We’re five weeks away from the ministerial relocation, and the current “parsonage” is looking a little designer-home-ish what with having to keep things spotless for the homebuyer showings. It’s putting a real cramp in my minister’s style, whose brain processes seem to be energized by chaos. The messier his office/side of the bedroom/car, the harder he is working.

 Working to pull together all of the gazillion little details of a move has reminded me just what a pain this is. And how much a little help from your friends can really help! In the case of the minister, the new congregation often has people asking if there is anything they can do to help out during the transition. Herewith, in no particular order, my list of things you might consider asking them to do:

1. Provide an onsite babysitter for a couple of hours when the moving van shows up

2. Get the keys from the landlord and have them at the church

3. Provide some recommendations for grocery stores, doctors, day care centers etc.

4. Be available to meet the moving van if it arrives early

5. Offer to take older kids off your hands and entertain them for a few hours on moving day (Offer to take the kids off your hands and entertain them for a few months…)

6. Bring you dinner on your first day (even pizza would be great, as long as it comes with a gin and tonic)

7. Have someone come by the house to pick up the empty moving boxes and take them back to the moving company or to the recycling station

8. Have someone bring the church keys to the house on the first day (if the minister does not already have them) — access to a phone, computer, internet right away before you are set up might be important

9. Have someone collect all the applications, info etc. for things like getting a library card

10. If someone has the housekey, arrive 24 hours before you do to turn on the air conditioning or heat

People really do love to help out and feel useful, so don’t turn down offers of assistance! Be creative and let them make your life just that little bit easier during this time.