Director of Lifespan Religious Education Position Available

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring, Maryland (UUCSS) is seeking a Director of Lifespan Religious Education (DLRE). This full time position will begin August, 2008. The successful candidate will have primary responsibility in directing and developing the religious education program for children and youth as well as providing leadership for adult religious education.

UUCSS is located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, three blocks north of the Capital Beltway in Silver Spring, Maryland. Established in 1952, we have a long history of social action in the Washington metropolitan area, and are a vibrant, diverse, and growing mid-sized congregation, currently with more than 375 members. Our religious education (RE) program is a dynamic, highly-valued ministry within our church community that embodies the church’s commitment to nurture young people in spirit, mind, and body, guided by Unitarian Universalist Principles. There are approximately 175 children and youth enrolled.

The successful candidate will demonstrate experience as a director of Unitarian Universalist religious education and as an intergenerational community builder, be creative and compassionate with children, and work well with church staff and volunteers. The position requires a person who is organized, self-directed, and skilled at team-building. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written are essential. We would expect the successful candidate to increase interaction between the religious education program and the rest of the church, as well as to build links with the greater community.

The Director of Lifespan Religious Education will be supervised by the minister and accountable to the Board of Trustees, and will work in close association with support staff and the religious education committees. In partnership with the RE committee, the DRE is responsible for full design, implementation and administration of the religious education program for children and youth, most of which occurs on Sunday mornings.

The candidate sought has the following qualifications: a strong facilitator and administrator with significant leadership experience in religious education programs; credentialed as a Director of Religious Education or documented progress towards such certification or equivalent experiences; understands and accepts Unitarian Universalist values and perspectives; and demonstrates knowledge of UU curricula and educational resources. UUCSS is a church in transition, rapidly growing beyond our mid-sized designation. In particular we are looking for a candidate who can guide our path forward as we broaden our religious education program to include all ages.

UUCSS is a fair compensation congregation. Salary and benefits are commensurate with the UUA DRE fair compensation guidelines as well as LREDA guidelines.

Interested individuals may apply by submitting a letter of interest, current resume, and references to Sherri McGee, DLRE Search Committee, personnel@uucss.org. Review of applications will begin April 30, 2008. For more information about UUCSS, visit our website at www.uucss.org.