Alumni News
STH Publishes 2017 issue of FOCUS Magazine
The School of Theology is pleased to announce the publication of its annual scholarly journal, focus magazine. Featuring articles and sermons written by STH students, faculty, and alumni, this year's magazine is titled "Living in the Storm", and centers around the themes of searching for healing in a wounded and divided nation.
Click the magazine below to view this year's issue.
Part-time Minister of Christian Education, Acton, MA
The West Acton Baptist Church in Acton, MA is seeking a part-time Minister of Christian Education who has a passion for ministry with children and youth. This person will work closely with the pastor to design and implement a program of Christian formation. Complete job description available at http://westactonbaptistchurch.org/files/124346579.pdf . To apply, send a cover letter and resume to: wabcadmin@verizon.net by August 6, 2017.
Parish Officer Manager, Waltham
Christ Church Episcopal in Waltham is seeking candidates for a half-time salary position of Parish Officer Manager, with a starting salary of $18,500 annually. Reports to Priest of the parish.
Areas of responsibility include administration, financial record keeping, building oversight, communications, and front desk ministry in an urban church setting.
Duties include:
Overall smooth functioning of office in support of priest and parish, including keeping established office hours
Some areas of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, as well as managing financial records and reporting in conjunction with the church treasurer
Overall smooth functioning of use of the building; interface with renters and vendors, scheduling, and supplies
Assisting with internal and external parish communications by assembling weekly e-newsletter, Sunday bulletins, prayer lists, materials for bulletin boards, as well as updating defined areas of the website.
Being the “face” and first point of contact with the parish, including administering food card ministry
Candidates must:
Be respectful of confidentiality
Work well with volunteers
Be familiar with Quickbooks, Google Docs/Sheets/Drive, and Microsoft Publisher, Word, and Excel
Have general experience in: document production, desktop publishing, keeping financial records, and paying and recording bills.
Experience with Church Windows and Mailchimp highly desirable.
Interested parties are asked to send a resume, including details of experience and software proficiency, to: hiring-ccw@googlegroups.com. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Anticipated date of hire is August 10.
Sunday School Teachers, Waban, MA
Position: Sunday School Teachers
Parish: Parish of the Good Shepherd
Town: Waban
FT/PT: Part time
Clergy required?: No
Name: Kourtni Brown
E-mail: ce@goodshepherdnewton.org
Parish of the Good Shepherd seeks two Sunday school teachers for grades 1-2nd and 3rd through 5th grade. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic and can help with the spiritual formation of our children. It is the mission of Parish of the Good Shepherd to join with children and youth in worshipping God, while guiding them in their faith journey as we deepen our own faith, and together create disciples of Jesus Christ.
Duties and responsibilities include:
- Work with the Priest and CE Director to implement our current education programs
- Work with our volunteer teachers and assistants in the Sunday school classes
- Keep a record of children who come and notify the CE director when someone hasn’t come for awhile
- Develop relationships with the children in the program
- Provide a welcoming atmosphere
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have:
- A high school degree and/or college education
- Experience with teaching, preferably in a church setting
- Excellent interpersonal skills and rapport with children, youth and families.
- Organizational abilities
- Communication
- Ability to be creative and innovative
- If not an Episcopalian, the candidate will be willing to support the basics of our tradition.
- A CORI check and completion of Safe Church training will be required.
Time and Compensation:
School year – September through June
Weekly pay of $35 with one hour required each Sunday
*Additional opportunities for similar work wand pay may be available throughout the year.
Please contact:
Please submit cover letter, resume, and references to the Director of Christian Education via e-mail at: ce@goodshepherdnewton or mail at: Parish of the Good Shepherd 1671 Beacon Street Waban MA 02468
Parish of the Good Shepherds does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other quality unrelated to an applicant's ability to succeed in the position.
Part-time Youth Minister, Cambridge, MA
The Memorial Church of Harvard University seeks a part-time Youth Minister for the upcoming academic year. This is a fun, creative on-campus job where you’ll be able to connect with a diverse and enthusiastic group of young people, be a part of the vibrant Memorial Church community, and gain invaluable leadership skills in planning and implementing weekly class sessions. Our program serves students ages 12 through 15.
The Director will have the opportunity to lead and develop programming and classes throughout the year. This is an exciting, historic year for the Memorial Church as we seek to expand our faith formation programs.
Responsibilities:
- Leads class for teenage students during the Sunday morning worship service with access to a full curriculum as well as games, crafts, and other supplies.
- Bring ideas for how to create a diverse, inclusive, warm, welcoming program.
- Works with the Ministry Fellow and staff to facilitate at least two service learning opportunities.
- Collaborates with the Ministry Fellow to plan and supervise First Friday outings for teenage students once per month for three hours.
- Gets to know the young people, being a role model and a mentor to them throughout the year. Contribute to the safety of the young people.
