UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST SUMMARY CHURCH PROFILE Wellesley Hills Congregational Church Wellesley, Massachusetts Associate Minister of Youth and Families Metropolitan Boston Association, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ September 7, 2017 God is able to provide you with every blessing, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8) LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 1
POSITION POSTING LISTING INFORMATION SCOPE OF WORK COMPENSATION & SUPPORT LISTING INFORMATION Church name: Wellesley Hills Congregational Church Street address: 207 Washington Street, Wellesley MA 02481 Supplemental web links: www.hillschurch.org Additional ecumenical affiliations: None Conference: Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ Association: Metropolitan Boston Association UCC Conference or Association Staff Contact Person (Name, Title, Phone, Email): Rev. Wendy Vander Hart Associate Conference Minister Metropolitan Boston Association, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ Telephone: (781) 369-1396 Email: vanderhartw@macucc.org Summary Ministry Description: Our current Search and Call process is guided by the value of "Investing in Children and Youth", so that our faith community is where young people can build the spiritual foundation they need to face the challenges and opportunities of their future. The church longs for a vibrant Sunday school, Confirmation Class, and Youth Groups where scripture and prayers are learned while community is built among peers, adults of the church, and with those outside of our walls. We want the children of our church to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance within this LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 2
"home" even if they do not feel this in other places. Vital to this formation is an inspiring and personable minister who can blend fun with helping our children to understand the biblical foundation of our faith and our obligation, as Christians, to serve others. We need someone who can think creatively about engaging children, youth, and their families as we walk together on our faith journey. Photographs: Wellesley Hills Congregational Church LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 3
Chancel during a worship service at the Hills Church Pumpkin Patch LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 4
What we value about living in our area: Wellesley is about twelve miles west of Boston where renowned healthcare, institutions of higher education and cultural venues are easily accessible. Wellesley is known as the home of Wellesley College, Babson College, and a campus of Massachusetts Bay Community College. Excellent public and private schools are available in the town along with an assortment of markets, shops and restaurants. For those who follow college and professional sports teams, there are many in the local area to cheer on. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are beaches and mountains which can easily be visited on both day and overnight trips. Current size of membership: 450 active members estimated out of 880. Languages used in ministry: English Position Title: Settled Associate Minister for Youth and Families Position Duration: Settled a called position intended for longer-term ministry in which the minister moves church membership to the congregation and moves standing to related association Compensation Level : Full Time Does the total support package meet conference compensation guidelines? Yes With the exception of health insurance, our clergy compensation levels parallel the most recent (2017) Guidelines for Local Church Personnel and Search Committees for Authorized Ministers, as presented by the Clergy Leadership Development Ministry Council of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ (MACUCC)., The church s employee health insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield is a shared contribution plan. LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 5
SCOPE OF WORK Job Summary The Associate Minister for Youth and Families will shepherd the church s ministry for and with youth and children, with an emphasis on leadership for youth ministry, and creating authentic relationships with youth, children, and their families. Context of Associate Minister Position The Wellesley Hills Congregational Church is seeking an Associate Minister for Youth and Families. Currently, an Acting Associate Minister is serving in this role and will continue until a settled minister is called by the congregation. Essential Functions Refine and communicate the vision for ministry with youth, children, and families to the congregation. Oversee ministry programs for youth and children, including specific programs for high school, middle school, elementary, and preschool age groups. This includes direct leadership of middle school and high school ministry programs, and a consistent presence in Sunday church school to provide leadership and teaching (about 30 Sundays during the program year), as well as providing leadership to support the Coordinator of Children s Ministry and the Children s Ministry Team. Create supportive relationships with parents, provide opportunities for parents to become better equipped for nurturing the faith development of their children. Supervise the half-time Children s Ministry Coordinator by providing resources and vision. The newborn to 6 th grade is overseen by the Children s Ministry Coordinator, while the 7 th and 8 th grades are overseen by the Associate Minister for Youth. The Associate Minister is also in charge of youth group activities for the 7 th -12 th grades. Develop a network of spiritually gifted teachers, mentors, and ministry team supporters to empower the congregation to participate in ministry with children and youth. LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 6
