Young Families and Youth Ministries Position at St. Mark’s United Church

This is a full time position (40 hours per week) and is for a three-year term (renewable).

This is a program position and is congregational accountable. It is open to: Lay, Ordained or Commissioned applicants

Position Profile

St. Mark’s United Church is located in the residential area known as Greendale in Saint John West NB. Our history dates back 160 years and has its roots in the Methodist Society. From the first gatherings in homes and re-purposed barns to the first structures on Church Ave. Through several fires and rebuilding, St. Mark’s current building is at 50 Dexter Dr. and was dedicated in 1960. The congregation is vibrant and dedicated to the mission of Jesus and hospitality.

St. Mark’s United Church is currently seeking a leader for its Young Families and Youth Ministries. The full time role is open to Ordained, Commissioned or lay candidates. This person will be a key member of the ministerial team, which encourages the development and fulfillment of the congregation’s mission and vision. They will work in a collegial and supportive team ministry with the Lead Minister, the Minister of Music, the Office Administrator and the Caretaker. This ministry role offers an opportunity to support a vibrant faith community that has a reputation for being warm, welcoming and inclusive.

The Young Families Youth Ministry position is a new position and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to build the ministry from the ground up. The primary focus of this position is to provide developmental focused leadership for a ministry of spiritual formation, community development, programs and outreach with Young Families and Youth at St. Mark’s United Church. The program will be shaped and delivered in close collaboration with the other members of the ministry team, with the overall spirit of creating a truly welcoming experience for new members and established members of the congregation.

The key responsibilities for this role include:

Developing and growing a vibrant Young Families and Youth Ministry program

Helping young families and youth explore their beliefs and nurture faith life.

Would collaborate with the Sunday school leader in the coordination of Sunday school, registration, events and retreats for children.

Would work collaboratively with the lead minister in the development and leadership of Confirmation program.

Develop and coordinating the delivery and evolution of programming to engage young families and youth.

Assisting with worship planning and specifically looking for ways to engage and involve children and youth in worship, to create interactive and experiential worship experiences that draw in young families and youth.

Providing emergent pastoral care for the congregation in times of need – including participation in funerals and related family support – working in tandem with other members of the ministry team.

Establishing and fostering connections with families and inspiring continued, new, or renewed presence and participation in the life and work of St. Mark’s.

Engaging families in the social justice awareness and action in the community.

This position reports to the Unified Board monthly. This may be in person or by written report.

While this position assumes leadership for these responsibilities, this individual will be most successful through the effective training and engagement of volunteers. The Family Ministries Leader will work collaboratively with all members of the ministry team to ensure that St. Mark’s United is a welcoming and inclusive community, where newcomers are warmly welcomed and engaged.

The ideal candidate for this role will possess many of the following qualities:

A proven track record of designing and implementing effective programs to engage young families and youth in their Christian faith journey.

A collegial approach, adept and willing to work as a collaborative member of a highly effective ministry team.

Well-organized, able to operate independently within a cooperative team ministry.

An inspirational and approachable role model with enthusiasm, curiosity, a good sense of humour, and most of all a passion for their faith.

An awareness of the current and evolving use of technology tools to enhance, promote and raise awareness of Young Families and Youth Ministries at St. Mark’s

An ability to model inclusivity, and encourage the full diversity of our community to be expressed and empowered.

To lead worship when the Lead Minister is on vacation or continuing education.

Committed to lifelong learning.

The successful candidate will be a baptized person and has experience in this area of ministry. While some theological education is desirable, formal accreditation is not required. The successful candidate may have training in a different area of expertise. Most important is a passion for ministry with Young Families and Youth.

The racial justice and boundaries courses for ministry in the United Church are required.

Remuneration will be accordance to General Council guidelines and reflect the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position focuses on Young Families and Youth. In a normal forty-hour workweek, 25 hours will be spent on Young Families, 10 hours on youth program development and implementation and 5 hours on administration.

Please send resumes to: stmarksyouth2020@gmail.com

St. Mark’s website: www.stmarksunited.ca

St. Mark’s Inclusion Statement

We the people of St. Mark’s United Church strive to be a community where all people are welcome regardless of age, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, differing abilities, ethnic background or economic circumstances.

All persons are welcome to take part in every aspect of church life including: membership, participation, leadership, Sacraments (Baptism and Communion), Rites (Marriage and Confirmation) and pastoral care for life passages.  We celebrate the richness that diversity brings to our church even as it challenges us. We pray for God’s Spirit to guide us as we work for reconciliation and justice for all persons in both church and society.

Approved by the congregation on February 19, 2017