Director for Ministry with Children and Youth

 

Please address questions and submit applications to:

 the Interim Rector, Fr Thom Jensen

 

Who we are: Immanuel Church Highlands is an eclectic congregation with worship that is enthusiastically liturgical. There are a growing number of young families coming to church, a vigorous Christian Education Ministry, a choir for boys and girls aged 7 1/2 years old and older, a variety of youth programs, many volunteers of all ages, a committed volunteer lay leadership, and an excellent base upon which to build.

 

Who you are: the ideal candidate is someone who relates well to children of all ages, fully appreciates the value of our youngest members, enjoys families, loves playing, appreciates the drama of worship, can coordinate and enthuse volunteers, calls and runs effective meetings, and wants to make a meaningful contribution to the growth of God’s kingdom. 

 

Purpose: there are two purposes for the year ahead

1.      to serve our existing members through Christian education and youth programs

2.      through such programs, to be part of the work at Immanuel to attract and keep families

 

There are three areas of action:

  1. Sunday School and Nursery (“Come and learn with us”)

  2. Youth Groups and activities (“Come and play with us”)

  3. Liturgy and Worship (“Come and worship with us”)  

 

Responsibility: the Director for Ministry with Children and Youth

is accountable to the Rector, and leads the Christian Education Ministry which is made up of volunteers from the congregation; note that any candidate must meet the standards of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware standards for working with children and youth and/or gain any training necessary to conform to these standards. The Diocese of Delaware requires anyone employed by Immanuel Church, Highlands to receive a minimum of four hours of education, provided by the Diocese, on issues of child sexual abuse in church settings.

 

What should be on your resume: you have a reputation for

  • ability to relate well to children and youth

  • strong collegiality/teamwork

  • spiritual insight

  • excellent communication skills with a variety of age groups

  • doing, more than talking; being results oriented

 

Position Description: this is a full year, .6 F.T.E., with competitive compensation (including benefits) dependent on qualifications and experience.

 

Activity details:

The following list is intended to provide a taste of what currently occurs at Immanuel. The ideal candidate is intended, not to fill the shoes of the previous Director of Christian Education, but to use those shoes as a springboard into the future. The list does, nonetheless, enable candidates to understand the level and type of expectations.

 

  1. Sunday School (between morning services)

    1. 3-5 year olds

    2. Gr. 1 – 3

    3. Gr. 4/5

    4. Gr. 6 – 8

    5. Gr. 9 – 12

 

  1. Youth Groups typically meet after church on Sundays – frequency and length of meetings varies

 

  1. Events

    1. Lock-in: once a year in the summer for Junior and Senior High Youth groups

                                                               i.      19 attended this year

                                                             ii.      Junior and Senior High youth are encouraged to invite friends

    1. Vacation Bible School: one week in the summer (at present)

                                                               i.      Afternoons 1.00 – 4.30

                                                             ii.      25-30 attended last year; 41 this year

    1. Extreme Sundays: Sundays when Evensong is sung by the Girls and Boys Choristers

                                                               i.      Between 10.30a.m. service and choir call for Evensong

                                                             ii.      Lunch and activities for all youth groups

    1. Trips

                                                               i.      Junior Youth: 1 day trip in the summer/fall

                                                             ii.      Tweens: 1 day trip in the summer/fall

                                                            iii.      Senior: 1 or 2 day trips summer/fall

  1. Support and attendance at Diocesan Events

    1. Winter Camp weekends for each of  the Junior and Senior High youth groups and any friends they invite

    2. National Acolyte Festival in Washington D.C.

    3. Sunday Night Live once a month at various churches during the school year

    4. Ad hoc events

  2. Mission Projects

    1. Advent Project

    2. Shrove Tuesday dinner

    3. Lenten Project

    4. May baskets

    5. Hallowe’en Fashion Show (UNICEF)

  3. Liturgy

    1. Advent activities e.g. Jesse Tree and lighting the Advent Wreath (Sunday School)

    2. Christmas liturgy/pageant (various participants)

    3. Stations of the Magi (Sunday School)

    4. Stations of the Cross (Junior/Senior High youth groups and others)

    5. Pentecost liturgy (various participants)

    6. Christ the King Sunday (various participants)

    7. Boat Boys and Girls

    8. liturgical dance (various participants)

    9. Every Generation services

  4. Nursery for Sundays, special services, special meetings (coordination of volunteers and recruiting professional help)

  5. Administration including budget preparation, ordering of materials, coordinating volunteer leaders to teach the Sunday School classes, leadership of the Christian Education Ministry (meets every two months and/or as needed), maintaining appropriate files