Minister of Worship and Music

University Lutheran Church of Hope Minister of Worship and Music 601 13th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 612-331-5988 www.ulch.org August 2021 Title: Minister of Worship and Music Reports to: Lead Pastor Status: 30 hours per week (.75) FLSA: Exempt The University Lutheran Church of Hope Community University Lutheran Church of Hope (ULCH) is a vibrant and healthy congregation on the edge of the University of Minnesota campus in the Dinkytown area of Minneapolis. Worship grounded in love, justice, and God’s radical grace shapes our congregation’s life. We use the tag “Complex world. Thoughtful church.” This captures our ministry of porous walls and embracing people throughout life’s journey. University Lutheran Church of Hope is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the ELCA, and is a progressive congregation focused around our worship life and a lively expression of the Lutheran tradition. Position Summary The Minister of Worship and Music is responsible for leading the musical expression of the congregation and contributing to the vision of the worship experience at University Lutheran Church of Hope. Essential Functions ● Provide instrumental and vocal support for congregational song and liturgy: ○ Play organ and piano as needed for worship, and/or direct other organists/pianists ○ Develop and direct choral and instrumental groups as the resources of the congregation permit and/or supervise directors of other choral ensembles ○ Recruit and direct solo singers, cantors, and instrumentalists of all ages in worship. ○ Provide musical leadership for congregational events other than worship, such as concerts, choral events, weddings and funerals ○ Offer workshops or short-commitment musical opportunities to strengthen skills and create music, such as drumming, hand bells, Orff instruments, etc. ○ Collaborate to create a significant annual musical event such a Night Songs, a hymn festival, etc. ○ Arrange for guest musicians and coordinate concerts of outside musical groups ○ Create opportunities that involve young people (those from within the congregation as well as U students) in the liturgical and musical life of the congregation ● Provide leadership in worship planning: ○ Plan worship services with an understanding of the Lutheran tradition, respect for the heritage of the church catholic, an understanding of expansive images and language for God, knowledge of current trends and developments in worship, and awareness of the needs/desires of the congregation ○ Plan services in collaboration with the pastoral staff, the Worship Planning Team, and our tech facilitators ○ Integrate into worship musicians and instruments which can bring an eclectic blend of music, vibrantly reflect many traditions, enhance the liturgy, and encourage the congregation in its singing ○ Integrate the musical elements of our faith formation program with our worship life by sharing ideas, coordinating schedules, and encouraging intergenerational musical leadership ○ Create the weekly congregational worship resources ● Participate as a member of the ministry team: ○ Attend staff meetings and other staff functions ○ Add input, wisdom and planning to emerging ministries ○ Meet regularly with pastoral staff and supervise the Worship Tech Support staff and volunteers ○ Serve as the staff representative and resource person for the Worship Planning Team, and other relevant teams, as needed ○ Provide leadership and coaching for all involved in worship—presiders, assisting ministers, lectors, acolytes, etc. ○ Maintain the choral library and inventory of instruments ● Interpret worship and its theology to and with the congregation: ○ Incorporate into worship planning a deep and wide understanding of theology and the role of worship in the life of faith. ○ Provide for worship education within the congregation through bulletins, parish newsletter, Sunday Forum, Sunday school, confirmation, etc. ● Community enrichment and outreach: ○ Assist in re-positioning ULCH in our expanding campus neighborhood ○ Foster and strengthen our relationship with the university music program by showing support, meeting key leaders, and pursuing opportunities as they arise ○ Promote ULCH as a musical locus for our neighborhood by encouraging participation as singers and musicians in worship and other musical programs ○ Support space and instrument use, and our welcome to students seeking music space Core Competencies ● Demonstrated skill as a musician and experience in musical leadership with a background that includes one or more music degrees ● Working knowledge of the church’s theology, history and tradition, preferably with a background that includes training in worship and liturgy, ideally with some seminary education ● Comfort and experience with technology to create engaging visuals and bulletins, to use web-based worship leadership organization, and to support the congregation as we grow into greater online worship opportunities ● Strong people skills to encourage and inspire a musical response and growth in faith and worship, to be good-natured and flexible, to honor boundaries and navigate multiple interests, and to be a sensitive and pastoral guardian of the congregation’s history, traditions, needs, desires, and future ● An ability to work in a team ministry, collaborating and planning effectively with staff and leaders. ● Good communication and organizational skills ● Ability to lead and/or support ministry with children/youth as it pertains to music Commitment and Compensation 30 hours per week with benefits (through Portico Benefit Services, including health, retirement, etc.). Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary Range: $43,000-51,000. University Lutheran Church of Hope seeks a diverse pool of candidates. Application Process: Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to the ULCH Personnel Committee at employment@ulch.org. Review of applications begins on Sept 13, 2021. Start date is anticipated to be mid to late fall.