Job Description: Under the supervision of the Minister, the Interim Director of Spiritual Development (IDSD) will provide leadership for the Spiritual Development program for all ages, assist both the Adult and Children’s Spiritual Development Committees with their visioning process, and facilitate the reflective and developmental tasks important for a successful transition to new settled religious education leadership. Major areas of responsibility include program evaluation and development, administration, pastoral and worship support, and educational oversight. This is a one-year position to conclude a two-year Religious Education Interim Program. Additionally the IDSD will be tasked with illuminating the congregation’s unique RE identity and mission including strengths and challenges.
Desired Skills: A strong candidate for the IDSD will possess knowledge of UU RE philosophy and curricula and be a Credentialed Religious Educator with Interim training and experience. Interim religious education training will be required for the person we hire (if not already so trained). Our IDSD should also have excellent administrative and communication skills, the ability to collaborate effectively with multiple groups, know how to create and maintain a welcoming space, a knowledge of or experience working with children with special needs, a vision for faith development for all ages, and the willingness to challenge the status quo within established boundaries as part of our Interim Process.
Our Congregation:
- AUUC is located in central Fairfax County: a vibrant, multicultural suburb of Washington DC with excellent schools, public transportation, and cultural opportunities.
- In the UUA’s Joseph Priestly District, AUUC currently has 185 members and 65 friends. We are a Welcoming Congregation and Green Sanctuary, and boast a strong music program and award-winning social justice program.
- AUUC offers Sunday morning RE for youth of all ages (nursery – 12th grade) with average weekly attendance of 40. Multiple adult classes are offered each season with average attendance of 5 to 15 per class. Recent offerings have included Evil, Living Homeless, Spirit in Practice, Bible Study, Themes from UU History and Building Your Own Theology.
- The IDSD is supported by strong Adult and Children’s Spiritual Development Committees with goals that include helping the congregation embrace lifelong learning; developing greater support and enthusiasm for shared ministry to children, youth and adults; and promoting a clearer understanding of the role of the DSD at AUUC.
Conditions of Employment: Dates of employment are from 7/1/13 through 6/30/14. This is a twelve-month position, at thirty-five hours per week. AUUC is a Fair Share Congregation dedicated to paying its staff in accordance with UUA's Fair Compensation guidelines; total compensation for the right professional is in the high $40k – low $50k range. The Interim DSD is not eligible to apply for the settled full-time DSD position for which AUUC will go into search in early 2014. For further details, please see the attached job description.
To apply for this position: Please send a resume, letter of interest and references to: Katie Cooke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Applications are due by 5/24/13; interviews will be held week of May 28 – June 1. For more information regarding our congregation please visit our website at www.accotinkuuc.org
For a detailed job description please download this pdf.
Beginning summer 2013
Context
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (UUCA), with over 800 members, has a strong Religious Education ministry, which serves over 400 children and youth, and includes many opportunities for education and faith development for adults. Over 150 volunteers are engaged in the RE ministry, as teachers, advisors, facilitators, administrators, and coordinators The congregation is committed to all aspects of its ministry being multigenerational, and there are opportunities for collaboration with the arts, social justice and worship. The congregation is currently engaged in intentional transition work, and our new DRE will be very much a part of this. Starting as a two-year consulting position with emphasis on interim-style evaluation and transformation, it is hoped that the successful applicant will become the regularly employed DRE after that time.
The RE program at UUCA has been led by the Reverend Dr. Linda Olson Peebles, as Minister of Religious Education for the past 12 years. She is excited about embracing new challenges as she relinquishes all responsibility and authority in religious education to become UUCA's Minister of Faith in Action, with responsibilities for pastoral care and social justice. Rev. Linda will be available to support the Consulting Director of Religious Education as invited with connections inside and beyond the congregation.
