Volunteer Opportunities

A willingness to serve is the greatest indicator of a Christ-focused and healthy church. First United Methodist Church of Arlington is committed to providing opportunities to serve and share the love of Christ with our neighbors locally and around the world. Below is a list of ways to help be the hands and feet of Jesus through local outreach and mission trips.

Looking for a place to serve but not sure where to start? Let us help you - send us an email or give us a call!

Cloud Covered Streets

Our church has partnered with Cloud Covered Streets to offer their mobile shower/laundry unit on the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesday of each month. We are looking for volunteers to serve one hour (or more if they choose) time slots to be hospitable and connect with our neighbors.

For more information about this ministry, please contact Pastor Molly. 

volunteer signup

learn more about the program

NEW DAY

New Day, a ministry that supports food insufficient students in Arlington ISD, has opened it's fourth site at Good Shepherd UMC. We believe God calls us to serve our neighbor at the most basic levels, and would love for you to partner with us.

Ways to Be Involved: 

• Package and assemble food with us each week (ongoing and flexible)
• Be a delivery driver (typically Thursdays) to our school partners.
• Help to transport food from wholesale to the pantry at the Good Shepherd UMC.
• Donate money directly to New Day here or through First UMC Arlington to New Day to purchase the food.
• Donate single serving packages of food from the following list to the church office at Good Shepherd UMC:

For more information on getting involved, contact Rev. Molly Hayes, Lead Pastor at Good Shepherd UMC.

PARTNER WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS

We have volunteer opportunities available at local schools, including Kooken Educational Center, Thornton Elementary, and Carter Junior High. Throughout the school year we provide teacher encouragement & appreciation (goody bags, breakfasts, etc). Other opportunities include volunteering at special events like Trunk or Treat. For more information, visit the link below or contact Betsy Spencer.

school partnership opportunities

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PROJECTS

THE ARLINGTON LIFE SHELTER

The Life Shelter is Arlington’s primary homeless shelter. It provides short-term shelter and services that assist the homeless integrate into their own housing and find employment if needed. FUMC of Arlington supports the Life Shelter through two dinner teams and two breakfast teams per month.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Miscellaneous projects throughout the year such as helping process mailings, teaching classes, helping with the children, etc. 
• To volunteer for other projects please call: 817-548-9885
• Work on a food team, make sandwiches

ARLINGTON URBAN MINISTRIES & Nu2U Resale Store

Collaboration by Arlington United Methodist churches to provide assistance to those in transition or crisis through financial assistance, emergency food and toiletries and spiritual support.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Collect shelf-stable food  and hygiene items for street homeless sack lunches/homeless student backpacks (check AUM monthly newsletter or email Kathryn Dowd for current needs) 

• Do a hot weather bottled water/Gatorade drive for the street homeless 

• Donate for school uniforms/backpacks for homeless AISD students contact Kathryn Dowd) 

• Provide holiday assistance for an AUM family participating in our Rental Assistance Program (contact Valda Ridgely) 

• Serve  on the Boots, Chaps and Cowboy Hats fundraising event Committee or join with others to create a themed donation basket for the Boots Silent Auction (Email Executive Director Jennifer Weber) 

• Greet and serve customers on the sales floor or sort and organize donations (Contact Store Manager Patti Casey) 

• Organize a donation drive for Nu2U (Contact Store Manager Patti Casey for current needs) 

FIRST FRIDAYS

A program designed to provide an evening of respite for parents of special needs children once a month during the school year. A team of volunteers provides childcare the first Friday of each month while parents enjoy a night out with friends and family or tend to home needs.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Be a playmate to a special needs child or sibling
• Provide a meal for the volunteers
• Provide special entertainment such as storytelling, music, magic tricks, etc.
• Volunteer coordinator: Rev. Kay Lancaster 817-274-2571

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

An ecumenical partnership of God’s people in building affordable houses to help strengthen neighborhoods. Both First UMC of Arlington as a whole, as well as individual Sunday school classes, participate in Habitat projects during the year.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Construction—build on a worksite
• Assist with special events
• Help in the office with clerical duties
• Volunteer Coordinator for the church: Rev. Kay Lancaster 817-274-2571 

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

• Work with the children at the Arlington Life Shelter with reading and evening activities while parents are in classes.
• Bake cookies and make placemats for Kairos Prison Ministry that participate in four weekends per year at the men’s and women’s prisons.
• Connect with the Wesley Foundation student ministry at the University of Texas at Arlington. Provide a meal for worship night, “adopt” a student not from this area, assist pastor with special projects.
• Help receive and sort food at Arlington Charities.