HDS - OMS - Field Education Handbook

Project: Old South is a mid-sized (~650 members) urban church with roots deep in Boston and the nations history. Worship attendance is between 275 and 375 people each week. Our community is largely European-American, with significant numbers of Asians and Asian-Americans and a greater number of African-Americans than most historically white UCC congregations. We have a large population of gay men and a small one of lesbians and bisexuals. Socioeconomically, we are diverse in the sense that millionaires and C-level employees share the pews and the work of the church with homeless people. We lack diversity in that there are relatively few lower-middle class and working class families or individuals. Our membership is evenly divided between urban and suburban dwellers, and many regular worshipers travel from New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island.

Student Involvement: The position of Field Education Intern is designed to nurture the professional growth and development of candidates preparing for ordination by creating meaningful supervised opportunities for ministerial leadership in a historic urban church environment, and to utilize the gifts and experiences of the Field Education Intern to support, serve and expand the ministry and programs of Old South Church in Boston, an Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ. The Intern can expect to gain experience teaching Bible study and other adult education classes and leading worship and preaching in a variety of settings, including our large, formal 11AM Sunday Festival Service, our intimate 9AM Sunday communion service, or our casual 6PM Thursday Jazz Service. However, the interns primary responsibilities will be in the area of outreach to young adults. Old Souths worship services welcome dozens of college students, grad students, and others in their 20s and 30s each week, but these people are relatively unengaged elsewhere in the churchs life. The intern will develop programs and ministries to meet and engage this population in innovative ways, seeking to respond to their needs and activate them as strong, progressive Christian leaders.

Notes: A monthly Link Pass for use on MBTA Subways and Buses will be provided.

Harvard Divinity School

Ministry Studies

Field Education Handbook