often. It’s OK to grieve those hugs and high-fives.
• Teachers, parents can’t replace you. You are essential. Take care of yourself. Be well. Try your best. And thank you for being there.
• The #1 factor in the success of our children is having quality teachers who care about them! Thank you for being there!
• From the sidelines, know that our community is cheering you on as you make the very best of a challenging situation in the classroom this year. Thank you for all that you give to our children, families, and community! You’ve got this!
• During this time of much uncertainty, your passion for teaching and your creativity to make learning dynamic and fun for our children is nothing short of amazing! Keep doing what you love, and spread your light to everyone you work with! You are an inspiration to me!
• Thank you so very much for serving our community as a teacher! With much uncertainty ahead, know that you are deeply admired and appreciated for your work with our children. Thank you for all that you do! We believe in you.
• “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
• “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” Deuteronomy 32:2
• “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”-Proverbs 4:13
• Sign your note with your name “and your friends at Asbury Church”
Asbury in Mission (AIM) is asking for Asbury members to help show our support for educators at our partner school, Luis A. Ramos Elementary School in Allentown. All education at Ramos is now virtual due to COVID-19. Teachers are really stressed attempting to teach online, particularly those involved with younger ages, ESL students, and those with learning disabilities.
Sign up to write a personal, hand-written note of encouragement to one or two teachers or staff members! AIM will include a $5 Wawa gift card as well.
Sign up now by adding your name to this Google Sheet. Please write a note to that person before November 20th (we’d like to deliver the notes before Thanksgiving)
Put the teacher/staff member’s name on outside of the envelope, leave the envelope unsealed and place it in the container outside Asbury’s top entrance
AIM will add the address and gift card, and stamp and seal the envelope for mailing.
Not sure what to say? While you’re encouraged to make it your own, if you have writer’s block, here are a few phrases/ideas to help you get started:
• I want you to know that you are seen and you are valued. You may not be listed as essential workers. But you are essential.
• As a former teacher, I know all the work that goes into teaching under typical circumstances. Teaching during this coronavirus pandemic is so far from typical. It’s literally nothing school systems have ever done before.
• This isn’t what you signed up for, and yet you’re doing it anyway. You’re putting together distance learning plans. You’re adapting your teaching in the blink of an eye.
• I know you miss your students, the classroom community, and the culture you cultivated. I know how much your students mean to you—how they become “your kids” year after year—and how much you love seeing them light up when they learn something new.
• Even though it may not feel like it sometimes, you’re teaching. Right now your kids are learning social-emotional skills that no curriculum could account for.
• You’re the first teachers to tackle a challenge like the one we’re facing now. Years from now, 2020 will be remembered as the year we all learned how to live life at a distance from each other and continue to function as a society.
• Pause a moment and realize that what you’re doing matters. It matters not just for the students you have in your classes today, but also for the future. You’re part of large-scale systemic change and are making history.
• For now, it’s OK to cry together, too. (Or on your own.) If you’d all known that goodbye would be the last for the year, maybe you would have hugged a little longer or high-fived more often. It’s OK to grieve those hugs and high-fives.
• Teachers, parents can’t replace you. You are essential. Take care of yourself. Be well. Try your best. And thank you for being there.
• The #1 factor in the success of our children is having quality teachers who care about them! Thank you for being there!
• From the sidelines, know that our community is cheering you on as you make the very best of a challenging situation in the classroom this year. Thank you for all that you give to our children, families, and community! You’ve got this!
• During this time of much uncertainty, your passion for teaching and your creativity to make learning dynamic and fun for our children is nothing short of amazing! Keep doing what you love, and spread your light to everyone you work with! You are an inspiration to me!
• Thank you so very much for serving our community as a teacher! With much uncertainty ahead, know that you are deeply admired and appreciated for your work with our children. Thank you for all that you do! We believe in you.
• “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
• “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” Deuteronomy 32:2
• “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”-Proverbs 4:13
• Sign your note with your name “and your friends at Asbury Church”
Additional information on Asbury and Ramos:
Luis A Ramos Elementary School at 15th and Allen is a long-time Asbury mission partner.