Relationships
The Director of Religious Education will report to the Senior Minister (currently and for the coming year, the Interim Senior Minister), and will supervise two part-time staff members - an RE Coordinator and a Youth Ministry Coordinator. The DRE will work closely with the entire UUCA staff to develop, collaborate, and implement the vision for making a difference in the lives of our congregants. The DRE will also work with volunteer leaders to carry out the learning ministry to children, youth, adults, and families.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Direct and manage the religious education ministry and its many programs, maintaining its existing high quality, and bring new and innovative ideas to enhance it.
a. Direct and administer the RE program for children, youth, and adults.
b. Provide leadership to bring families more fully into the life of the congregation.
c. Supervise the recruitment, safety clearances, training, and support for teachers, facilitators, advisors, and other volunteers.
d. Sustain and equip the work of RE task teams and leaders for RE in youth, young adult, and adult teams.
e. Guide the ministry to families, including parent education, family communications and community building.
f. Collaborate with other staff and ministry areas to align programs and enhance shared mission.
g. Oversee the equipping and maintenance of RE spaces, resources, libraries, teaching tools, curricula, etc.
h. Develop and oversee the RE budget.
i. Direct communications to church community and RE families and volunteers.
2. Act as Consultant
a. Work closely with the RE community to assess the programs, staffing, and structures, and make recommendations for changes
b. Work closely with the Interim Senior Minister to align with changes the entire church is undergoing.
c. Introduce new ideas or technologies to incorporate modern learning tools into our learning groups.
d. Along with the Ministers, communicate with the congregation about the role of RE in the transformation of UUCA.
Qualities Desired
Emotional maturity and a non-anxious presence.
Experience as an educator.
Experience directing programs.
Grounding in theology, history of religion, and religious education.
Effective communications skills.
Multi-cultural competency, awareness of issues of power imbalances and privilege.
Skills in change work.
Interest in professional development.
Passion for learning.
Commitment to service and leadership.
Benefits
The Consulting Director of Religious Education will be a part of the professional staff.
The compensation and benefits are generous, in line with UUA compensation recommendations.
Applicants should contact
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The UU Congregation of York, PA is looking for a full time Interim Director of Religous Education to start August 1, 2013.
Submit Applications to:
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be sure to include “DRE” in your subject line
information is posted at http://www.uucy.org/jobs/
The UU Church of the Shenandoah Valley in northern Virginia is looking to hire a full time religious educator to start August 1, 2013. This congregation has been doing forward-looking work with a part-time interim religous educator and is now able to support a full time position.
Learn more about the position at http://dre-candidate.uushenandoahsearch.org/
Full-Time Assistant Minister (Religious Education) - First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn NY
Ministers can view the congregational record online at the UUA.(if not already posted, it will be up soon) http://www.uua.org/careers/ministers/transitions/46232.shtml
Non-ordained seminary graduates with RE Experience are welcome to apply. View the position description here. http://uumetrony.org/district/Assist_Minister_RE_Brooklyn.htm
Start date is August 1, 2013.
Description: Chief among responsibilities for the Assistant Minister is the continued growth of our Religious Education program. The Assistant Minister is also expected to participate in the planning and implementation of the intergenerational aspects of our Sunday worship, and will lead services and preach periodically in lieu of the Senior Minister. As we continue our transition from a pastoral church to a program size one, it is important to emphasize the Assistant Minister must be a strong team player who collaborates effectively with the Senior Minister and the many volunteers in the congregation.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Oversee daily management of Religious Education program for children including supervision and recruitment of paid part time teachers and teacher volunteers.
- Work closely with RE Council to monitor, assess, and plan religious education for all ages.
- Engage in long term planning of curriculum, special programs, and events.
- Collaborate with volunteers to coordinate family retreats.
- Plan and coordinate adult religious education program.
- Build capacity of small group ministries to become self-sustaining.
- Collaborate with Senior Minister in planning intergeneration aspects of Sunday services.
- Lead one intergenerational service per month including writing and delivery of sermon.
- Deliver sermons for special holiday services such as Good Friday and our family Christmas service.
- In collaboration with the Senior Minister, provide pastoral care to the congregation, particularly to families and children.
- Collaborate with Senior Minister to build systems and capacity for a program size church.
- Support engagement and integration of visitors and new members into congregational life.
- Perform additional duties as requested by the Senior Minister and/or as determined by the Board of Trustees.
Qualifications:
- Completion of seminary school.
- Strong knowledge of and experience in Religious Education programs.
- Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of Unitarian Universalism.
- Experience and active involvement in Unitarian Universalist congregations and organizations.
- Personal religious depth.
- A commitment to and understanding of organizational systems, adaptive leadership, and team learning.
- Ability to work collaboratively with Senior Minister and lay volunteers.
- Ability to take initiative, be self-directing, set priorities, and manage time well.
- Knowledge of and comfort with emerging communication technologies.
Contact: Michael Alcoff This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
