Director of Spiritual Exploration
Position Description
Unitarian Church of Montpelier
Reports to: Minister
Status: 30 hrs/week (0.75 FTE)
Work Schedule: This position will require in-person work in the church building on most Sunday mornings. Some committee meetings and church programs also take place during the evenings and occasionally on weekends. Office space is provided.
Start Date: August 1, 2023
Job Summary:
The Director of Spiritual Exploration (DSE) will direct the congregation’s spiritual programming for children, youth, and families with the support of church volunteers. The DSE is supported by teams of lay leaders assisting in many of the programming tasks and providing guidance in programmatic implementation. The DSE will report to and be supervised by the Minister.
Congregational Description: The Unitarian Church of Montpelier is a Unitarian Universalist congregation that welcomes all as we build a loving community to nurture each person’s spiritual journey, serve human need, and protect the Earth, our home. We have a robust ministry spanning worship and music, spiritual exploration, pastoral care, and social and environmental justice. We have 258 certified, active members and another 150 or so nonmember “friends” of the congregation. Our spiritual exploration programs reach about 40 different families and 60 children and youth of the congregation.
Essential Functions:
Spiritual Exploration Programming (Avg. 20-22 hrs/wk)
- Create, implement, and support Spiritual Exploration programs and curricula grounded in current UUA resources and emerging best practices, including:
- Children, youth, and family programming Sunday mornings and throughout the week;
- Coming of Age, Our Whole Lives, Middle School Youth Group, and High School Youth Group;
- Sunday morning nursery care.
- Create and implement programs for multi-generational connection, community-building, justice-seeking, and service, including outdoor offerings;
- Recruit, empower, support, and supervise Spiritual Exploration leaders, teachers, facilitators, and volunteers to carry out UCM’s children, youth, and family programming;
- Support families in integrating Unitarian Universalism in their daily lives;
- Meet regularly with the Spiritual Exploration Committee;
- Collaborate with the Minister as needed on the implementation of adult lifespan spiritual exploration programs.
Worship (Avg. 4-6 hrs/wk)
- Participate in weekly worship planning meetings and monthly Worship & Arts Committee meetings;
- Participate in Sunday morning worship services as appropriate, including regularly leading the Time for All Ages;
- Lead and support Sunday morning worship experiences for children and youth;
- Collaborate with the worship team on the meaningful integration of children and youth in Sunday morning worship;
- Collaborate with the Minister to develop and lead occasional multigenerational services;
- Assist with Rites of Passage as appropriate (Child Dedications, Coming of Age, Bridging of youth, etc.).
Administration (Avg. 2-4 hrs/wk)
- Monitor expenditures of the spiritual exploration budget;
- Promote Spiritual Exploration programs through appropriate communication channels, including a regular newsletter;
- Serve on the Safe Congregations Response Team and ensure that volunteers are educated and meet the criteria set forth in UCM’s Sexual Abuse Prevention, Education, and Prevention Policy (SAPER);
- Supervise nursery staff and child care providers;
- Oversee the management of curriculum materials and libraries, class supplies, and classroom set-up;
- Oversee the maintenance of current records and files regarding all aspects of the administration of spiritual exploration programming, including attendance and registration records.
Other Responsibilities (Avg. 2-3 hrs/wk)
- Collaborate with the Congregational Life Coordinator, Membership & Hospitality Committee, and other staff to foster a welcoming environment and keep families, children and youth connected to the church;
- Participate in regular meetings with the minister, staff, and executive team.
Core Competencies:
- Mission Ownership: Demonstrates understanding and full support of UCM’s mission, vision, and strategic plan and the Eight* Principles and Six Sources of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Works toward the achievement of UCM’s mission and guides those involved in all aspects of Spiritual Exploration ministry to do the same. *as adopted by UCM on February 13, 2022
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates ability to lead others and work with a variety of people. Demonstrates the skills of active listening and acceptance of critical feedback. Productively engages others and resolves conflict. Engages people positively with a spirit of generosity.
- Problem Solving: As issues arise, is able to create and implement solutions to resolve conflicts.
- Management Skills: Demonstrates ability to fulfill commitments, maintain flexibility, prioritize tasks and approach work with a high level of organizational skills. Marshals resources (people, funding, materials, support) to get things done.
- Leadership: Demonstrates a repertoire of leadership styles to help guide others in meetings and small group settings. Shows commitment to deeply collaborative work.
- Spiritual Maturity: Demonstrates a deep spiritual life from which to draw strength and inspiration to others.
- Lifelong Learning: Demonstrates commitment to lifelong learning and spiritual growth. Pursues a plan of professional growth and maintains membership in the Liberal Religious Education Association (LREDA).
UCM is committed to providing supportive supervision and professional development opportunities for the DSE to continue to grow and develop these core competencies.
Minimum Qualifications:
- At least three years of experience directing, coordinating and/or teaching a youth educational program;
- Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, leadership and management skills;
- Experience in program development;
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking;
- Ability to use computers, mobile devices, electronic and social media platforms;
- Knowledge of Unitarian Universalism and the history of the denomination and demonstrated commitment to liberal religious values;
- Proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 submitted before start of employment with UCM. In addition, staying up to date on Covid-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for all UCM employees.
Preferred Training and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field;
- At least two years experience working as a Director of Religious Education.
Compensation: Minimum annualized salary is $39,000 ($25/hr). The position also includes health insurance coverage, professional development expenses, and leave time according to the UCM Personnel Policies.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, please send the following items to ucm.apply@gmail.com with the subject “Director of Spiritual Exploration.”
- A cover letter explaining your motivation to apply, interest in the position, and relevant skills and experience
- Resume
- Two professional references
Applications are due by close of business on Thursday, June 15 and will be accepted until the position is filled.
The Unitarian Church of Montpelier is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of our staff.