Alumni News

Church Administrator, Part-Time, Presbyterian: Newton, MA

By sthalum December 13th, 2024 in Job Postings

Newton Presbyterian Church is a progressive, justice-oriented, and Christ-centered congregation in Newton, MA. We are seeking a part-time Church Administrator who will be responsible for the administrative tasks for our congregation, and who will report to the pastor of the congregation. The Administrator will work collaboratively with all staff and lay leaders to ensure the church’s programming is carried out effectively and in alignment with the congregation’s priorities and missions. Job responsibilities are described below.

Qualities needed include:

• strong communications and interpersonal skills
• collaborative work style and ability to work independently with a keen sense of prioritization
• attention to detail and creative problem solving
• commitment to the mission and values of Newton Presbyterian Church
• an understanding of what information needs to be kept confidential and ensuring that confidentiality is preserved
• maturity and respect to be demonstrated at all times as a public facing representative

Qualifications include:

• high school degree/equivalent is required, college degree preferred
• previous experience as an administrative assistant
• strong computer skills with standard office software and cloud-based software (Google, Dropbox, etc.) and video conferencing tools (e.g. Zoom)
• please note that our church has 3 floors with no elevator, so this person must be able to use stairs as needed

Responsibilities include:

• managing the church email account, responding when appropriate and/or, ensuring emails get forwarded along to the appropriate parties as necessary and in a timely manner.
• serving as a point of contact for building tenants and service people/contractors and connecting them with the facilities manager or other appropriate individuals within NPC leadership as needed
• maintaining the church online calendars (building use, staff, congregational, etc.)
• supporting the designing, printing, and preparing of weekly print materials: church bulletin, door calendars, etc.
• supporting the management of our church website making sure it is up to date and helping with any design changes/updates as necessary in collaboration with church leadership
• supporting social media engagement from our church accounts working with church leaders and the Multi media Tech to generate content across the platforms as needed
• working with Session and church staff (especially relevant committee chairs ) to develop and manage a weekly e-newsletter
• designing, printing and distributing promotional materials (seasonal posters, newspaper ads)
• designing, printing and distributing internal annual publications: Annual Report, Church Directory, quarterly newsletters
• preparing ad hoc reports as needed
• connecting visitors/members with church communications and systems:
  • making and updating name tags
  • managing and updating the participant database, birthday list, visitor list
  • updating and maintaining the church contact platforms and listservs (Campaign Monitor, Text in Church, and Groups.io)
  • following up with visitors (welcome email, connect them to listservs), in consultation with designated church leaders
• responding to congregational requests for information
• supporting church committees and officers with periodic administrative needs (printing, preparing materials, occasional design jobs)
• participating in weekly staff meetings and taking minutes
• collaborating with other staff to maintain clean, well-organized common spaces (offices, kitchen, conference rooms, hallways, printing rooms, sanctuary,)
• working closely with Facilities Manager to inventory/order office supplies
• ensuring the copy room is stocked and clean/neat and all equipment is operating properly
• keeping hard-copy and/or e-files as necessary
• performing other duties as necessary

Conditions of the position:

• 15-20 hours per week: ideally part of the day in the office for at least 2-3 days per week in the office

Additional background: Newton Presbyterian Church a PC (USA) church has worshiped at 75 Vernon Street in Newton, MA since the 1940’s. Our church is located just off the Mass Pike in Newton Corner and is committed to being a welcome, progressive community of faith committed to its Presbyterian roots. We work hard to ensure that our church building and grounds are an asset not just to our congregation but to our community at large providing spaces for learning, for music, worship, and service to our neighbors from all walks of life. Our beautiful building, constructed in 1881 currently hosts the Spanish-Immersion Montessori School, the Winchester School of Chinese Culture, Spotlight Boston, and the Massachusetts Treasure Hunters Society. We are also in conversation with other organizations and always open to partner in ways that align with our mission and commitment to loving God and our neighbors.

Church website: https://newtonpresbyterianchurch.org

Newton Presbyterian Church is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive community.

Contact: To apply, please send a cover letter and resume (or equivalent) by email to newtonpres@npc-ma.org.

Music Director, Part-Time, UCC: Portsmouth, NH

By sthalum December 10th, 2024 in Job Postings

We are committed to building a dynamic music program, the foundation of which would be our iconic organ, our grand piano, our musical instruments and our faithful choir. A music director who comes with fresh ideas will find enthusiastic support for initiatives among the congregants. Our goal is to create a blended experience of traditional and contemporary music in our worship services. We believe in the power of music to transform our hearts and minds, and we are excited to partner with a director who joins us in that vision.

As a United Church of Christ congregation, North Church is a progressive Protestant congregation that is centered around the worship of God, service to the community, and fellowship among the congregation. Guided by our Christian values, we are an open and affirming church committed to advocating for justice, equality, and the dignity of all people. North Church's location in the central square of Portsmouth has long positioned us as a gathering place not only for worship services, weddings, and funerals, but as a friendly, welcoming place of worship for area visitors. Countless community events are held in our sanctuary each year, and our towering steeple serves as an iconic representation of the City. North Church recently celebrated its 350-year anniversary. We are focused on renewing and growing our congregation, welcoming new members from throughout the Seacoast area.

The current renovation of our North Church Sanctuary reflects the enthusiasm and determination of our congregation to move into the future. Through collaborative effort we reached consensus on a plan to address the needs of the church, a willingness to roll up our sleeves, make hard choices and work together to chart a course for the future. Our church is part of a vibrant musical community that extends from Portland through the Seacoast to Boston. Many local church musicians participate in that music community, enriching the music of their congregations. This connection to the larger music landscape fosters greater community engagement. It is our hope that a future music director would be engaged in these circles to enhance the music and outreach of North Church. It is our belief that by providing engaging and inclusive musical opportunities in worship and otherwise, we can share the love and joy of North Church with our broader community.

