POSITION AVAILABLE: CHURCH COMMUNITY COORDINATOR
ORDINATION REQUIRED: NO. Contemplating Seminary or Seminary completion desirable.
DETAILS: YEAR ROUND POSITION
25-27 HOURS PER WEEK TO START
STARTING SALARY RANGE: $29.15 - $34.73/Hr.
BENEFITS: 2 weeks of vacation, 8 days sick and 13 holidays
PLACE: FIRST CHURCHES OF NORTHAMPTON, MA
DENOMINATIONS: Combined United Church of Christ (UCC) and American Baptist USA (ABC)
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: AUGUST 30, 2025
REPLY TO: Personnel@firstchurches.org with Cover Letter and Resume/Curriculum Vitae
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR PROFILE/EXPECTATIONS AND FULL JOB DESCRIPTION WITH MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
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We’re Looking for a Church Community Coordinator!

The Church Community Coordinator will help the people of First Churches form deeper relationships with one another, God, and the wider community. As a listener, leader, organizer, and host, the Church Community Coordinator will foster connection through interactions, events, learning opportunities, and social engagements. This year-round, part-time role is based on site at the church and includes weekend, church holiday, and occasional evening responsibilities.

Meet Our Church:
First Churches of Northampton is a growing combined church of the American Baptist Churches USA and United Church of Christ. We are an open and affirming congregation, and we seek to extend God's extravagant welcome as we walk in the way of Jesus and invite all to worship with us. Our services are traditional in practice, progressive in theology, and full of friendly people. With a history dating to the beginning of our town, First Churches is nestled in the heart of Northampton, Massachusetts, home to Smith College and recently named by CNN as one of America’s best towns to visit.

The Ideal Person for This Role Is:
● A natural connector who finds common threads between people and helps weave them into relationships
● Gifted at communicating on various levels, whether speaking to our congregation, facilitating a small group discussion, or engaging in personal conversations
● An empathetic leader who can bring out the best in others as they build consensus, inspire action, and navigate conflict
● A people person who is undaunted by interacting and collaborating with diverse communities, parishioners, and stakeholders
● Responsive and resourceful, whether serving as a trusted collaborator or initiating and executing projects independently
● A person of faith with a pastoral heart, not necessarily ordained or possessing ministerial degrees, but possibly exploring ordination or other faith-related careers

The Church Community Coordinator Will:
● Set the stage for relationships to flourish by gathering new and and existing groups in many different expressions of community
● Manage events and outings within and outside our church, including book discussions, conferences, parades, rallies, retreats, dinners, and more
● Recruit, empower, and guide volunteers to apply their gifts and passions as they actively participate in ministry of our church and the greater good
● Further our church’s presence in our local community by supporting ongoing sponsored activities, partnering with local churches and groups, and finding new ways to contribute to local events
● Play an integral role in the functioning of our church, from Sunday worship and holiday services to staff meetings and church calendar management

Skills and background for this role include:
● A Bachelor’s Degree in Community Organizing, Theology, Social Work or Communications, or an unrelated subject with demonstrated knowledge of Protestant/Congregational/religious structure, theology, or community organizing
● 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in planning and coordinating events, and building positive community environments, relationships, or other equivalent experience
● A Massachusetts driver’s license and 3 years driving experience
● A Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) screening report that meets requirements of church leadership (if not residing in Massachusetts for the past 5 years, equivalent screening from all residence locations)
● An understanding of Protestant church culture and the role of faith in our church’s activities, worship, and related church life
● Digital skills including social media fluency and proficiency with varied office software

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION BELOW:

CHURCH COMMUNITY COORDINATOR
FIRST CHURCHES OF NORTHAMPTON
JOB DESCRIPTION
REVISION DATE: May, 2025

DEFINITION: The Church Community Coordinator (CCC) is responsible for helping the people of First Churches to form deeper relationships with one another, God, and the wider community by developing, planning, organizing. leading and hosting events, learning opportunities and social engagements for various age and affinity groups, and the wider church as a whole.

Supervision Received: The Church Community Coordinator is supervised by the Senior Minister of the First Churches with input/collaboration of the Personnel Team.

Supervision Given: While there are no employees to supervise, the Church Community Coordinator (CCC) is expected to work collaboratively with all other church staff to effectively incorporate their needs and responsibilities into the various social, worship and educational programming and goals at First Churches. The CCC will also have many volunteers participating in the events and programs and shall kindly and effectively deal with any conflict/personality issues that may arise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Attendance at Sunday Services is mandatory. Speak as requested by the Senior Minister regarding upcoming events or learning opportunities.

Assist in preparation for and participation in religious holiday services other than weekly services including Christmas Eve and Maundy Thursday.

Organize church events for church membership and friends including, but not limited to, volunteer recruitment, sign-up sheets/Genius, space reservations and setup and materials/supplies necessary.

Organize and foster events for established age groups and affinity groups in the church community such as Young Adults, Dorcas, Men’s Group, and Teen groups; and identify possible new affinity groups and appropriate activities.

Maintain Church Calendar in coordination with Church Administrator and Senior Minister.

Attendance at staff meetings as set by Senior Minister.

Assist the Chair of the annual Church Fair if necessary, held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving (Bag Day in downtown Northampton).

Plan or coordinate with staff, and prepare for events within and outside the Church community
including:

Super Saturday (UCC conference event), Pride Day Parade, rallies deemed appropriate for church participation, Bible Study, Book Groups, Game Nights, Hikes, Wine and Cheese Evenings, workshops, youth/conference retreats, Potluck Dinners or Progressive Dinners.

Support sponsored activities, including volunteer participation, such as the Friday morning breakfast, Weekend Nutrition for Students Program, and Manna.

Coordinate the volunteer/paid staff to stream weekly Sunday service, and serve as backup as part of duties, if necessary.

Increase First Churches’ presence in our local community, develop ways the Church can interact with Downtown Main Street events such as Sidewalk Sales, Annual Ice Festival, Arts Night Out, etc.

Maintain relationships with other affinity congregations, foster congregational participation in joint events such as Pride Day, joint Summer Services, and special events.

Other duties as assigned or required to run a robust program within First Churches in a professional manner,

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s Degree in Community Organizing, Theology, Social Work or Communications, or 4 year degree in an unrelated subject with demonstrated knowledge of Protestant/Congregational/religious structure, theology or community organizing.
3 – 5 years of demonstrated experience in planning and coordinating events, and building positive community environments, relationships, or other equivalent related experience.
A MA Driver’s license and 3 years driving experience. MA CORI screening report sufficient and acceptable to church leadership. If not residing in MA in the past 5 years, applicant will be required to get a criminal background report from all states in which the applicant resided, including educational institutions, within the past 5 years.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE. KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY AND SKILLS:
A person of faith, not necessarily ordained or possessing ministerial degrees, but possibly exploring ordination or other faith-related careers.
A “people-person” who loves connecting with and bringing out the best in others. Superior conflict management, communication and public speaking skills.
Not afraid to engage and collaborate with diverse communities, parishioners and stakeholders.
Demonstrated self-motivation, resourcefulness, and ability to work as a team and independently.
Computer skills and social media competency on platforms used by the church.
Understanding of Protestant church culture and the role of faith in our church’s activities, worship and related church life.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Vision acuity required to drive, monitor group activities and to note physical issues of participants and the environment to mitigate accidents. Ability to carry up to 25 lbs. to set up activities including table and chair setup, and moving of materials and supplies. Ability to climb stairs and access different areas and levels of the church building. Ability to hear, with or without aids, to sufficiently gauge group dynamics or other noise issues for safety. Ability to get a MA Driver’s License and drive a vehicle.