Alumni News
Prof. Lawrence Wills Publication is Finalist for Prose Award by Association of American Publishers
Boston University School of Theology adjunct instructor Prof. Lawrence Wills has published a new book, Introduction to the Apocrypha: Jewish Books in Christian Bibles, that was named a finalist for the Association of American Publishers (AAP) Prose Award earlier this year. Published by Yale University Press, the publication was nominated in the Theology & Religious Studies category, and was among 105 other finalists across the full spectrum of categories.
“This year’s PROSE Award entries overwhelmingly raised the bar in quality, content, and diversity, reflecting the profound expertise that goes into creating scholarly publications in every conceivable area of study,” commented Syreeta Swann, Chief Operating Officer, AAP, in the article announcing the finalists and ultimate winners of the category awards.
Co-pastor, Part-Time, Baptists / UCC: Asheville, NC
Circle of Mercy invites a faith-nurturer to join us as a part-time co-pastor. The ideal candidate shares our passion for Seeking Justice, Pursuing Peace & Following Jesus and complements our current staff to embrace the next season of vision, hope, and mercy in this Justice/Peace/Jesus crucible. For further background on Circle of Mercy and a link to the full job description, see our website: circleofmercy.org.
Interested candidates should send resume and application materials to the following email address (no phone calls or snail mail): applicant@circleofmercy.org. The deadline for submitting applications is April 20, 2022.
Organist/Accompanist, Part-Time, UCC: Lexington MA
Hancock, United Church of Christ
1912 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington MA 01421
781-862-4220 www.hancockchurch.org
Title of Position: Organist/Accompanist
Purpose of Position: Hancock Church is seeking an organist/accompanist to collaborate with our Director of Music in leading worship services, and to accompany our choir and other musical groups and soloists as needed. The position is open to anyone, regardless of denomination or faith tradition, provided they are comfortable working within a progressive Christian context.
Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities of the organist are:
● Provide solo organ or piano music for worship on Sunday mornings and other services (as detailed below)
● Provide creative and dynamic musical leadership of hymn and other congregational singing. This could include creative hymn/song introductions, interludes, re-harmonizations, organ descants, etc.
● Provide accompaniment for the Chancel Choir for weekly rehearsals (currently Thursday evenings) and on Sunday mornings.
In addition, the Organist shall:
● Choose solo literature appropriate for each service
● Accompany other musical groups and individuals as needed for services
● Be responsible for communicating with the Director of Music any issues with any of the keyboard instruments
● Maintain the pianos by keeping the water reservoirs etc. full
● Collaborate with the Director of Music in planning music for worship
● Communicate music choices with the Director of Music and the office staff within the timeframes assigned by each
● Play for the following (but limited to) additional services/occasions: Christmas Eve (2-3 services), Easter (2 services), Blue Christmas (early-mid December evening service), Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Lexington Interfaith Choral Festival (concert in spring), Lexington Interfaith Thanksgiving service (every few years), recording of services for later online broadcast (3 or so per year)
● Play for special Saturday morning choir “dress” rehearsals—usually 2-4 per year.
● Play for weddings and funerals as available (for additional fee)
● Running sectional rehearsals for the choir in conjunction with the Director of Music
● Leading music in the absence of the Director of Music if appropriate
● Attending worship planning meetings for special occasions (not weekly), as needed.
The Organist shall NOT be responsible for:
● Choosing hymns or other worship songs (although input to the Director of Music always welcome)
● Attending weekly staff meetings or other church meetings
● Filing music (other than their own)
● Leading/rehearsing other groups (unless they desire to do so)
● Maintaining the instruments beyond what is detailed above
● Recruiting new individuals to sing, play etc.
● Preparing budgets, beyond their own sheet music needs
Working Relationships and Accountability
The Organist shall be accountable to, and directed by, the Director of Music, who is the head of the music program. If an issue arises that the organist feels like has not been addressed by the Director of Music, or involves the Director of Music, the Organist shall communicate the situation with the Senior Minister, who will engage the Personnel Committee as needed.
At all times the staff of Hancock church are expected to work with each other collegially, with grace, and respect.
Financially, the Organist will be allotted budget monies for the purchase of music and supplies.
Qualifications
Required: High degree of proficiency in playing the organ and choral accompanying experience.
