Alumni News
Luther College Awards Tenure to Ms. Susan Gayle Schmidt (STH’93)
This press release was originally published by the Decorah News, and can be found here.
The Luther College Board of Regents has granted tenure to Ms. Susan Gayle Schmidt (STH'93) and promoted her to associate professor.
Social work faculty member Susan Schmidt has master's degrees from Columbia University School of Social Work and from Boston University School of Theology. She earned her Doctorate in social work from the University of St. Thomas.
Missioner for Youth and Young Adult Ministries
About the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and Cathedral Church of St. Paul
Located on Boston Common in Downtown Crossing, the diocesan offices and cathedral church are the hub for the vibrant community of The Episcopal Church in eastern Massachusetts. The diocese serves as grantor and administrator for multiple direct service and on-the-ground programs, supporting local efforts in over 175 congregations.
In our new diocesan mission strategy, we reassert in these tumultuous times that “As a people of hope, we come together to find the way forward.” We see ourselves as disciples of Jesus, seekers of justice and protectors of creation. We know that to succeed, we will need to more fully engage the unique brand of enthusiasm, honesty and energy of our youth and young adults.
The Missioner for Youth and Young Adult Ministries is charged with encouraging, applauding and challenging the church to embrace creative and robust ministry both for and with youth and young adults, both in our worshiping communities and in the life of the diocese as a whole.
In order to do this, the Missioner for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, reporting to the Bishop Suffragan, will
• Provide direct service to young people (through the Diocesan Youth Council and other activities)
• Provide professional development and networking opportunities for youth workers (through training events and ongoing communication)
• Nourish the visible leadership of young adults through support of the Young Adult Advisory Committee and Young Adult Network
• Foster connections between young adults and those that minister to them in the diocese in congregations and other settings, including college chaplaincies and the Life Together residential fellowship program, and encourage partnerships and collaboration among these ministries
• Look for innovative ways to integrate young people and youth ministry into all areas of congregational and diocesan life
• Oversee administrative and supervisory activities of the office
• Take on other duties as assigned and mutually agreed to
In all this work, the Missioner is expected to work intentionally to dismantle racism within the church, to work in ways that challenge white supremacy culture, and to recruit, raise up and support POC leaders and communities.
Work Plan/Details to accomplish these responsibilities:
Reporting to the Bishop Suffragan, the Missioner for Youth and Young Adult Ministries will:
Provide direct service to young people
• Recruit, select, support and manage the Diocesan Youth Council (DYC)
• Recruit, select, support and manage other diocesan wide groups, such as the Las Fronteras Pilgrimage Group, as needs and as opportunities arise
• Plan and organize the annual weekend retreats and pre-Confirmation retreats at the diocesan Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center (BCHCC), in partnership with the DYC
• Promote, plan and organize involvement of diocesan youth in denomination-wide opportunities such as the triennial Episcopal Youth Event (EYE), the Official Youth Presence at the General Convention of The Episcopal Church, and others offered by The Episcopal Church.
