The Congregational Life Committee encourages Mount Olive members and friends to support one another in times of loss and transition, to celebrate together in times of joy, and simply to enjoy being together in ordinary times.
This wide-ranging ministry takes many forms.
- Communion Ministry: Take Holy Communion from our liturgies to members who cannot come to church.
- Congregational Care: Tend to those experiencing challenges.
- Friendly Calling: Contact individuals who need an empathetic ear.
- Hospitality: Ensure tasty food is served for congregational events.
- Prayer Chain: Pray for anyone in need of God’s love, healing, and mercy.
- Prayer Shawls: Make shawls for those in need of prayer or comfort.
- Sunday Coffee Hour: Serve refreshments for gatherings following our liturgies.
- Transitions Support Group: Support those in need of encouragement as they face challenges.
- Transportation: Arrange rides to Mount Olive’s liturgies for members who cannot drive.
To volunteer for or to receive care through any of these ministries, contact the director of congregational life or Mount Olive’s administrative assistant.
Communion Ministry
As an extension of Pastor Crippen’s ministry, each week communion ministers visit members of our congregation who are not able to attend a Sunday liturgy because of a short-term recuperation or long-term illness.
Visitors share the Eucharist, creating a connection to Mount Olive’s weekly worship.
- Typically communion ministers visit one or two members once a month.
- Visits are typically made Sundays but can be on other days.
- Each year communion ministers make more than 200 visits.
How you can participate
- Volunteer to become part of this rewarding experience.
Congregational Care
Congregational Care increases awareness of and ministers to the physical and emotional needs of individuals and their families who are experiencing challenges such as the loss of a loved one, job loss, health concerns, loneliness, parenting challenges, or caregiver stress.
This ministry is offered in a variety of ways. For example:
- Meals are supplied once a week for a month to families experiencing the birth of a child or to others needing short-term assistance.
- When possible, people are directed to community resources as needed.
- An educational event addressed end-of-life issues and provided instruction for preparing advanced directives.
How you can participate
- Prepare and deliver meals.
- Visit individuals struggling with health issues or loneliness.
- Serve on this subcommittee.
Friendly Calling
Friendly callers contact individuals in the congregation who need an empathetic ear. Some people who receive calls are no longer able to worship at Mount Olive. Others attend our liturgies but otherwise have limited contact with the congregation.
This simple but significant ministry is carried out by callers who:
- Contact two to four individuals once or twice a month
- Have the ability to listen actively
- Refrain from trying to “fix” things for the person they call
- Draw their topics of conversation from the person they call
- May write notes to those who are difficult to reach or who prefer written communication
How you can participate
- Volunteer to be a caller. (A short training session is provided.)
Hospitality
The hospitality ministry ensures food is served for congregational events, ranging from funeral gatherings to the purely social, annual Senior Advent Luncheon.
For funerals, families pay for the food that is served. Additional donations (always voluntary) support a variety of Mount Olive ministries. The ministry group sets up tables and provides simple decorations.
How you can participate
- Volunteer to cook, either at the church or in your home.
- Volunteer to help clean up, do the dishes, and make sure the kitchen is tidy.
Prayer Chain
Members of Mount Olive’s prayer chain respond to requests made by members or friends of the congregation.
- Although prayers are often related to surgery or other health issues, any matter for which a person would like prayer support will be honored.
- Prayers are offered only with the permission of the person being prayed for. The names of those prayed for and the subject of the request are always held in confidence by prayer chain members.
How you can participate
- Join with others who offer their prayers by contacting the director for congregational life.
- Make a prayer request by contacting Mount Olive’s administrative assistant (612-827-5919 or welcome@mountolivechurch.org) or the director of congregational life.
Prayer Shawls
Prayer Shawl Ministry creates knitted and crocheted shawls for those who are in need of prayer or comfort, and as reminders of the Mount Olive faith community.
- Shawl makers use their skills and talents to create shawls of many size, shapes, and colors for many occasions: baptism, high school graduation, and in times of illness or loss.
- Shawls are also donated to the chaplain at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
How you can participate
- Whether you are a skilled at knitting or crocheting or a beginner, you are welcome to join the group.
- You may request a prayer shawl from Mount Olive’s pastor, vicar, administrative assistant, or director of congregational life.
Sunday Coffee Hour
Coffee and treats, usually served in the East Assembly Room, contribute to lively conversation after every liturgy.
The coffee hour coordinator will coach new hosts about the workings of the kitchen. Procedures for hosts are summarized in this downloadable PDF.
How you can participate
- Come to the coffee hour to visit with friends and meet other members and guests.
- Sign up to host a coffee hour on the schedule posted in the East Assembly Room, or send an email to the director of congregational life or Mount Olive’s administrative assistant.
- Pair up with an experienced coffee host to learn the routine.
- Form a team to serve for a special occasion—or just for fun.
Transitions Support Group
The Transitions Support Group strengthens the emotional health, resilience, and well-being of Mount Olive adult members and friends facing transitional life events. These might include:
- Chronic or acute illness of self, family member, or friend
- Death of loved one
- Divorce or difficult relationship problem
- Job instability or change
- Diminished abilities for self or loved one
- Any life event that is self-identified as stressful, a loss, or the source of temporary or long-term grief.
Support is offered through
- Active listening of peers and group facilitators
- Sharing similar experiences with others in the group
- Recommending resources that may help alleviate stress
How you can participate
- Attend a meeting at any time for either short- or long-term support.
- Note: Because the group serves the needs of its members, the frequency of meetings is flexible and is determined by the group.
Transportation
The Congregational Life Committee’s transportation coordinator arranges rides for people who, usually because of age or declining health, have given up driving.
How you can participate
- Contact the director of congregational life if you would like to be matched with a driver.
- Volunteer to provide a ride for someone in need.
