Religious Education Assistant, Part Time, UU:
First Parish of Norwell is located in the town of Norwell, and draws congregants from many neighboring communities. Our membership is about 130, plus friends, and we currently have a children/youth program with 19 families including 30 children/teens. The current Contract Minister is expected to become the Settled Minister in 2023, and the Church is in the early stages of enacting a Strategic Plan with a focus on outreach and social justice. In the time of COVID, First Parish has held service online. Fall 2021 we conducted outdoor worship in person and we have now returned to in person worship inside our recently refreshed meeting house while continuing to broadcast the service online. We are excited about the new dawn when we get to implement fresh ideas, while building off of what we love about our congregation and contribute to the wider community.
We seek a Religious Education Assistant that shares in our mission and wants to support the Religious Education program at First Parish of Norwell. The primary responsibility will be to work with the Director of Community Engagement to deliver religious programming for the young people and youth of the church.
This is a part time position with in-person responsibilities on Sundays (September through June) 9am – 12pm weekly and 4pm – 7pm once a month for youth group. There is also approximately 2 hours of preparation required each week which can be done at-home.
Supervision: This position is supervised by the minister
Qualifications:
1. Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent level of knowledge and experience in
religion, education, or related field;
2. Successful experience teaching young people;
3. Self-starter and ability to work collaboratively with a team;
4. Effective written and oral communication skills, including public speaking; and
5. Familiarity and appreciation for liberal religion, preferably knowledge of Unitarian Universalist traditions.
Responsibilities:
1. Work with the Director of Community Engagement to lead Sunday morning religious education classes for young people, including serving as lead instructor for one class;
2. Serve as Youth Group advisor and attend Youth Group gatherings at least one time per month;
3. Work with the Director of Community Engagement to oversee/teach Our Whole Lives (comprehensive sex education classes) for teenagers (training for Our Whole Lives would be paid by the church);
4. Work under the guidance of the Director of Community Engagement to oversee the youth Coming of Age program;
5. Develop and present a story for the Time for All Ages during Sunday morning services once a month or at the discretion of the Director of Community Engagement.
Compensation: $ 40/ hour; for 3 hours each Sunday morning, 3 hours Sunday evening once a month, and 2 hours of preparation each week. Funding and time for professional development and collegial support with other UU personnel is available.
Candidates may submit a cover letter, resume and references no later than July 20 to:
Rev. Susan Chorley
minister@firstparishnorwell.org
Please include “Religious Education Assistant” in the subject heading of your email. Our preference is to have someone in the role beginning September 1st.