Director of Children and Families Ministries (DCFM)

The children, youth, families, staff and full membership of Dennis Union Church (DUC) seek a creative, nurturing, and faithful leader to walk alongside us and guide us as our Director of Children and Families Ministries (DCFM). Our program is alive and growing with the holy spirit and features a multi-age “one-room schoolhouse” Sunday school, and a beloved youth group which includes monthly service projects and activities where our youth learn about and act on their beliefs and explore issues of justice in the community.

We have fun! We meet our children and youth where they are, and we create space for them to grow in faith, to build community, and to respond collectively and individually to God’s presence in their lives. Our DCFM will create a safe and theologically progressive environment for their faithful curiosity to unfold within our community and into the wider world.

The DCFM is not a called position at DUC, however, our DCFM and the Children and Families Ministries weave into and across all the ministries of the Dennis Union Church as we worship and serve God together. We welcome applications from candidates with a range of training in ministry, education, and child and youth leadership.

Program Responsibilities:

● Maintain a Year-round program for the children and youth, including multi-level Sunday school classes and regular Youth group meetings. Plan all classes, meetings and events of the program, including record keeping, current enrollment, and guidance for students and parents engaged in the faith formation process as well as monitoring the physical facilities. Events include service projects, monthly youth group meetings, and periodic confirmation classes.

○ Maintain regular communication with students, families and church membership on programs and schedules through bulletins, newsletters, text messages, including a proficiency with current digital, communication, and social media tools.

○ Work in partnership with the Senior Pastor to provide care to the wider DUC community.

○ Meet regularly with the Senior Pastor to discuss matters of mutual concern, budgets, and program planning.

○ Meet regularly with the Board of Christian Education, and attend staff meetings.

○ Select curriculum materials as well as all other items for budget consideration or expense for approval by the Board of Christian Education.

○ Recruit and support volunteers following DUC Safe Church Policies. (CORI) 

○ Transport students to and from off-campus events.

○ Represent the DUC in regional activities related to the children's and youth faith formation.

○ Adheres to the DUC Personnel and Safe Church Policies.

Professional Growth:

● Engage in educational opportunities (webinar, course, workshop, conference, and/or other form of continuing education).

● Willing to attend New England Association of United Church Educators

Personal Qualifications:

● Commitment to the Christian faith

● Enthusiastic and optimistic about faith formation ministries

● Able to work effectively with people and have concern for their nurture as persons and as disciples of Jesus Christ

● An effective communicator, is organized, self-directed, collaborative, and innovative

● Possesses adaptive leadership skills; is able to identify and act on signs of change

Professional Qualifications:

● Experience in Christian Education

● Academic training in religious education and theology, or equivalency through webinars, conferences, courses, and workshops. Such training should include work in theology, biblical studies, human & faith development, and educational theory. Or, certification in UCC Faith Formation

Position Details:

● Reports to Senior Pastor

● 24 hours per week, 48 weeks annually, to include specific office hours

● Salary range begins at $25,000

● Start date: August 1, 2024