1. continuing to grow, oversee and support the ministry as outlined in Position Responsibilities below, and
2. leading a collaborative effort to produce a structure of lay leadership that will be responsible to the Rector and the Vestry and assume responsibility on behalf of the parish for the development, implementation and regular review of all aspects of the ministry for youth and families – see Appendix for key objectives.

• First Steps: Nursery program for infants and toddlers is provided year-round in specifically-equipped area of the Fellowship Hall during Sunday morning services and also during special liturgies or family-related activities.  The program is run as a parent cooperative with the assistance of a professional nursery caregiver.

• Kids for Christ: All Saints’ primary Christian formation for children ages pre-school through 5th grade. Meets on Sundays during the school year (September-June) from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. in the chapel building, with the children generally joining their parents in the church for Holy Communion. This program uses the Promiseland curriculum from Willow Creek Church, presenting the Biblical narrative in a high-energy large group gathering (e.g. skits, videos, mock game shows), followed by supplementary reinforcement and application of The Word in age-appropriate Small Groups (Pre-School; Kindergarten, Grades 1&2; and Grades 3-5). There are three components of leadership to this group: the shepherds (small group leaders that run the Sunday School classrooms), the large group leaders (which leads large group time), and the visual support team (which supports the large group time).

• The Rocks:  For middle school (6,7 & 8th grades) on Sundays during the school year from 9:30–10:30 a.m. in St. Anne’s room in the church building, led by a rotating team of four adults. The Rite 13 portion of ‘The Journey To Adulthood’ curriculum is the basis for the lesson plans, inviting the students to deeper theological reflection, Biblical exploration, and age-appropriate character development.
• High School (9th/10th): High-level plans have been developed for a two year Journey to Adulthood (“J2A”) program commencing in September 2007, for 9th and 10th grade teens, using the J2A segment of the Journey to Adulthood curriculum.  Additionally, in the second year, the will students meet with the Parish Priest over the course of twelve concentrated meetings (one a month) in preparation for Confirmation.
• High School (11th/12th): The Rector leads monthly activities and continuing Christian education for high school students, with assistance from and organization by members of the parish family.

• Develop and implement the program for children, young people and their families in the parish thus laying the foundation for youth involvement in the church as the children grow.
• Organize, encourage, support, mentor and coach the volunteers and provide administrative oversight of the activities associated with the Youth and Family program.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of creative and systematic curricula for the instruction of the youth and children in the Biblical narrative and Episcopal Church heritage.
• Guide, assist and arrange training of others to enable them to lead and teach children and youth in the program.
• Initiate and design activities for families to interact with other families, and provide events to equip parents with the tools to assist them in nurturing the faith of their children.
• Advocate for the interests of children, youth, their leaders and parents within the parish, the community and the diocese.
• Communicate with parents/families/youth/children and with local media and community organizations in the promotion of program.
• Participate in the administering and planning activities of the parish; assist with large office projects and attend monthly Vestry meetings, annual Vestry retreats and similar planning meetings.

• A Christian with knowledge of the Episcopal Church and its Liturgy.
• Experience with or in ministry to children and their families.
• Commitment to the vision and mission of the Diocese of Newark and ASC.
• Ability to communicate with children, young people, families and adults.  
• Ability to organize, facilitate, coordinate, and coach teachers and volunteer leaders.
• Ability to identify and foster leadership gifts in adults and youth.
• Ability to enlist help among all aspects of the congregation with youth initiatives.
• Be present in church on all Sundays (excluding vacation) and attend youth events.
• Attend Vestry and staff meetings.
• Be flexible and adaptable.

Knowledge of safety, legal and regulatory issues with respect to working with children (training provided, if necessary).


POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

In consultation with the Rector and Vestry leader for Youth and Family Ministry, the Director will:

• Oversee and coordinate the Youth and Family ministry program including Sunday School, Nursery, and end of school-year celebration and other special youth/family activities, including a presence each Sunday morning from September-June (approximately four hours every Sunday).
• Work with lay-leaders to develop, implement and review education programs and curricula for children and young people.
• Coordinate opportunities for service/mission/outreach projects with our outreach ministry and parish deacon.
• Promote cross-generational connections and integration with other ASC ministries.
• Recommend liturgies attractive to youth and families.
• Obtain supplies, produce schedules and registration details for teachers and ensure the classrooms are safe and clean and equipped for ministry.
• Develop vehicles to communicate regularly with volunteer teachers, youth assistants and helpers and provide continuing education as needed.
• Invite new shepherds (teachers), assistants, and large-group leaders into the program and arrange for their training. Arrange for background checks and sexual abuse training provided by the diocese, as necessary.
• Over time, develop meaningful relationships with shepherds (teachers), and assistants by mentoring, coaching, and reaching them on a personal level, following the pattern of Jesus.
• Communicate regularly with parents and encourage their feedback and input. Develop and maintain a ministry newsletter insert for the ‘Evangel’ and provide periodic verbal updates to the congregation during Sunday liturgies.
• Connect with students in a way that fosters trust, respects their individuality, encourages their participation and enables spiritual growth.
• Work with the parish’s communications ministry team to promote / advertise youth/family program activities.
• As a parish staff member, be an on-site presence in the parish offices and in/around All Saints’ Preschool at least two half-days a week (eight hours minimum), in addition to necessary evening meetings.
• As a staff member, be responsible for using the remaining thirteen hours each week for independent planning, curriculum and program preparation, cultivating relationships with our shepherds and leaders, etc.
• Coordinate and support the lay person directing the Pageant of the Nativity.
• Periodically update own professional knowledge, spiritual development and understanding through involvement in academic study, professional programs, and spiritual retreats.
• Explore and consider parish participation in district, diocesan and other local activities to expand reach of program - such participation must be balanced and carefully limited and focused but must fulfill the obligations of ASC to the diocese, the district and to the broader community both ecumenical and social.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Rector.

• Determine ministry policy (e.g. approving the standards of learning, deciding on components of curriculum and program for each school year)

• Operate the program and ensure quality implementation and administration of the designed program, including the care, mentoring and continuing education required to support the large group leadership, the shepherd (teaching) team, and the visual support team.

• Provide the ongoing maintenance and evaluation of the ministry program

• Continue to develop the ministry’s programs, concentrating her/his efforts on:
• Considering what should be provided in addition to published curriculum to ensure ASC meets the standards for learning adopted by the ministry.
• Enhancing the basic nursery program that is currently offered by working with our nursery lay leader to establish a simple curriculum and facilitate relationships between our nursery families.
• Developing long-range plans for a high school program (see below)

• Invite and train additional Sunday School large group leaders, Shepherds (teachers), assistants (including support for the Nursery) and substitutes.

• Determine and implement the most efficient and effective form for the continuing education and enrichment of ASC teaching team.

• Together with the ministry lay leaders and the Rector, develop the detailed arrangements and recruit Shepherds for the two-year ‘J2A’ program commencing in September 2007, for 8th and 9th grade teens, using the J2A segment of the ‘Journey to Adulthood’ curriculum.