Alumni News
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:
Rev. Carrington George Moore (STH’14) Joins common cathedral as the Next Executive Director
The common cathedral Community, Staff and Board are thrilled and honored to welcome Rev. Carrington Moore as our next Executive Director!
“Partnering with common cathedral as the next Executive Director is a tremendous opportunity for me to serve as an instrument of support, leadership, and vision-casting.”
Rev. Carrington has served as a thought leader across the country in the areas of leadership cultivation, workforce development, youth engagement and educational equity. Rev. Carrington has led collective impact initiatives across the greater Boston community dedicated to increasing college access, building sustainable vocational pathways, and creating equity within institutions and systems.
Previously, Rev. Carrington served as the founding Director of Community Organizing at King Boston. He is also the Assistant Pastor of Discipleship at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Boston, Massachusetts.
“I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude to spend time and learn from every member of the community. I am eager to hear and support the dreams of the common cathedral community. At the heart of love and liberation is uplifting the voices of a community.
With deep conviction, I am committed to centering the desires of the common cathedral community.”
He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in political science and philosophy from Youngstown State University. He earned a Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology. Rev. Carrington is an ordained Baptist minister and a proud native of Youngstown, Ohio.
He will spend the next few weeks praying, resting, spending time with his wife, and preparing for the journey ahead.
Rev. Carrington begins his work with common cathedral on Monday, March 28th.
Rev. Richard A. Closson (STH’55)
Richard Arthur Closson died peacefully on March 8, 2022 in Dunedin, Florida. He was 90 years old. Born in Troy, New York to Hanford Hillman and Marion Miller Closson (nee Benedict) in 1931, he studied history at the University of Rochester and theology at the Boston University School of Theology. He was ordained in the Methodist church in 1955.
Richard loved people and was curious, accepting, and open toward everyone he met. His kind and gentle spirit, his reverence for life, and his sense of humor became apparent the moment you shook his hand or looked into his eyes. He also loved the natural world, especially the mountains and lakes of the Adirondacks and coastal New England. A loving father and former Boy Scout, he taught his children to build good campfires, identify birds and trees, and to sweep campsites with brooms made of pine boughs, leaving them cleaner than they found them. He canoed the lakes of the Adirondacks, in the Old Town canoe he had restored, as well as the rivers and lakes of Maryland, West Virginia, Maine, and Florida. He also enjoyed camping his way across the country on car trips. Bringing the natural world indoors, he loved working with wood—pine and birch especially—and he made cutting boards, spoons, boxes, bookcases, picture frames, liturgical furnishings, and candelabras, as well as games and toys for the delight of his grandchildren. He was known in the family for his long goodbyes and for his generous benedictory words at the end of visits.
His love for music—singing especially—came out in many areas of his life: traditional songs around the campfire, old love songs in the car on cross-country trips, hymns in church. As a young man, he sang with the Seminary Singers at Boston University and also in a barbershop quartet. He could sing along with the radio using do-re-me syllables to pitch.
Richard pastored United Methodist churches in Arcade, Newfane, Clarence, and Niagara Falls, NY. He baptized a lot of babies, married a lot of couples, visited the sick, delivered a lot of sermons, and counseled a lot of people in their times of need. He left the ministry in 1977, turning his love for woodworking into a vocation. In Idaho Springs, CO, he opened a wood shop. Moving to Keedysville, MD in 1988, he established a woodworking business called Woodhue. He kept one foot in the ministry, serving fourteen years as part-time pastor for Braddock Heights Lutheran Church. His most recent job was as crossing guard on the corner of Douglas and Union in Dunedin.
The son of a Methodist minister, Richard was active in the church from the time he was a young man. His spiritual journey was influenced by a host of liberal thinkers and theologians, from Kahlil Gibran to Claude Raines to Bishop John Shelby Spong. Ecumenical at heart, Richard was an active member of Salem United Methodist Church in Keedysville and First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, where he was involved in volunteer work with the homeless. With his wife, Laurie, he also belonged to B’Nai Israel Temple of Clearwater. He was active as a volunteer in many other organizations, including Kiwanis Club of Western NY; Burning Bush of Baltimore, where he worked with prison inmates; Ruritan in Keedysville, a civic organization; and Temple B’Nai Abraham in Hagerstown, where he taught arts and crafts at the annual retreat.