The student population at Ramos ranges from 700-900 depending on the year; and over 90% of Ramos families live below the poverty level.
Over the years Asbury members have been actively involved in the support of Ramos teachers, staff, students and their families.
• Obtaining Books for the Library (Christmas Eve Offering)
• Concert to raise money for musical instruments
• Donation of used musical instruments
• Annual work day to mulch playground and beautify grounds
• Key supporters of the construction of a new playground at Ramos
• A dozen or so Asbury members volunteering in classrooms (prior to the pandemic)
• Backpack drives in the fall
• School supply drives
• Coat, hat and mitten drives
• Adopting Ramos families at Christmas
• Packing holiday gift bags before Christmas
• Gathering cleaning supplies to help teachers keep their classrooms safe
The “Thanks for Giving” Food and Supply Drive to benefit the Allentown Rescue Mission will be held November 15-22. Drop off your donations in the bin outside the door to the upper level 24/7 but prior to 10 AM on Sunday November 22nd. They will be brought inside the church daily. Any donations of canned food and cleaning supplies are welcome, but most needed this year are:
The Rescue Mission is most appreciative of Asbury’s support over the years. In 2019, more than 40,000 meals were served. For more information, https://www.allentownrescuemission.org/.
A note from Wendy Arbushites, coordinator of the Sleeping Mat Ministry.
The Sleeping Mat Ministry team would like to thank everyone for their donations of clean, used plastic grocery bags! An extra thank you to the people who flatten out their bags, to the people who sort theirs by color, and the people who do the folding as per the slideshow! These steps all save us time, so thank you to those of you who take those extra steps for us.
Since early March, we have created 22 sleeping mats for the homeless in the Lehigh Valley. With winter coming, we could use more help to create mats. We would love all of our neighbors in need to have a sleeping mat for the winter.
Each mat takes an estimated 500-700 grocery bags (an average trash bag stuffed tightly full), so it takes a lot of time to make a single sleeping mat. Every bag must be flattened out, folded, cut, strung together and crocheted. Carrying straps and ties must be created, then the mat must be measured, rolled, tied, and given a strap. None of the steps are difficult, but they do take time. Some team members specialize in one or more areas; others do it all.
We would like to clarify what we need to produce sleeping mats.
If you can follow these guidelines, you will help us to cut down on sorting time and on trash disposal. We appreciate you helping this ministry to care for our neighbors!
If you think you might be interested in helping, please contact Wendy Arbushites, coordinator.
Making a sleeping mat slideshow link:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XfdRqCAWgxHmDQVPKQ6luB1JATtKuRApEaNLoJVbHrc/edit#slide=id.p
Recently completed sleeping mats.
Our July delivery to the Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Several more volunteers are needed to help with in-person worship on Sunday mornings. Time commitment would be from 8:30 AM – 9:05 AM, then volunteers could attend worship. Contact Laurie Wallace Theisen, Director of Lay Ministries, at ltheisen@asburylv.org if you can help.
Saturday, September 19, 12 PM – 2 PM (Asbury lower parking lot)
Asbury’s Health Ministry team is holding a collection for the Ripple Community Center. Ripple Community Center is an Allentown outreach that supports Allentown residents Including people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, socially isolated, with a history of trauma or mental illness, and the working poor.
Get a list of needed items at asburylv.org/ripplecollection.
Saturday, September 26, 9 AM – 12 PM
Since the Allentown School District schools won’t be physically open we’ve delayed our Annual Ramos Elementary Work Day until September 26th (with a rain date of October 3rd) from 9:00 AM to noon. We’ll be cleaning up the grounds and remulching the playground. We will follow the governor’s guidelines for masks, distancing and number of people. If you can help, please add your name to our Google Sheet.
Saturday, October 10, 10 AM – 12 PM (Asbury’s upper parking lot)
Get a list of needed items at asburylv.org/CROPcollection.
fundraise and complete on own through October 11
The CROP Walk raises funds and awareness to help combat world hunger.
Visit crophungerwalk.org/allentownpa to register and start raising funds with our team ASBURY SPIRIT or to make a donation to Asbury Spirit team member.
Visit asburylv.org/CROPWalk for more information.
