FT Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries - St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Phila.

Details

Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries (Full-time, Exempt)
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Philadelphia, PA
www.stmartinec.org

About St. Martin’s
The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is a large parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1889 in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, the parish is a vibrant, growing, and increasingly diverse congregation drawn not just from the immediate vicinity but also from many parts of the city, region and from all walks of life. St. Martin’s mission is to welcome all seekers; to worship God in liturgy, music, and prayer; to equip all baptized persons for ministry; and to engage as agents of Christ’s love in the world.

The Holy Eucharist is the heart of the parish. From that heart in the life of Jesus emerge dozens of evolving opportunities for ministry through worship, pastoral care, music, the arts, education, and faith formation for both parishioners and the wider community and city. The parish’s aspirational values are: to be a congregation actively involved in community engagement and work for social justice; to be a place of unconditional welcome and inclusion; to call forth the gifts of its entire people; and to become a racism-free and diverse community that reflects the city in which we exist.

Since last May 2022, the parish has been involved in a period of transition following the departures of its former Rector, Associate Rector, and most recently its Minister to Children, Youth, and Families, who departed in mid-July to enter seminary as a Postulant for Holy Orders.

During the transition, with the experienced leadership of our Interim Rector and the active engagement of our Wardens and Vestry, we continue to experience a call to grow in our capacity for ministry. We are looking for a full-time Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries who will work collaboratively with the Interim Rector, staff, a newly-formed and very active Parents’ Advisory Council, and with the wide support of lay leaders and members across the entire community. The Director will support, and in some cases, reimagine and re-establish a range of sustainable ministries and programs for children and youth of all ages. The Director will guide this process of creative growth.

About the Opportunity
The Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries is an essential role at St. Martin’s, actively involved with clergy, families, parishioners, visitors, and church staff in building a shared vision and implementing a range of faith formation programs that is hopeful, engaging, inclusive and expansive, reflecting and living out the parish’s values. The main responsibilities include helping create, with the clergy and Parents’ Council, a missional vision; building and sustaining relationships with children, youth, parents, volunteers, and church staff; and developing and delivering age-appropriate, and engaging worship and program opportunities.

This is a full-time position open to a baptized and confirmed layperson in the Episcopal Church. The Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries will report to the Interim Rector. Please note that members and immediate family of members of St. Martin’s cannot be employees of the parish.

Core Responsibilities will Include:

Sunday commitments
● With the advice of the Parents’ Council, organize all aspects of Sunday morning children and youth worship and formation, aiming to establish and grow a faith community of and for children and their caregivers, teenagers, and young adults.
● Participate in or attend weekly Eucharists services at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:30 a.m. Currently, the 9:00 a.m. service is geared toward ages 2-8 years old, and we would like to integrate programming and participation into the 10:30 a.m. service for youth ages 8-12, teenagers, and young adults. The Director will be responsible, as well, for livestreaming these services, and so must have the technical skills to manage that work.
● Prepare (and guide other lay or ordained persons in providing) worship and formation activities geared toward young children through storytelling, crafts and other techniques, engaging children and youth in developmentally appropriate ways to meet them where they are and to guide them into fuller understanding of and participation in the body of Christ at St. Martin’s. This includes but is not limited to providing programming that meets the needs of racially, culturally, gender, and/or neurologically diverse children, as well as those with physical, intellectual or emotional challenges.
● Be available and responsible for additional programs and services as needed.

Liturgical ministry
● Recruit children and youth for liturgical ministry (i.e., recruit, train, and supervise young acolytes, crucifers, and lectors).
● Actively coordinate with the Director of Music to integrate age-sensitive musical programming, in particular, Choristers, into liturgical life at St. Martin’s.
● Plan and lead weekly faith formation for all youth, creating curricula to support a variety of cognitive abilities across all ages.
● Participate in annual liturgical planning to incorporate children, youth, and families.
● Organize and lead children and family-centric events (such as Advent Pageant, Vacation Bible School, etc.).
● Prepare candidates and their families for the sacrament of Baptism, and for Confirmation, working with clergy as appropriate.