• Plan and organize additional half- and full-day youth events across the diocese, opportunities for young people from multiple congregations to meet and collaborate in the name of Christ
• Serve as advisor and resource to the BCH Camp Director and Summer Chaplain in their efforts to recruit visiting chaplains for the summer; develop the summer faith formation theme and Bible study curriculum and plan the worship life for camp at the BCHCC; serve on the BCHCC board, attending board meetings and participating on board committees as available
Provide professional development and networking opportunities for youth workers
• Plan and organize periodic trainings and networking opportunities for youth workers in the church, serving both paid and volunteer youth workers, lay and ordained
• Serve as resource to congregations across the diocese on youth ministry and the spiritual formation of young people by responding to inquiries, hosting and attending meetings, making parish visits and other activities
Nourish the visible leadership of young adults through support of the Young Adult Advisory Committee and Young Adult Network
• Support the leadership of the Young Adult Advisory Committee in scheduling, planning and running the committee’s bimonthly meetings
• Support the work of the committee’s working groups and subcommittees and assist in assuring maximum coordination among the committee’s activities
• Work with the committee’s leadership and bishops to recruit and orient new members to the committee as called for in their Terms of Reference
• In partnership with the Missioner for Networking and Formation, support the cultivation and mobilization of the Young Adult Network, encouraging leadership from within the network and providing support to cultivate, nurture and develop those leaders who emerge
• Foster connections between young adults and those that minister to them in the diocese in congregations and other settings, including college chaplaincies and Life Together, and encourage partnerships and collaboration among these ministries
• Convene Episcopal chaplains working in a variety of settings for periodic meetings with the goal of enhancing opportunities for mutual support, ministry collaborations and seeking out opportunities for on-campus activities to engage with off-campus young adults, as well, when appropriate
• Meet regularly with Life Together staff and, as appropriate, with fellows to seek ways to engage this community with other young adult communities, and vice versa
• Maintain consistent contact with the regional canons of the diocese who are involved with cultivating new campus and young adult ministries in their regions in order to support those efforts and help align them with overall diocesan efforts (such as the emerging possibilities with UMass/Dartmouth, St Peter’s, Dartmouth, and Grace, New Bedford)
• Support the Young Adult Advisory Committee to consider the broader map of ministries and opportunities across the diocese and assure that the committee’s membership continues to include representatives from Life Together, campus ministries and other key young adult ministry efforts
Look for innovative ways to integrate young people and youth and young adult ministry into all areas of congregational and diocesan life
• Seek, develop and maintain partnerships with diocesan task forces, commissions, committees and other work groups to assure broad participation of young people in the life of the diocese
• Maintain and coordinate communications about youth and young adult ministry activities, opportunities and resources through the diocesan youth ministry website (diomassyouth.org) and diocesan website (diomass.org/young-adult-ministries), FYI, eNews, and other communication vehicles
• Keep abreast of emerging trends, promising practices and national thought leaders in the field of youth ministry, campus ministry and young adult ministry, and share this information as useful and appropriate
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with a diverse range of individuals across the diocese in order to assure that the activities of the office are effective and useful
• Participate in the meetings, proceedings and activities of the diocesan staff, looking for opportunities to collaborate with other ministry areas to the benefit of youth and young adults, of our congregations and of the life of the church overall
Oversee administrative and supervisory activities of the office
• Oversee the annual budget of the office and process payment of expenses incurred on behalf of the office as well fees for service and other income
• Supervise all staff, volunteers, contractors and interns assigned to Youth Ministry
• Support and advise the Executive Director of Life Together
• Supervise the college chaplains who are on diocesan payroll
• Work closely with the Canon for Ordained Vocations whose role is as staff liaison to the Young Adult and Campus Ministries subcommittee of Diocesan Council’s Mission Initiatives Committee, assisting in aligning their work with the overall coordinated Young Adult Ministries strategy
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree ant 7+ years’ leading and managing youth and young adult programming or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Familiarity with the Episcopal Church or a similar tradition highly desirable
• Excellent leadership, management and organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills required, with ability sensitivity and confidentiality
• Highly self-motivated and able to work collaboratively
• Available to attend evening meetings, weekend events and occasional travel
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform the essential functions of the position
Please apply by sending cover letter and resume to dames@diomass.org
Assistant for Congregations and Grant Administration, Full-Time, Episcopal: Boston, MA
About the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts: The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is one of the nine original dioceses of The Episcopal Church organized after the American revolution and established in 1784. The diocese is notably the first in the worldwide Anglican Communion to consecrate a woman as a bishop in 1989 and the first diocese in the Episcopal Church to install an African American as diocesan bishop in 1970. Today, it is one of the largest dioceses in The Episcopal Church in terms of membership, with offices located on Boston Common in Downtown Crossing, the diocesan offices and Cathedral Church of St. Paul are the hub for the vibrant community of The Episcopal Church in eastern Massachusetts. The diocese serves as grantor and administrator for multiple direct service and on-the-ground programs, supporting local efforts in more than 175 congregations.
About the Position: Administrative staff are essential to keeping important projects moving forward and to the success of the work of the organization as a whole. In this role you will interact with staff and individuals at all levels across the organization and be involved in complex project management with multiple stakeholders.
