Employment: part-time hourly, estimated average 8 hours/week 2024                                                                 Pay rate: $25/hour – $35/hour, based on experience
Reports to: Lead Pastor

Vision for position: Lake Merritt United Methodist Church is an open and welcoming Christian congregation serving God in downtown Oakland. We seek to build a multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural community. We welcome and affirm the full inclusion and participation of the LGBTQIA community in the life of the congregation. We work to promote the inclusiveness of all people in the United Methodist Church as a whole.

The Children and Family Director will also partner with other staff and lay leaders to collaborate on special events and intergenerational service opportunities and worship.

The details of this position, including number of hours worked, can be shaped to suit the skills, work/life balance, and personality of the director; our most important goal for this role is a willingness to invest in children and help nurture their exploration of faith in a theologically curious and expansive manner.

Tasks to include: –
Lead Godly Play sessions while Sunday services are going on, alternating Sundays between Pre-K and Elementary school children
Plan and prepare Godly Play stories
Meet one-on-one with the Lead Pastor, as needed
Meet with Children’s Ministry Team, as needed
Purchase supplies for the program, as needed (to be reimbursed)
Receive ongoing Godly Play training, or other children’s spirituality training, as needed
Recruit, train and assist volunteer teachers in Godly Play, as available
Manage teacher/helper schedule weekly for both pre-k room and Godly play elementary class room
Communicate with families about Godly Play and Children’s programming
Envision and develop the growth of the program and community

Education/Experience: –
1-2 years of experience as a Godly Play storyteller (or commitment to learn the Godly Play method); experience running a Godly Play program preferred
Enjoyment being around children and in encouraging their sense of wonder, playfulness and love of learning
Encouraging each child’s sacred and innate value, and sense of belonging in the community
Strong communication skills, both with children and adults in teaching and interpersonal relationships
Demonstrated organizational skills
Ability to work collaboratively with other church staff and volunteers

Requirement: – 
Background check – required before formal hiring. In the onboarding process, training on maintaining safe church practices will also be provided
Need two references

To apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter to Church Administrator of Lake Merritt UMC by email to [email protected] and Pastor Sunae at [email protected]