Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Job Description

Position Summary:
"The Church exists to evangelize!" The CYM supports the core mission priorities of Encounter and Accompaniment as outlined in Archbishop William Lori's A Light Brightly Visible 2.0 - Archdiocese of Baltimore (archbalt.org). Reporting directly to the Pastoral Associate, the CYM's role is to create and support a culture of faith formation and discipleship making that invites each youth and young adult into a relationship with Christ.

While the CYM primarily focuses on youth and young adults ages from middle school to 35 years of age, the CYM collaborates with other members of the staff, Pastoral Council and partner parishes to invite, engage and support the faith formation of all members of our community with guidance from the Archdiocesan standards in Bringing Good News (2013), the USCCB's Sons and Daughters of the Light and Renewing the Vision (1997).

Essential Functions:
• In collaboration with Pastor, Pastoral Associate, and the pastoral staff, discerns emerging youth and young adult ministry needs to support the parish mission; modifies and enhances the program grades 6-12, as well as ages 18-35 to meet new needs as they develop.
• Duties are broken down into three key areas: Faith Formation for Middle School, High School and Young Adults:
o Middle School: Provides outreach and ministry to Middle School students through social, educational, spiritual activities, social justice, service and outreach opportunities. This includes responsibility for recruiting adults who will assume leadership roles and assist in providing ministry to these young adolescents
o High School: Develops and coordinates a Youth and Young Adult ministry program for High school studies to provide social, educational, spiritual activities, social justice, service and outreach opportunities for youth. This includes responsibility for outreach to and recruitment of youth to participate in the youth program, and the development of youth and adult leadership for that group.
o Young Adult: Assists in the development and nurturing of young adults 18-35 years of age to grow in discipleship. Seeks ways of encouraging youth and young adults to participate more fully in parish life, e.g. readers, ushers, Eucharist ministers, music ministry, volunteers, etc.

General Duties:

• Determines and implements appropriate resources for designated age groups and various grade levels utilizing curriculum options approved by the Archdiocese. Insures proper balance among components, i.e. catechesis, retreats, prayer and worship, social issues and service, guidance and healing, and community-building.
• Recruits and forms peer ministers (14+) to minister to children/youths. Forms programs that allow peer ministers to grow as disciples who disciple others.
• Recruits, forms and supports volunteer catechists. Insures that teaching adheres to the established resources and remains consistent with Catholic doctrine and moral and social teaching. Coaches and monitors volunteers in all aspects of ministry management; in collaboration with the Pastor, Pastoral Associate, and appropriate Archdiocesan offices, and terminates their services if necessary.
• Develops and directs the Confirmation formation program. Plans and conducts parent and sponsor meetings; plans annual Confirmation Retreat(s) and recruits volunteers to support retreat activities; develops and communicates service options to students. Insures that young people are adequately prepared for the Sacrament they are about to receive. Conducts rehearsal for Confirmation liturgy; coordinates and attend the liturgy(ies).
• Plans, develops, and implements a schedule of social opportunities for designated age groups of the parish to form community identity and establish effective peer relationships within the parish community. Explores opportunities for ecumenical interaction among youth in the local and surrounding communities.
• Plans, develops, and implements a schedule of service/social justice activities for designated age groups to develop their sense of responsibility to and awareness of the needs of the parish community, the Diocesan church community, and the larger social community. Coordinates involvement in Archdiocesan activities such as Youth Day, as well as regional and national youth and young adult ministry conferences.
• Promotes active youth worship including participative liturgy and prayer opportunities. In collaboration with the Director of Liturgy & Music, recruits and insures training for youth ushers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, and music ministers, consistent with Archdiocesan guidelines, for the celebration of Holy Mass at the parish and elsewhere, and other liturgical and prayer services.
• Serves as staff support and liaison for affiliated parish scout troop.
• Visible presence at parish programs and events including weekend liturgies.

Position Qualifications:
• Bachelors' degree in Theology, Religious Education, or Youth Ministry preferred; or current catechist certification preferred or willingness to obtain further education in the field of Ministry.
• Must be a practicing Catholic and demonstrate an active commitment to the Church's mission and to the sharing of that mission with youth and young adults.
• Strong organizational skills, including calendar and task management, delegation, planning and budgeting
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with adults and children of all ages.
• Demonstrated computer skills, with intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of products. Experience with Flocknote and Ministry Platform a plus.
• Minimum of five years' experience in ministry or managing a youth program of significant complexity, preferably in a faith-based environment.

A more detailed Job Description is available upon request to Business_Manager@smpschurch.org

About the Employer

St Michael Poplar Springs located in Mount Airy MD in western Howard County is a vibrant Catholic faith community of 1400 households and over 4000 parishioners from the surrounding 4 counties. Learn more about us at www.smpschurch.org or on
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stmichael1879