Assistant to the Rector, Part-Time, Episcopal: Waban, MA
Parish of the Good Shepherd
1671 Beacon Street Waban, Massachusetts 02468
The Parish of the Good Shepherd, Waban, is a healthy and vibrant parish known for its use of Prayer Book liturgy, thoughtful preaching, excellent music, and outstanding Christian Education for all ages. Worship, Christian Ed., Music, and Outreach make up the four pillars of Good Shepherd, with each playing an important role in the life of the Parish. Waban is one of the villages of Newton, located on the Green Line, and home to a diverse, upwardly mobile population. Good Shepherd is like Waban in many ways. It is a village church that also draws from around Metro West Boston. Some families walk to church, while others drive half an hour. Like Waban, children and youth are important and make up a representative part of the parish, and like Waban Good Shepherd strives for excellence in all that it does.
We are seeking an Assistant to the Rector who will oversee Christian Education and assist in all areas of pastoral ministry. The position is part-time (15-20 hours/week), with a possibility of increased hours in the future. The ideal candidate would be open to this position’s evolution. The rector is committed to avoid “job creep” and honor the part-time nature of the job.
Christian Education responsibilities include directing Sunday’s offerings for youth and children: Sunday School classes for Elementary children, the Atrium program for younger children, recruiting and training Sunday School teachers, managing nursery staff, supervising and ensuring Safe Church training and certification, planning and co-teaching Confirmation, and overseeing youth. Work with the rector to lead Adult Forum. Other C.E. responsibilities throughout the year include an annual Christmas Pageant, All Hallows’ Eve event, Holy Week and Easter activities, and an annual Confirmation retreat. Parishioners are interested in increasing opportunities for youth to be involved in Outreach more directly.
Pastoral responsibilities include leading liturgy, preaching in a thoughtful and challenging way, making Eucharistic visits, and other duties as assigned. The ideal candidate would also support the various Outreach ministries that good Shepherd sustains. We are currently in conversations with neighboring Episcopal parishes regarding future models of collaboration.
The ideal candidate should be a priest (or deacon, to be ordained a priest) in good standing in the Episcopal Church, with an appreciation of the High Church tradition of Anglicanism. However, we would like to consider lay candidates as well as ordained candidates, focusing primarily on the Director of Christian education role. Experience with children and youth is important, and experience with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd or another similar program would be well valued. The ideal candidate should be able to work independently and collaboratively—at the direction of the Rector, but with the ability to organize, manage, and follow through. Candidates who are in the final steps of pursuing ordination, as well as those pursuing careers in chaplaincy or academia, will be equally considered.
Our competitive compensation follows the TCC guidelines established by the Diocese of Massachusetts and will be commiserate with experience. To apply, please e-mail the Reverend Jay Weldon at rector@goodshepherdnewton.org.