The Director of Faith Formation (DFF) will have responsibility for the development, oversight, and management of the Palatine Presbyterian Church’s education programs.  Early focus will be on children and youth learning curriculum.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with Session and the Pastor to develop, document, and communicate Christian Education goals for the congregation.
• Work with the Season Team to build an education offering that supports the season theme.
• Supporting, guiding and directing the efforts of the Christian Education volunteers.
• Training teachers / volunteers of all ages and youth volunteer staff.
  • Will recruit & train all volunteers that work with children & youth
  • Provide at least two teacher/volunteer training events during the year.
  • Work to plan, organize and facilitate regular teacher’s meetings.
  • Will ensure education of and compliance with the adopted “Child Protection Policy” of the church
• Building relationships with members of the congregation to include staff, students, parents, and adult learners.
• Connecting with the Presbytery of Chicago, the Synod of Lincoln Trails and the General Assembly to have leaders, children, youth and adults take advantage of their camps, retreats and conferences.
• Communicating regularly with the session, congregation and presbytery and community.
• Keeping a working knowledge of the Confirmation Class curriculum in order to assist the Pastor in either team-teaching, if the curriculum allows for that, or substituting for the Pastor upon request.
• Assisting the Stewardship Team in the annual budgeting process for the Christian Formation programs.
• Keeping current on trends in Christian Faith Formation & education for all levels.
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of Staff / Session.

HOURS

The hours are expected to average 10 to 15 hours per week.  The DFF will be expected to exercise flexibility in his/her work schedule as needed to accomplish the developed Faith Formation goals and program delivery.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / TASKS

• Regular attendance at weekly worship.
• Meeting with the Pastor on a regular basis.
• Share ideas and resources with PCOP Staff and Session.
• Provide a quarterly written report, one of which is for inclusion in the annual report
• Submit information to the Monthly Spirit Sightings& Weekly Tidings.
• Meeting with the Pastor and volunteers to plan the Vacation Bible School program and the academic year program(s).
• Maintaining and communicating the calendar of educational opportunities, events, and meetings.
• Organizing volunteers to assist in keeping the educational wing, youth rooms and storage closets orderly and accessible for volunteers and maintaining an appropriate educational environment for students.

Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) is a 200 member church located in the Western suburbs of Chicago. The church has been serving the Lombard – Villa Park and surrounding area for over 60 years. We have a rich history of community service and outreach.

We are searching for a full time Interim Senior Pastor / Head of Staff as our beloved pastor of the past 17 years is leaving due to disability.

The mission statement of our church is: “Reach People for Christ, Grow People in Christ, and Send People with Christ.” The church currently has two Sunday morning services, one traditional and one contemporary (8:30 and 11:00), with an adult education program from 10-11 a.m. The church has one combined service in summer months. Children’s Sunday school is held at both 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

CPC is an active church with committed Session, Trustee and Deacon Boards. We have a preschool, The Growing Place, which serves 130 children. Additional outreach opportunities include numerous free programs for the children and families in the community. These include Wednesday after school programs for age 4-fifth grade, as well as pumpkin carving, trunk or treat, Living Nativity, an Easter Egg Hunt, Movie and Parent Nights Out, among other activities. We have small but active Middle School and High School youth groups, as well as opportunities for women’s, men’s, and family fellowship.

The congregation consists of members of all ages with a significant graying population. A Senior ministry serves this population. We are a financially stable church with no outstanding debt. The position will manage four full time staff and several part time staff.

The position requires a Masters in Divinity from a recognized Seminary as well as membership in the Presbyterian Church (USA) or approved denominational relationship.

Interested persons may submit a resume to resumes@cpclombard.org

See www.villageoflombard.org and www.invillapark.com for information about the two main communities we serve, as well as our Church website cpclombard.org

Candidates must submit to a background check and fingerprinting.

Morgan Park Presbyterian Church is a progressive congregation “committed to Christ, Diversity and Mission.” This is lived out in worship by creating an inclusive and spiritual environment that utilizes a variety of musical genres.

• Coordinates with the Pastor in planning, preparing, and playing music appropriate to the worship service.
• Directs the choir during weekly rehearsal and on Sunday Morning during choir season (August-June).
• Given first refusal to play for weddings and funerals. Additional compensation is provided for these services.
• Available to play for special gatherings of the church when requested by the Pastor including holiday services (Advent, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunrise Service, Easter Morning Service), and additional services and concerts as needed.
• Assist in the hiring of substitute musicians if not available.
• Attend and provide a written report to Worship and Music Committee and collaborate with worship planning.
• Be present in the church a minimum of 6 hours weekly during choir season.
• Pursues opportunities for community collaboration.
• Recruits for Chancel Choir and Children’s Choir, and hires paid musicians for worship.
• Coordinate the maintenance of musical instruments and sound equipment.