Create at home
Ever heard of PLARN????
ongoing
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank needs volunteers noon to 2-2:30 pm Monday, Thursday and Friday and an occasional Tuesday to pack groceries for clients. Everyone must wear mask. Contact Vanessa by calling 610-821-1332.
As we enter the fall, we’re looking for instrumentalists to share their gifts and talents as part of worship. If you’re willing to lend your time, please contact Shellie in the church office at sfritchman@asburylv.org or 610-398-2577 and a member of the music staff will be in contact.
Asbury’s Health Ministry team is holding a collection for the Ripple Community Center. Ripple Community Center is an Allentown outreach that supports Allentown residents Including people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, socially isolated, with a history of trauma or mental illness, and the working poor.
Get a list of needed items at asburylv.org/ripplecollection.
If you can help, please bring your donations to Asbury on Saturday, September 19, from noon until 2 PM.
There will be someone to accept your items, following all the current guidelines for social distancing.
The Asbury Health Ministry Team greatly appreciates your generosity!
Since the Allentown School District schools won’t be physically open we’ve delayed our Annual Ramos Work Day until September 26th (with a rain date of October 3rd) from 9:00 AM to noon. We’ll be cleaning up the grounds and remulching the playground. We will follow the governor’s guidelines for masks, distancing and number of people. If you can help, please add your name to our Google Sheet.
Ever heard of PLARN????
Wanted: people interested in making plastic sleeping mats for the homeless to insulate them from the cold dampness of the ground
Skills needed: cutting with scissors and single crochet (or team up with someone to share these two jobs)
Tools needed: scissors, a bigger-sized crochet hook (size “P” is recommended), a yardstick or measuring tape
Raw materials: clean used plastic shopping and grocery bags with soft seams – these are turned into a plastic yarn, called… plarn!
Guidance: Wendy Arbushites can teach you how to do the entire process. It’s very easy!
Supply source: We currently have plenty of bags which have been “quarantined” for at least a week to avoid any Coronavirus issues. Please email Wendy if you are interested in helping.
Click here to view a slideshow with steps to make a mat.
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank needs volunteers noon to 2-2:30 pm Monday, Thursday and Friday and an occasional Tuesday to pack groceries for clients. Everyone must wear mask. Contact Vanessa by calling 610-821-1332.
As you know, teachers at our partner school, Ramos Elementary, have requested supplies including Clorox wipes, paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, hand soap to help keep their classrooms and students safe this fall. It has been recently announced that Allentown School District classrooms won’t be opening in September, but we’re still collecting and Ramos will store the supplies for the teachers to be prepared when the classrooms do open. We’ll hold a drop-off for the items you’ve collected on Friday August 21st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Saturday August 22nd from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Thank you, Asbury, for helping keep Ramos teachers and students safe.
Since the Allentown School District schools won’t be physically open we’ve delayed our Annual Ramos Work Day until September 26th (with a rain date of October 3rd) from 9:00 AM to noon. We’ll be cleaning up the grounds and remulching the playground. We will follow the governor’s guidelines for masks, distancing and number of people. If you can help, please add your name to our Google Sheet.
Asbury’s Health Ministry team is holding a collection for the Ripple Community Center. Ripple Community Center is an Allentown outreach that supports Allentown residents Including people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, socially isolated, with a history of trauma or mental illness, and the working poor.
Get a list of needed items at asburylv.org/ripplecollection.
If you can help, please bring your donations to Asbury on Saturday, September 19, from noon until 2 PM.
There will be someone to accept your items, following all the current guidelines for social distancing.
The Asbury Health Ministry Team greatly appreciates your generosity!
Ever heard of PLARN????
Wanted: people interested in making plastic sleeping mats for the homeless to insulate them from the cold dampness of the ground
Skills needed: cutting with scissors and single crochet (or team up with someone to share these two jobs)
Tools needed: scissors, a bigger-sized crochet hook (size “P” is recommended), a yardstick or measuring tape
Raw materials: clean used plastic shopping and grocery bags with soft seams – these are turned into a plastic yarn, called… plarn!
Guidance: Wendy Arbushites can teach you how to do the entire process. It’s very easy!
