Volunteer & Service Opportunities

We have many opportunities to volunteer and serve at our church. On this page you will find those options available to you. There truly is a place for everyone, every talent, every skill, and every gift here at Kennewick First.

Worship Volunteers

Greeters: Welcome people as they enter our doors! A friendly smile and a handshake is the only requirement. Contact Kara Morris at 783-4888 to sign up.

Liturgists: Read the scripture and assist in worship during both the 9:00 Alternative Service or the 10:30 Traditional Service each Sunday morning. Contact Debra in the church office at 582-2163 to help or email her at debra@kennewickfirst.com .

Ushers: Assist people entering the church to worship, care for special needs, take attendance, pass the offering plates, oversee the welfare of the congregation during the services. Contact Jane Hunt at 627-6183 or email her janehunt@frontier.com to assist.

Communion Assistants: Help serve the communion elements on the first Sunday of each month. The bread and juice are prepared by our Communion Coordinator, Koren Burling. Call Koren at 585-9168 or email korenburling@me.com to help serve.

Altar Decor: Decorate the altar periodically throughout the year and utilize your creative talents. Call Phyllis Merrill at 586-3784 to sign up.

Coffee Hour: Get the brew a 'brewin' for one of the two coffee hours we have after worship. Call Peggy Puryear at 539-1613 or email her at peggy@kennewickfirst.com  to help.

Recycle

Everyone can be a volunteer through our Recycling Program! It is easy, keeps our planet healthy, and the proceeds we earn by recycling goes to finance our Sunday morning Bus Ministry! Our recycling volunteers bring in enough revenue to fully supply the gas that operates two 15 passenger buses picking up those who cannot drive to church, those who need a ride periodically, and those who simply enjoy having someone else drive!

We recycle newspaper (please tie them together in bundles), magazines (please sack them), all aluminum cans (they do not have to be crushed), pie plates, Reynolds wrap (no tin!), and cardboard (please break it down if possible). We do NOT take plastics or glass; recycle those at your own curb.

Bring your 'recyclables' to the church and place it in our recycling shed; the volunteers will haul it away every Wednesday. Be part of our Green Team; go recyclers!!

If you would like to help haul away the recycling on Wednesday mornings, contact Don Shirey at 582-1177.

Bus Drivers

Kennewick First has a Bus Ministry! We have 2 15 passenger buses; one is especially equipped with a wheelchair lift. These buses offer a way to our 9:00 am Contemporary worship and Sunday School, as well as the 10:30 Traditional service. We are looking for drivers for them (a current driver's liscense is required) and also drivers with a CDL to drive the Big Bus, a 45 passenger that takes groups to special events and on missions or camp trips. Call Randy Bement at 783-3275 or Jerry Wilhelm at 308-2557 if you are interested!

Special Events Volunteers

Chili Feed- Compete & Prepare Chili or Breads in January! Call Mike and Kim Boice at 438-7675 for details. 

Youth Auction- This annual spring fund-raiser gives you an opportunity to bid on great items donated by volunteers and local businesses. All proceeds go to our UMY Mission and Ministry, allowing them to help others through Mission Trips and one another through Education Programming. Contact Cynthia Bement at 582-2163 to attend, donate or assist.

Rummage Sale- Donate items or work a shift at the annual two day event the first weekend in May! Contact Nancy Osborn at 582-5924 for more information.

Vacation Bible School- Help with the children during VBS one week every July. VBS is open to all children ages 3 (must be potty trained) to fifth grade. Older youth may assist in the program alongside an adult servant. A new theme every year provides excitement and opportunities for spiritual growth through song and word! Call Brittany Williamson at 582-2163 for details.

Holly Daze- The United Methodist Women put on this great two day event in mid-October that offers a Craft Bazaar, Bake Sale, Luncheon and Silent Auction. Come and enjoy all the treats! Call Darryl Vaughn at 460-9339 or email her at davaughn55@gmail.com to volunteer!

The Christmas Pageant- This marvelous production of the Christmas Story is different every time! We have the pageant on 'even' years, so the next play will be December of 2012. There is always opportunities to volunteer in a multitude of ways including costuming, sets, sound, direction, rehearsal, refreshments, and more! Contact Cynthia Bement at 582-2163 for more information.

• Food Bank- Staple food items, canned goods, boxed items, soap and detergents, toothpaste and personal item and new or used children's books in good condition. Please make sure all food items are unopened and in their original packaging or they cannot be accepted due to health risks!

• Jail Outreach- We accept paperback bibles, inspirational and study materials for prisoners in our local jails. Drop them at the church office or in the church library on Sunday.

• Safe Harbor- Clothing of all sizes, toys, household goods, and furniture will be routed to the Sails Outlet Thrift Store at 408 N. Fruitland Street, serving the Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery.  Please take your large items directly there.

• KFUMC Rummage Sale- We take just about anything during our Rummage Sale build-up in April, as we prepare for the sale the first weekend in May. Contact Nancy Osborn, 582-5924, when you are 'spring cleaning' with your cast-offs; all proceeds go to fund special mission projects!

• Prayer Shawl Ministry- We take yarn for our Prayer Shawl ministry which is knit into shawls for those in need of comfort. Each shawl takes 3 skeins of 'Lion's Brand' Home Spun yarn. In addition, some of our knitter's provide Caps for the Troops, and they will take any donations of yarn to provide warmth and protection for our soldiers. You may bring your yarn to the church office or contact Pat Walker at 585-5170 if you are interested in donating or knitting.

• Piecemakers- We also take any leftover quilt scraps or fabric yardage to provide quilts for the Union Gospel Mission and the local hospitals. Bring any fabric to the church office or call Phyllis Merrill at 586-3784 if you would like to donate or sew!

Our Recycling servant, Don Shirey, was recently recognized with a Leisure Care “SHINING LIGHT“ award from Hawthorne Court! The award recognizes outstanding seniors who make a positive difference through volunteerism and service. These are their words which define Don perfectly:

“A devoted husband and father, Don inspires all who meet him. Caring for a family with special needs would cause most people to focus more at home. Yet Don is actively involved with his neighbors and church, responsible for collecting recycling items, in turn bringing in hundreds of dollars for the church.”