MINISTRIES
The purpose of this our ministries page is to give the reader a basic understanding of all the ministries Somerset West United Church is involved with, directly or indirectly and where the reader can find opportunities to serve.
MEMBERSHIP CARE
The Hospital Visiting Team at United is a group responsible for offering care to those who are hospitalized. There is someone on duty every day and a member in hospital gets a visit until s/he is discharged. News of a hospitalization needs to be forwarded to the office, from where a visitor will be dispensed. The team leader is Cheryl de Beer.
This team looks after those members who are not well, home-bound, depressed, lonely, struggling or bereaved. Ministry is offered through phone calls or home visits. The team leader for this is Graeme Bamford.
Our Counselling Team facilitate the
counselling ministry at SWUC.
Those who counsel are:
George MarchinKowski
Bevan Sylvester
Ne-Ray Fry
George MarchinKowski
Bevan Sylvester
Ne-Ray Fry
This project entails making food parcels available to members in need. All names are treated confidentially and the help is, on average, offered for three months. The coordinator is Naomi Pepler.
VIP Tea is a special treat for all those who are over 75 years of age. Tea, eats and friendship are enjoyed, and sometimes an entertainer or a speaker is provided. This happens on the 2nd Monday of every month at 9:45. The team leader for this is Barbara Braime.
WORSHIP SUPPORT MINISTRIES
These are various people who welcome Sunday worshippers at the door, hand out the bulletins, assist first time visitors at the visitors table, and make sure that everyone attending feels at home. The team leaders for this are James Arm and John Arguile.
Service Managers ensure that door hospitality teams are in place, that the church ventilation is appropriate. They deal with anything that might happen during the course of the service requiring response, and ensure that everything is tidied and closed afterwards.
These are the folk who help prepare the Communion table and serve the congregation at Communion services. Communion is usually served at all the worship services on the last Sunday and Thursday of each month, as well as special services over the Easter season. Berryoni le Roux is the convener of this ministry.
This team is responsible for the arrangement of sponsored flower for the weekend services. John White is the coordinator for this ministry
The Music Team at United consists of the Midweek and Sunday 08:00 organists, and the worship team who sing and play at the Sunday 10:00 services. We are always in need of additional competent singers and musicians to join! Practices are on Thursday evenings at 19:00. Bevan Sylvester is the coordinator for this.
If you are more technically minded, there are opportunities to serve on the media team, either as sound engineer or data projector operator. Training is provided. John Davidson is the team leader and Bethuel Lephallo is our data projector operator.
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
This is a group of men that meet monthly for coffee and fellowship. These meetings take place on the last Saturday of the month at 08:00. The team leader for this is Chris van Rooyen.
This is a group of women that meet for fellowship and outreach. These meetings take place on Fridays once a month. The team leader is Betty Waddington.
Over and above our regular Sunday teachings we offer various opportunities for people to learn. Some of the topics we have covered recently are teachings on the Gospel of John, the Holy Spirit, the church. Workshops such as “Guilt and Shame”, a counselling course and a sexuality seminar all fall into this category. Some of the courses we present on an ad-hoc basis include the “Parenting Course”, and “Marriage Preparation Course”. We try to advertise well in advance so that people can sign up in time to join, learn and grow. Service opportunities include setting up for the seminar, or possibly leading a talk of interest.
There are currently 17 Life Groups at United. They meet on different days and different venues. Some of the groups follow a DVD series, others study a selected book in the Bible. Although there is a facilitator leading each group, healthy discussion and honest questioning is encouraged. These Life Groups are places of sharing and caring, fellowship and confidentiality. It is always special to see how people bond with each other and grow closer to the Lord as they do life together. There are lists at the back of the church that one can look at and George Marchinkowski can be contacted for more information. Life Groups are a vital part of our journey together at SWUC and also to our spiritual growth. Everyone is encouraged to join one!