Richard was preceded in death by his brother, David E. Closson, and by his ex-wife, Shirley Stahlbrodt Closson. He is survived by his wife, Laurie Closson, and by four children and their spouses: Martha Vaccarella (and John Waite) of Lewisburg, PA; Paula Closson Buck (and Jim) of Lewisburg, PA; Richard Closson (and Bonnie) of Whitefish, MT; and Gayla Hopkins (and Brooke) of Butler, PA; as well as by a stepdaughter, Adrienne D’Olimpio (and Doug) of Lyndon Center, VT. He will also be greatly missed by his sixteen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, March 25 at First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin at 11:00 a.m.at 455 Scotland St, Dunedin, FL. 34698. If you would like to make a donation in Richard’s honor, please give to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please schedule any flower orders to be delivered to the church prior to service, at 455 Scotland St., Dunedin FL., 34698, 727 733-2318
Co-Director Children, Youth and Family Ministries, Full-Time, UMC: Ann Arbor, MI
First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor is an open and affirming congregation, and we welcome qualified candidates of all races and ethnicities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply. We are a large, downtown church adjacent to the University of Michigan with approximately 1000 members and 80 families with young children. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@fumc-a2.org by Friday, April 1, 2022 at 5:00 PM ET.
Role Title: Co-Director Children, Youth and Family Ministries - Older Youth Faith Formation (Part of a 3-person Directorship)
Role Type/Scope: Full-time, lay staff (exempt)
Reports to: Lead Pastor
Direct reports (if any): Family Council and Volunteers
Purpose/Overview of role
The Older Youth Faith Formation Co-Director is a full-time position who will work in conjunction with the Early Year and Middle Youth Co-Directors to develop events, activities, worship, and education designed to engage and foster faith formation in youth and adults where appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
Work collaboratively with Faith Formation Co-Directors to create a continuum of faith formation offerings across age groups.
Develop and oversee weekly curriculum implementation for older youth (and their families as appropriate).
Incorporate service projects, art, music projects/performances to supplement curriculum.
Make personal connections with individual youth and their families through timely communications including but not limited to periodic greetings, and announcements.
Attend staff meetings.
Collaborate with clergy and other lay staff to align messaging, curriculum, events and activities.
Work with others on the Faith Formation Team to plan service projects, retreats, and special events, recruit and train volunteers.
Meet monthly with the Family Council.
Budget Responsibilities (Spending authorization)
Work with the Faith Formation Co-Directors to oversee expenditures with budget allotment for supplies and materials to support faith formation activities.
Required Qualifications and Skills
BA/BS or equivalent in education, child development, psychology, religious studies. Related education or experience considered.
Experience in planning and overseeing off-site service projects involving travel and adult volunteers.
Excellent communication, planning, organizational and relational skills with youth and adults.
Collaborative work style; willingness to cross-train and be flexible in division of tasks across the continuum of Faith Formation with other Co-Directors.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
MA in Christian Education or MDiv.
2-5 years’ experience working with youth in a church setting.
Role Title: Co-Director Children, Youth and Family Ministries - Early Years Faith Formation (part of a 3-person Directorship)
Role Type/Scope: Full-time, lay staff (exempt)
Reports to: Lead Pastor
Direct reports (if any): Family Council and Volunteers
Purpose/Overview of role
The Early Years Faith Formation Co-Director is a full-time position who will work in conjunction with the Middle Youth and Older Youth Co-Directors to develop events, activities, worship and education designed to engage and foster faith formation in children and adults where appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
Work collaboratively with all Faith Formation Team Members to create a continuum of faith formation offerings across age groups.
Develop and oversee weekly curriculum implementation for children(and their families as appropriate).
Incorporate service projects, art, music projects and performances to supplement curriculum.
Make personal connections with each child,and their families through timely communications including but not limited to birthdays, periodic greetings, and announcements.
Attend staff meetings.
Collaborate with clergy and other lay staff to align messaging, curriculum, events and activities.