Desired: Master’s Degree in Music or equivalent, with training in sacred music and creative hymn playing. 5+ years experience in choral accompanying. 5+ years working in a church music program
Evaluation and Review:
The Director of Music, in coordination with the Personnel Committee, shall conduct salary and performance reviews in conjunction with those for the rest of the staff.
Workspace
The organist does not have an office at the Hancock Church building and is not expected to perform administrative tasks onsite. However, areas in the choir room and library (with wifi) are available for use. A laptop computer can be provided to the organist for their use during their tenure. Room for music and other materials storage shall be provided.
Instruments
Hancock Church has a range of instruments the organist can access:
Organ: Three manual Aeolian Skinner organ, initially built in 1940 incorporating a portion of an earlier Hutchings instrument. Re-built and expanded in the early 1970’s.
Pianos: Schimmel baby grand in the sanctuary, a re-built 1923 Steinway A in the chapel, a Young Chang baby grand in the choir room, a studio piano and a variety of digital keyboards.
Other: The church also has two harpsichords, and an array of early music instruments including recorders, crumhorns, a shawm, psaltery, etc. We also have two timpani, and two full sets of handbells.
The organ is tuned 2-3 times per year. The pianos and harpsichords are tuned as needed.
Work Schedule
The Organist shall work an average of 15 hours per week, inclusive of 4 hours per week of individual practice, recognizing that the number of hours per week can vary widely according to the season. The organist generally only needs be present in the building for rehearsals and services, and to practice on the instruments as needed.
Salary and Benefits
Salary and benefits are competitive, and on a sliding scale based on education and experience.
The Organist has the option of using the building to perform, and the instruments to teach, provided such use does not interfere with other church activities. All building use is subject to the Safe Church Policy in place at Hancock Church.
About the Church
“We welcome all who seek to know God. We believe that, although we are many members, we are one body in Christ. We have been called as well as challenged by God to respect and reconcile our differences. We recognize and love each individual as a child of God. We welcome, respect, support, and lovingly encourage people of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical and mental ability to join us on our journey of faith. This faith journey indeed calls Hancock Members not to be silent in the face of prejudice, injustice, and exclusion, but to express our faith, in word and deed, for justice and inclusiveness for all humanity. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “In Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one…””
Hancock Church was founded in 1868 on the Battle Green in Lexington, MA. It is a member of the United Church of Christ. It has 650 members, and is currently served by a senior minister, an associate minister, and two student ministers.
About the Music Program
The primary goal of the music program is to support and lift up worship at Hancock Church. We integrate music and word each week so that each informs and lifts up the other.
Hancock Church has a long history of appreciation and support for music. Our Chancel Choir has 22-28 members, including 4 paid section leaders and a high school Choral Scholar. It sings a wide range of quality choral literature from the Renaissance to the current moment, and performs two major works per season with orchestra or instrumental ensemble. Past “Cantata Sundays” have included the Lauridsen Lux Aeterna, the Bernstein Chichester Psalms, Messiah excerpts, Brahms German Requiem excerpts, The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass by Carol Barnett, and many more.
We have a vibrant handbell program which plays two full 5 octave sets of bells and handchimes. The bells play monthly in worship during the program year, as well as two public concerts each year.
Our River Rock Band consists of professional and amateur musicians who play a wide variety of rhythm- based music. The band has recorded 2 albums (ask your smart speaker to play them!), and plays mostly for our evening worship.
A Joyful Noyse is a resident early music ensemble that consists of professional and amateur musicians from around eastern MA. They perform 4-5 times per year in worship, and 2-3 public concerts per season.
The Hancock Choristers is a children’s choir for kids in grade 1-5. In hiatus since the start of the pandemic, we hope to re-start it in fall 2022.
Other ad hoc music groups include a brass ensemble and a chamber vocal ensemble.
The music staff consists of the Director of Music, the Director of Handbells, and the Organist, as well as our section leaders, a percussionist, and other professional instrumentalists as needed.
How to Apply
Send resume and letter/e-mail of interest to:
Mark Morgan, Director of Music
E-mail: mark.morgan@hancockchurch.org
Post: Hancock, United Church of Christ
1912 Massachusetts Ave
Lexington, MA 0241
Links to recordings welcome, but not required.
Auditions/interviews are tentatively scheduled for early May, 2022.
