Reading
Help read from the Bible at our Sunday services
Reading
What: We read from the Bible every week at our services, and we have a rotation of volunteers who do this. Readings are sent out ahead of time, and we love to have a diversity of voices involved.
When: Both services.
Time Commitment: 15 minutes every 4-5 weeks.
Leading Prayer
Help lead the prayers at our Sunday services
Leading Prayer
What: Each week we pray together as a community at both services. Currently we use a template that changes from season to season, which also has space in it for the prayer leader to add in their own prayers for whatever is happening personally, communally, locally, or worldwide that week.
When: Both services.
Time Commitment: 15-30 minutes every 4-5 weeks.
Chalice-bearing & Serving
Help prepare and serve communion at our Sunday services
Chalice-bearing & Serving
What: Chalice-bearing is just that: serving the wine to all who come forward during the Eucharist.
Serving is slightly more elaborate, as servers also carry the cross in the opening & closing processions, assist the priest in setting and clearing the altar table, and help with serving communion. We have a rotation of adults and children serving. When you join this ministry you’ll receive training from Rev. Dan and be paired with an experienced server to help you get your bearings.
When: Both services.
Time Commitment: 20 minutes (for chalice) or 1 hour (for serving) every 4-5 weeks
Chancel Guild
Prepare the sanctuary for the Sunday morning service
Chancel Guild
What: Our dedicated Chancel Guild sets the altar each week in preparation for the Eucharist, changes the hangings for the liturgical colour, washes the linens, and distributes the flowers after the morning service.
Participating in the Chancel Guild is a great way to serve “behind the scenes”, knowing that each week you’re beautifying the sanctuary and preparing the congregation for worship.
When: Morning service
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours every 4-5 weeks; seasonally some extra activities
Gardening
Help take care of our garden on the Hill
Gardening
What: Having a two acre green space is a blessing, but it sure takes a lot of work to maintain! Offering our green space as a place of refuge and beauty to our neighbours is important to us, and so we do our best to keep the grounds looking nice.
Our gardening volunteers maintain the beds, water them in the summer, and help with leaf-raking in the fall. This is a good activity for anyone who likes the outdoors (whether or not you have a particular green thumb) with a flexible schedule and hours.
When: Spring and summer (and fall clean-up of leaves!)
Time Commitment: As much or as little as you want.
Card-Making
Help make greetings cards used to keep in touch with parishoners
Card Making
What: One of our newer ministries is that of sending greeting cards; we’ve found this is a wonderful way to keep in touch with parishioners and support them during times of joy and sorrow. So, we gather together every month or so to make cards so we have a stash on hand.
When: about every month and a half or as needed
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours (or really as long as you’d like)
Hospitality:
Coffee Hour
Help prepare and serve coffee, tea, and cookies after the morning service
Hospitality: Coffee Hour
What: The Coffee Hour volunteers prepare and serve coffee, tea, and cookies each week after the morning service. There is a rota in place so you'd be volunteering once every 4-6 weeks (with a break in the summer).
When: Morning service
Time Commitment: 1.5 hours every 4-6 weeks
Hospitality:
Water’s Edge Cooks
Hospitality: Water's Edge Cooks
What: Water’s Edge cooks lead or help prepare the weekly community dinner that’s offered after the evening service. This preparation happens in the hour before the 4pm service, and often can be as simple as defrosting a pre-made soup, putting together a salad, and slicing a loaf of bread. (That being said, we’ve had some past cooks who’ve loved to throw elaborate meals, especially for holiday services!) It’s really up to you.
When: Evening service (Water’s Edge dinner)
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours for Water’s Edge dinner, once every 4-5 weeks.
Counting
Help count the offering
Counting
What: Counting the weekly offertory, which is done in pairs and for which there is a rota.
When: Each week, usually on Monday or Tuesday
Time Commitment: 1 hour every 3-4 weeks
Roehampton Shelter
Help our neighbours in need
Roehampton Shelter
What: Toronto has had an affordable housing crisis for years, and when this crisis was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Roehampton Shelter opened up in an unused hotel building near the church. We reached out to see if we could provide any help, and since then we've organized a clothing drive, a summer items drive, and provided Christmas gift bags to shelter residents. Deb, our Parish Missioner, sits on the shelter's Community Liaison Committee, meeting monthly and keeping informed about needs and goings on at the site. While collection drives will continue as needs arise, we are hoping to participate in activities with the shelter residents when appropriate according to pandemic safety protocols, such as meals and skill-sharing sessions
When: Anytime
Time Commitment: varies
Out of the Cold
Cooking and serving a meal to those in need
Out of the Cold
What: Every Saturday evening, from the beginning of November to the end of March, Out of the Cold provides a safe, warm place to stay overnight, two full meals (dinner and breakfast) and acceptance and compassion. Through this programme, guests are provided not only food and shelter but a welcome and fellowship. Members of the Transfiguration community regularly hold financial fundraisers for this initiative, while others are active volunteers themselves. (Please visit the Blythewood Out of the Cold webpage to volunteer or donate directly.)
When: Saturday afternoons & evenings from November through March
Time Commitment: 3-6 hours depending on role
Meals on Wheels
Bring a meal to a someone unable to cook or shop
Meals on Wheels
What: We are partnering with the Meals on Wheels program at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church to deliver affordable meals to those who are unable to cook or shop for themselves.
When: Any day of the week
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours/week to be a driver or a runner
Music
Help with worship through your musical gifts
Music
What: There are lots of opportunities here: in the morning we have a choir which anyone can join (they practice immediately before the morning service, so no mid-week rehearsal); in the evening any instrument (including voice!) is welcome to join Deb on guitar and Kris on piano.
When: Both services.
Time Commitment: 2 hours per week (choir); everything else is as much or little as you want
Governance
Serve as a warden or on our committees
Governance
What: We have a strong lay leadership team at Transfiguration, and there’re many ways to get involved in one of our committees or as a warden. Currently we have two wardens, one treasurer, six advisory board members (who also function as deputy wardens); and, we have property and stewardship committees that meet regularly. All of these are lay positions.
When: Sundays and some weeknight meetings.
Time Commitment: 2-6 hours/week for main wardens; 1 hour/week for advisory board members; 2-3 hours every 1-2 months for committee members.
FaithWorks
Donate to a variety of causes through the Anglican Diocese
FaithWorks
What: Transfiguration is an active participant in FaithWorks, the annual appeal of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto.
Since 1996 FaithWorks has provided more than $24 million to non-profit groups offering help and hope to those in need throughout south-central Ontario and around the world. FaithWorks allows us to share our blessings with others who are less fortunate right here in our community…and around the world. FaithWorks Ministry Partners provide help and hope to thousands of individuals and families caught up in the seemingly overwhelming challenges of homelessness, domestic violence, terminal illness, or the enormous pressures facing today’s youth. Services are provided to everyone in need, regardless of church affiliation.
Your gift to FaithWorks also helps to support aid efforts in the developing world and in remote communities throughout Canada’s far north.
When: Any day of the week
Time Commitment: none!