Volunteer @NEC & Beyond
We believe that God created us as unique individuals who are given different temperaments, spiritual gifts, and experiences so that we can serve others. Check out our opportunities below and be sure to fill out the volunteer interest form to let us know what interests you. Any questions please contact Kim Bradshaw our Guest Services coordinator.
Immediate Needs:
Kids Zone
Small Group Discussion Guide
Breakfast Club
Parking
Audio/Visual
Nominate a volunteer!
Do you want to nominate a volunteer that goes above and beyond? Help us show them some love!
Sunday Morning
Breakfast Club*
We prep & deliver breakfast foods on Sunday mornings to keep our volunteers fueled and loved!
Do you love to bake and find joy in filling bellies?
Do you think breakfast is the most important meal of the day?
If so, consider joining the Breakfast Club! Flexible schedule that works for you!
Responsibilities:
Make or purchase some breakfast goodies to feed about 12-15 people.
Deliver and set up on Sunday morning by 8:15. (or 9:15 a.m. during summer service)
Audio/Visual team*
View from the AV Booth
NEC's Audio/Visual Team supports the band, pastors and others leading services by providing high-quality audio and visual services.
Audio/Visual support is needed for services on Sunday and for occasional midweek events.
Opportunities exist both to serve on the team as well as assist with training current volunteers (professional experience required). Volunteers serve on a rotating schedule approximately one Sunday per month.
Experience and a high level of comfort working on professional-quality equipment is preferred, but not necessary. Training will be provided.
(*high need)
GREETING TEAM
We take what could be an overwhelming experience and turn it into an easy, safe and welcoming one.
Are you friendly, outgoing and like to help others? Do you like to be the first to know what’s new and happening? Are you the type of person who would never let someone sit alone in the middle school cafeteria?
Join the greeting team and make everyone feel welcome! One Sunday a month.
Responsibilities:
- Arrive at 8:15 a.m. for breakfast, prep & prayer
- Greet and welcome people as they enter the building (keeping a special eye for anyone that may need some help)
- Assist with any guest needs such as directions, information, etc (be willing to find the answer if you don’t have it!)
Guest services
You will never get lost in the crowd because we are the go-to-hub for Sunday mornings and beyond. Just consider us the keepers of the answers to the who, what, when, where and how!
Have you never met a stranger? Do you like being in the know? Do like helping people find their way or their fit?
Consider volunteering on the Next Steps/Guest Services hub. One Sunday a month.
Responsibilities:
- Assist guests with anything and everything at Next Steps hub
- Be in the know when it comes to events and other current opportunities at NEC (such as small groups, volunteer opportunities and more!)
Band
PARKING TEAM*
We make it easy to "get in and out" so everyone is free to enjoy and experience what's inside!
Do you have an eye towards safety?
Do you like being in the middle of the action?
Do you love all types of weather?
Join the parking team and be the first person to greet our guests! One Sunday a month.
Responsibilities:
Arrive 45 minutes early for breakfast, prep & prayer
Help safely direct cars to parking spots, paying special attention to anyone who needs assistance
Ensure departing cars and pedestrians are safe as they exit
sermon discussion guide team
(AKA CONVERSATION STARTERS)
What if there was a team that made it easy for you to reflect and talk about what you heard on Sunday morning? Enter the writers of the Sermon Discussion Guides. They provide questions to get you thinking about faith.
Do you like writing and taking notes?
Are you able to listen to a message and create some great conversation starters?
Do you like the idea of helping others grow in their faith?
Join the sermon discussion guide team and help start the conversation. One Sunday a month.
Responsibilities:
Take notes on sermon
Write the discussion guides
Post the sermon notes on website
CAFE TEAM
Our cafe is what makes us 'a home away from home.' We’ll always have a hot cup of coffee ready so our guests can relax, recharge and connect.
Do you appreciate that coffee is a necessity for many New Englanders?
