VOLUNTEERING WITH THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY


As a registered charity many aspects of our work are carried out by our wonderful volunteers. This is particularly true in the light of Covid-19, which has impacted our work and regular giving towards the Christian Community in Ireland.  There are a number of areas of involvement available to volunteers.  Current needs are highlighted in RED.

LEGAL and DAY TO DAY

Priest of the Christian Community in Ireland: Rev. Ute Koenig was ordained as a priest of the Christian Community in 1979 and has previously served in congregations in Vienna, Austria and Toronto, Canada. Ute has supported the work in Ireland since 2013. As a vocational position the priest of the Christian Community in Ireland does not receive a wage, however the day to day costs of running a congregation as well as personal costs are met by the resources of the Community.

Board of Directors: As a registered charity we have a legal structure which includes a board of directors. Our board of directors is made up of priests for the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Lenker (who oversees the congregations in the UK and Ireland) and stakeholders from our congregations. All board directors and consultants offer their services on a voluntary basis.

The Carrying Group: supports the work of the Community and makes decisions about the running of the congregation of the Christian Community in Ireland, along with the Priest. It is made up of active members of the congregation who commit to meet monthly and support the priest in her work. Any motions or decisions of the carrying group that may affect the company are referred to the board of directors. Positions are voluntary, require active membership of the Christian Community and have a minimum term of office.

Correspondent: The Christian Community Correspondent is responsible for correspondence pertaining to the congregation of the Christian Community in Ireland and supporting any other administrative needs of including paying bills, supporting the priest and congregation in administrative needs, and maintaining the website. The correspondent can be reached at: tcci.correspondent@gmail.com 

Congregation Treasurer: The treasurer, alongside the carrying group oversees incomings and expenditure and keep records which are collated at the end of the year by the company treasurer and externally audited.

Servers: In the Christian Community's sacraments, including the Act of Consecration of Man, the work of the priest is supported by servers. We have a regular rotation of servers, but we could always do with more. 

Current needs:

As the Christian Community embarks on a plan for expansion and property development including a new chapel and an intentional community housing project, the Christian Community requires help with the following tasks:

  • Fundraising
This role could include multiple persons and individuals willing to run one off fundraising campaigns and events. While experience of fundraising isn’t necessary, it may be beneficial.

  • Promotions and Social Media
This role includes the development of resources for our blog and website in consultation with others, developing social media, photography, videography, promoting events, and positively liaising with local groups and individuals to raise the profile of the Christian Community in Ireland, and particularly in the East Clare congregation. As an ethos led organisation, volunteers would require an in-depth knowledge of the Christian Community, and its work. NOTE: The Christian Community is not an evangelical Christian movement and any promotions should be low key and tasteful, aimed at informing and producing narratives of a self-reflective community.

  • Advisors for the Board of Directors
As the Christian Community in Ireland embarks on several new ventures, we may require consultants with specialised knowledge and skillsets going forward. Areas of interest include people with experience setting up and running housing cooperatives or cohousing; individuals with experience in fundraising, grant applications and other financing avenues for capital projects (Chapel and Solas na Greine housing project).

LAND AND MAINTENANCE:

With a considerable sized building and grounds, we have several ongoing needs including:
  • Cutting of trees and bushes
  • Growing flowers (used on our altar), herbs and veg in our garden beds
  • Pruning Apple Trees and Fruit Bushes annually (experience preferable)
  • Weeding
  • Painting, maintenance and DIY (internal and external)

A running list of tasks is kept and people can either volunteer for a set time or times, or express a willingness to be contacted as needs arise.

OTHER

We Didn't Even Think of That
Maybe you have something amazing to offer that we haven't even considered or don't know about. Be proactive and tell us what you can offer us. 
If you prefer to stay a bit more in the background we also always appreciate help setting up for and cleaning up after events. 

WHAT WE OFFER VOLUNTEERS
We are an organisation that runs on volunteers. Of course there are many advantages to volunteering, but we’d like to find ways to give something back too. We offer:
  • Gratitude
  • Feedback, consultation and training when needed
  • Something voluntary to enhance your CV
  • A volunteers reference, by phone, letter or both for work done including task/ job title, duration and performance. This experience can then be used when seeking employment.

WE ARE ALREADY A COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEERS
Its easy to point out all the things that COULD be done, but we already DO so much. When people bake for after services, attend events and make them vibrant, create a community of warmth and human interaction, they are volunteering and saying YES. Communities are built from the bottom up and as well as asking for more help we want to acknowledge and celebrate those who already make the Christian Community all that it is. So thank you to all the volunteers we already have, both formal and informal, who make us what we are.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP CONTACT US!