Director of Music, Part-Time, UU: Barnstable, MA
Unitarian Church of Barnstable seeks part-time Director of Music. Ideal candidate will be skilled organist/and or pianist as well as experienced choral director. Minimum of Bachelors in Music or equivalent life experience. Plays for services while also directing senior and junior choirs. Experience working in a church setting preferred. Works up to 14 hours/wk. Pay is $18,600 per year. E-mail letter of interest and resume to: Music Director Search Committee c/o Rev. Kristen L. Harper @ klharperuu@aol.com. Applications will be accepted from now until May 15th.
Director of Christian Education, Part-Time, UCC: Sudbury, MA
Memorial Congregational Church in Sudbury, MA is a progressive faith community with the United Church of Christ. We are searching for a dynamic leader for our evolving youth ministry. Through programming on Sunday mornings and Youth Group for Middle and High School, the ideal candidate will:
Teach our children to be good people based on a foundation of Christianity (love God, love neighbor, love self);
Organize and lead Social Justice activities;
Support children of all ages to better comprehend their emotions and foster empathy for others;
Facilitate relationship building between peers and across generations.
You’ll be supported by our spiritual team of staff and volunteers as you work with youth and their families to help them explore their faith through worshiping God and serving humanity. You will also work in connection with our Minister of Music who runs youth choirs covering pre-K through High School.
We are seeking a forward-looking candidate who is interested in helping our ministries meet the needs of a changing world. MCC values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and members of historically underrepresented groups to apply.
While the vast majority of this position focuses on the youth, should the candidate be ordained or ordainable this position may include other pastoral opportunities.
This position requires 25 hours/week. However, specific days and hours are flexible and ample vacation time is offered to allow for a healthy work/life balance.
Salary offered is $27,000 - $32,000/year depending on experience.
MCC is an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. We genuinely welcome everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Most areas of the building are universally accessible; the Church School wing is accessible by portable ramps present in the building. An accessible, gender-neutral, family restroom with changing table is available.
Applications are currently being accepted.
Please contact Rev. Tom O’Brien at pastor@mccsudbury.org to learn more about this position or to submit a resumé.
Youth Ministry Director and Children’s Ministry Director, Full-Time / Part-Time, Christian Gospel Church: Worcester, Massachusetts
The Christian Gospel Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, announces openings for a youth ministry director and a children’s ministry director. These positions require the candidates to be fluent, preferably native, English speakers. Knowledge of Mandarin Chinese is useful, but not at all required. These positions are available immediately.
The Youth Ministry Director
The youth ministry director is responsible for the weekly preaching in the English worship service for teens and adults, arrangement and teaching of Sunday School classes for the youth, organization of the youth fellowship meetings and other youth activities, pastoral care of the youth, and coordination of the youth ministry within the oversight of the board of elders. Preferably, the youth ministry director candidate will be ordained or eligible for ordination and available for full-time work, but candidates also will be considered if they intend to pursue training in the ministry and are willing to fill the position at least part-time while completing their studies. Qualifications include: theologically equipped, clearly called, having youth ministry experience.
The Children’s Ministry Director
The children’s ministry director is responsible for organization and teaching of the younger children in the church ranging from preschooler to Grade 6. The director shall oversee and formulate the Friday AWANA program and Sunday School program with the goal of preparing children to have a smooth transition to the youth program. The director shall coordinate the children’s ministry under the oversight of the board of elders. The children’s ministry director may be related to the youth ministry director, such as the husband and wife, and the position may be full-time or part-time, depending on the availability of the candidate. Qualifications include: theologically equipped/trained, clearly called, having children ministry experience.
For more information
The Calling from Worcester
Please contact Elder Songheng Li, by email at songhengli68@gmail.com or by phone at 774-641-0601, for more information about these positions and our ministry.
Executive Director, Full-Time, Consulting: Rockland County, NY
The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) Executive Director Job Description
This is a full-time, remote position for a national organization headquartered in the NYC northern suburbs (Rockland County). We seek a faith-centered leader who has a deep knowledge of peace and justice work, and who has demonstrated success in managing core programs, operations, and organizational business plans.
Background
Since 1915, the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) in the United States has organized and sustained programs and educational projects concerned with domestic and international peace and justice, nonviolent alternatives to conflict, and the rights of conscience. An interfaith, tax-exempt organization, FOR promotes active nonviolence and has members from many religious, spiritual, and ethnic traditions. FOR-USA supports a network of 80 grassroots chapters and affiliate groups throughout the United States, and it is a branch of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) with affiliates in over 50 countries.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
Fundraising & Communications
Strategic Planning & Financial Management
The deadline to submit an application for this position is Friday, May 1, 2022.
