Sunday School Program Leader

Overview

Sunday School Program Leader

Woodcliff United Church

Calgary, AB

Position Summary:

The Sunday School Program Leader, a Congregational Designated Minister (Level 2), is a 4 hour per week (average) part time position for approximately 10 months of the year (September-June). The Leader is responsible for planning and coordinating an effective and inspiring ministry program for children (pre-school to grade 5) at Woodcliff United Church.

Currently, the Sunday School program gathers all children together as the participation has been a smaller group of children each Sunday. With the hiring of a Sunday School Leader we will have the ability to tailor the lessons/groups according to appropriate age groups with the help of volunteers and as we develop a more regular group of children/youth who come each week.

Specific responsibilities will entail leading Sunday and/or ensuring there is at least one volunteer each week to assist in the class; overseeing volunteer coordination, coordinating a weekly lesson plan and required supplies, and communicating with families and the wider community about the program.

The Sunday School Program Leader will be supervised by the Minister, supported by the Ministry and Personnel committee and will work alongside the Worship Committee to ensure common lesson themes. This position requires availability on Sunday mornings and the ideal candidate will have a love of and demonstrated ability to work with children and youth, strong organizational skills, and the ability to inspire and mobilise volunteers while adhering to the United Church’s theology and Duty of Care policy.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate Sunday School Program and Volunteer Resources

– Organize and teach weekly lesson plans (utilising set curriculum) for various age groups and the accompanying craft or activities.
– Foster leadership among older children to mentor younger ones. Explore volunteer opportunities for children (e.g. helping serve refreshments or service acts).
– Recruit and coordinate weekly Sunday School volunteers to assist (possibly with various age groups. e.g. provide dedicated support for nursery and toddler-aged children.)
– Maintain a volunteer opportunity sign up system that is kept current and easily accessed.
– Maintain a volunteer database and schedule for Sunday School volunteers, provide feedback and ensure appropriate recognition is conducted for these volunteers regularly and/or at a minimum on an annual basis.
– Liaise with Hospitality team and Sunday School volunteers to ensure a process is established and followed to welcome and encourage new children to join in as well as to capture contact information for new attendees.
– Depending on number of participants, reintroduce a children’s time during the service, followed by a break out for Sunday School with lessons aligned to the service theme.

2. Development of Children and Youth

– Develop relationships and establish partnerships with Woodcliff families and the wider community in an effort to grow the Sunday School program and in the future to transition these participants to a youth program.
– Explore forming a youth program for Grades 6–8, given the significant number of children in this age range and possibly coordinate with other Calgary youth groups for shared events or resources.
– Maintain regular communication with parents/families to keep them informed about upcoming children’s activities or events through email and/or a newsletter.
– Work closely with the Minister and WUC Council to ensure the Children’s Ministry is in alignment with the wider Community Engagement plan.

3. Administrative Duties:

– Maintain accurate records of all participants on a weekly basis
– Maintain a volunteer database and schedule for Sunday School volunteers, provide feedback and ensure appropriate recognition is conducted for these volunteers regularly and/or at a minimum on an annual basis.
– Ensure document screening procedures (police checks) are completed for volunteers
– Prepare reports for church leadership on Sunday School participation and outcomes with recommendations for improvements.
– Provide a safe and welcoming environment for all participants, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
– Ensure all activities adhere to the United Church’s Duty of Care policy to protect individuals receiving services and those who deliver them.
– Work together with the Church Administrative Coordinator to utilize Woodcliff’s Social Media, website and other marketing tools to promote the Sunday School program.

Competencies:

Skills and Experience Requirements:

– Ability and demonstrated experience to create a warm, welcoming, fun, learning environment where children can learn the stories of our faith and make connections with their own life.

– Familiar with and in agreement with the United Church of Canada ethos, practice and theology.

– Skills and experience in preparing, leading and adapting a program (curriculum), engaging children and communicating spirituality and faith with respect to their developmental stages.

– Superior communication skills.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

– Training/experience in communication and how to provide leadership and support for volunteers.
– Previous experience in teaching or a related field especially in a medium to large Christian education program.
– Proven ability to work independently with minimal direction as part of a closely knit team.
– Excellent oral and written communication skills.
– Ability to multi-task and see initiatives through to successful implementation.
– Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively work with families, members of the faith community as well as the wider surrounding communities.
– Can be trusted and relied upon for discretion when dealing with matters pertaining to privacy and confidentiality of information.
– Able to demonstrate an understanding of the mission, vision, values and beliefs of Woodcliff United Church and can demonstrate those values to others by consistently acting in a manner congruent with them.
– Proficient with MS Office products, Zoom, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, MailChimp, Google Suite, Outlook are an asset

Special Requirements:

– Satisfactory criminal reference check (including vulnerable sector) completed within last 3 months.
– First Aid certification (be prepared to complete if not certified)

Job Type: Part-Time Hourly

Wage: $22.00-26.00 per hour

Schedule:

The position entails 4 hours per week on average, September through June; 2 in-person hours are expected Sundays between 9:30 – 11:30 am

Approximately 2 hours during the week to coordinate and develop the weekly Sunday lesson from September to mid-June and/or the development of the children/youth program.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $22.00-$26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 4 per week

Benefits: Flexible schedule

Education: Secondary School (preferred)

Work Location: In person