Connect and Serve

Come be a part of the DPUMC community full of fellowship and fun! We have a variety of groups to join, activities to attend, and ways to serve the church and the community. To see  information on upcoming and reoccurring event or activities, please visit our Events Page.

“Many hands make light work”

DPUMC Groups

For weekly learning, including Sunday School and Bible Studies, see the Events and Activities Page.

Deer Park Men’s Group – An energetic group of men who provide help to the church in many ways. Our Men’s Group wants to meet the needs of Christian men for fellowship, service and devotion through the Gospel, God’s transforming and vital force for men, the Church and local community. Please ask any group member for details—-all men of Deer Park UMC are encouraged to participate. 

Sisterhood – This group is designed to allow women of all ages to unite in fellowship and benevolent service for the Lord. ALL women are welcome to attend and be a part of the Sisterhood.

United Methodist Women – A community of women of various ages, whose purpose is to establish and maintain mission work and global ministries for the United Methodist Church and to extend themselves in Christian love to all individuals through support and fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ. United Methodist Women is the largest denominational faith organization for women with approximately 800,000 members whose mission is fostering spiritual growth, developing leaders, and advocating for justice. Members combined across the UM Church raise up to $20 million each year for programs and projects related to women, children, and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. The Women’s Division of the United Methodist Church is the national policy-making body of this group.

Community Outreach and Volunteer Opportunities 

Stephen Ministry – Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. You do not need to be a member of a church. For more information contact pastor John Dean at  pastorjohn@dpumc.net or contact the church office at 410-848-2313.

Feed My Sheep – Members of Deer Park Church serve our Eldersburg neighbors a lunch meal at Wesley Freedom United Methodist on the fourth Thursday of every other month starting with January. Various groups and donors help by sponsoring the purchase of the meal. Between 10am and 2pm, members and friends of Deer Park come to prepare, set up, serve and clean up the lunch. Breads and desserts are donated by Panera Bread, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Martin’s.

Carroll County Food Sunday – Let’s keep the grocery cart full with our donations for Carroll County Food Sunday by bringing at least one non-perishable item every Sunday.  Donors are encouraged to give the kind of nutritious food they would serve their own  families. The CCFS Wish List includes: Peanut Butter; Jelly; Hot & Cold Cereal; Canned  Soup (non-tomato preferred); Beans (red & black); Pancake Mix; Pancake Syrup.

American Flags – If you have a torn or worn American Flag to be discarded, please leave it in the church office. Carroll Hospice is collecting them for the “Stars for our Troops” program. Contact Gary Saylor (443-465-1023).

Cold Weather Shelter – Donation box in the narthex for socks & new underwear. Contact Janet Wallett.

Hospital Equipment – Deer Park Lions Club loans wheelchairs, walkers, crutches canes & commodes, free of charge. Contact Deer Park Lion Ron @ 410-549-1095.

MISSIONARIES IN COVENANT WITH DEER PARK CHURCH

Lester Dornan, UMC Missionary, Nepal – About Lester Dornan

Meister-Konze Family, OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship) – Switzerland

Volunteer Opportunities Within the Church

Altar Flowers Coordinators – Arrange flowers for the altar. Also, group organizes and orders Christmas Poinsettias and Easter Lilies for the holiday beautification project. At times, may arrange bouquets using flowers from their own gardens. Group also maintains the flower fund.

Chancel Choir – Sings at traditional 11:00am service, ranging from traditional to contemporary music. Ages range from teens to senior citizens. Choir sings from September to May and only on special occasions during the summer months. Choir Practice is Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm.  All are welcome to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.  Interested in providing special music, see Keenan Hudson or Lanie Lilly.

Children’s Ministry –  We are always looking for help if you are interested in teaching, helping with, or substituting in in-person Sunday school classes. We would also love to hear about or include any special skills, crafts, or activities you may want to share with the children.

Coffee N’ Chat – Organizers have a sign-up sheet for families and/or individuals to sign up for a designated Sunday to provide the snacks following each service. Coffee and paper goods are supplied by church. A very nice social time and a good way to get to know your church family – held in the narthex after both the 8:30 and 11:00 services.

Communion Stewards – Change the vestment cloths on the altar according to seasonal guidelines.

Nurturing and Caring – Like to nurture? You can by participating in our Prayer Chain, Lay Eucharistic Ministry (lay members take the sacrament of Holy Communion to shut-ins), Loaves of Compassion (meals taken to homes), Healing, Visitation and Card Ministries.

Praise and Play Drama Group – A fun creative group that provide periodic performances during the church services for a different delivery of the good word. Meets as needed for planning and rehearsals. We praise the Lord with skits, both humorous and serious. No experience necessary! For more information or to join contact Joy Grimm: joyg1@comcast.net. Check out our past events for some of the fun we have!

Sign Coordinators – Families and/or individuals who take turns changing church signs to communicate announcements/messages to the public. Training provided.

Website Maintenance and Updates – Training can be provided if you are not familiar with working with a website content management system.  Most tasks are very simple and require no prior knowledge such as preparing and posting the newsletter and updating worship service links every week. You may also just review the website for updates/ideas and coordinate with the main website administrators Jill (jill.j.redmond@gmail.com) and George (holysmoke1953@gamil.com).  Reach out to them if you would like to get involved or learn more.

Wedding Coordinators – Assists the bridal party in any way possible, as well as the pastor in many various duties during rehearsal time and the actual wedding day. Wedding Coordinators are compensated. Training is provided.

Worship Service Coordinators – Ushers, Greeters, and Acolytes assist the congregation, pastor and new visitors in many ways. Acolytes proceed the pastor to light altar candles and to extinguish them after the service is over. If you’d like to join one of these groups, training is provided.

Worship Team – The Worship Team assists the pastor in the preparation of special services for weekly worship, as well as during special seasons of the year, such as Lent, Easter, Advent, and Christmas. The team attempts to mix tradition with new ideas to provide a meaningful worship experience for everyone.

Video Camera Training – We want to have as many people as possible trained.
If you have an interest in helping with our online ministry, please let Pastor John know.