Bethany UCC Seeks Director of Children and Families Ministry

Bethany United Church of Christ is a progressive Christian congregation in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. We seek a part-time Director of Children and Families Ministry to imagine and implement a program of faith formation for children 0-18 and their families (with a current emphasis on elementary and middle school-aged kids). Our ideal candidate is an educator or someone with experience in a related field who has an understanding of the developmental needs of children of all ages. While seminary training is not required, we are seeking a person of faith who is conversant with the stories and traditions of mainline Protestant Christianity and shares our congregational values of inclusion and open-mindedness. We are looking for someone who will lead our existing children’s program and bring vision and experience for how to grow it for the future.

Director of Children and Families Ministry Job Description

The Bethany UCC Director of Children and Families Ministry is a half-time, salaried position with an understood time commitment of twenty (20) hours per week. (Though for the right candidate with another full-time job, we are willing to consider a quarter-time position of 10-15 hours/week.) The pay is up to $30,000/year, and the position comes with up to $10,000/year toward insurance for the Director. The hours for this position include Sunday mornings and preferably Mondays in the church building for staff meetings. Other hours are flexible and can often be worked remotely. This position also includes some nighttime and weekend events throughout the year (All-church social events, family campout, etc.) The duties of this position include leading Sunday School, planning other events for faith formation or community-building among families of school-age children, and working with the rest of the program staff to incorporate children into the full life of the congregation.

Program Design

  • Overall, the job of the Director is to work with staff, parents, volunteers, and kids to imagine and implement a safe and thriving ministry for and with kids at Bethany. The specifics duties may shift as children age and the program grows, but currently include the following:

Sunday School

  • Create and maintain kid-centered spaces that are bright, safe, and inviting

  • Write or select a curriculum for each Sunday School class.

  • Plan and adapt lessons to fit our context (both the needs of the kids and an inclusive, progressive theology).

  • Teach Sunday School each week

  • Recruit and train volunteers from the congregation to teach.

  • Order and prep materials needed for lessons.

Confirmation and Youth Group

  • While we do not currently have many older children, as the program grows and our kids age, we anticipate the formation of a youth group led by the Director of Children and Families Ministry as well as a confirmation program, led by the pastors in cooperation with the Director.

  • Currently, the expectation is that the Director would get to know the older kids in our congregation and support them on an individual basis.

Other Events/ Programming

  • Work with staff and volunteers to plan the yearly Family Campout.

  • Work with parents and staff to plan regular social events for children and families. (Summer outings, Parents’ Night Out, etc.)

  • Work with staff to plan the Living Nativity.

  • Develop a program of regular service and justice opportunities for Bethany kids.

Incorporating Children into the Life of the Congregation

  • Lead “Children’s Time” in worship in rotation with pastors and others.

  • Work with pastoral staff to plan and implement children-centered worship themes.

  • Make recommendations and/or develop resources (e.g., children’s bulletins) for ways to adapt worship to work better for kids of all ages.

  • Work with volunteers to plan occasional children’s choir performances.

  • Coordinate kids to serve as acolytes for worship.

Administration

  • Further develop a safe-church policy for children’s ministry at Bethany and

    ensure that it is followed by everyone working with kids.

  • Coordinate with the Church Office to make sure all volunteers receive a

    background check.

  • Develop program calendars and communicate important dates with families.

  • Provide announcements related to children’s programming for weekly emails,

    bulletins, and newsletters.

  • Work with other staff to promote kid’s programming at Bethany in the wider

    community.

  • Supervise and resource nursery attendants.

  • Recruit, resource, supervise, and recognize congregational volunteers.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Rev. Vince Amlin at vince@bethanychicago.com. We anticipate reviewing applications beginning April 6th in hopes of hiring someone in May for a July 1 start. Bethany United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming Congregation, meaning that we welcome and celebrate all people inclusive of different sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. We welcome all qualified candidates to apply.