Catholic Pastoral Associate, Part-Time, Retirement Community: Peabody, MA
Catholic Pastoral Associate - 32 hours
Our high-end continuing care retirement community in Peabody, MA is seeking a Catholic Pastoral Associate to implement Pastoral Ministry programs that focus on the spiritual life of our Catholic Community. The Pastoral Associate meets the sacramental needs of the community and works in cooperation with the Pastoral Ministries Team providing outreach and fellowship.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Generally serves as a minister to any Catholic resident seeking such service, and is proactive in demonstrating this availability through physical presence on a frequent basis in the community geography and at general community functions.
• Specifically serves as a Spiritual leader to the Catholic residents by seeing to the provision of those services that are required by a priest (Sacraments) and as well as those services that congregants may prefer from a professional religious leader (preaching and teaching and the celebration of Mass).
• Meets, as part of the Pastoral Ministries effort, residents in their life crisis points and provides pastoral care and spiritual counsel.
• Develop and coordinate Catholic ministry programs as relates to residents, this with approval of the Pastoral Ministries Manager.
• Establish and coordinate continuance of Resident Faith Council for the Catholic community. The purpose of this council is to provide resident leadership and a representation for the Catholic community.
• Endeavor to make the Catholic Faith Community self-supporting financially and provide leadership in this community that is financially responsible.
• Assess with the Pastoral Ministries Manager on an ongoing basis, the quality of life environment in the community to determine the short and long term direction of the ministry program.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Excellent interpersonal skills. Strong communication skills (written and oral). Effective organizational and motivational skills. Appreciation and respect for a mature population.
Education and/or Experience:
Bachelors’ degree required; degree in theology or pastoral counseling a plus. Experience with seniors a plus.
Language Skills:
Must be able to read, write, understand and communicate in the English language.
Questions? Contact Rev. Chad W. Kidd, Pastoral Ministries Manager (chad.kidd@erickson.com; 978-536-7831)
Apply today:
jobs.ericksonliving.com or contact Rev. Chad W. Kidd, Pastoral Ministries Manager (chad.kidd@erickson.com)
St. Matthew’s UMC in Acton, MA, led by Rev. Jinwoo Chun (STH’01), Offers WELCOMEBACKpacks to Those Leaving Prison
This press release was originally published by The UMC New England Conference on March 14, 2022 and can be found here.
On Sunday, March 2, 2022, the members of St. Matthew’s UMC in Acton, MA (led by Rev. Jinwoo Chun (STH'01)), offered a blessing for 48 WELCOMEBACKpacks.
These special backpacks are filled with items to support the 40 men and eight women who will receive them as they begin their journey out of prison and back into community life.
There are letters that go into the backpacks from CPO and the Department of Corrections wishing the recipients well. “And, in our case we've we fold those letters inside what we call a dove card from St. Matthew’s that gives our person packing a chance to sign their name,” Comstock said.
Read the full article here.
2 Positions, Full-Time, Interfaith Organization: Greater Boston, MA
The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) is a broad-based, non-partisan, interfaith, multiracial political power organization rooted in Greater Boston’s neighborhoods and congregations. Made up of 60 dues-paying member institutions representing more than 107,000 people, GBIO is dedicated to making our city a better place for all of us to live and thrive. For more than 20 years, GBIO has worked to improve housing and healthcare, reform our criminal justice system, address racial disparities in our city, and rebuild schools and neighborhoods, among other issues.
GBIO is looking for full-time organizers in Greater Boston GBIO Organizers build power to act on issues impacting Greater Boston. GBIO’s organizing model is based on relational power organizing, understanding that through relationship we have more power to make change on what matters most to us and our communities. Organizers identify, relate to and train leaders to fight and win. GBIO is currently working on campaigns around improving affordable housing, reentry for returning citizens and mental healthcare access and developing teams of leaders to take on these and future campaigns. Organizers work with current and potential GBIO member institutions with support from the GBIO Lead Organizer and team.
GBIO is also hiring GBIO Communications & Administrative Organizing Director. Full-time. We are seeking a tenacious and relationship driven problem-solver to use communications and administrative duties as tools to better organize people and money for our organization and the campaigns we lead. This is a full-time position. Some work can be done remotely and some requires in-person presence and therefore would be best suited for someone who lives in the greater Boston area. The ideal candidate is interested in a career in political organizing communications and administration.
Download full job descriptions here: