Linn Presbyterian Church is seeking a full-time interim pastor to lead its congregation beginning after the New Year as we search for an installed pastor. This person must be an ordained PC(USA) Minister of Word and Sacrament or ordained as a pastor in a denomination in full communion with the PC(USA). Linn Presbyterian Church is a very active church in the beautiful Lake Geneva Area, full of recreational and cultural activities. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide spiritual and administrative leadership for the congregation
• Lead worship on Sundays and liturgical holidays in person.  Our live worship services are recorded and posted on our Linn Church Facebook page.
• Plan music; both contemporary and traditional music.
• Officiate at weddings and funerals
• Provide pastoral care for the congregation.
• Provide for the special spiritual needs of members who have physical, hearing, vision, cognitive or developmental challenges
• Work with the Church Administrator to prepare Sunday bulletins and power point presentations.
• Serve as moderator of the session and congregational meetings.
• Serve as head of staff
• Assist boards and committees in their ministry and offer assistance as needed 
• Work with personnel committee to hire some new staff positions

Terms of Call

Term                       full time – flexible hours

Salary/Housing        Negotiable

Benefits                  Full coverage under the Board of Pensions

Expenses                Per POC guidelines

Duration                 One-year renewable, with the option of termination upon 30 days notice

Contact 

IPNC Chairperson/Elder, Michele Moore: mckim2425@gmail.com  

JOB SUMMARY

Lead and coordinate the church’s music ministry, serving with vision and passion in a music ministry for all ages.  The Director of Music will serve as organist, adult choral director, youth choir director, senior hand bell choir and youth handbell choir.  Our vision is that all may grow spiritually, share their music in worship, experience the joy of making music, and encourage others to become part of it.  (10 hours/ week)

We offer, at additional compensation, the vision of developing and maintaining a youth music ministry.  This could include but not be limited to, youth choir, handbell choir, instrument, percussion,  vocal music, contemporary music leadership, liturgical dance and consideration of any other form of music that would involve our youth. (4-5 hours/week)

Responsibilities — Music:

1. As part of a team, and acknowledging the need for flexibility, work collaboratively with the Pastor and Worship Committee to reach consensus regarding themes of worship, the liturgical calendar, musical suggestions, and scheduling of anthems. Ultimately, the Senior Pastor will make the final decisions.
2. Prepare, accompany and direct the adult choir and soloists by holding weekly rehearsals (and others as needed) to provide appropriate music for Sunday and special services of worship and special events.
3. As organist, lead, accompany, and encourage congregational singing of hymns and responses enhancing them with alternate harmonization’s, unique introductions, descants, and/or instruments.
4. Plan, prepare, and play organ or piano music appropriate to each Sunday service, any mid-week service, and all special worship services, to include prelude, introit (sometimes), offertory (sometimes), Communion music, and postlude. Use piano or keyboard for underscoring prayers or readings at the discretion of the Senior Pastor.
5. In cooperation with the Worship Committee and Pastor, provide special music such as additional vocalists or instrumentalists throughout the year, including special choral presentations during Advent and Lent.
6. Encourage participation of talent within the church family, using soloists and instrumentalists. Encourage involvement of choristers and youth musicians through solo opportunities and with instruments.
7. Minister to the special needs of singers and ringers being mindful of their range of experience and vocal or ringing skills, being mindful of their status as volunteers through caring and motivational leadership.
8. Promote music programming growth through special invitation, encouragement, and interaction with adults and youth, both within the congregation and in the community.
9. Oversee, navigate and maintain the music library, adhering to copyright law. With Worship approval, purchase and inventory music and supplies utilizing an electronic filing system.
10. Coordinate the maintenance of piano, organ, instruments, bells, and chimes seeking repairs and piano tuning as needed. Consult when needed with Rogers Organ regarding full organ and midi capabilities.
11. With Worship Committee support, secure approved substitutes for vacation and emergencies
12. When attending professional development opportunities, incorporate gained workshop knowledge into worship planning
13. Prepare appropriate music for weddings and funerals for additional compensation. Church organist has right of first refusal for all wedding and funerals.

Church will, as able,

            **Fund music purchases, guest instrumentalists, working space, needed supplies, and office assistance.

            **Support and encourage time, talents, willingness to try new ideas and forms of musical expression.

            **Provide funds for continuing education opportunities per yearly budget allotment

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to play organ, piano, and direct choir/bells, accompany musicians
• Experience in worship setting, including performing a diversity of musical genres
• Understand how music contributes to the flow and meaning of worship
• Knowledge of music, church hymnody, and liturgical calendar
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Understanding of the need for and creation of strong interpersonal relationships with all ages
• Willingness to work as part of a team

Time Commitments:

• Choir season runs from September through early June with adult choir providing music and leadership in congregational singing at most Sunday services and Youth music contributions at least once per month
• Senior bell program rehearses September through May and plays approximately once each month
• Meetings with Pastor and/or Worship Committee, personal practice, and preparation time as needed.

Reporting Relationship: To the pastor as head of staff

Responsibilities:

Youth Group

• Coordinates and leads weekly gathering of youth for spiritual formation and fellowship
• Recruits volunteer mentors and chaperones from the congregation
• Helps to select, obtain, or writes curriculum
• Arranges oversight of building while in session
• Engages in intentional advertising and outreach in the neighborhood to grow youth programs

Youth Sunday School

• Works with Christian education committee and pastor to include youth in worship
• Provides for additional break-out educational time for youth during the sermon.

Special Events

• Schedules and coordinates connectional and educational opportunities on a regular basis for the benefit of youth and their parents. Examples:  mission trips or pilgrimages, retreats, service projects, game nights, bible studies

Confirmation

• Works with pastor and Christian education committee to arrange and help lead teen catechumenate program as needed.

Relational ministry

• Develops appropriate caring relationships with youth and young adults to support them and their families in the midst of their everyday lives.

The Youth Ministry Coordinator is also responsible for:

• Providing guidance for and attending Christian Education Committee meetings, bringing ideas/concerns to the attention of the Committee
• Enforcement of the Child Safe Policy adopted by the Session
• Providing articles/publicity of education programs and activities for the church newsletter
• Providing the church administrator and others with information on upcoming programs
• Preparing an annual report on the Youth Ministry programs for the congregation’s annual meeting
• Attending staff meetings called by the pastor
• Maintaining bulletin boards throughout the building to highlight ministries.

Evaluation: An annual performance evaluation will be conducted by the Pastor (or Personnel Committee).

Compensation: $20/hr, 8 hours per week

• Paid monthly ($160/week, $640/month, $7680/year)
• Annual compensation reviews will be conducted by the Session with recommendations for adjustments made by the Personnel Committee taken into consideration during the creation of the annual church budget.

Schedule:  Sunday mornings required (Worship service at 10am). Other in-person hours are arranged week by week. Some preparation work may be done remotely. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• A vibrant and committed Christian faith
• An energetic and joyful personal presence
• Some experience with higher education (college).
• Experience working with children and/or youth
• Proximity to the church building and reliable transportation (short commute)

Interested candidates can submit their resume/cover letter to deeann@highpres.org

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest is seeking a full-time Director of Children’s Faith Formation. This individual would work closely with the Senior Pastor/Head of Staff and the CFF Committee to develop, implement and manage the vision and leadership to form the faith of our children (birth through grade 4) and their parents, assisting with worship and pastoral care as requested by the Head of Staff. The position requires high organizational and interpersonal skills as this individual will interact with church committees, the congregation and the wider community. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

This individual will be primarily responsible for developing and implementing faithful programming for children and their parents. This person must offer a strong and positive presence on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, interacting with children, families, and volunteers; and teaching as needed.

Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to:

• Collaborate with the Faith Formation Team (Associate Pastor, Director of Youth Faith Formation and the Director of First Presbyterian Preschool) to create programs, annual events and worship that is relevant and accessible to families’ lives.
  • Serve as a church liaison to the Preschool Parent Board, inviting families into the life of the church; teach weekly faith building to preschool classes.
• Work cooperatively with, and as a resource to, the Children’s Faith Formation Committee: ensuring all CFF efforts are structured to bring children into a more faithful relationship with God; inviting people into the work of CFF, equipping them to serve to the best of their ability; selecting and evaluating curriculum; administering to the CFF budget evaluating facility needs; creating programs as needed; equipping the family to serve as primary faith educators.
• Coordinate faith formation programming for ages Preschool-grade 4 including but not limited to: Sunday morning and Wednesday evening faith formation classes; Vacation Bible School; and special events.
• Communicate regularly regarding programs and activities of CFF using church website, social media, handouts/postcards and other communication tools.

RELATIONSHIPS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The Director of Children’s Faith Formation is accountable to the Head of Staff and the Associate Pastor for Faith Formation. It is expected that the Director of Children’s Faith Formation will work collaboratively as a member of the staff team toward an effective and faithful ministry of the church.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS/CHARACTERISTICS

• Be confident in their role in the church and secure in their own faith journey
• Demonstrated high-level written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail
• Familiarity with Christian education materials and strategies for children and their families
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software, especially in Word and Excel
• A team player who exhibits integrity, patience, a positive attitude, enthusiastic problem-solving skills and is self-motivated
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Capacity to respond to people’s needs from a faith-based perspective
• Appreciation for the traditions of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff communities

 First Presbyterian Church offers a competitive salary and full benefits package.

First Presbyterian Church is seeking to fill this integral staff position immediately. Please send your cover letter and resume to be considered: Jan McNicholas, Director of Business Operations, First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, 700 N. Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL  60045  jobs@firstchurchlf.org

ALL INFORMATION WILL BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Part-time, hourly

REPORTING TO: Minister of Children and Youth

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

The Nursery Coordinator shall ensure that the nursery is safe, clean, warm and welcoming to parents and children who use it on Sunday mornings and during other events and activities. The Nursery Coordinator will lovingly care for the babies and toddlers in the nursery primarily on Sunday mornings and other times as needed. The Nursery Coordinator will work in a team with the other Nursery Coordinators and supervise the volunteer nursery assistants. The role of welcome is essential in that the nursery is sometimes the first point of contact for newcomers in the church.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Arrive in a timely fashion. 30 minutes prior to event/activity for which childcare is being provided. (Sunday mornings arrive at 9:00, this may be adjusted due to change in worship hour.)
• Make sure the nursery is clean; tables and toys are wiped down and disinfected. Communicate with
• Building Staff and Minister for Children and Youth any larger cleaning needs.
• Greet parents and children beginning at 9:15.
• Ensure all children are signed in with emergency contact information.
• Make sure that the nursery is well-stocked with approved snacks, supplies and toys. Communicate needs to Minister for Children and Youth.
• Provide a loving, safe and caring environment when the children are in care. Play with and read to children.
• Communicate with parents about each child’s experience in the nursery.
• Provide appropriate and safe care for children including changing diapers, escorting to the bathroom, cleaning hands, face, and nose.
• Follow First Presbyterian Church of Evanston Child Protection Policy.
• Collaborate with and supervise adult volunteer assistants.
• Contact the Minister of Children and Youth with any incident reports.
• Clean nursery and put away toys before leaving for the day.
• Aware of and able to implement emergency safety procedures.

PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION REVIEW:

          $15/hour, this is an hourly job with no benefits.

QUALIFICATIONS & QUALITIES:

• Experience working with babies and toddlers.
• Warm and friendly manner.
• Pass a background check and good references.
• Must be available on Sunday mornings 8:30 – 12:30, additional hours are an option on Thursday mornings and other occasional days.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to move freely about building.
• Able to sit with the kids on the floor.
• Able to lift at least 30 pounds.

TRAINING PROVIDED:

• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Children’s Ministry overview and introduction.
• Safety procedures and protocols.

Interested candidates can submit their resume with at least three references to jdobschuetz@firstpresevanston.org.