Reporting to the Bishop Suffragan, the assistant for congregations and grant administration is responsible for supporting the work of three regional canons and the Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries. This position will also coordinate grantmaking for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, which provides $3.5 million in funds to congregations, clergy, programs and chaplaincies. This position offers a unique opportunity to support community-based work and gain experience for potential growth within the team.
Responsibilities
Provide administrative support to senior level staff including the Regional Canons working with congregations in transition and the Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries including but not limited to:
• Maintain confidential records including clergy letters of agreement and immigration documents
• Produce monthly clergy transition reports
• Maintain and circulate the supply clergy list
• Coordinate and prepare materials for meetings including of interim clergy and transition consultants
• Submit monthly expense reports and arrange occasional travel for canons
• Provide miscellaneous support as needed
Coordinate various grantmaking programs including grants to congregations. clergy, special ministries, and various scholarships. Related duties include:
• Responsible for overseeing the integrity of data that enables strategic and administrative planning and evaluation of programs
• Assist with intake of grantee submissions and ensure completeness
• Receive, track and maintain grant applications and related documents
• Communicate requirements, deadlines and application status with grantees and granting committees
• Coordinate with Treasurer’s Office staff on grantmaking compliance and its documentation and the dissemination of funds
• Compose and send award acknowledgments
• Preparation of year-end reports
Contribute to the administrative team’s support for Diocese:
• Collaborate on diocese-wide meetings and events, coordinating with the assistant for networking and event coordination
• Contribute to group projects in close partnership with other team members
• Order office supplies for diocesan staff
• Other tasks as assigned
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be an excellent project manager with experience using various tools for effective communication, operations and knowledge management. They will have strong proficiency with office technology and exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree or 3-4 years’ experience in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Excellent communication skills required, with ability for tact, sensitivity and confidentiality
• Attention to detail essential, especially as related to planning and record keeping
• Proficiency in Office 365 is essential, Zoom hosting and secure web-based document signing
• Highly motivated and takes initiative, and must be able to work collaboratively
• Ability to independently prioritize work and problem solve
• Familiarity with The Episcopal Church or similar tradition highly desirable, but not required
• Available to attend occasional evening meetings or weekend events
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Benefits
The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts provides extensive benefits to its employees including:
• A flexible environment including work schedule and hybrid work from home
• Employer paid health and vision insurance, optional dental plan
• Generous paid time off including 4 weeks of vacation, sick time, many holidays and extended breaks
• Employer contribution of 10% to employee pension
To apply, please send cover letter and resume to dames@diomass.org
Mrs. Pauline Redd Hadley (STH’49)
Mrs. Pauline Redd Hadley died on Nov. 4, 2020.
From BU Today: Boston University’s Mask Mandate to End, with Exceptions
The original article was published on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 on BU Today.
- March 7: Masking at BU becomes optional except for classrooms, the BUS, and health facilities.
- COVID-testing for on-campus employees becomes optional that day, too.
- Those who opt to continue masking and testing may do so.
March 7 will be a bigger date than just the Monday of spring break. It will also mark the end of Boston University’s masking mandate, which has been in place since the arrival of the coronavirus almost two years ago, except in classrooms and certain other venues. The University is weighing a decision to lift the classroom mask mandate effective April 4.
BU will also end mandatory COVID-19 testing on Monday, March 7, for employees who come to campus, as well as proof-of-vaccination requirements at entertainment events and fitness centers open to the BU community and the public. (The University will continue to make COVID testing available for employees who want it or need to test after a close contact experience. People with COVID symptoms can schedule tests at BU’s Health Services Annex in the back of Agganis Arena.)
For past COVID-19 updates and stories, please click here.
Sr. Creative Content Specialist, Full-Time, UMCom: Nashville, TN
The Senior Creative Content Specialist uses creative copywriting and ideation across multiple channels to support marketing and advertising efforts for both internal and external clients.
The position develops and manages high-quality marketing and advertising content including but not limited to email campaigns, websites, social media, newsletters, brochures, advertisements, infographics, videos, live presentations, events and webinars.
The successful candidate will be able to collaborate and contribute to the creative conceptualization for both internal and external clients.
This position serves as the lead proofreader and editor for all collateral created by the Creative Strategy team.