• Works collaboratively with the pastor, Worship and Music Committee, and choir.
• Must be an experienced church musician
• Must be proficient in piano/organ performance.
• Excellent sight-reading and improvisational ability desired.
• Skill in performing a diversity of musical genres desired, for example: Jazz, Classical, Contemporary etc.

• Accountable to the pastor
• Member of the Worship and Music Committee.
• Director of the choir.
• Minister of Music to the congregation.

• Part-time position includes: Sunday 9:30am Choir Review and 10:30am worship, Chancel Choir rehearsal, and holiday services as described above.
• Estimate of 15 hours per week for all services, rehearsals, and prep time.
• Annual three-week paid vacation, dates to be scheduled with Pastor.
• Salary range of $15,000 to $16,000 based on experience.
• Not eligible for unemployment benefits

Position Summary

Direct the Chancel Choir in rehearsal and worship services and provide spiritual leadership and fellowship within the choir. Coordinate weekly worship service music with organist, Bell Choir Director, and Praise Team Director. Serve as member of the CPC Worship Committee.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct the Chancel Choir at the 8:30 a.m. Sunday service and lead weekly rehearsals (7 – 8:30 p.m.) from the first week of September through the end of May. Choir generally sings 3 of 4 Sundays per month. Choir occasionally sings at both services. Performance and celebration with special music selections are encouraged periodically (e.g. Christmas and Easter). Arrange instrumentalists as needed for some choir presentations consistent with budget resources.
• Select all choir anthems for use in the worship services in consultation with the Pastor and provide music to accompanist/organist in advance of the rehearsals. In a timely manner, provide the CPC administrative assistant with selection information for inclusion in the weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter.
• Coordinate with other music groups, instrumentalists, etc. as needed for participation in worship services.
• Work with the Worship Committee, Senior Pastor, audio/visual and other staff and committees in planning and conducting weekly and special worship services.
• Recruit new choir members.
• Oversee and maintain the CPC music library, adhere to copyright laws, purchase music and supplies for the Choir within budget constraints.

• Provide organ/piano music for all traditional worship services, including Sunday traditional services, mid-week services (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week) and all special occasions where the organ is the primary instrument used.
• Rehearse with and accompany the adult choir at mid-week rehearsals (normally Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.) and one- half hour prior to Sunday worship. The choir sings from mid-September through May.
• Rehearse with and accompany soloists and instrumentalists for traditional worship service and other special worship services, when necessary, on organ or piano.
• Provide regular organ solo works (Prelude, Postlude and Offertory, and other supporting selections) for traditional worship service and other special worship services, as needed.
• Work cooperatively with the Pastors and the Director of Traditional Music to plan and prepare music for traditional worship service and other special services.
• Provide organ music for weddings and funerals held at Southminster in collaboration with senior and associate pastors, or arrange for a substitute, if unavailable. (Pay for weddings, funerals, and memorial services is compensated additionally, based on an established fee schedule.)
• Collaborate with the Director of Traditional Music to oversee the tuning and maintenance of the organ and pianos as well as provide regular reports specifying maintenance needs to the Head of Staff and the Elder for Worship.
• Maintain a continuing professional level of musical training appropriate to the position as it evolves in the future

• A minimum of a Bachelor of Music degree required (an emphasis in organ performance preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to play pipe organ and piano required.
• Demonstrated ability to accompany choirs and individual musicians required.
• Demonstrated experience and ability playing in a worship setting required
• Understands how music contributes to the flow and meaning of worship
• Exhibits a commitment to the Christian faith

• Sundays: Traditional Services, normally held at 9:00 a.m., from September through May;
  Six (6) or seven (7) of twelve (12) services during the summer, one service at 10:00, without choir, but with guest musicians or vocalists.

• $17,000-$20,000, dependent on experience and education

• Vacation days: two Sundays with related rehearsals; schedule of services to be arranged with the Head Pastor, Director of Traditional Music, and Personnel Ministry Team.

• Organizational skills, interpersonal relationships, and team player
• Technical expertise with piano and organ
• Knowledge of music and Presbyterian hymnody

• Ability to climb stairs to choir loft where the organ is located.

• Head of Staff/Senior Pastor and Director of Traditional Music

• Buzard Organ, Opus 9, 30 rank
• Sanctuary: Kawai Grand Piano, excellent condition
• Chapel: Kawai Grand, excellent condition
• Choir room rehearsal: Yamaha Grand, excellent condition
• Electronic Keyboard available