Career Opportunity - Director of Religious Education

Job Summary

In support of the mission and covenant of The First Unitarian Church, aka Church of the River, the DRE will develop, facilitate, and help to inspire member engagement with religious and spiritual education, exploration, action, and appreciation programs across the lifespan for children, youth, and adults, including multigenerational events. The DRE provides the members of the congregation with many opportunities to discover and grow their Unitarian Universalist faith.

  • Salaried, Full-Time
  • Reports to: Minister
  • Directly Supervises: Teachers, Facilitators, Childcare Workers, or Volunteers

Effective date: Summer 2023

Essential Functions

  • In collaboration with the Minister and the Family Ministry Team, provide vision and leadership for all aspects of religious education and spiritual development programming for children, youth, and adults, including opportunities for bridging the generations, both in-person and virtually as needed
  • Manage all aspects of the children's program, including recruiting volunteer teachers, developing the curriculum, and ensuring that teachers have the practical and program support they need.
  • Lead the Time for All Ages as part of the weekly worship service in collaboration with the Senior Minister
    • Lead adults to greater spiritual exploration and engagement by developing, coordinating, and helping to inspire involvement with adult educational seminars, small groups, book study groups, and other educational and spiritual development programming.
  • Coordinate the recruitment, safety clearances, training, support and appreciation of teachers, facilitators, advisors, and other volunteers
  • Develop, manage, and track annual budget for the Religious Exploration program
  • Provide leadership and support to the Family Ministry Team
  • Participate in regular staff meetings and attend a weekly one-on-one meeting with the Minister
  • Be present at the church building on Sunday mornings and on at least three weekdays (exact hours to be worked out between the DRE and their supervisor); establish office hours to meet with staff, volunteers, congregants, or vendors
  • Articulate and promote the RE program through church communication venues including the weekly email update, the monthly newsletter, the monthly report to the Board, and the annual report
  • Coordinate and schedule nursery care providers, as needed
  • Provide on-site supervision of children’s programming on Sunday mornings and other RE-related events, including nursery staff; arrange coverage for Sundays away.
  • Maintain policies and practices that support the religious exploration program
  • Present a welcoming presence to all children, adults, and families who come to the church
  • Maintain neat and organized classrooms for safety and for age-appropriate activities; ensure infant space provides needed materials for their care
  • Respond to inquiries and follow up with outreach to visiting families
  • Participate in major all-church events as determined with the Minister
  • Participate in the implementation and review of the Safe Congregations Policy
  • Ongoing professional development in support of the essential functions and core competencies
  • Procure, assess, and update Unitarian Universalist Association curricula and/or program content that reflect and develop Unitarian Universalist values including Our Whole Lives or other relevant curriculum.
  • Maintain membership in the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) and attend annual conferences, chapter meetings, and workshops
  • Abide by the LREDA Code of Conduct
  • Abide by the Child Protection Policy of the First Unitarian Church of Memphis

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent, in a field pertinent to education, religion, child development or human services
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills including word processing such as Microsoft Office, presentations, email communication, virtual media, and spreadsheets
  • Experience for at least three years in education, teaching, children, and youth services, and/or religious education
  • Experience for at least two years in working within educational environments and development of curriculum across generations
  • Experience for at least two years supervising volunteers or paid staff

Equal Opportunity

The Church of the River is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Apply

To apply, please submit your application to Church Office by NOON on May 29, 2023:

  • ResumĂ©
  • Two professional references
  • Not required, but encouraged: a cover letter

Thank you for your interest in applying for this position.