Summer Internship for a Seminarian at the National Offices of UCC Wider Church Ministries

Volunteer Ministries and Child Sponsorship Program

Position Description
Term:  June 1, 2009 (earlier if available) – August 14, 2009 (full-time)
Stipend: $3,750 total (paid semi-monthly), short-term health insurance provided
Location: UCC National Offices, 700 Prospect Avenue E., Cleveland, OH 44115

Job Description
The successful candidate will work with both the Volunteer Ministries Coordinator and Child Sponsorship Program Manager on various projects.

Tasks include
June 1 – July 2 Volunteer Ministries
General Synod Service Project Coordination Responsibilities:

• Create packet of materials for introduction of projects and follow-up action for participants in General Synod Service Projects
• Communicate with local Grand Rapids project coordinators and UCC registrants to finalize plans for General Synod Visitors’ participation in  Service Projects
• Assist Executive for Volunteer Ministries in on-site coordination of Service Projects at General Synod – in an auxiliary role with the Youth@General Synod program and for General Synod Visitors’ participation in Monday Service Projects and Blood Drive
• Research country and culture of the centers to ensure effective communication
• Research and provide detailed information about individual centers
• Write administrative description
• Write guidelines for practice at the centers
• Develop or modify user forms
• Collect and store data and information on centers

AND

July 6 – August 14 Child Sponsorship Program
Production of Child Sponsorship Site Program Manual responsibilities: 

• Research country and culture of the centers to ensure effective communication
• Research and provide detailed information about individual centers
• Write administrative description
• Write guidelines for practice at the centers
• Develop or modify user forms
• Collect and store data and information on centers

Skills and Experience Sought

Currently enrolled in seminary

• Ability to work independently and to value collaboration and team work
• Self-motivated in taking initiative
• Flexible and adaptable
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Thorough with attention to details
• Experience in coordinating groups
• Passionate about children and their welfare
• Experience in international travel
• Ability to articulate an understanding of mission, service and justice issues
• Bilingual (optional)

About the Office of Volunteer Ministries: The office of Volunteer Ministries of the United Church of Christ provides volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups, and events at national UCC meetings. Through the Partners In Service Program, Volunteer Ministries partners with local agencies to place individual volunteers with agencies that match the skills of the volunteers with the needs of the agencies. In UCC Companion Communities: Young Adult Service Communities volunteers, age 21-30, serve in the local communities of UCC host congregations, forming intentional community. The United Church of Christ hosts various events each year such as General Synod, National Youth Event and Women’s Gatherings. A Service Project is usually offered at these kinds of events so that our members can get involved in service in local communities hosting each event.

Web: http://www.ucc.org/volunteer/

About the Office of the Child Sponsorship Program: This global children’s ministry works closely with private centers that have long-established links with a UCC or Disciples global partner. Through partners, the program works in collaboration with the centers to provide food, basic health care, clothing and in some cases housing, school fees, uniform, books and training and livelihood opportunities to many poor and destitute children in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Europe. There are more than fifteen centers participating with nearly 1000 children in the program. web http://globalministries.org/get-involved/child-sponsorship/

Learning Opportunities Through Internships

• Become acquainted with the national setting of the church, participate in weekly worship services led by staff
• Participate in Wider Church Ministries (WCM) staff meetings
• Participate in weekly WCM staff prayer and sharing time
• Attend luncheon presentations with visiting international guests and/or mission personnel
• Attend General Synod
• Spend some time with each of the various area executives and other program staff, learning about their work in their WCM position and inviting them to reflect on their own sense of “call”
• Spend time with several staff in theological reflection on a ministry topic of the intern’s choosing
• As interested, read articles and books about theology of mission (missiology) as suggested by staff for discussion with staff
• Write in journal or create some kind of report or creative project which reflects the learnings from the summer’s work and conversations and reflections which can be shared with the Executive Minister at the end of the summer.

Applications must be received by Friday, May 1, 2009, 5.00 P.M. (Eastern)

To apply, please email, fax or mail:

• Your resume 
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Your response to the following questions:  (This document should be no more than 2 pages in length.)
• 1. Why are you interested in this internship?
• 2. What do you hope to gain from the internship experience?
• 3. What do you believe you will contribute to the internship?

Send application materials to Wider Church Ministries:

Email: wcm@ucc.org
Fax: 216-736-3203
Address:
Wider Church Ministries-internship
700 Prospect Avenue E.
Cleveland, OH 44115

For more information—Phone: 216 736 2137