A Day in the Life…
of Welcome Desk Volunteer Nancy Near
How does a usual Sunday morning begin at the Welcome Desk?
Rebecca Harley, our Membership & Volunteer Coordinator, prepares the Welcome Desk 30 minutes before the first service; she checks the hearing devices, places the volunteer reserved seating signs in the pews, and secures bulletins. Our volunteers relieve her 20 minutes before the first service ends. Committee members sign up for shifts of 1 to 2 hours each, ending 45 minutes after the last service. Usually three people are scheduled for the busiest times, before and after each service.
How often do you volunteer at the Welcome Desk?
I am here year-round, so I serve most every Sunday. Not everyone serves the entire year because we lose some of our volunteers during the summer months.
Have you ever had too many volunteers? No.
What happens if you don’t have enough volunteers?
I fill in the empty shifts myself or call our volunteers who have requested extra shifts.
What is the role of a Welcome Desk volunteer?
Our goal is to help, in a warm and friendly manner, all who enter the church doors in any way that we can. It often entails answering questions about the locations of church facilities and programs. We have numerous pamphlets and materials to share with them. If they are seeking information about membership, we escort them to the Visitors kiosk and introduce them to Rebecca or someone on her team. We also answer the phone on Sunday mornings, handle Lost and Found, take the orders for CDs and DVDs, distribute the hearing devices and check them back in at the end of the service, help guests with change of address forms, and process requests for nametags.
In what kind of work have you been involved?
I am a former schoolteacher and have been Hospitality Chair of the Southwest Florida Speakers Assembly for over 10 years. Serving at the First Church Welcome Desk is also a form of hospitality that I have enjoyed for over 20 years.
How has volunteering impacted your life and faith journey?
Being able to interact with brothers and sisters in Christ is an extension of the faith and happiness that we enjoy in Christ. It has enhanced the depth of my faith journey and increased my thankfulness. I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul said about service in 1 Corinthians 12. I invite you to read it again and then volunteer! You will treasure the experience.
More from Welcome Desk Volunteers
Barbara Marcus: It has been a wonderful experience to volunteer at the Welcome Desk. When I joined the church, I knew I wanted to contribute and know the congregation. It is a great joy to offer my assistance and the blessing I receive outweighs my efforts.
Pennie Clifford: I have done volunteering most of my life; there is so much satisfaction in being of service and helping people. My life has been blessed and volunteering is just one way to say “Thank You” for all of those blessings from God.