- Attends scheduled team meetings to plan activities and check-in.
- Contributes to the safety of the young people.
- Responsibilities are to exceed no more than 6 hours per week.
- Reports directly to the Ministry Fellow.
Time Commitment:
- Arrive at Memorial Church no later than 10:30 AM each Sunday and staying until roughly 12:30 pm.
- The Church School is open Sunday mornings while Harvard classes are in session (you would not need to be here during school vacations). While it is important that you be with us every Sunday, it is possible to have one or two Sundays away when given advance notice.
- Regular meetings to plan activities and check-in on how everyone is doing (these meetings will likely take place on Sunday mornings).
- First Fridays occur on the first Friday of each month for no more than three hours in the evening. These events are co-lead with the Ministry Fellow.
- A couple of hours a week for curriculum and program development.
Qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree required. Pursuing a Master’s of Divinity degree or similar is preferred.
- Basic knowledge of Christian faith and theology.
- Experience working with young people.
- Commitment to engage and lead young people in the development of their faith.
- Completion of CORI background check.
Compensation:
Teacher compensation is $3,000 per year.
Apply:
Brief interviews will be held in the upcoming weeks. To interview for the position, please contact Ministry Fellow, Westley Conn, at westley_conn@harvard.edu, no later than September 1, 2017. Please include the following information:
- Cover letter that includes:
o Your name and university affiliation (Class year/graduation
program, etc.).
o Current contact information.
o Your availability for an interview.
o A brief description (short paragraph) of your interest in the
position and/or qualifications.
- Résumé
How the social gospel movement explains the roots of today’s religious left
Professor of the history of Christianity, Christopher Evans, has published a commentary on The Conversation titled "How the social gospel movement explains the roots of today's religious left." In this article, Professor Evans discusses the beginnings of religious progressives, the social gospel movement, and why it matters today. Click here to read the full article.
Part-time Youth and Young Adult Leader, Needham, MA
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Youth & Young Adult Leader Reports to: Director of Faith Formation
Classification: Part-time (15 hrs/week) FLSA Status: Exempt
Purpose of the job:
The Youth & Young Adult Leader is vital to the overall educational mission of Carter Memorial UMC (Needham, MA) by ensuring quality programs and mentoring for youth in grades 6-12 and young adults. The role of the Youth & Young Adult Leader is to build a sense of community within the youth and young adults of the church that provides an opportunity for both spiritual and social development. The Youth & Young Adult Leader is an integral part of the staff and reports directly to the Director of Faith Formation (DFF) and the Staff-Parish Relations Committee.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities:
Actively lead the youth program at Carter and provide guidance and teaching for its members
- Create a welcoming, fun, and enthusiastic environment for youth to connect with one another and growth in their faith.
- Work with the youth, their parents, and volunteers to develop and publish a yearly plan of at least one social, educational, spiritual, and/or mission oriented event per month.
- Serve as the staff liaison to the Missions and Social Justice Committee (MSJ) to plan mission activities that encourage maximum involvement of the youth.
- Recruit and train adult mentors to participate in youth activities.
- Lead the instruction of the youth Sunday school classes (grades 6-8 and grades 9-12) and coordinate others to teach the classes.
- Partner with the Senior Pastor and/or Director of Faith Formation (DFF) to lead a confirmation program that meets the needs of confirmands and learning goals of the Christian Education program.
- Coordinate with the DFF in developing and managing the annual budget as it relates to youth and young adult activities.
- Attend staff meetings as directed by the DFF and/or Senior Pastor to communicate and connect youth and young adult activities to the broader themes of the church.
Facilitate fellowship activities for young adults
- Connect with young adults, explore fellowship opportunity ideas, and develop programs to encourage spiritual, emotional and community growth among young adults and the rest of the congregation.
Build strong relationships with the youth and their families
- Grow the emerging youth program by proactively reaching out to youth within the church toassess their spiritual needs and encourage them to participate in activities like worship, Sunday school, youth fellowship, choirs, retreats, mission trips, etc.
- Establish and maintain supportive appropriate relationships with youth and their families (for example, attending events of importance in their lives).
- Connect the youth with the various interfaith opportunities in the area and United Methodist Youth activities in the New England Conference.
Encourage growing levels of participation through strong marketing of the programs
- Communicate in timely and effective ways with parents, youth, young adult and church staff.
- Provide communication and publicity for youth and young adult events through the web, social media, email, and monthly newsletter to inform the youth and young adults and their families and encourage church-wide support of the youth and young adult programs.
Qualifications:
The candidate must have:
- A personal commitment to Christ and Christian education and support for the United Methodist tradition.
- Passionate about inspiring youth and young adults and building relationships and a community of faith.
- Experience in Christian education leadership roles.
- Experience leading groups of youth—experience as a community service leader or as a youth counselor is preferred.
