First Congregational Church Fellowship Description

Description of Work:

• Help members of the congregation pursue their passions for social justice by supporting and helping further develop the numerous ministry teams and projects we have working throughout the year. Activities might include: research, communication, publicity, networking, organizing logistics, helping conduct meetings or arrange speakers, etc. While some teams will be more active at any given time than others, at First Church, Berkeley, our members are involved in:

Healthcare, Immigration and Education through Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action (BOCA),
Housing and Poverty through Rebuilding Together,
Hunger and Homelessness through Youth Emergency Assistance Hostel,
Anti-Torture Advocacy through the National Religious Campaign Against Torture;
Global Warming with a Climate Action Team,
Education and Healthcare in Guatemala through Common Hope,
Immigration through the New Sanctuary Movement and Puente Ministry in Pescadero,
Hunger through The Berkeley Food Pantry, and
Anti-Death Penalty Advocacy and support for inmates.

• Attend worship regularly and participate in the planning and actual worship service (possibly preaching at least once during the summer). We try to incorporate a social justice vision into each service of worship, using poetry, music and drama to enhance our understanding of God’s vision for humanity.

• Help arrange volunteers and logistics for our Visiting Scholars Program (in conjunction with Cody’s Books) that brings all kinds of speakers and teachers to First Church throughout the year. We would like to provide the Fellow with opportunities to meet the speakers and spend time conversing with them.

• Make connections and further relationships with other interfaith and progressive Christian voices throughout the Bay Area and the nation, such as BOCA, the Sather Gate Religious Council, Progressive Christians Uniting, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California, etc.—as well as local community agencies and boards.

Skills Required:

•    An ability to be a self-starter and creative organizer.
•    A desire to communicate the faith while being open to many different faith stances, including those who are anti-Christian.
•    A love for worship and the way that worship can connect us to our longing for a better and more just society and world.
•    A compassionate heart, not only for the least of these, but for those who desire to grow as ministers and peace makers and representatives of Christ’s gospel message.

Unique Opportunities this internship Provides:

•    The Fellow will be engaged in helping a local congregation grow in commitment to social justice and peace making.
•    The Fellow will be able to observe the inner workings of an historical congregation as it navigates the terrain between the past and the future.
•    There will be plenty of opportunities for leadership, collegiality and ministry, with the staff, members, and wider community.
•    Berkeley is full of challenges for ministry and mission!

Click to learn more about First Congregational Church, Berkley.

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