Job Description
The North Church Music Director shall:
● Demonstrate skill in leading worshiping communities with the piano and/or organ, and leading congregational singing. Preference is both piano and organ.

• While some knowledge of the organ is preferred, the Church is willing to provide compensation for additional skill building.

● Work with the Pastor to select music that unites and enhances the weekly message and special events incorporating diverse genres and styles across
musical boundaries.
● Direct the choir, including scheduling and leading weekly rehearsals to prepare all music for church services including hymns, anthems and special music to support worship.
● Recruit, enhance skills and positively engage participants of both the Sanctuary choir and the Handbell choir.
● Prepare and play for special services (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and others as agreed upon) in addition to weekly services.

• In the event of funerals or weddings, the Music Director will be given right of first refusal.

● Identify and coordinate vocal and instrumental musicians from the community to participate as guest musicians in worship.
● Identify and coordinate a list of substitute musicians in the event of the Music Director’s absence.
● Identify opportunities to grow the Music Library and to expand the offerings of North Church’s music program working in coordination with copyright laws and the church’s administrative assistant.
● Coordinate tuning and maintenance with outside vendors while working collaboratively with Pastor, Music Committee and Cabinet in the event of the replacement and/or purchase of new musical instruments.
● Ability to relate well and respectfully communicate with Pastor, staff, and members of the church.
● Exercise leadership in a creative and cooperative manner.
● Ability to compromise.
● Demonstrate good relations management and assume positive intent.

Accountability
● Work with the Pastor, staff and Music Committee to set a flexible schedule in concert with the needs of the church.
● The Music Director shall work under the supervision of the Pastor, in cooperation with the Music Committee, and with ultimate accountability to the North ChurchCabinet.
● The Music Director shall work within the standards set forth in the North Church Personnel Handbook.

Position Type: Part-time

• Salary Range: $24k for 18-20 hours a week - this position is eligible for job-sharing. If there are aspects of this position that interest you but not others, be in touch with us.
• Paid Time Off: 4 weeks of vacation/year including weekends; 10 sick/personal days; one week of comp time between Christmas and New Year’s; all federal holidays
• Key Working Relationships: Pastor, Administrative Assistant, Music Committee, Church Cabinet, Deacons
• Please submit a cover letter and resume to northchurchmusicsearch@gmail.com
  We look forward to connecting with you!

North Church of Portsmouth, 2 Congress St, Portsmouth NH 03801

Youth and Family Pastor, Full-Time, Congregational: Pomona, California

By sthalum December 3rd, 2024 in Job Postings

Job Description
Associate Minister: Youth and Family Pastor

The Associate Minister, under the supervision of the Senior Minister, is responsible for coordinating and leading programs for youth (infant-12th grade and including college students/young adults) and families while also providing support and assistance to the Senior Minister. This role is full-time (estimated at 40 hours/week) with salary commensurate with education and experience, benefits, paid holidays, and vacation.

Qualifications:
1. Theological and ministerial training (MDiv or related degree)
2. Must have good organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
3. Previous experience in children’s, youth, or family ministry
4. Willing and able to develop and grow programming
5. Willing and able to recruit and train volunteers
6. Experience in teaching and developing curriculum for multiple age groups
7. Must maintain a high degree of confidentiality
8. Must be motivated to work with volunteers
9. Spanish language skills desired

Responsibilities:
Youth Ministry (infants - 12th grade and including college students/young adults)
a. Work with senior minister and Pilgrim’s Board of Christian Education to determine mission and vision of youth program
b. Create a consistent and relationally focused weekly program
c. Provide avenues for faith development and exploration
d. Prioritize one-on-one relationship development for mentoring
e. Plan and lead service projects
f. Find curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and inclusive
g. Prioritize family (parent/guardian) involvement and resourcing
h. Recruit and train volunteers
i. Maintain protocols and background checks for relevant youth workers
j. Utilize social media and other platforms to enhance connection and expand reach of youth programs

Family Ministry
a. Work with senior minister and Pilgrim’s Board of Christian Education on a vision and plan for family ministry
b. Coordinate monthly activities for families
c. Resource families with helpful material
d. Utilize social media to expand reach of family ministries

Other Ministries
a. Work with Senior Minister and other church leaders in the development of worship planning, service projects, church growth, and musical programming that will appeal to a broader and younger demographic
b. Other duties as assigned by the Senior Minister

About Pilgrim
Mission: Pilgrim Congregational Church is an independent community of Christian faith, which glorifies God through worship and service to others, respects individual spiritual growth, and inspires compassionate fellowship.

Vision: Pilgrim is the spiritual home of our community where all people are welcomed, known, and loved.
For more information about Pilgrim, please visit our website at PilgrimChurchPomona.com.

How To Apply: If you are interested in applying for this position, please email an updated resume and cover letter to the following two people: Patrick Horn (Senior Minister) at Patrick@pilgrimchurchpomona.com and Andrew Olson (Search Committee Chair) at adolson1988@gmail.com.
In the subject line of your email, please make sure to identify the position you are applying for and your name (ex. Associate Minister – Last Name). In your email or on your resume, please make sure that you provide a phone number where we can easily reach you.
The deadline for applying is January 31, 2025, though review of applications will begin when received.
Pilgrim Congregational Church Pomona 909-622-1373 | F 909-629-255