Settled Pastor, Full-Time, Trinitarian Congregational Parish (TCP) of Castine: Castine, Maine
Who We Are
The purpose of our congregation is to bind together followers of Jesus Christ in the public worship of God, and to make the will of God dominant in the lives of people, as that will is set forth in the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As a congregation, we recently participated in a year-long self-study with respect to the determination that we have been – and continue to be – an Open And Affirming church with respect to the UCC definition thereof. Each and every individual is welcome here, without regard to life’s circumstances, or where she/he/they is/are on the journey of faith.
Position Announcement
The Trinitarian Congregational Parish (TCP) of Castine is prepared to welcome a new leader for our congregation. Situated in a historic, coastal, and academic community, ours is a church of diverse Christian backgrounds with strong lay leadership. We intend to continue our 25-year tradition of supporting a full-time pastor to be our partner in faith, in service, in growth – and to
lead our worship and help us continue in the community as a beacon of hope, help, caring, and
acceptance. The capacity to minister to all ages, a sense of humor, a love of music, and a
penchant for thought-provoking sermons are some of qualities we seek in our next pastor.
Position Overview
The Pastor provides full-time ministry for the Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine and is
the primary supervisor of both the half-time Administrator and the Director of Music. The
Pastor’s general responsibilities fall into five (5) basic areas: worship, congregational care,
community care & outreach, administration, and stewardship. Actual work in these areas may be
delegated to others, including both salaried staff and/or volunteers, but the Pastor is ultimately
accountable.
Current Membership – 70
Position Description for a full-time settled Pastor is appended hereto.
Position Salary and Benefits
We follow the UCC guidelines, which can be found at:
https://www.maineucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Compensation-Guidelines-2024.pdf
Complete information regarding current compensation is found in the church’s 2024 Annual
Report, appended hereto.
In addition to the cash salary, as a congregation, we commit ourselves to providing the following
Pastoral Call Agreement terms:
Responsibilities and Duties
Works with Church Council members, boards, committees, congregation, and others to ensure that TCP’s ministry and administrative areas operate efficiently and effectively
Supervises the Church Administrator (with the exception of financial
administration) and the Director of Music
Plans and executes the orderly progression of a meaningful and inspiring worship experience
Conducts sermon preparation and preaches
Plans for the major seasons of the liturgical year
Involves laity in the worship services
Assures that newcomers to the church and community are visited and
relationships are cultivated Works to bring inactive people back to the church
Cultivates and receives new members into the church
Calls on those in hospitals, nursing homes, senior living facilities, homebound, and other places of visitation
Contacts TCP’s seasonal members of the congregation once they leave Castine
Counsels as may be required and makes referrals when appropriate
Conducts weddings, funerals, and baptisms, as required
Assists in keeping the congregation mission-centered
Fulfills the responsibilities associated with being a voting member of the Church Council
Recruits delegates to represent TCP at United Church of Christ meetings
Appoints or takes direct charge of TCP’s Christian Education, which may include youth ministry, college age ministry, adult educational programs, and summer camp coordination
Performs or supervises the public relations tasks involved in producing TCP’s
newsletter, publicity, website, social media, podcast, streaming, emails, and other forms of communication
Performs all duties in a timely manner and meets deadlines
Performs all duties in a manner that promotes goodwill and TCP in a positive light
Liaisons with UCC Maine Conference, UCC National Conference, donors, other
churches, or others as necessary
Knowledge and Skills
From the United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry, Section 3, Subsection entitled “The Church’s Expectations Of Its Candidates For Ordination”
Has attained a four-year college degree (bachelor’s degree or its equivalent)
Has graduated or will graduate from an approved theological seminary
Is able to relate the Christian faith to contemporary issues
Has engaged in a disciplined study of and has acquired knowledge in the following fields:
■ The Bible
■ Biblical interpretation
■ Christian education
■ Christian ethics
■ Church history
■ Evangelism and church growth
■ Ministry resources
■ Stewardship
■ Theology
■ United Church of Christ history, polity, practice, and theological roots
■ Worship, sacraments, liturgy
Has acquired skill in:
■ Administration
■ Counseling
■ Group dynamics
■ Interpersonal relationships
■ Listening and communicating
■ Organizing
■ Pastoral care
■ Planning and goal setting
■ Preaching and worship leadership
■ Teaching
■ Working with volunteers and volunteer institutions
■ Is prepared to lead the church as a community in mission
Qualifications
Holds or will hold active Ordained Ministerial Standing with the Sunrise
Association of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ
Demonstrated ability to write and communicate effectively
Demonstrated ability to handle oral communications
Special Conditions
Background check is required
Working Conditions
Private office with computer, printer, phone and other standard office equipment
Must be able to visually inspect work and generate own work on the computer
Must possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
Housing
Annuity Plan contribution equal to 14% of cash salary and housing allowance
Social Security and Medicare Offset equal to 7.65% of cash salary and housing allowance
Life Insurance and Disability Income Plan contribution equal to 1.5% of cash salary and housing allowance
An annual budgeted amount for Continuing Education and Professional Expenses
Mileage Reimbursement
Vacation Leave provides 4 weeks during each 12 months of service; one week’s leave is earned for each three months of service.
Personal/Compassionate Leave