To apply or for more information contact: UMCom/Human Resources: 615-742-5137 or Email: hr@umcom.org
To apply please provide the following: Cover Letter→ Resume →Complete Application Form →Work Samples Welcome
Theological Summer Intern: Martha’s Vineyard, MA
The Martha’s Vineyard Campmeeting Association, a religious nonprofit organization, is seeking a Summer Theological Intern to help us with our Spiritual Life programming in the 2022 season. This is a full-time paid position that includes housing. The ideal candidate is a person of faith with strong spiritual, organizational, interpersonal, and computer skills.
Dates: June – August or early September, 13 weeks (Slight flexibility as to start and end dates)
Hours: 40 hours/week, including Sundays
Pay: $13.50/hour
Housing: Housing is provided on our grounds: a simple room with bath and kitchenette, with access to a shared outdoor grill and picnic area, with parking.
About Us:
Since its official incorporation in 1868, and in an informal capacity since 1835, the MVCMA has been fulfilling its mission to hold religious services on the island of Martha’s Vineyard.
Originally Methodist, our services are now interdenominational, and, in addition to our own services, currently our historic iron Tabernacle is being used by several other local congregations, to accommodate their need for open-air worship during Covid-19.
As one of the few remaining summer camp meetings, which were a widespread phenomenon of religious revivalism in the 19th century, the MVCMA holds significance in American religious history. Our 34 acre grounds are a National Historical Landmark. While for many decades, the participants in our Campmeetings gathered in hundreds of tents, we now reside in Victorian Gothic "gingerbread" cottages, many of which date from the 1870s.
We are a community consisting of the residents of these tiny cottages, and we welcome visitors to our summer programs. Each summer we host weekly worship services as well as cultural and community events.
Location: Oak Bluffs, MA, on the island of Martha's Vineyard; a few minutes’ walk from the beach, ferry, harbor, and shops.
Application Process: Please send cover letter and resume to SLMVCMA@gmail.com.
Job Description:
• Assist in managing our Sunday services (one weekly) and those of visiting churches (typically three each week). Serve as a welcoming representative of MVCMA at these services, provide oversight of the Covid-19 safety protocols, coordinate the volunteers, and strengthen our relationship with the visiting congregations. Oversee the transfer of the livestreamed services to our website and YouTube Channel.
• Work to grow attendance at our services and programs through creative use of media: oversee Spiritual Life events on MVCMA website, YouTube Channel, and Instagram; coordinate advertising with local papers and websites; distribute event posters; and expand our media reach.
• Edit weekly church bulletins (one per week).
• Develop a “Good Shepherd Program,” ministering to residents who are in need of friendly visits, focusing on those residents facing illness and physical and emotional challenges.
• Greet the guest preacher and spouse as they arrive on the island each week. Serve as a liaison with them, growing the relationship between MVCMA and these visiting clergy, and ensuring they have a positive experience.
• Provide informal outreach to residents, growing relationships among neighbors, connecting them with our programming, and connecting them with one another.
• Oversee the creation of a schedule of weekly Bible studies and actively participate in them, with a focus on welcoming newcomers. These Bible studies may be led by the visiting preacher or by the intern, at the discretion of each preacher.
Applicant Requirements:
• Strong faith and the desire to share God's love by ministering to needy individuals and by growing bonds among neighbors
• Graduate work towards an M.Div. or related degree; intention to enter the ministry strongly preferred
• Strong social confidence and interpersonal skills, such that welcoming visitors, reaching out to isolated people, and connecting them with others comes naturally
• Caring acceptance of community members of diverse needs, political opinions, beliefs, and identities; humility and a commitment to build bridges across political and personal divides
• Organizational abilities
• The ability to work independently; the energy of a self-starter who shows leadership and initiative
• Social media and computer skills
• Writing, editing, and proofreading abilities; the skills necessary to help produce advertisements and bulletins for our worship services
• A commitment to helping our community adhere to Covid-19 protocols
• Ours is a small residential community, and the Intern's interactions, on and off the job, will be a reflection on our organization. High standards of personal behavior, including adherence to Covid-19 protocols, and cordial, warm interactions with neighbors, will be expected, throughout the period of employment.
Additional Information
• MVCMA is a National Historic Landmark. We have our own seasonal Cottage Museum and community tours, and are in the process of organizing a database of our historic archives. A person with an interest in American religious history would find this position particularly interesting.
• If the intern prefers to do the computer aspects of this job not in our office but remotely, on island, that may be an option.
Director of Music Ministries, Part-Time, UMC: North Andover, MA
First United Methodist Church, North Andover, is a small but vibrant congregation. Music is a vital part of our worship service. In coordination with the Pastor, the Music director exercises an important ministry that reaches out to all members of the congregation. We are a reconciling congregation and welcome to all regardless of age, race, cultural identity, gender identity and sexual identity.
The music director serves as a leader, educator and principal musician of this congregation
Hours of Work – Eight to ten hours per week, including Sunday morning worship services and choir rehearsals.
Areas of Responsibility
• Provide music with piano, organ or keyboard for Sunday morning worship services
• Meet regularly with the Pastor and Worship team to plan and integrate music into the life of the church
• Work with choir and praise band
• Facilitate and encourage participation by church members
• Bring in guest musicians as needed
• Assist in finding a substitute as needed
Qualifications
• Proficiency in piano and keyboard
• Experience with traditional and contemporary Christian music
• Experience leading a choir
Compensation
• Compensation is salaried and in the range of $8,000 -$10,000 per year, paid monthly, based on experience.
• Two weeks paid vacation is included
• Sick days to be negotiated with Staff Parish Relations Committee
• Not eligible for health insurance or any other benefits
• The Music Director and FUMC North Andover may terminate employment at will, but recognize that 30 days’ notice is preferable
Rev. Kori Pacyniak (STH’15) and the Women Priests Push for Changes in the Church
This article was originally published by the Bostonia, Boston University's Alumni Magazine. The original post can be found here.
Growing up in a Polish neighborhood of Chicago, Kori Pacyniak was swaddled in Catholicism. Their family was devoutly Catholic. Friends in Girl Scouts and a Polish folk dancing group were Catholic. But Pacyniak’s love for the Church often felt unrequited, as when, at just eight, they told their grandmother, “I want to be a priest.”
“Only boys can be priests,” their grandmother responded. “Fine,” Pacyniak recalls saying, “when I grow up, I want to be a boy.”
Now 40, Pacyniak (STH’15) was ordained in 2020 as the first known transgender, nonbinary cleric in the Roman Catholic Women Priests—a revolution among revolutionaries. Women Priests is a global breakaway movement from the Church, with 200 clergy, mostly in the United States. Its priests are automatically excommunicated by the Vatican, which recognizes ordination for cisgender men only.
Finish reading here.
Senior Minister, Full-Time, Interdenominational Protestant Church: East Williston, NY
Join us as we prepare to meet the challenges of our second century. Established in 1925, the historic Community Church of East Williston is a Mainline, Interdenominational Protestant Church serving the needs of persons from all backgrounds. We have a faithful, hardworking congregational core and seek a Senior Minister who, through Christian love and action, will help us turn those with occasional attendance into members with faithful commitment. The position requires an experienced, ordained Protestant minister with youthful enthusiasm to reestablish CCEW as a “Light in the Community.” We offer a competitive salary and a beautiful manse in a verdant suburb with a highly ranked school district (top 10% in NY), 45 minutes from Manhattan via railroad.
Our ideal candidate:
• Is an ordained minister and graduate of an accredited Protestant Seminary (CCEW will facilitate ordination if necessary)
• Maintains a cheerful and enthusiastic outlook
• Preaches interesting, thoughtful, and provocative sermons relating Scripture to everyday lives.
• Fosters relationships with youth and young families
• Collaborates with lay leadership and church staff to coordinate and conduct the ministries of the church
• Counsels congregants and committees
• Uses social media to further the goals of the church
• Considers high quality and diverse music to be a vital part of worship
• Demonstrates team building and conflict resolution skills
• Visits congregants in need
• Works to expand the influence of the church in the community
• Provides wedding support including rehearsals
• Has experience in pastoral ministry
The Pastoral Search Committee is accepting packages containing (but not limited to) your resume and online samples of your sermons. We’d like to hear about your call to ministry, your beliefs, and style of ministry.