Joyful Servant Opportunities or Ministry Connections
Each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.
--Ephesians 4:7, 15-16
Connection Opportunities
Converge Food Ministry:
The first Saturday of each month, Waterford Lakes and Eastwood representatives collect canned goods and other non-perishable items from their residents to stock our food pantries here in East Orlando (Woodbury Presbyterian, Faith UMC) and the Samaritan Center. Spirit of Joy receives these items on that Saturday and then sorts them and crates them on Sunday after the church service and the food pantries and SRC pick up their crates of food from our kitchen on Monday.
We call this Converge Weekend and it occurs the first FULL weekend of every month. We would love your help to continue our mission of feeding hungry in East Orlando. If you would like to donate your time, please stop by at 10 am the first Saturday or after church on Sunday at the kitchen, we can always use extra hands. Also, you can support this ministry by donating canned goods and non-perishables. Please place your items in the red wagon across from the hospitality center anytime prior to the first full weekend of each month. Thank you for your support!! converge@spiritofjoy.org
Samaritan Resource Center
Spirit of Joy took the lead in advocating for the development of a service center for our homeless and at-risk neighbors. This advocacy has resulted in the creation of a unique church and government partnership called the Samaritan Resource Center located at 9837 East Colonial. The SRC serves 70-80 homeless and at-risk neighbors from 9 to Noon, Monday-Thursday. Volunteers select when they can serve, and their volunteer role. Volunteers are needed to serve in the following ways: Case Manager (working directly with clients to address their needs); Receptionist (greeting guests in the Bethel and Jordan buildings); Clothes Closet (sorting and distributing clothing); Kitchen (sorting and serving food); Laundry (washing client’s clothing); Showers (cleaning showers after each use); Barber/Hairdresser (helping clients look their best for employment interviews); Marketing (assisting with social media and other marketing efforts). To volunteer contact the SRC Operation’s Director, Sheila Sablain, at 407-482-0600.
Global Mission Trips
In the past 10 years, nearly 30 different people at Spirit of Joy have participated in a Global Mission Trip. We have taken three trips to Burundi, Africa and one trip to Haiti. Both countries are among the most impoverished countries in the world. Future trips are planned. For further information, contact the church office to express your interest. Office@spiritofjoy.org
No School Left Behind
Spirit of Joy has partnered with Lawton Chiles Elementary School, located one mile south of SoJ on Rouse Road, as part of the No School Left Behind ministry of East Orange County Churches. 80% of the students at Lawton Chiles qualify for free lunch so the needs are great. SoJ provides school supplies in the fall, gifts at Christmas, and food at several other times during the year. To assist with this ministry, contact office@spiritofjoy.org
Quilting Team
SoJ’s quilters meet every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in Room 7 to prepare quilts for Lutheran World Relief that are sent around the world to refugee camps, natural disasters, etc. Additional helpers are always welcome. Many go out to lunch afterward. If you have questions or need more information, contact
Marsha Call or Donna Wassel at quilters@spiritofjoy.org.
Prayer Ministry
As it says in James 5:16, “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” At Spirit of Joy our Prayer Team works to help to sharpen our prayer focus and equip people to increase their prayer frequency and comfort levels both in private devotions and in public settings.
Prayer Partners are available in the Worship Center during communion. You may seek them out for prayer before or after Communion or after worship. All are welcome. If you would like to become a Prayer Partner, send an email to prayer@spiritofjoy.org.
Prayer Team
SoJ’s Prayer Team is currently being restarted. Watch for details in the Sunday bulletin and weekly Email Update.
Worship Arts
Spirit of Joy has a great group of volunteers who sing and play instruments on our worship team, write and act in dramas and run sound, computer and lighting equipment for worship. We like to create powerful, engaging and fun worship experiences at Spirit of Joy. The Worship Arts Team helps to make that happen. CLICK HERE for more info
Connections Team
If you would enjoy making phone calls to thank first time guests for attending worship at Spirit of Joy or helping us develop new guest follow-up systems to encourage their return or organizing fellowship activities to help new people get connected, please contact the church office at 407-282-4569 or office@spiritofjoy.org.
Daily Devotional Volunteers
SoJ sends out an email daily devotional from Luther Seminary to anyone interested. Several volunteers take turns emailing it out each weekday. To volunteer, email Christa Dees at office@spititofjoy.org.
Finance Team
If you have an accounting or finance background and would enjoy serving on the Finance Team, contact Terri Seamon at finance@spiritofjoy.org.
First Impressions Team
Spirit of Joy has 4 rotating teams to provide hospitality on Sunday mornings. Responsibilities include greeting guests as they arrive, passing out bulletins, collecting the offering, serving communion, providing, serving, and cleaning up refreshments, and staffing the Welcome Center. If you enjoy making people feel welcome, our First Impressions Team would love to have you serving on one of our teams. For further information, contact the church office at 407-282-4569 office@spiritofjoy.org.
Graphic Design
If you have a background in graphic design, your gifts could be put to good use. Please contact Jose Aenlle at 407-282-4569 or jose@spiritofjoy.org..
Marketing
If you have a background in marketing and would enjoy using your gifts at SoJ, please contact Sandy Gaston at sandygaston@yahoo.com.
Mary / Martha Team
The Mary / Martha team provides food for funeral lunches, at other times of need in member households, and for special congregational events. If you enjoy cooking and serving and would be willing to serve on an occasional basis, contact Pam Hoepner or Kathy Raue at MaryMartha@spiritofjoy.org.
Offering Counters
Rotating teams count the Sunday offering after the 10:45 a.m. worship service each week. If you would enjoy serving, contact Anna Elias at bookkeeper@spiritofjoy.org.
Office Volunteers
SoJ’s office is staffed by a team of volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers answer the phone, greet visitors, and complete occasional clerical duties. They serve twice a month. Interested? Contact Chuck Call at office@spiritofjoy.org.
Media Team - Website and Social Media Support
If you are computer savvy and have experience designing and maintaining websites and/or in developing social media opportunities to help communities stay connected, we would love to speak with you! Please contact Jose Aenlle at 407-282-4569 or Jose@spiritofjoy.org.