Connections is the comprehensive Resource Centre we have available here at United. It has many helpful books, DVDs and other material one can use to enhance one`s relationship with God. There are some folk who assist at Connections, but we need more helpers/volunteers. There is a special section on Connections with material for Life Groups. Bev Kerr is the coordinator for this, and Peggy Wright for the Life Group Resources section.
PRAYER MINISTRIES
Prayer Power Hour is a time of prayer held twice a month (1st & 3rd Thursdays at 17:30). This is where collective prayer happens. The focus at this gathering is intercessory prayer, but there are also times of ministry to each other. David Gray is the team leader for this.
Prayer Vigils take place three times a year on a Saturday. These are guided times of prayer and happen in silence. People commit themselves to come to the church to pray for 30 minutes. Our prayer vigils at United normally run for about 6 hours and we do them on a “relay” basis which ensures that the chain is not broken. Please contact our office for further information.
This ministry happens after all our worship services. There is a group of trained folk who pray with those who have needs. Anyone who wants to use this opportunity may do so. It happens at the front of the church, on the left. Please contact our office for further information.
There is a group of people who meet at 7:30 on a Sunday in order to pray for the services of the day. This happens in the Chat Room behind the church. The convener is Stan Verrier.
This is a small group who meet on Monday mornings at 10:30 in the church to pray for all those whose names appear in the bulletin and others who have asked for prayer. This group also prays for staff members, for the ministries of the church and for the members of the congregation. Peggy Wright is the team leader for this.
These are retreats that are run on monastic lines (Ignatian or Benedictine). They are silent for the most part although there are some inputs and guidance. There would normally be a theme and the retreat may include group discussions (plenary) times. These are offered twice a year. Please contact our office for further information.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Courses are run which help people to grapple with real life issues and introduce the changes to their lives they would like to see. Courses include “Life’s Healing Choices” and Boundaries.” Serving opportunities include leading a group or helping serve refreshments. The team leader for this is Ne-Ray Fry.
Helderberg Street People`s Centre is a non-profit organisation which includes many churches and gives hope to homeless people by enabling them to take their first steps towards rehabilitation and independence. United Church is involved in several other ways.
The purpose of Kairos is to establish strong Christian communities among the population of correctional institutions, supporting fully the Restorative Justice Programme, Unit Management Programme, and other rehabilitation programmes in our institutions. This is done through the development of small “share and prayer” groups of inmates/residents in the institutions. These groups meet weekly to share their lives on a deep spiritual level and to pray with one another and for other residents and staff in the institutions. The team leaders for this are Gavin Cooper and Joan Baker.
Omgee is a second phase residential support centre for those overcoming substance abuse. It provides a safe haven where adult men of all ages have the opportunity for sufficient recovery before they re-integrate into the community. Any assistance from a mentoring or discipleship perspective would be appreciated.
NEXT GEN MINISTRIES
This ministry operates during the 10:00 Sunday worship service and is led by a roster of parents and others who are passionate about children. There are serving opportunities to teach, lead worship and organize crafts for Grade 1-7s, as well as the 3-6 year old group. The leader for this group is Mathew Seaward.
Our Grade 4-7 social group runs on Fridays from 17:30-19:00 at the church. It is run by some of our young adults and there are serving opportunities for parents to assist with occasional transport, the supply of snacks, and participating in our strategic development workshops. The team leader is Mathew Seaward.
Teens attend worship at the 10:00 service and then head to their own small group time in the Chat Room with their leaders for an age-appropriate learning experience. The leader of this group is Mathew Seaward.
FINANCIAL MINISTRIES
This team is responsible for finding additional income streams to sustain our ministries with
funding. We need ideas people, organisers, caterers, and “doers”. The team leader is
Anthony Wait.
This team handles oversight of our financial management, campus and insurance.
The chairman is Dave Russell
C
O
N
T
A
C
T
If you have a requirement or suggestion then we'd love to hear from you, feel free to contact us.
© Somerset West United Church 2025