Are you a doer? Do you love interacting with and listening to teens? Are you ready for a challenge? Then your calling is calling. Join the Family Ministries team at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, Illinois – one of the largest Episcopal churches in the Chicago area.

Position Title: Family Ministries Associate

Immediate Supervisor: Director of Family Ministries

Position Summary: The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit (CHS) is seeking a Family Ministries Associate to develop and nurture youth programming for middle school (7-8 grades) and high school students, with an emphasis in “outreach” and “in reach.”

Compensation: Part-time; 20 hours per week, competitive salary.

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Outreach: The Family Ministries Associate will be charged to expand the CHS “LOFT” (“Let Our Faith Travel”).  LOFT is intended to provide CHS teens and their friends with regular opportunities for service through charitable organizations, including those with which CHS has relationships through its Mission and Outreach programs.  The goal is to provide meaningful service opportunities that extend beyond basic “behind the scenes” support work for charitable organizations to meaningful, personal interactions with the individuals or communities being served.  As part of the LOFT program, the Family Ministries Associate would establish partnerships with the youth groups at other local churches and develop an ecumenical community of students putting their Christian faith into practice in the world.
2. In Reach: The Family Ministries Associate will be asked to create, attend and facilitate periodic “continuing Episcopal education” (CEE) programs primarily for post-Confirmation (grades 9-12) students to inspire their continued growth in faith and help them develop the tools to integrate their faith into all aspects of their lives.  Specifically, the Family Ministries Associate will:
   • Identify and recruit speakers, both from within and beyond the local teen and young adult community, to speak about the role that faith plays in their lives;
   • Identify and recruit speakers from inside or outside the CHS community (clergy or other adults with theological training) to teach students ways of studying and reflecting on scripture with an emphasis on spiritual practices that employ the uniquely Anglican balance of scripture, tradition and reason.

1. Informal Gatherings and Activities: The Family Ministries Associate will be responsible for planning and leading regular, informal get-togethers and outings for the youth group with the goal of building a strong, enthusiastic community that enjoys being together and supporting each other’s spiritual journeys.

The position requires mature leadership, the ability to collaborate, and the skills to respond appropriately to the developmental needs of teenagers.

1. Related Responsibilities and Duties:

• Serve as an active and contributing member of Family Ministries team by meeting weekly and working collaboratively to provide family programming and events.
• Communicate with students and parents via telephone, e-mail, mailings, and social media.

• In collaboration with the Director of Family Ministries, communicate with the wider CHS community about activities and events for youth through CHS’s print media and website.
• Evaluate youth and parent interest in work trips, spiritual retreats and group participation in organized Episcopal learning programs during the summer and/or the school year, and take responsibility for organizing and promoting these activities.

• Keep records of youth participation and weekly check-in system.

• Complete Keeping God’s People Safe (KGPS) training.The ideal candidate will have these personal qualities and qualifications:
• The Challenge: This is a fledgling group seeking a new focus! The ideal candidate will be a person who is enthusiastic and fearless in his or her approach.  His or her mission is to build membership and develop a unique shared identity for the youth group consistent with the Episcopal spirit of broad inquiry and theological curiosity -- through programs that will bring CHS youth and, ideally, friends from other Christian denominations and other faiths, together. This is a particular challenge in our highly educated, goal-oriented suburban community where most middle schoolers and teens are already heavily involved in academics and multiple extra-curricular activities that are not faith-based.

• A calling or strong sense of purpose to help kids and young adults develop an informed faith that will sustain them and spur them to do God’s work in the world throughout their adult lives.
• A grounding in a Christian faith tradition and a respect and appreciation for the Episcopal expression of faith.
• Experience working with middle school children and teenagers with enthusiasm, energy and joy, and the ability to inspire them.
• Highly organized and experienced with event planning.
• A talent for recruiting, motivating and working alongside of parents and other parishioners to develop and to participate in the implementation of LOFT and CEE events and programs.
• The ability to energetically pursue connections that clergy, the Director of Family Ministries, parents and other CHS members may have, as well as to network in the wider faith community, to bring dynamic speakers and programs to the youth group.

To apply: When your calling calls, answer. Send a cover letter and resume to the Director of Family Ministries, Debbie Stockert, at dstockert@chslf.org