Summer Internship for a Seminarian at the National Offices of UCC
Term: June 1, 2009 – August 14, 2009 (full-time)
Stipend: $3750 total (paid semi-monthly), short term health insurance provided
Location: UCC National Offices, 700 Prospect Avenue E., Cleveland, OH 44115
UCC social networking web pages and event and resource planning for 200th anniversary of mission
Position Description
Term: June 1, 2009 – August 14, 2009 (full-time)
Stipend: $3750 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 the web team and with the coordinator of anniversary planning.
Tasks include
MyUCC website:
- Enhancing of Global Ministries and Wider church Ministries presence on pages
- Establishment of global and UCC related groups
- Participation and monitoring of forums relating to international issues
- Nurture the presence of WCM and Global Ministries on the MyUCC social network
- Provide technical support for the promotion of Wider Church Ministries
- Develop other electronic messaging/social networking activities in collaboration with web staff
- Posting Global Ministries videos and events
- Sourcing and editing news items connecting to Global Ministries for posting
- Implementing ways to broaden the base of Global Ministries participants
Historical research for anniversary:
- Researching archival materials for anniversary resources
- Culling and editing of data for local church use
- Writing of resources for group use
- Creative planning of options for celebration of anniversary for local churches to implement
- Posting of resource materials on web
- Research and participate in plans of other groups
- Create promotional materials for churches to participate
Skills and experience sought
Currently enrolled in seminary
- Ability to work independently and to value collaboration and team work
- Familiarity with electronic programming, including internet protocols
- Advanced ability in web posting and use
- Basic knowledge of the history of UCC mission work
- Ability to research obtuse documents
- Self-motivated in taking initiative
- Flexible and adaptable
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to articulate an understanding of mission, service and justice issues
About the myUCC networking site
This new social networking community at ucc.org, is for youth and adults alike who want a place to immerse themselves in real conversation about the UCC, the church in the world, and all the quirky interests, topics and issues that make us uniquely UCC. It is revolutionizing the way people experience the UCC online and engage one another. Web: http://community.ucc.org/community/app/nf/vistafs.aspx?r=1&cons_id=&t=1239205838&sig=f33429d179202177cf39d30356dda2c1
About the 200th anniversary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission
On a Saturday afternoon in August, 1806, five Williams College students, Congregationalists in background, gathered in a field to discuss the spiritual needs of those living in Asian countries. When a thunderstorm arose they took shelter in the lee of a haystack and continued to pray. This gathering came to be called “The Haystack Prayer Meeting,” launching the modern mission movement. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) was formed in 1810 and sent some of the first American Protestant missionaries to other lands. A timeline of mission involvement by the UCC is outlined here: http://globalministries.org/resources/mission-study/what-is-haystack/haystack_timeline/timeline-of-mission.html
The World Missionary Conference of 1910 held in Edinburgh is celebrating its 100th anniversary also in 2010. This initiative is proving to be suggestive for many people seeking direction for Christian mission in the 21st century. Representatives of many different strands of mission and church life will join in creative ways to find new perspectives on mission today.
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