Marysville United Methodist Church in Marysville, Washington, is seeking applicants for a part-time position of AV/Tech Production Engineer to support its in-person worship services and live streaming. Interested parties can email questions and their resume and experience to office@marysvilleumc.org.
AV/Tech Production Engineer
Systems Specifications
Compensation
Primary responsibilities would require an estimated 6-8 hours per week, at a range from $30 – $45 per hour. For extra services and hours requested during Easter and Christmas, contractor will be paid at agreed upon hourly rate.
Should the church be on social media? This question has been rumbling around in my communicator brain for some time now. At what point is our presence on a platform complicity with the harm that occurs there?
Whether and how we engage in digital space may be one of those wicked problems where the solution is elusive and imperfect, generating new problems along the way. It’s a complex problem; let me focus on one aspect of social media valued by United Methodists – connection.
Ironically, while social media platforms provide a form of connection, their use often increases feelings of isolation. One way to understand this is by considering the nature of these connections.
People usually invest their resources (like time) disproportionately in things that matter to them. In the real world, these investments often lead to deep relationships nurtured over years, providing blessing and challenge, support and opportunities to grow. It can be painful when these relationships fail or end, yet we know the benefits most often outweigh the risks.
Social media platforms provide a way to cultivate relationships seemingly without a significant investment. Without leaving the comfort of our homes, we can connect with people like old friends or acquaintances from high school and new people who share a common interest. However, the time we invest in social media is often spread over many interactions, leaving these relationships thin or shallow.
If social media platforms were neutral in managing their users’ relationships, both forms of connection would be acceptable and good. The problem lies in how platforms use algorithms to manipulate our engagement, keeping us entertained and outraged for as long as possible to profit from the ads they constantly bombard us with.
In the political environment we find ourselves in, we can see the problem. At a time when we need spaces to engage in healthy conversation across divides, we find ourselves firing salvos at each other with only the thinnest of social connections holding us together. The situation is ripe for harm as we share our hot takes and opinions in ways most would rarely do in person.
In addition, these platforms have such a hold on us that we have less time to be present in spaces where deep and meaningful conversations across differences are more likely to occur and be sustained. According to one source, the average adult spends over four hours daily on social media platforms. This number varies by age, individual preferences, and even by study. Still, people are often surprised by how much time they spend when they track their usage.
Healthy communities of faith can provide spaces for impactful and necessary conversations today. Yet, we are competing with easy-to-use and addictive platforms for the precious commodity of time. While social media is far from the only thing competing with faith communities, it is one of the fastest growing and problematic.
As I said at the start, our engagement with social media is a wicked problem. I’m not confident the solution is complete disengagement, but we should be wrestling with how we engage as communities and people of faith.
For individuals, the first step may be doing a personal audit. While apps are available to monitor your device usage, similar utilities are often built into modern mobile operating systems. Beyond time spent, consider and evaluate your connections with people online and in person. Do your interactions reflect how you wish to relate, and are they providing the connections you need to thrive?
For communities, are you on platforms that align with your values? And when that alignment isn’t perfect (life rarely is), is your presence still strategic toward reaching new people and supporting those who call your faith community home?
Well, that’s it for today. I promise to return to this topic again in the future. I would love to hear your thoughts to enrich my perspective for when I do.
Patrick Scriven serves as director of communications for the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Sumner United Methodist Church in Sumner, Washington, is searching for a friendly and reliable Youth Ministry Coordinator to join the Sumner UMC MinistryTeam in providing a safe, warm and welcoming community where young people experience community, intergenerational belonging, nurtured in their spiritual exploration, and encouraged to identify and live out their values.
Click here to view the full job desciption.
Sumner United Methodist Church is a faith community that believes everyone is welcome to God’s love and grace, supports people doing good in the world, and nurtures spiritual journeys with God and in community.
Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center is hiring a full-time Assistant Director who is responsible for overall direction, administration, and coordination of our Christian summer camp program and second season events. This includes all tasks related to planning, implementation, and supervision of all camp programs and communication with and recruitment of campers and staff. The second main component of this position is marketing and promoting the camp and our programs.
The camp is looking for a hardworking, forward-thinking individual who is in tune with our mission of providing a fun, relational, faith-forming summer camp experience. The ideal person for this position will be able to work the long hours needed in the summer; positively connect with children, staff, and parents; and be a productive team member.
More information including the full job description and application requirements can be found on this page on the Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center’s website.
Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center is a ministry of the United Methodist Church located in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains. They are a relation-based camp that strives to provide an accepting community for people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim, Washington, is offering a new employment opportunity beginning in early 2025 as they seek to hire a part-time Music Director. The short description follows.
Under the direction of the Pastor and Staff Parish Relations Committee, the Music Director upholds the values and supports the mission statement of Trinity United Methodist Church. In consultation with the Pastor, the Music Director sets the course of the music ministry and works with other music department staff members, volunteer singers and musicians, and the congregation to plan, execute, administer, and evaluate all aspects of the music ministry. The primary purpose of the music ministry of the church is to provide leadership in praising God in worship. The music ministry seeks to fulfill that purpose by encouraging congregational singing, choral, solo and ensemble selections, and the use of various instruments to create opportunities for a variety of kinds of musical expressions. This is a part-time position.
Qualified candidates must have the experience, skill, and training in music direction and performance as well as excellent leadership skills.
Click here for a full description of the position.
Please send cover letter, resume, and two references to Trinity United Methodist Church, c/o Thomas Tift. PO Box 3697, Sequim, WA 98382 or via email to Thomas Tift: spr@sequimtumc.org.
The Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church seeks an enthusiastic and dedicated individual for our Director of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) and Disaster Response. This pivotal role serves as the principal liaison with the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) regarding Volunteers in Mission matters, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) for disaster response initiatives, and the respective conference representatives.
Click here to read the Job Description.
As the successful candidate, you will be responsible for administering and coordinating UMVIM functions, cultivating vital contacts within GBGM, agencies across the United States, annual conferences, missionaries, volunteers, and church leaders worldwide. Your efforts will help develop meaningful UMVIM opportunities for our jurisdiction teams and provide support to disaster response requests with Early Response Teams (ERT) and UMCOR as needed.
This is a salaried, part-time consultant position, averaging 20 hours per week. If you are passionate about mission work and have the skills to significantly impact disaster response and volunteer coordination, we invite you to apply.
To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume outlining your relevant experience and qualifications. Applications can be sent to umvim@umoi.org by Monday, December 16, 2024. We look forward to reviewing your application and exploring the possibility ofworking together to further our mission efforts within the Western Jurisdiction.
Kent United Methodist Church in Kent, Washington, is seeking a part-time Director of Children’s Discipleship, 15 hours a week.
The two primary responsibilities of the Director of Children’s discipleship are to create an excellent Sunday morning Sunday School discipleship ministry for children and to oversee children’s special events/activities including Trunk or Treat, Easter Egg Hunt, Vacation Bible School, and Children’s Mission Projects. Special emphasis is placed on growing participation in both areas.
Please click here to review the full job description. Interested candidates should direct inquiries or their resume to general@kentmethodist.com.
Kent UMC is an active and vibrant congregation providing a gracious space for all. We are a welcoming and affirming church that takes being the hands and feet of Christ in the world seriously. We are committed to practicing the Love-Grow-Serve-Share Journey of Christian discipleship. Read our Statement of Inclusivity.
Trinity United Methodist Church, a vibrant and progressive community that values inclusivity, social justice, and spiritual growth in Seattle, Wash., is seeking a Nursery/Pre-School Provider to join their team. Please click the link below to review the full job description. Interested candidates should submit their resume, references, and a cover letter to office@tumseattle.org.