Is a fresh pot of brewed coffee one of your favorite smells?
Do you like making sure others feels 'at home'?
Join the cafe team and be the 'best part of waking up' for church. One Sunday a month.
Responsibilities:
- Prepare coffee and all the fixings for NEC attendees
- Keep kitchen area and cafe tidy
Worship Team
This team provides a safe, loving space for people to take a mid-week break and focus on God’s love.
It's a night for music and prayer and it's quickly becoming a favorite mid-week break for many run by a team of amazing volunteers! If you want to be a part of helping others experience God, please consider joining the team. AV support needed. No experience needed. Training provided.
Responsibilities include:
Tasks include working lights, sound and slides.
Time commitment: Attend practice the first Wednesday night of the month and attend Worship Night the second Wednesday of each month.
We are blessed to have a group of very talented and gifted musicians who rotate leading and participating in weekly services. Our music ranges from traditional to contemporary Christian as well as songs not necessarily intended for church, but appropriately meaningful just the same. The vocalists are backed by guitars, keyboards, bass, drums and an occasional variety of percussion, brass, and stringed instruments.
Occasionally, there are opportunities to add new members to the music team. If you know of someone who has musical experience and is interested in discussing ways in which they might be a fit, please complete the volunteer interest froom as a first step in setting up an audition.
Volunteer With Kids
Kids zone
Little Kids Zone (Birth - Preschool)
Big Kids Zone (Kindergarten - 5th Grade)
Ever thought about sharing your time and talent with young hearts? Volunteer to serve one Sunday a month. No experience necessary. You just need to have a heart for kids and a desire to grow in your own faith. Join this dynamic team of people who are having fun and learning as they go! All volunteers attend a training session and are screened through a state CORI.
What does a morning in Kids Zone look like?
- Arrive 15 minutes before service: This allows for the teams to check-in as a whole before the morning begins. It also allows the Team Leader to open each classroom on time.
- Head to your assigned classroom to review projects and prepare to greet children- we give you all the material you need.
The morning begins in the classroom - kids are checked in and start with an introductory activity.
Each "Zone" gathers for a Large Group story time where they hear a big picture story from the Bible in a fun, friendly format!
The groups head back to their classrooms for a wrap-up activity based on the morning's theme, and prepare for pickup!
Clean up and you're out of there!
If you are interested please complete a Kids Zone Volunteer Application.
Do you have a teen interested interested in volunteering? We love our younger volunteers! Please have them complete this Kids Zone Youth Volunteer Application, and we'll get them started right away!
Kids Zone: Host Desk
The first person to welcome a new family to our NEC one is usually the person at our Kids Zone Host Desk. What a chance to make a great first impression!
If you have a warm smile and are willing to introduce them to Kids Zone and all that NEC offers, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
- Answer general questions
- Register new children
- Escort kids to their rooms
- Attend service but report back to host desk during final song
Volunteer committment: One Sunday a month
If you are interested please complete a Kids Zone Volunteer Application.
midde school youth group
Ignite: 6th - 8th grade
Want to help students feel a sense of belonging?
Be part of a place where students catch a sense of purpose and experience real transformation in their lives!
Meets Sunday night
high school youth group
Epic 9th - 12th grade
We're looking for individuals with energy and a heart for this special group of teens.
We eat, we play games, sometimes the band plays and we always have meaningful conversation.
Meets Sunday night
Community Service: Volunteering Beyond NEC
NEC strives to be a blessing within and beyond our walls. We invite you to consider some of our community outreach volunteer opportunities below.
Check out our calendar section for upcoming dates and/or fill out the volunteer interest form below for more details.
Special Events
Serve Day
Do you like the idea of getting out into the community and making a difference?
Regardless of your skill set, there is something for everyone to do on Serve Day.
