Trinity Episcopal Church, 301 North Chester Rd., Swarthmore, PA 19081
The Rev. Dr. Edward E. Thompson, Rector; revted@trinity-swarthmore.org
Trinity Church, Swarthmore, seeks a clergyperson ordained in the Episcopal or Lutheran tradition to join in education, liturgical and pastoral ministries.
Hours: Half-time (20-25 hours)
Salary: Based on Diocese of Pennsylvania guidelines and candidate’s experience
Benefits: Pension; no medical/dental
Areas of responsibility:
1. Education and spiritual formation of children and youth
2. In collaboration with Rector, liturgical visioning and planning for family-friendly worship
3. Shared responsibilities for preaching and pastoral care
Summary: The Associate Rector provides clergy leadership for children’s and youth ministries as relates to Christian formation in educational and liturgical settings; leads youth ministries and gives clergy support to the Coordinator for Children’s Ministries; and shares in preaching and pastoral care responsibilities.
About Trinity Church: Established in 1895, Trinity Church, Swarthmore, has a long history of strength in children’s and youth ministries as well as preaching and music. Nestled next door to Swarthmore College, we are a spiritual community with liberal tendencies and a demonstrated commitment to God’s work in the larger world. Our Rector, a priest of 25 years this year, has returned to parish ministry after long study and training in peace and conflict resolution. The Rector and Search Committee seek an Associate Rector who will enjoy a collaborative and friendly work environment with room for both expertise and growth.
Start date: Flexible, preferably by July 1
To apply: Please send resume or c.v. to the Rector by email, with an expression of interest in the email or an attached cover letter.
Contact: The Rev. Dr. Edward E. Thompson, Rector; revted@trinity-swarthmore.org
St. John’s Essington and St. James Prospect Park
Interested applicants should send cover letter, resume and OTM to Canon Arlette Benoit Joseph at abenoitjoseph@diopa.org
St. James School, 3217 West Clearfield Street Philadelphia, PA 19132
Qualified candidates should send a resume, cover letter and salary requirements for consideration to the Rev. Andrew Kellner, Chaplain, at akellner@stjamesphila.org.
About St. James:
Founded in 2011 by Saint Mark’s Church (Locust Street), St. James is a unique community including a middle school (grades 4-8), graduate support program, community development program offering community actions ranging from resource sharing to adult education, a wellness center, and a Sunday worshipping community. This Episcopal community supports students, families and neighbors in the Allegheny-West neighborhood of North Philadelphia. St. James serves students and families who are most in need, providing a full scholarship to every student. We work to develop the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative gifts of each of our members. Learn more at: www.stjamesphila.org
Commitment to Anti-Racism Education:
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
St. James is committed to partnering with others to dismantle systemic racism and to build an antiracist multicultural diversity within our school community and beyond. Through teaching a more complete and non-biased history, St. James will arm students, graduates and employees with the tools and knowledge to better engage complex issues like systemic racism and privilege and to challenge them rather than contributing to them. The St. James Racial Equity Team leads reflection and change at St. James by actively seeking, challenging, and evaluating racial equity and inclusivity in our policies and practices – from the books in our curriculum to our hiring practices.
Chaplaincy and Religious Education Overview:
The St. James holistic approach includes nurturing the spiritual gifts of students, families and team members. As an Episcopal community, we are committed to living out the values and principles of our Episcopal Identity in all areas of our common life together. Episcopalians, like all Christians, believe that our life is founded on the life of Jesus, and that as a Church we are called to offer the redeeming love of God in Christ to all people. We are a concrete expression of the Church’s care for people of all ages, and of the belief that God calls us to love all God’s children. At the heart of our identity is to be an inclusive community, welcoming all individuals, regardless of religious background, into shared experiences of prayer, worship, reflection and study.
Prayer & Worship
Every class, every meeting, everything we do at St. James begins with prayer. Prayer is the opportunity for those gathered to recognize God’s presence in the lives of others and active in our community. It is a time for individuals to share their concerns, hopes and even dreams. It is a time for individuals to give thanks and express gratitude for the blessings and challenges of our lives. Prayer offers the community a path to anchoring itself beyond what we can do, and to who we were created to be.