Work with others on the Faith Formation Team to recruit and train volunteers.
Meet monthly with the Family Council.
Budget Responsibilities (Spending authorization)
Work with the Faith Formation Team to oversee expenditures with budget allotment for supplies and materials to support faith formation activities.
Required Qualifications and Skills
BA/BS or equivalent in education, early child development, psychology, religious studies. Related education or experience considered.
Excellent communication, planning, organizational and relational skills with children and adults.
Collaborative work style; willingness to cross-train and be flexible in division of tasks across the continuum of Faith Formation with other Co-Directors.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
MA in Christian Education or MDiv.
2-5 years experience working with children in a church setting.
Dr. Milton Lorimer Boyle, Jr. (GRS ’69, STH ’69)
Obituary coming...
Director/Associate Pastor of Family Ministries, Full-Time, UMC: Macon, GA
Mulberry Street UMC, a vibrant and engaged downtown church in the heart of Macon, Georgia, announces a search for its next Director/Associate Pastor of Family Ministries. This position reports to the Senior Pastor and serves as a vital member of the ministry staff of the church.
The Director/Associate Pastor will value collaboration and innovation, bringing with her or him a willingness to try new ideas and learn from experience. This person should value working on a team, including seeking and receiving input from others. She or he should also bring new ideas and a passion for working with children, youth, and their families. The position offers the chance to be inventive as she/he works with the new Senior Pastor and other staff members to build up the ministry of the church.
Mulberry values its families as active participants in the life of the church, including worship. This position will lead existing programs, such as the acolyte program, weekly youth group meeting, and children’s church, while also developing new opportunities to nurture our youth and attract new families. It will also create ministry opportunities that engage families as a unit, providing a nurturing and encouraging environment for children of all ages and their parents. This is an emerging and evolving position, valuing comfortability with ambiguity and initiative- taking.
This position is full-time, offering a salary commensurate with experience and the option to participate in benefits. Candidates eligible for or currently pursuing ordination in The United Methodist Church will be eligible for South Georgia Annual Conference benefits and minimum salary requirements. This includes a healthcare plan paid in full by the church and participation in CRSP and UMPIP.
Previous experience working with children, youth, and/or in a ministry setting are required, as is understanding and background in The United Methodist Church. Seminary students approaching graduation are encouraged to apply.
To express interest, please send your resume and cover letter to Dr. Ted Goshorn: tgoshorn@mulberrymethodist.org.
3 Positions, Full-Time/Part-Time, Baptist: Jamaica Plain, MA
Click on the positions to read full job descriptions.
The Centre for Faith, Art & Justice and the First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain are seeking to hire a full-time coordinator for our Food Justice Program. We are looking for someone passionate about food justice and who is willing to develop this program along with us.
Community Liaison & Social Worker
First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain/The Centre for Faith, Art & Justice are seeking a committed and dynamic individual to fill the critical role of Social Work & Community Liaison. The goals of this position is to assist food insecure individuals and families with a wide range of resources, to support volunteers in making the program run smoothly and provide needed data for evaluation and funding.
Minister of Music
Part-Time
The First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, a multi-cultural, theologically progressive, welcoming and affirming congregation, grounded in the principles of the Gospel of Love and service to humanity, is seeking an Minister of Music to foster and engage congregational worship through a wide musical repertoire (gospel, jazz, folk, world, hymnody/classical, pop/rock etc.) We believe that vibrant, meaningful, inspirational music contributes both to the theological formation and pastoral care of our community. To this end the Minister of Music must have an understanding of Christian worship and experience leading corporate worship and congregational singing.
What My Faith Means to Me: STH Community Members Featured in BU Today’s Photo Essay
On March 23, 2022, BU Today released a photo essay titled “What My Faith Means to Me.” The series, centered around photos taken by photographer Cydney Scott, followed Boston University community members who submitted their faith stories to the publication, and showcased how each person incorporated their religious and spiritual faiths into their daily lives on campus. Many STH community members were featured, including Martha Schick (‘22), Chloe McLaughlin (‘22), Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations Ray Joyce (Questrom’91), Kristen Hydinger (‘15), and Kristian Kohler (‘25).