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What I Love About Being a Volunteer - David Hartranft

"When the Center finally reopened last year, it was such a joy to be able to attend live services again! One Sunday morning there was a call for volunteers for the video team, and I immediately knew this was a perfect way for an introverted, slightly nerdy technophile like me to serve. There was some trepidation at first, since my last experience with video production was decades ago, but that all melted away when I met the other team members, who welcomed me warmly and trained me on our equipment.

I have come to enjoy all aspects of the job, from operating a camera to directing, and am grateful to be part of the amazing team upstairs. It is a privilege to have this bird’s eye view of the service as it all comes together, starting with the early morning band rehearsals, when the camera people choose the best shots and the director makes preliminary decisions about the live flow. A few minutes before nine, the anticipation builds as the sanctuary begins to fill with people. The moment we go live is exhilarating, and all of us on the team must stay fully present for the next hour, a great practice for me!

It is gratifying to know that I can play a part in making our Sunday services available to those who are not able to attend in person or who don’t feel comfortable doing so at this time. The fact that our services can be viewed from anywhere in the world is amazing!

I love our Center and am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the video team."

David Hartranft

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