MINISTER TO YOUTH & FAMILIES
United Church of Chapel Hill is searching for a pastor to lead the spiritual formation of youth and their families. We are a progressive, LGBTQ affirming, and bilingual community for Spanish and English speakers. Our congregation worships in two services: Festival Worship featuring a program of choral music, preaching, and communion; and La Mesa, a bilingual service grounded in traditions of Liberation Theology. The Minister to Youth and Families will oversee a growing program of spiritual formation and community building for Middle School and High School students, including a program of confirmation to help young people discern how to affirm their Christian faith as young adults. We invite ordained ministers and those in preparation for vocational ministry to apply. A master of divinity degree is preferred. Conversational skills in Spanish would be a strength for this ministry. The position is full time. The annual salary is $54,000, with a generous package of retirement and health benefits. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to cbarr@unitedchurch.org. Apply by July 7, 2025 for priority consideration.
Primary Responsibilities
Community Building and Pastoral Care
• Build relational connections with youth and families by reaching out to cultivate youth and family engagement with the congregation’s ministry
• Works throughout the church to engage families in both worship services in opportunities for spiritual formation
• Serve as first line response to youth and youth families in times of crisis or caregiving need, coordinating additional engagement with pastoral staff
• Be an active listener with youth, seeking to validate their experiences and demonstrate the love and support of the church
• Maintain healthy personal boundaries with youth and families
Youth Spiritual Formation
• Implement a regular program of youth ministry activities by stewarding an active calendar of activities for devotion, outreach, and fellowship
• Oversee a Sunday School program that currently includes two classes for Middle School students and a Confirmation program for those ready to affirm their faith
• Lead the planning for annual mission trips and retreats
• Model youth participation in worship by taking an active role in worship, and developing appropriate opportunities for worship to feature the contributions of youth, including Youth Church programs or other special initiatives to engage youth in worship.
General Ministry
• Function as a regular member of the pastoral staff, leading in worship and extending spiritual care to the general congregation
• Manage youth program budgets and communication needs, in coordination with associated staff and lay leaders
• Assure youth program compliance with UCCH Safe Conduct Policies
Key Relationships
• The Minister to Youth and Families reports to the Senior Pastor.
• The position works closely with the Youth Leadership Team, program volunteers, and Sunday School teachers
Core Competencies
Our Minister to Youth and Families will be a person who
• Thrives in cross-cultural relationships and demonstrates empathy, curiosity, and enthusiasm for the different cultures and traditions from which our community arises
• Nurtures communities that embrace differences in personal experience, gender and sexual identities, racial and cultural identities, and social location
• Demonstrates a joyful, outgoing presence with genuine interest in having fun with youth
• Communicates effectively with multiple stakeholders, and organizes others in a way that invites participation and leadership
MINISTER OF MUSIC
MINISTER OF MUSIC– Invitation to Apply or Nominate Candidates
United Church of Chapel Hill (UCC) seeks a music leader with a heart for congregational ministry to join a collaborative staff team in directing the church’s life of worship. We welcome all of God’s children into a community of worship, spiritual growth, and seeking justice. We are a multicultural community and an Open and Affirming congregation that empowers women and LGBTQ+ people in our common life. We try to use inclusive language and expansive imagery for God.
We currently hold two services on Sunday mornings. One is a more traditional protestant service featuring choir, organ and piano music in a variety of musical styles. The other is a less formal, bilingual (Spanish/English) service. The two services occasionally combine for spirit-filled worship where both word and song are shared in English and Spanish. Some of our beloved music traditions include a children’s musical in the fall, a Lessons and Carols service followed by a celebration of Las Posadas before Christmas, and a special Negro Spirituals service around the Juneteenth holiday.
We are searching for a music leader who will help us continue to grow as a multicultural church community, especially inclusive and empowering of Spanish voices. We are also especially proud of a growing community of children and youth who regularly lead in worship. We currently offer vocal coaching and musical education for children and beginners of all ages, and we would like to see this continue as an inclusive practice. If you feel called to these ministries, please consider joining us.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Minister of Music’s core responsibility is to lead and hold the vision for our diverse music program. Primary duties will include working closely with the Senior Pastor and program staff to prepare and coordinate worship and directing the 25-voice Chancel Choir in a broad repertoire. Additional duties include general oversight and coordination with the directors of multiple ensembles that participate in our worship. We highly value collaboration among our music groups. In addition to the Chancel Choir, our groups currently include:
- The Children’s Choir, a community of children from approximately 15 families.
- The La Mesa Choir, a bilingual (Spanish/English) ensemble of approximately 10 voices.
- The Chancel Bells, a handbell program that currently includes 13 adult ringers.
- United Voices of Praise (UVOP), a joint project with nearby Black congregations to promote Gospel music and shared experiences of worship.
- The Commas, a small bluegrass ensemble that occasionally brings music to worship.
We have a professional organist and rehearsal accompanist (half-time) and a paid choir section leader. Our congregation includes many fine instrumental musicians willing to offer solos, play in ensembles, or accompany the choirs.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT
The Minister of Music is supervised by the congregation’s Senior Pastor. She/he/they will work closely with an active Music Committee to support worship and faith formation, to establish priorities in the music program, and to deploy our annual music program budget of approximately $30,000.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years experience in music ministry in a congregational setting and directing adult choirs. Given the large supervisory and administrative roles, the Minister of Music will need creativity, patience, and very strong communication and organizational skills. Given our commitment to our bilingual ministry, basic conversational Spanish and willingness to work towards proficiency is required. Additional helpful assets include strong keyboard skills, experience leading children’s music, and experience conducting bells and other instrumentalists. Leading the bell choir and/or the children’s choir as an additional responsibility is a possibility but not a requirement. Last, and perhaps most important, we are looking for someone with a big heart who can build community within and among the music groups and the congregation, joyfully embodying Christian love and grace.
COMPENSATION
The position will be 30-40 hours a week at a salary range of $50,000 – $70,000 depending on the experience, qualifications, and time commitments negotiated. Our personnel policies provide generous benefits for retirement, insurance, and times of leave.
APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS
We expect to conduct an initial review of applications during the week of May 18. Our search will be rolling and continue until the position is filled. We hope to have our new music minister in place by mid-August for the start of the program year. A complete application will include a cover letter and resume/CV. Please direct all applications and other inquiries to musicsearch@unitedchurch.org. We look forward to hearing from you.