Empower and encourage the youth to find simple ways to serve, integrate, and become a vibrant part of the wider church to enable continued engagement as children and youth grow within the church. Plan and execute youth retreats and service trips (weekend to week-long) during the year. Coordinate special events and fundraisers to support ministry goals. Recent examples include the Pumpkin Patch sale for youth service trips, the Super Bowl Sub Sale, Advent Workshop, Easter Egg Hunt, and Family Game Night. Participate in Sunday morning worship leadership as liturgist on most Sundays and as preacher about 6 Sundays each year, including Confirmation Sunday, Sundays to celebrate church school and high school graduates. Participate in planning and leading special services on holy days and seasons, including creative opportunities for worship at other times. Meet with the Faith Formation Support Board, as well as the Children s Ministry team and the Youth Ministry team. Work to identify and recruit members of both teams. Other Responsibilities Participate in weekly staff meetings and in regular meetings with the Children s Ministry Coordinator. Core Competencies: Leadership with vision and purpose. Able to articulate a faith understanding that is strong and inclusive. Supports the vision and mission of the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church; communicates a compelling and inspiring vision for ministry; talks beyond the here and now to a larger sense of purpose; helps others to own the vision. Interpersonal Relationships. Relates well to all kinds of people, especially youth and children; builds effective and constructive relationships; inspires trust through integrity and character. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other ministers, staff, lay leadership, and the broader congregation. Organization. Can gather and organize resources (people, funding, materials, support) to get things done; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal. Recognizes Church-wide priorities and works cooperatively to support their accomplishment. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and to respond appropriately and effectively to changing situations. Development of volunteers. Is able to engage people, discern their potential for ministry, and inspire them to become involved in new ways; provides appropriate training and resources for volunteers to be successful; provides affirming feedback and corrective feedback as LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 7
appropriate. LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 8
COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT Salary Basis The compensation package for this position includes both a cash salary and a housing allowance. As noted above, our clergy compensation package is in accordance with the MACUCC s compensation guidelines for cash compensation and housing allowance. Benefits: Participation in a contributory group medical plan. Participation in a group dental plan, life insurance and disability income plans. Vacation and sick leave benefits, UCC-sponsored retirement benefits, sabbatical leave, parental leave, and expenses for continuing education, books, and mileage reimbursement for ministry-related travel What is the expected living situation for your next minister? The expectation is that the associate minister would live nearby with a housing allowance, as the parsonage is utilized by the senior minister. Comment on the residential/commuting expectations for your next minister. Included in the compensation package for this positon is a housing allowance, the amount of which was determined in accordance with MACUCC guidelines. We believe that there is a relationship between the proximity of the minister s residence to the church and the minister s ability to: Develop an understanding and connection to the community and its (youth) members and their ministry needs Participate and engage in both regular and ad hoc ministry activities at the church Enjoy sustainable job satisfaction as it relates to commuting time. Because of the above, our preference is that the associate minister would live within a thirty minute commute from the church (which with traffic typically would be within ten to fifteen miles depending on the time of day and the specific location). State any incentives: The church offers a three month paid sabbatical after six years of service. LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 9
Describe peer and professional supports available for ministers in your association/conference: The minister will join a clergy team at WHCC that includes Senior Minister Matt Wooster, and Associate Minister Judy Swahnberg, which provides a rich environment for peer and professional support. There are several vibrant congregations served by multiple clergy in Wellesley. Although there is no formal clergy association in town, ministers of the Hills Church have supportive and collegial relationships with their counterparts in neighbor congregations, including Wellesley Village UCC, St. Andrew s Episcopal Church, and Temple Beth Elohim. The Massachusetts Conference offers the Pastoral Excellence Program, with new clergy groups for clergy in the first three years of ministry, and clergy communities of practice for more experienced clergy. Within the Metropolitan Boston Association is a close concentration of churches, providing formal and informal opportunities to connect with peers. Several theological schools in Boston offer access to lectures and special events. If applicable, describe how your church will adopt part-time adjustments in the pastoral schedule to support a minister s bi-vocational employment: Not applicable LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE 2017 PAGE 10