Minister Profile
St. Paul’s Dunrobin Community of Faith
MINISTER PROFILE
Position Title: Minister of Word, Sacrament and Care
Ordained, Diaconalor Designated Lay Minister (DLM).
Position Profile:
‘Solo” part-time (0.75) ministry. The Community of Faith (COF) anticipates two scheduling options, as outlined below, but recognizes that there may be other schedules mutually beneficial to a new Minister and the COF and we are open to further discussion.
(a) 40h per week, worked over 9 months, with allowances made for vacation and professional development, and 8 unpaid weeks off.
(b) 30h per week, worked over 12 months, with allowances made for vacation and professional development.
Position Summary: We are seeking a part-time (0.75) Ordained, Diaconal or Designated Lay Minister to work with the St. Paul’s-Dunrobin Community of Faith toward achieving our Mission and living out our Vision activities.
St. Paul’s United Church and Dunrobin United Church are rural churches located in the rural West end of the City of Ottawa. There are 278 households under pastoral care within the pastoral charge. St. Paul’s has an average weekly attendance of approximately 40 people and Dunrobin United Church has an average weekly attendance of approximately 15 people (December 2023 statistics). Twelve people take part during monthly Church Council meetings, with representation from both congregations. Our Ministry and Personnel committee is active and supportive.
Autonomy in Decision-Making: The Minister develops the Worship service, including topics for sermons, supported by the Lectionary. Hymns at St. Paul’s United are chosen from Voices United and More Voices. Dunrobin United chooses hymns from Voices United. The worship theme and hymn choices are provided to the Musical Director and any additional musical choices may be made in consultation with the Musical Director. Both congregations have utilized a traditional Order of Service but flexibility and openness exist to explore other options during worship.
The Minister will have the allowance for books and materials, as laid out by the United Church of Canada and pro-rated for a 0.75% position. A phone subsidy is also provided.
Internet service and a landline are available at the Church Office. The Church Office is located in the St. Paul’s building and has a computer, monitor, printer and photocopier. The COF website was updated and the revised version was launched in November 2024.
All expenditures are authorized through our Church Council, according to our annual budget. Receipts are required for reimbursements to be considered.
The Minister has access to a discretionary fund when financial assistance for a church or community member is required in an unexpected or crisis situation. The budget for this fund is $500 per year.
Principal Areas of Responsibility and Associated Duties
Worship (37%): The Minister leads traditional and/or contemporary Worship Services. Musical selections include hymns from Voices United and/or More Voices, as noted above. Other music may be selected in consultation with our Musical Director.
At St. Paul’s United, the Order of Service and hymns are projected onto a large screen in the sanctuary. Worship services at St. Paul’s United are hybrid services – in-person and on Zoom.
At the present time, worship services take place weekly at St. Paul’s and every second week at Dunrobin. The worship service times in each location can accommodate this schedule.
Cemetery services take place annually.
Pastoral Care & Visitation (27%): The Minister works in collaboration with the Pastoral Care team of 10 volunteers to provide pastoral care and visits to members and adherents of the congregation.
The Minister conducts a monthly worship service at the Carp Commons Retirement Community. Outreach to other facilities may take place as these become known.
The Minister schedules and conducts pastoral visits with church members and/or adherents, for those desiring this.
Faith Formation & Christian Education (13%): The Minister may lead a Bible Study group, and/or a book study group periodically during the year, and according to the 0.75% work schedule.
The Minister may develop and lead specific spiritual enrichment studies, such as a Lenten or Advent study during the year, according to the 0.75% work schedule. These types of educational activities have been part of congregational life in the past.
While there is no programming offered for children and youth at present, the Pastoral Charge would like to consider strategies for attracting more youth and young families for they are the future of the church. The Pastoral Charge would be open to establishing some form of youth events to strengthen the church’s connection to the community and involve the next generation.
Administration (10%): The Minister consults with the Church Secretary on a weekly basis, providing the Order of Service outline, as well as any other information needed for the weekly church bulletin.
The Minister provides the weekly theme and hymns to the Musical Director and consults if and/or as necessary.
The Minister attends monthly Church Council meetings. At present these take place virtually. The Minister attends Music & Worship Committee meetings approximately once every 2 months.
Denomination & Communities (3%): Denomination: The Minister is actively involved in the life of the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council.
Communities: In September 2024, three representatives from the COF attended a meeting to discuss the future of Christianity in West Carleton. This endeavour is ongoing.
Other related duties (10%): It is the intent of the COF that the Minister will have flexibility in managing their part-time schedule to accommodate the work needs of the congregations during any given week. Therefore, it is not the expectation of the COF that the Minister attend every congregational event, fundraiser, or outreach event. Rather, the Minister may attend these events when their schedule allows them to do so, under “Other Related Duties”.
Community Outreach and Social Justice: The Minister shall have a consultation role for the Outreach Ministries Committee and participate in events as their schedule allows.
Professional Development/Continuing Education: The Minister shall have the benefit of professional development and/or continuing educational activities, to be scheduled in consultation with the Ministry & Personnel Committee, pro-rated according to the 0.75% position.
Leadership: The COFis searching for a Minister with strong interpersonal communication and active-listening skills, who is motivated, able to make decisions and set goals. Confidence, patience and a good sense of humour are positive attributes. A strong leader can build consensus, include all in decision-making and encourage participation.
Self-Care: Thisis the responsibility of the individual Minister, supported by the COF. The Minister sets goals for ongoing self-care by maintaining a healthy balance of their own physical, emotional and spiritual well-being to include rest, recreation and professional development.
As a COF, we demonstrate support for the Minister in this area by acknowledging the need for respecting designated days off, time away, and personal boundaries. In addition, if the Minister is working a part-time schedule, the COF needs to work with the Minister to ensure the work schedule is maintained and that they don’t work full-time hours.
Skills: The COF is looking for a Minister to lead authentic and inspiring worship services, and have strong preaching skills. The COF is looking for someone who can engage and work with all ages, hopefully fostering new involvement in our congregations. Strong communication and leadership skills are an asset.
Knowledge: The successful candidate will hold a degree in Theology from a United Church of Canada recognized university or equivalent, be familiar with United Church policies and procedures, as well as with lectionary-based worship.
Personal Attributes: Someone with a warm and inviting personality, who is compassionate, approachable and sensitive to the needs of others, would be a good fit with our COF. We are looking for a new Minister who is open to new ideas, appreciative of music, passionate about Ministry and who has a good sense of humour.
Experience: The successful candidate will have experience in pastoral Ministry (including work with seniors, families and individuals) as well as experience in Pastoral Care and Visitation (including counselling, ministry to the sick and shut-ins). Experience in developing worship services and leading worship is desirable as well as flexibility and openness to various approaches within worship.
A willingness to explore options to re-engage with past members and/or the community-at-large would be considered an asset, as well as an awareness of and comfort with the use of multi-media within worship services.