Help us love our neighbors.
City Church desires to be "an authentic community walking with God in our city" (for more on this, see our tagline page).
Being "in our city" means that, by God's grace, we play a role in addressing the spiritual, physical, and emotional issues that exist in the city of Gainesville (check out this talk to learn more). What are the implications of this for City Church, our community groups, and the people who are part of City Church? One of the implications is that we care about serving our neighbors in the name of Jesus, paying special attention to the marginalized, the disenfranchised, and the underserved. Our neighbors primarily include those around us who live, work, play, and study in the city of Gainesville.
Want to get involved? Check out these opportunities.
The following list of service opportunities is intended to help you find ways to serve our city. Community Groups are encouraged to pursue one or more of these needs as a group, but individuals can and should pursue these opportunities as well. Please prayerfully consider these opportunities. Questions? Contact Dorian Rose, or contact the person directly responsible for the opportunity (information provided below).
Opportunity #1 - Prepare a Meal/Collect Toiletries
Organization: Created
Organizational MIssion: Restoring vulnerable women involved in the sex industry here in Gainesville
Need #1: Prepare a meal for 10-12 women for Oasis, a Friday night outreach
Oasis is a time that women Created has met on street outreach can come as they are to enjoy a meal, fellowship, Bible study and worship. These meals are vital to our fellowship with the women who are coming. To share a meal with them truly creates an atmosphere of home, family and friendship.
The dinner should include enough food for 10-12 people. We ask that the diinner include utensils, an entree, side Items, drinks, and a dessert (optional).
Contact: Sereen Gualtieri | 386-848-1612 | Email
Need #2 - Donate small gift items for women (toiletries of all kinds, small snacks/bottled water). Churchwide collections for these items will take place at each Sunday morning service in May, but donations can be made at any time.
Contact: Dorian Rose | Email
Opportunity #2 - Volunteer at an Elementary School
Organization: JJ Finley Elementary School
Need #1: Supervise Fitness Club Exercise Group
- Monday through Friday: 7:10-7:40am
Need #2: Replanting Flowers in Pots Around Campus (one-time need)
Need #3: Tutoring/Homework Assistance
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 2-2:30pm
- Wednesday: 12:45-1:15pm
Contact (for all needs): Dorian Rose | Email
Opportunity #3 - Tutor "Jobs for Life" Participants
Organization: Gainesville Community Ministry (GCM)
Need: Mentoring for adults in GCM's "Jobs for Life" program. This mentoring entails 1:1 mentoring with class participants (once per week for 10 weeks), and it can be done in the evening. Orientations for interested volunteers occur on an ongoing basis.
Contact: Dorian Rose | Email
Opportunity #4 - Volunteer at the GRACE Marketplace
Organization: GRACE Marketplace and the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry
Need: The GRACE Marketplace (2845 NE 39th Ave) is Gainesville's brand new hub for serving Alachua County's homeless and hungry. Services include a homeless shelter, a meal service, free bus passes, GED classes, and more. Volunteer opportunities abound, including assisting with the meal service, fulfilling receptionist duties, and helping with odd jobs around the 25+ acre campus. Check out their facebook page for more information, and get in touch if you want to volunteer!
Contact: Chipper Flaniken | Email
Opportunity #5 - Create your own!
Consider helping:
- A Neighbor
- A Co-Worker
- Your Neighborhood (like cleaning it up!)