- Strong organization, planning, and communication skills
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite (or equivalent) and familiarity with Social Media
- The candidate must also read and agree to the Safe Sanctuary policy as adopted by Carter Memorial United Methodist Church. This includes agreeing to a CORI background check and acting in accordance with the provisions set forth by the Safe Sanctuary policy.
Salary and Benefits:
- Salary upon request
- Benefits include:
- FICA
- Work-related mileage at the IRS allowed rate
- National holidays as designated by the Staff-Parish Relations Committee
- Four weeks of paid vacation - two weeks (i.e., Sunday Services) during the summer and two during the school year
Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to cartersprc@gmail.com
Associate Pastor, Johnson City, NY
Associate Pastor for Developing Ministries at Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church
308 Main Street, Johnson City, NY 13790
Contact Rev. Ron Wenzinger (607) 797-3938 revswenz@aol.com
Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial UMC is in a small, changing urban community with significant poverty. It is also facing change and renewal through the coming Binghamton University Pharmacy and Nursing Schools. This position seeks to create ministries to connect our coming new neighbors with the existing church through development of a new congregation and programs to meet their needs.
This will be a ½ time, 12 month/yr. salaried position (20-25 hrs. per week) reporting to the Sr. Pastor.
Duties will include but not be limited to:
Get to know our unchurched community and new neighbors through One-on-Ones
Build a team to develop and supervise Coffeehouse outreach to BU students
Build a team to develop and lead new contemporary worship
Develop new volunteers and leaders from among the above new ministries
Teach at least one Spiritual growth class per week – Possibly at Binghamton Brewery
Coordinate social media internship program and ensure its quality and relevance
Participate as time permits in existing outreach ministries (esp. Tues night events)
Requirements for Position (May be negotiable)
Ordination in any UMC recognized denomination will be helpful, but not required. It will be advantageous for candidate to have some business skills and experience as well as experience with contemporary worship and its music. Some theological training and background is necessary and theological students are welcomed and encouraged to apply.
The successful candidate for this position needs to be amenable to following the Discipline of the United Methodist Church. Candidates from other denominations or without any declared denomination are welcome and may wish to move into United Methodist Candidacy for ministry if not already in that process.
Benefits include:
Possible access to educational loans and grants through the church’s Memorial Education Fund
Two week’s paid vacation after completion of first year of employment
Amazing ministry opportunities in a dynamic and redeveloping small city environment
Opportunity to be mentored by experienced (34 yrs.) UMC Elder and develop ministry skills
Opportunity to become a part of the Upper NY Annual Conference of the UMC with nearly 900 churches across upstate NY. Upon UMC ordination (if chosen), there is guarantee of appointment until retirement.
Salary, housing or housing allowance, and other benefits may be negotiated at time of hiring
Mrs. Marcia Berry, STH'60
Marcia Berry died on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City. She had been born Marcia Jean Lubbers on November 22, 1936, in Grand Rapids Michigan, the daughter of Clarence and Martha Lubbers. Marcia's primary role was as mother of her children. However, she was also employed as Director of Christian Education at the Maple Street Congregational Church in Danvers (1960-62), as the program director for four day care centers operated by Inter/Serv in St. Joseph (1974-76), and as a member of the adjunct faculty at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City (1990-92). She gave private lessons in organ and piano, and thoroughly enjoyed accompanying high school students for regional and state music contests.
Marcia was a woman of faith. Her motto was "Lived with Christ; Died with Christ; Raised with Christ!"
*Note taken from Service Obituary.
Global Mission Fellow
Global Mission Fellow
Generation Transformation - Global Mission Fellows is looking for applicants ages 20-30 committed to 24 months of service outside of their home context. There are two tracks: International and US-2. The International Track is for young adults from all over the world serving in international placements with an optional 2-month integration period in one’s home country. The US-2 Track is for American candidates who will serve in positions in the United States. Fellows can serve at placement sites in more than 50 different countries and all over the United States.
Global Mission Fellows integrate faith and justice by learning and working with communities in their struggles to address systemic injustice and human suffering. Fellows re-examine their own roles and participation in society as they confront hunger, homelessness, disease, at-risk children, substance abuse, racism, violence, inadequate healthcare and so much more.
This fellowship program is under Global Ministries, an equal opportunity employer with The United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA.
Benefits:
Monthly living stipend, health insurance (medical, eye, and dental), relocation and training expenses, loan deferment ability, end of service award of $1,500.
Apply at http://www.umcmission.org/Get-Involved/Generation-Transformation/Global-Mission-Fellows/Become-a-Fellow/apply.
For more information about the program visit: umcmission.org/gt
The application to begin service in July 2018 is due December 2017, check the website for deadline updates.
Questions? Call: 404-460-7208
Email: gmfellows@umcmission.org