All students participate in daily prayer & weekly worship. The communal services of prayer and worship come from The Book of Common Prayer 1976. These services are rooted in the reading of scripture, praying of psalms, sharing of prayers, and times of remembrance. Weekly Mass is offered in the church, and provides opportunities for students to take active leadership through acolyting, reading, preaching, singing, ushering and actively participating in the service. Sunday Masses offer opportunities for the broader community to gather and join in the activity of the liturgy.
Study & Reflection
The religious studies curriculum at St. James aims to provide general knowledge of various religions, while assisting students in deepening their own understanding of their religion and their spiritual life. Students explore the nature of God, principles of religion, personal identity and the religious tradition of their own families. Like any area of study, religious studies has a unique vocabulary and approach to information and knowledge. We aim to assist students in developing a robust sense of literacy with religious language and understandings. Students bring their own traditions and experiences into dialogue with the ideas and topics explored in class.
Position Overview:
The Chaplaincy team works together to animate and support the religious life of the St. James community. During the last six years our chaplaincy work has grown to include community chaplaincy. This model includes the religious and pastoral care of our neighborhood, faculty, staff, and friends of St. James. The growth of our pastoral work has led to the addition of multiple chaplains and team members to work together to achieve the following essential functions:
Essential Functions:
● Oversee the care and maintenance of the Church of the St. James the Less
● Plan services, including collaboration with the music/choral team, and student/community leadership at Mass
● Planning of special services
● Train and oversee student acolytes and readers.
● Participate in the regular rotation of preachers and/or celebrants for Weekday and Sunday Masses
● Provide pastoral care to all members of the St James community.
● Teach courses in Religion and other subjects as needed(based on applicant’s experience).
● Assist with baptism and confirmation classes.
● Build relationships with students, families, faculty and staff to nurture and support the community.
● Meet other faculty commitments (lead student enrichments, field trips, weekend duties, guardian meetings, facilitating service learning).
● Assisting with the annual religious events (e.g. Lessons and Carols, St. James Day, Ash Wednesday, Baccalaureate, etc.)
● Direct the operation of Servant Year, a program of the Episcopal Service Corps.
Qualifications/Experience
● Ordained Episcopal priest (or on the ordination track) preferred.
● Teaching experience at the middle school level is preferred.
● Experience working with pre-teens, teenagers and young adults.
● Strong pastoral skills.
● Experience in interfaith settings.
● Adaptability, honesty, self-reliance, teamwork, dependability, flexibility, willingness to listen and learn, work ethic, determination, persistence, problem-solving skills, loyalty, and congeniality are essential
● Proactive problem solving, both detail-oriented and flexible, demonstrating mature judgement and the ability to maintain confidentiality and composure under pressure
● Proficiency in managing multiple priorities strategically and under tight deadlines, while maintaining a high degree of accuracy
● Must successfully complete background screening and verification
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
● Regularly works in standard office conditions and climate
● Regularly uses close and distance vision, including working at a computer screen for extended periods of time
● Frequently required to move around the office; works at a desk for extended periods of time; occasionally moves around campus
● Ability to occasionally move items weighing up to 30 lbs. across the office or campus
● Works in an environment of high pastoral need, effectively dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts with stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions
● Ability to regularly work flexible hours to support the team members with emergent and urgent items and to meet deadlines; position will require some non-traditional work hours, including occasional nights and weekends
Employee Benefits:
● Medical/Prescription/Dental/Eye Care Insurance Coverage through the Medical Trust
● Defined Contribution Plan through The Church Pension Fund
● Available Professional Development and Continuing Education funds
● 5 Weeks Paid Vacation
● Wellness Benefit covers expenses for gym membership
● Free lunch benefit available daily as part of the School’s school-wide community lunch program
● Paid cell phone for work related communication
Application Requirements:
Qualified candidates should send a resume, cover letter and salary requirements for consideration to The Rev. Andrew Kellner, Chaplain, at akellner@stjamesphila.org. We regret that we cannot respond to every applicant. Only those of interest will be contacted.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
St. James School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. St. James School seeks to have the best available person in every job. St. James School policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment. All unlawful discrimination is expressly prohibited.