Who? Ages 12-14+ with parent present
What? Various volunteer opportunities throughout the community (painting, gardening, cleaning)
Where? Franklin, Bellingham, Milford and beyond
When? Annual Serve Day is typically held in August but other days are added when there is a need
How? Fill out a volunteer interst form (button above) and/or look for upcoming events in our calendar section.
Gifts & Food
caring meals
Do you enjoy making meals?
If you can appreciate how a home-cooked meal can mean so much to someone going through a difficult time, consider joining this team.
Who? Anyone who enjoys cooking meals.
What? Sign up to help a member of our community who could use some homemade meals.
Where? Local communities.
When? As needed.
How? Fill out a volunteer interst form (button above)
Donations
franklin food pantry
Who? NEC partner organization. This organization works to alleviate food insecurity and compassionately empower our community through resources and collaboration.
What? Throughout the year, NEC hosts food drives to support the pantry. In 2022, our youth group set up a veggie garden behind the building which yielded 70 pounds of fresh vegetables for the pantry.
Where? Franklin
When? Throughout the year and annual Thanksgiving collection
How? Look for opportunities at franklinfoodpantry.org
For current needs, visit our Community Outreach page
straight ahead ministries
Who? NEC Partner organization. Straight Ahead Ministries exists to see Jesus Christ transform the lives of juvenile offenders.
What? NEC provides Christmas gifts and Easter baskets
Where? Central Massachusetts
When? Christmas and Easter time
How? Contact Maureen Udstuen at mudstuen@hotmail.com
SAFE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN
Who? NEC Partner organization. Safe Families for Children hosts vulnerable children and creates extended family–like supports for desperate families through a community of devoted volunteers who are motivated by compassion to keep children safe and families intact.
What? Serve as a family host.
Where? At your home.
When? As needed.
How? Request further information here.
Mission Trips
global mission trips
Who? Adults and youth with an adult guardian
What?Misson E4 and Manos Curativis
Where? Haiti and Dominican Republic
When? Pre-pandemic Haiti teams travelled 4 times a year; Dominican Republic medical team travels in June every other year. Unrest in Haiti has made travel too risky.
How? Contact Mission E4.org for Haiti info and 5manoscurativis@gmail.com for Dominican Rebublic info
Can’t go on a mission? Consider donating towards someone who is. Also, there are occasional opportunities to donate supplies and ongoing need to sponsor a child (help a child receive education and food).
SOS EVENT
Are you handy or a quick learner?
Here’s a chance to help someone in need via small house repair projects.
Who? Adults and kids 11 and older with adult guardian present
What? Home repair projects such as basic carpentry, minor plumbing, wall repair, painting, sanding, etc
Where? Within our NEC family and surrounding communities
When? As needed; but typically monthly on Saturdays
How? Fill out a volunteer interst form (button above) and/or look for upcoming events in our calendar section.
prayer blanket
Do you appreciate the gesture of wrapping someone in a warm hug
This ministry prepares prayer blankets for those going through a hard time.
Who? All are invited
What? Volunteer to help make the blanket and/or oversee others coming in to pray over it.
Where? NEC
When? As needed.
How? Fill out the volunteer interest form (button above)
hockomock ymca
Who? NEC partner organization. The Hockomock YMCA's focus is on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility providing programs and services to all regardless of ability to pay.
What? NEC participates in their annual school supply drive and a summer lunch program
Where? Franklin and local communities
When? Summer
How? Fill out a volunteer interest form (button above)
WALKING IN LIGHT
Who? NEC Partner organization. Walking in Light ministers to the families and children of Worcester & the Blackstone Valley.
What? NEC provides Thanksgiving meals, Christmas gifts, school supplies and support for their Summer Bible camp
Where? Worcester
When? Varies throughout the year
How? Fill out the volunteer interest form (button above)
us mission trips
Who? Adults and teens 14 and older with an adult guardian
What? Home repairs following natural disasters
Where? Varies depending on need - often southern states
When? Typically in July
How? Look for upcoming trips in our calendar section.