Lilly Project

Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97301

503-370-6213 voice

First Presbyterian Church
770 Chemeketa NE
Salem OR 97301
www.salemfirstpres.org

First Presbyterian Church members seek to faithfully communicate the good news of the gospel to our community, and with intelligence, imagination, and compassion to serve people both in and out of the church. Our desire to follow Christ is reflected in the organization of all we do, from the structure of Session Committees, to the programs offered to our members and community.

The church membership is 942. Recently, the congregation has become a bit younger in membership, style and outlook. Our needs include a growing ministry to families with children, which has become increasingly important during summer months.

We employ full-time professionals in areas of Christian Education and Youth Ministry, as well as in our Preschool program. Two pastors, a Business manager and Director of Music Ministries fill out the full-ime program staff of the church.

The congregation worships at 10:00 AM Sundays during the summer months, with two services during the other nine months of the year. Average Sunday attendance in the summer is around 360.

During the school year, our children's and adult education programs are very full and active. A variety of materials and curricula are used. Dozens of teachers participate in the program every year.

A comprehensive music program has a strong impact in our worship and in the community. Our youth ministry has been on the growing edge in our community and our church has become a place where young people want to be.

Our Session is made up of thirty elders and two pastors. The Session's tasks are accomplished through the active work of six committees, and numerous subcommittees.

Scope of the internship:

• Intern would assist the Director of Christian Education in summer programs such as youth trips and activities, Vacation Bible School, Performing Arts Workshop and Sunday School classes. This would include planning, publicizing, preparing and providing leadership.
• Intern would assist the Pastors in worship reparation and leadership.
• Intern would call once per week at the hospital.
• Intern would attend various committee meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Goals for the Internship:

Our goal is to provide experience in many areas of ministry: speaking, teaching, hospital calling, working with people of various ages. The particular focus in our setting is in educational ministry and worship. We recognize that ministry requires a constellation of skills, and seek to provide a wide variety of experiences in a main-line, protestant setting.

Intern's tasks:

• Attending appropriate staff meetings each week
• Planning the weekly events of the summer - Vacation Bible School and Performing Arts Workshop
• Recruiting additional help needed
• Preparing for each event.
• Keeping track of registrations
• Providing leadership for each event
• Visiting church members in the hospital
• Assisting in the worship services
• Attending committee meetings when appropriate

A Typical Day or Week:

Although ministry is not usually typical on any day or week, most weeks would include:

Mondays - attend staff meetings: program staff, Christian education staff, full staff, with prayer and devotions.
Tuesdays - prepare for Wednesday events, attend evening committee meetings
Wednesday - event for elementary students
Thursday - evaluate Wednesday's event, prepare publicity for newsletter, plan for Sunday, do hospital visitation
Friday - day off
Saturday - day off
Sunday - Facilitate Sunday programs, assist in worship.

Office hours for intern would be 9-4.

Supervision:

The two ordained Pastors and the director of Christian Education would provide supervision. Rob Elder has provided supervision for he entire church staff at First Presbyterian for nearly 20 years. He has supervised summer interns from various places for 17 years. Rob has been serving as an ordained minister for 32 years. Karen Pollan has been serving as an ordained minister for 10 years. She has been at First Presbyterian for 5 years. She has provided supervision for some staff members and leadership for many volunteers. The Director of Christian Education would work closely with the in tern to provide guidance for the children's programs.

Theological and vocational reflection:

Weekly opportunities with the pastors and/or education staff are provided for reflection on the theological ramifications of the work that is undertaken in every area. A servanthood theology is a particular focus. It is important to us to listen to these reflections from our intern, as well as offering our won reflections on the work of the staff of the church in our setting. At each step, if this is a person seriously considering a pastoral vocation, we want to address ways in which a vocation of ministry can provide a different perspective on issues in the church, community and world.

Vocational questions which could be answered during internship:

• Am I called to ministry?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• How do I like working with children? With adults?
• What is it like to be a part of a large church staff?
• Am I a team player?
• Would I want to specialize in a specific area, or do a little of everything?

Gifts, Skills and Experience:

• A person who desires to grow in their faith, with a willingness to learn
• A person with the ability to work with others and be a team player
• A person who is able to be flexible
• A person who is willing to try new things and to learn from their mistakes
• A person with a servant heart
• A person who loves people of all ages

Logistics:

This internship would require driving.
Ideally this internship would begin June 1 and end August 15.