Administrative
● Be an active team player with other Church staff and ministry leaders to look for opportunities to integrate Children’s and Family Ministry with the broader Church initiatives.
● Gather, grow, and lead a team of dedicated parent volunteers to assist in facilitating children’s and family programming (i.e. caregiver formation).
● Regularly communicate with the community (parents/guardians) via consistently scheduled emails, newsletters, social media posts, etc. about current happenings, volunteer opportunities, events, and market opportunities to increase engagement.
● Oversee the Soft Space in the church enabling children the freedom to move around and also to see the action that is occurring.
● Manage ministry area budgets.
● Familiarity and competence with computers and the software platforms used by the church, including social media platforms used by children and youth.The Director will provide technical support for livestreaming of the Sunday and other services of St. Martin’s and must have the technical ability to move creatively and nimbly in the parish’s tech arena.

ABOUT OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

You have a well-grounded Christian faith, and deep familiarity with the Episcopal Church, and a regular spiritual practice that can be shared and explored with young people.

You’re a gifted teacher/mentor of children and youth who respects young people, encourages questions and thoughtful discussions, fosters strong relationships, promotes inclusion, and builds community.

You’re an approachable, active listener who inspires trust and confidence from others.

You've done the work to get to know yourself, and it shows in the quality of your relationships. You value authenticity, joy, kindness, gratitude, and intellectual humility, and you have a good sense of humor.

You’re a convener. You can bring together broad and diverse groups (i.e., parents/caregivers, church leadership, other parishioners, community members, etc.) and facilitate conversations to identify the best/most creative ways to support the Children’s and Family Ministry.

You’re a humble teammate. Nothing is beneath or above you. You are quick to always lend a hand or two!

You can manage a diverse set of needs and aren't afraid to step outside your job description or comfort zone to help the Church community reach its goals. You're comfortable with shifting schedules and don't expect every day to go "as planned."

You are meticulous about the quality of everything you put into the world. Even on the 37th slide, you ensure the font size and background color are on point. You’re a strong project manager, capable of driving multiple programs simultaneously and juggling changing priorities.

You have excellent communication and organization skills. You bring a desire for innovation, as well as respect for tradition; are self-motivated, and eager to work as part of a team.

What you’ll need
● 4-6 years of overall professional experience (We are background agnostic and excited by candidates with unique work histories).
● Experience with the dynamics unique to ministry work and church communities, especially within the Episcopal Church
● Experience teaching or leading religious education and faith formation
● Experience in teaching, lesson planning, and/or creating children’s programs.
● A commitment to diversity and inclusion. You're always asking: "whose voice is not at the table?" You have experience working with diverse groups and successfully navigating cross-generational communication, and you deeply value creating a community that is supportive of difference.
● Ability to exercise effective judgment, sensitivity, and creativity to changing needs and situations.
● Ability to work independently and with minimal direction, showing initiative, creativity, self-discipline, and effective time and project management skills.
● Highly developed interpersonal skills, including excellent oral, written and listening communication.
● Ability to create, monitor, and adhere to a fiscally responsible budget.

Compensation and Location

The Church of Saint Martin-in-the-fields is located at 8000 St. Martin's Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118. This is an on-site full-time position.

The salary range for this position is $40,000-42,000.

St. Martin’s and the Episcopal Church offer an attractive benefits package, including fully-paid health insurance for the employee. Our team is happy to discuss benefits in more detail during the interview process.

The Application Process
To apply, please email Lorie Hershey, St. Martin’s Parish Administrator, at lhershey@stmartinec.org with your resume and a letter of application in which you briefly answer the following questions:
● What is it about the Children and Family Minister role that made you want to apply? How does this opportunity fit into your career trajectory?
● What elements of Children’s and Family ministry excite you most? What elements do you enjoy?
● We are excited to learn about the diverse backgrounds and experiences candidates bring. Help us to understand the contribution your personal background would make to our team and the St. Martin’s community.
Individuals who apply by Friday, August 18th will be given priority; therefore, we encourage you to submit yours soon!

The overall evaluation process will look to follow this anticipated timeline:
● Early September: Multi-team member panel interview with volunteers and church staff.
● Interview with Interim Rector and Rector’s Warden before offer is made.
o Candidate references and a background check will be completed at this step.
● Mid-Late September: Offer extended.

If you have any questions about the opportunity, please feel free to email Lorie Hershey at the email address above.