Director of Children’s Religious Education Position

Active mid-size congregation seeks an energetic Director of Children’s Religious Education to manage and oversee an existing program of children’s religious education, involving nursery care through OWL, at the First Church in Belmont, Massachusetts. This is an interim position for one year, with the possibility of extension or expansion of the role after the first year.

This professional 25-hour/week position requires someone who cares deeply about liberal religious education and Unitarian Universalist principles and is committed to coordinating an extensive program of adult volunteers teaching about 80 children each Sunday. The DCRE will be an integral member of a dedicated church staff for a 350-member congregation, with two Sunday worship services. The DCRE will report to the Minister, and work closely with the Children’s Religious Education Committee, the Minister of Music, the Youth Group Advisor, the Adult Religious Education Coordinator, and a part-time Religious Education Assistant.

Core responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Manage and oversee all aspects of existing Children’s RE program, which includes:

• Recruit, train, and support parent volunteer teachers for Sunday morning classes
• Assist in planning, coordinating and updating curriculum
• Circulate through classrooms on Sunday mornings to observe and support classes
• Lead Children’s homilies during Sunday morning services, either in the Sanctuary or in the Library
• Plan and assist in conducting intergenerational, family services, and special events relating to Children’s RE
• Oversee paid staff and program for nursery care
• Manage and oversee Religious Education Assistant
• Write a column each week for the newsletter
• Meet monthly with the Children’s RE committee
• Formally gather feedback to evaluate programs, build consensus for solutions, and implement goals
• Maintain open and frequent communication with program participants
• Prepare for and attend all staff meetings (currently every other week)
• Meet as appropriate with the Senior Minister, other staff, and the parish board
• Manage the annual budget for the Children’s RE program, and report on budget status
• Maintain equipment and supplies

Qualifications

• Unitarian Universalist background and a philosophy of liberal religious education; bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in Education, with training and experience as an Interim Director of Religious Education a plus
• Commitment to diversity in religion and religious education
• Demonstrated competence in religious education and other programs for children
• Good organizational skills
• The ability to work well with others, with demonstrated interpersonal skills in working with a large, diverse congregation
• Patience and a sense of humor
• Strong facilitation, communication and listening skills

The DCRE will have flexible hours, though you are expected to attend the scheduled staff meetings, and Sunday worship services. This position will begin in August 2009. The church calendar year is September through June. Salary is based on UUA guidelines commensurate with experience. A benefits package will be negotiated as part of the hiring process.

If this sounds like your ideal position, please submit a cover letter and resume to Roger Gallagher, Chair of the Human Resources Committee, at Gallagher_roger@verizon.net. The deadline for submission is May 31, 2009.