Jesus shows us who God is, and in Matthew chapter twenty-five, there is perhaps no clearer instruction about the primacy of service toward others in God’s vision for creation. The community at Gloria Dei seeks ,to participate in God’s work by using our gifts, our effort, and our energy in service toward others following the example of Christ.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Here is a great resource for culturally-responsive food donations.
Here’s a list of items you might consider donating:
eggs
shelf-stable milk (Parmalat brand is available in our area)
butter or margarine
canned veggies, fruits, and beans with pull-tab tops
cooking oil
dried beans
basmati, jasmine, and brown rice (white rice is good, too - just remember many cultures don’t use the same type of rice that many Americans do)
coffee and tea
fresh produce
fresh meat and fish
bread (white and wheat)
flour
sugar
cake mix and frosting
spices - all kinds!
dish soap
feminine hygiene products
soap
shampoo/conditioner
toilet paper
paper towels
SNAP Grocery List
Free Lunch Program team serves a meal for approximately 100+ folks on the 4th Friday of every month. Click here to view the SignUp Genius through Dec 2025, which outlines the volunteer opportunities.
Click here to view SignUp Genius for Jan 2026-July 2026.
Learn more about the Iowa City Free Lunch Program, and see if you spot some faces you know!
Free Lunch Program
Wittenberg Steamroller (Gloria Dei’s Christmas music band) is back! You can make the season brighter and more meaningful by participating in this fun musical organization – open to all (including 6th grade band students)! (It’s helpful if the younger players have had at least one year of experience playing in their school band program.) The multi-generational aspect of the program is part of what makes it meaningful.
Schedule:
Wed. Dec 10 7:15 – 8:30 PM
Sat. Dec. 13 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Sun. Dec. 14 Play at 8:00 and 10:30 services
All rehearsals and the performance are done in the balcony at Gloria Dei. Please bring a folding music stand just in case we don’t have enough stands. Please note that there are only 2 rehearsals. Please do your best to make it to both of them.
Wittenberg Steamroller Ensemble
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
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Caring & Wellness opportunities:
Committee Member
Provide meals/supplies for those in crisis
Prepare meals at church for Freezer Meals
Prayer Shawl knitting
Homebound visits
Eucharistic visitation
Prayer Care Team
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Communications opportunities are:
Committee member
Website updates/maintenance
Newsletter publication
Social Media updates
Click here to sign up for Communications Ministry opportunities.
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Culinary opportunities are:
Committee member
Assist with fundraisers/events
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Evangelism opportunities are:
Committee member
Sunday AM hospitality
New Member Orientation/Connection
Click here to sign up for Evangelism Ministry opportunities.
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Faith Formation opportunities are:
Family Ministries Committee Member
Sunday School Teacher or Substitute
Sunday School Administrator (prepares materials and supplies)
Embodied Baptism Mentor
Embodied Baptism Peer Group Leader
Adult Ed Committee Member
Click here to sign up for Faith Formation Ministry opportunities.
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Fellowship opportunities are:
Committee Member
Event planning
Event set-up/clean-up
Click here to sign up for Fellowship Ministry opportunities.
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Finance opportunities are:
Committee member
Sunday morning offering counter
Audit Committee
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Funeral Hospitality opportunities are:
Committee member
Provide a salad or dessert when needed
Assist in the kitchen with set-up/clean-up for funerals
Wash linens
Click here to sign up for Funeral Hospitality Ministry opportunities.
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Memorials opportunties are:
Committee member
Click here to sign up to be a member of the Memorials Committee.
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Mission Endowment opportunities are:
Committee member
Click here to sign up to be a member of the Mission Endowment committee.
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Outreach opportunities are:
Committee Member
Free Lunch Program cooking (4th Thursday)
Free Lunch Program prep (4th Friday)
Free Lunch Program serving (4th Friday)
Free Lunch Program dish washing (4th Friday)
Piece Makers (quilting group - 1st Monday)
DVIP donation organization (weekly)
Seasonal events (Good Gifts, Pie Sale, Plant Sale, coat drive, etc.)
Little Free Pantry & Library maintenance
Longfellow Elementary assistance
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Property opportunities are:
Committee member
Lawn care/grounds maintenance
Clean-up Days
Painting
Carpentry
Onsite Maintenance
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Stewardship opportunities are:
Committee member
Green Committee member
Assist with projects and events
Click here to sign up for Stewardship Ministry opportunities.
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Social Justice opportunities are:
Committee member
Event planning and assisting
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Tanzania Ministry opportunities are:
Committee member
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Technology opportunities are:
AV Support for Adult Forum (9:15 a.m. on Sundays Early September through May)
AV Support livestream worship/events
Click here to sign up for Technology Ministry opportunities.
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WELCA opportunities are:
Circle Attendee
Board Member
Click here for more information about joining a WELCA Circle.
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Worship & Music opportunities are:
Committee member
Assisting Minister
Usher at 8 a.m.
Usher at 10:30 a.m.
Reader 8 a.m.
Reader 10:30 a.m.
Communion prep/clean-up
Communion server 8 a.m.
Communion server 10:30 a.m.
Communion bread baker
Liturgical art creation and installation
Sanctuary Choir member
Soloist - vocal
Soloist - instrument
Instrument ensemble
Click here to sign up for Worship and Music Ministry opportunities.