Lilly Project
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97301
503-370-6213 voice
Morningside United Methodist Church
3674 Twelfth Street SE
Salem OR 97302
http://www.morningsideumc.net
Morningside United Methodist Church recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Nestled in a residential area amid a grove of fir trees, the congregation is located in south Salem in the Morningside community. The church has a strong relationship with the Morningside Elementary School, located one block north across the street. Morningside is a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network of The United Methodist Church. The church is warm and welcoming, valuing diversity and inclusion of all persons. The church is inter-generational and numbers 350 members. Our staff includes a pastor, program associate, office manager, part-time secretary, custodian, child-care provider, and 4 music personnel. There are two services each Sunday: a contemporary service with praise band at 8:30 am; and a traditional service with organ and choir at 11:00 am.
Description of scope of the internship
Assuming an intern exploring a career in church work would want as broad an experience as possible, we believe Morningside UMC is well equipped to offer a quality opportunity. Valuable experience would be gained in the areas of worship and hospitality ministries, educational programming, administration, community service and outreach.
The goal of the internship is to provide a well-rounded experience touching on diverse aspects of ministry in a supervised setting inclusive of spiritual reflection. The specifics of the internship would be developed in consultation with the successful candidate.
Potential tasks
- Worship and Hospitality Ministries - The intern would participate in worship leadership during both Sunday services. Tasks might include serving as liturgist, reading the scriptures, sharing congregational announcements, leading the Kids Konnection and, if interested, under the direction of the pastor, preparing and delivering one sermon. As a new person in the congregation, the intern could assist the Hospitality Ministry Team evaluate its welcome to newcomers and visitors. As appropriate, the intern could accompany the pastor on home and hospital visits and to clergy meetings during scheduled hours.
- Educational Ministries - Our church school and youth programs take a break for the summer months. However, the intern would work with the Vacation Bible School planning team and provide hands-on leadership during VBS .The intern might assist the Program Associate in maintaining contact with the youth during the summer months.
- Administration - In the administrative areas of the church an intern would be introduced to Membership and Financial record keeping. Visitor follow-up by note or visit to newcomers could be included. The intern could learn about volunteer recruitment, screening and training; how to plan, set an agenda, run and evaluate an effective meeting.
- Community Outreach Ministries - Morningside is in partnership with several other area churches in a project called Churches as Neighborhood Centers or CaNC, for short. It is designed to help churches make stronger connections with their communities. There would be an opportunity to learn about grant writing, to attend community meetings and learn of the church's outreach programs (Parents Night Out, Kids Klub, After School Drop in Center). The intern could participate with others from the church in the Stand for Children advocacy ministry. Time permitting, it would be possible to work with our outreach team on a Habitat for Humanity project.
A Typical Week
Ministry is often made up of the interruptions that come along when you think your day is all squared away. Given that reality, it is hard to speak to a typical week. It would be fair to say that each week (approximately 35 hours) would include participation in worship and some combination of the other tasks noted above. Time for reflection, conversation and supervision would be included.
Supervision
The intern would be supervised by two well-qualified leaders under the direction of the pastor.
- Chris Kester, Program Associate, would supervise responsibilities related to education, youth and outreach ministries. Ms. Kester has served in this position for five and one half years. She also serves as Conference Youth Coordinator. She previously held an administrative position with the OR-ID annual conference of The United Methodist Church.
- Kathy Pressler, Office Manager, would supervise administrative tasks. Ms. Pressler has over 20 years of administrative and management experience.
- Karen Crooch, Pastor, would provide general oversight of the intern, supervise all worship-related responsibilities and theological reflection. Reverend Crooch is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church with 20 years experience - 15 as a local church pastor and 5 as a district superintendent.
Gifts, Skills, and Experience
The personal characteristics of the intern are deemed more important than specific skill sets or prior experience. We seek a person of faith with a desire to learn, an interest in others, comfortable with diversity and willing to engage new ideas. A serious intent, flexibility, reliability, humor and a positive attitude are helpful gifts.
Logistics
Morningside UMC is located about two miles south of the Willamette campus on 12th street. It is easily accessed by bus, though private transportation is helpful. If housing is needed, options can be explored. The preferred internship dates are June 4 - August 12, 2007, though some flexibility could be explored.
Summary
Morningside United Methodist Church is well equipped to provide a full range of activities associated with leadership and the daily life of a religious organization, including significant community outreach. We are able to provide a supervised setting conducive to theological reflection and religious vocational exploration in an open, inclusive and supportive setting. We like to have fun and look forward to having an intern as an integral part of our staff team.