Supply source: We currently have plenty of bags which have been “quarantined” for at least a week to avoid any Coronavirus issues. Please email Wendy if you are interested in helping.
Click here to view a slideshow with steps to make a mat.
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank needs volunteers noon to 2-2:30 pm Monday, Thursday and Friday and an occasional Tuesday to pack groceries for clients. Everyone must wear mask. Contact Vanessa by calling 610-821-1332.
Since the Allentown School District schools won’t be physically open we’ve delayed our Annual Ramos Work Day until September 26th (with a rain date of October 3rd) from 9:00 AM to noon. We’ll be cleaning up the grounds and remulching the playground. We will follow the governor’s guidelines for masks, distancing and number of people. If you can help, please add your name to our Google Sheet.
Teachers at our partner school, Ramos Elementary, have requested supplies including Clorox wipes, paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, hand soap to help keep their classrooms and students safe this fall. It has been recently announced that Allentown School District classrooms won’t be opening in September, but we’re still collecting and Ramos will store the supplies for the teachers to be prepared when the classrooms do open. We’ll hold a drop-off for the items you’ve collected on Friday August 21st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Saturday August 22nd from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Thank you, Asbury, for helping keep Ramos teachers and students safe.
Teachers at our partner school, Ramos Elementary, have requested supplies to help keep their classrooms and students safe this fall. Please start gathering, Clorox wipes, paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, hand soap for classroom use. We’ll have a collection day at Asbury in August to gather these items for delivery to Ramos. If you have questions, contact Dick McCreight.
On Saturday, March 7, Asbury is hosting the North District’s Tools for Ministry event. This event is a way to get encouraged, educated, and equipped to do ministry. We’re looking for volunteers to help make this event happen! If you can help, contact Laurie Wallace Theisen in the church office. Learn more about the event at asburylv.org/toolsforministry.
Friendly, smiling volunteers are needed to do a monthly shift before the 11:00 service at the downstairs Welcome Center. If you can help, contact Laurie Wallace Theisen at LTHEISEN@ASBURYLV.ORG.
UPDATED INFORMATION:
Looking to find a place you can belong? For a way to be connected, use your gifts and talents, or dive deeper into scripture? Learn about the many groups of Asbury – and how you can be connected to them – at our Ministry Fair on Sunday, February 23 between morning services.
ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Save the date: Asbury will be holding a Ministry Fair on Sunday, February 23, between morning services. This event will be a great way to get more information about and get connected to groups and ministries of the church. If you’re a group leader and want to have a representative from your group at the fair to share information about your group, contact the Spiritual Focus Team at spiritualfocusteam@asburylv.org. More information to come!
| Party help still needed! Contact Pastor Barbara Lee at blee@asburylv.org to volunteer! |
• We have children who will need sponsors. Each sponsor will make direct contact with their assigned family, buy and wrap 2 gifts per child at the direction of the care-giving family, and then attend our Angel Tree party with the child and their family.
• We need volunteers to help plan and organize the details of the party as well as help the night of the party with setup, cleanup, and various tasks throughout the night.
• We need donations of supplies for the party.
• We are also requesting monetary donations to help cover the cost of the party (pizza, drinks, entertainment, etc.).
There are so many ways that you can get involved!
ANGEL TREE CHILD ASSIGNMENTS AND VOLUNTEER SIGNUPS FOR PARTY:
On Sunday, November 10 our Angel Tree Team Representatives will be in the Community Room from 9 AM – 10:30 AM. During this time, Asbury families who wish to sponsor a child can receive their information and those interested in volunteering to help with the party can sign up for certain tasks.
For those who cannot make the sign-ups on Sunday, November 10 but would like to sign up to help, please contact Rev. Barbara Lee, Asbury’s Pastor of Discipleship and Congregational Care at blee@asburylv.org.
For more information about the Angel Tree program, visit www.angeltree.org.
God’s Rainbow, Asbury’s Sunday School class for young adults with developmental disabilities and autism, is in need of a few teachers on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30. Volunteering once a month would be very much appreciated, and training is provided. Contact Karen Mitton if you are able to help.
