Participation in the Life of the Congregation catered around Student’s Interests

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

First Congregational Church of Geneva is a UCC church. Its membership is small, with about 150 members who are active. The church, however, is extremely industrious. It has a large missions emphasis and has been designated a Global Mission Church by the national denomination. Missions supports a local HIV/AIDS clinic, resettles refugees, sponsors a number of drives, makes budget disbursements, gives holiday support to various causes, partners with an inner city church, takes missions trips (last year to Haiti and Appalachia), etc… It also has a robust education program, especially for children and youth, with a fairly large confirmation program. The church is tight knit and friendly, but diversified–ONA and many interracial families. It has a great music program, presently working on finishing a capital improvement drive to enhance handicapped access, rewriting by-laws, implementing planned giving. There are presently three students in discernment. It has close ties to Elmhurst College, since the pastor is on the faculty there.

STUDENT PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

We tend to be very permissive with students. What a student wants to try his/her hand at, we give the student that opportunity with instruction and support.

STUDENT PLACEMENT EXPECTATIONS:

No, other than participation in the life of the congregation catered around the student’s interests.

PHILOSOPHY OF STUDENT SUPERVISION:

For me, it means as much direct/hands on experience as the intern’s time allows. Depending upon interest, interns have had experiences that mirror a senior pastors’ (worship, preaching, attending council and association meetings) or youth pastor responsibilities. Internships are tailored to students. They become members of the church family but at the same time under the pastor’s wing.

Being a supervisor means embodying for the student the life and times of a pastor and helping them to learn by both example and instruction. Mentorship derives from an organic relationship between mentor and mentee whose life force is the Holy Spirit.

STIPEND AVAILABILITY:

We can only provide a small stipend to cover expenses – $250/month.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS:

The church is about half a mile from the Metra train station.

OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION:

The morale at the church is very high. It is an invigorating house of worship.