Volunteer Ministries History

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 
8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 New Revised Standard Version

A pre-merger ministry of the E&R church in Schenkel, PA, UCC Volunteer Ministries was founded in 1955 by Carl Bade.  See the source image

The early days of voluntary service in the United Church of Christ focused on training young adults at the Volunteer Training Center called Fernbrook Center, built by volunteers for that purpose. Volunteers were then deployed, becoming respectful members of the communities they served. Many clergy and church professionals in the UCC trace their career path to Partners in Service, our denominational voluntary service program.

The historic Partners in Service prepares, coordinates volunteers and mission settings within the United States. UCCVM serves to amplify the impact of UCC members, churches, humanitarian and justice agencies on behalf of the United Church of Christ around the country, and coordinates with Global Ministries to place international volunteers when they return stateside. UCCVM recruits and places volunteers with Partner agencies.

Additional ministries and services to the church include:

  • Mission Trip Groups serving within the United States can connect with host sites here and access useful materials to plan and enrich their trip. Currently, pandemic safety advisories and planning tools are available.
  • In 2022-23, UCCVM is sponsoring Young Adult Service Learning Fellowships in eight locations across the UCC. This is the pandemic-era continuation of our Young Adult Service Communities and Summer of Service programs.
  • Consultation to agencies and congregations wishing to build their capacity for volunteers is available with Danielle Hickman.

Volunteer Stories