JOB POSTING KEEPER OF THE LEARNING CIRCLE Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre

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1 JOB POSTING KEEPER OF THE LEARNING CIRCLE Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre Vision of the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre The Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre is a place of spirit where First Nation, Métis, Inuit and Christian spiritual beliefs are respected, shared and understood. In the circle, First Nation, Métis, and Inuit women and men are nurtured for leadership roles in The United Church of Canada, other denominations, and in their communities as lay, diaconal and ordained ministers. From the strength of Elders wisdom, the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre will foster teachings of respect, healing, and connectedness to be shared: for the benefit of individuals: for restoring balance and wholeness among peoples and with all of creation; and for nurturing a prophetic voice. Mandate of the Centre To uphold and teach the liberating gospel of Jesus, the Christ. To provide culturally specific theological education and preparation for both lay and ordered ministry that respects both Christian beliefs and traditional First Nation, Métis, and Inuit spirituality and values. To encourage ecumenical and interfaith participation at the school. To honour the diversity of cultures, languages and traditions of the communities. To develop a strong focus on ministry with, and in, urban First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities. To honour and carry out traditional ceremonies. To use a community-based model for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Christian ministry preparation in changing contexts. To honour a learning circle model that enables everyone to have a voice, be respected and included, bring their particular experience and perspective, and to listen. To provide a learning context that addresses healing from the effects of racism, colonization, the inequitable attribution of cultural value, residential schools legacy, and the 60s (70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, CFS) scoop. To promote right relations through cross-cultural healing and learning between First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples of diverse identities and non-indigenous* peoples and communities. To support ministry personnel serving First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities, with continuing education and support. To provide a retreat and educational facility for organizations and individuals desiring time on the land. Page 1 of 5

In the circle, First Nation, Métis, and Inuit women and men are nurtured for leadership roles in The United Church of Canada, other denominations, and in their communities as lay, diaconal and

2 KEEPER OF THE LEARNING CIRCLE Primary Responsibilities: Provide leadership for the Ministry Training Program; Build relationships with church and educational communities across all geographic regions of Canada, with special attention to the former constituency of the Francis Sandy Theological Centre. Responsibilities include: Provide for and facilitate two-week Learning Circles four times a year o Engaging, contracting, and evaluating Resource people Elders; o Attending, overseeing and addressing issues arising in the Learning Circle; o Ordering curricular materials and book table resources; o Student evaluation including journals and other means of evaluation; o Personally resourcing Learning Circles at least twice annually - class preparation, delivery and evaluation. Program duties: o Developing curriculum for, and delivery of the community-based model ministry training program; o Developing the field education program and evaluation system; o Recruit, support and provide guidance to Vision Keepers (Student Supervisors); o Relate to presbyteries, church committees and local church elders/boards connected to the program; o Plan and deliver cross-cultural continuing education events or find appropriate leadership. Student oversight includes: o Provide direction, guidance and support to students with regard to their program of study; o Visiting student ministers in their communities; o Ongoing updating of student records; o Provide direction and support for student ministers in their work placements in conjunction with the Conference Personnel Minister Page 2 of 5

Responsibilities include: Provide for and facilitate two-week Learning Circles four times a year o Engaging, contracting, and evaluating Resource people Elders; o Attending, overseeing and addressing

3 (CPM) and the Council on Learning (COL in both Presbytery and Conference); o Evaluate and monitor the progress of students in the program; o Financial awareness of the ministry training program, including funding options for students; o Maintain communication with those involved in the students funding. Organizational duties include: o Write articles and recruit student writers for the newsletter, website and other SSSC communications efforts; o Recruitment of students for the ministry program; o Work with the Keepers of the Circle and Centre on the planning and delivery of special events and cross-cultural programs; o Provide leadership for workshops, teaching, and speaking engagements, upon invitation, both on and off site; o Regular reporting to the Board of Directors; o Liaison to the Board and its committees as required; o Regular staff meetings; o National United Church of Canada and ecumenical liaisons as directed by the Keeper of the Circle. Networking duties include: o Reporting to and traveling to (within practical budget parameters) various student/church entities such as All Native Circle Conference and Presbyteries, Aboriginal Ministries Council, BC Native Ministries, Ontario Quebec Native Ministries, Native Ministries Consortium, and the Theological Schools Circle of The United Church of Canada and other student denominational networks; o Developing relationships with other denominations and Indigenous communities to further the work of SSSC and Indigenous communities. The Keeper of the Learning Circle will ensure the following core curricular areas are adequately provided for in the ministry training program: Biblical studies, including their critical interpretation; Theology, both historical and current; Christian ethics and church in society; Theology and practice of ministry, including homiletics, pastoral care, Christian education, leadership, and personal and pastoral identity; Field education; Church history, including Canadian church history; Page 3 of 5

4 Mission, ecumenics and culture; Religious pluralism, including the social dimension of religion and world religions; Church administration and United Church of Canada polity. [These are the areas listed by the United Church of Canada that need to be covered in the curriculum. See: Entering Ministry ] The Keeper of the Learning Circle will have knowledge of, and openness to learning: Indigenous values and ceremonies; traditional Indigenous wisdom/teachings/practices; Indigenous language(s); models of education and learning that draw upon Indigenous culture and values. Accountability: Accountable to the Keeper of the Circle. Employment Contract: The successful candidate will be employed by a term limited employment contract. Competencies: Ability to work effectively as a member of a team Ability to communicate effectively interpersonally and electronically Ability to plan, schedule and organize gatherings, courses, and events Ability to work to a deadline Ability to work effectively in intercultural situation and highly ambiguous contexts Knowledge of United Church of Canada polity, ethos, and candidacy process is an asset Ability to travel as a work requirement Must possess a valid driver s licence and personal transportation for local travel related to the position Preferred Qualifications: Teaching experience Pastoral experience A Ph.D. or other Doctoral degree in theological or Indigenous studies is preferred Page 4 of 5

pdf ] The Keeper of the Learning Circle will have knowledge of, and openness to learning: Indigenous values and ceremonies; traditional Indigenous wisdom/teachings/practices; Indigenous language(s);

5 A minimum of a Master s degree in theological/ministry or Indigenous studies is required Familiarity with Indigenous history, culture, context; Understanding of the social, physical, spiritual harm resulting from colonization and racism Experience with experiential, integrative models of education appropriate to Indigenous culture and values Ability to integrate Indigenous traditional wisdom and teachings into the whole curriculum Ability to speak one or more Indigenous languages is an asset Salary: To be negotiated. Posting opens: December 8, 2015 Posting closes: February 29, 2016 Contact: Applicants please send cover letter and curriculum vitae to: Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre Box 210 (29 Dugard Road) Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0 sansau@mymts.net Fax: Page 5 of 5

and teachings into the whole curriculum Ability to speak one or more Indigenous languages is an asset Salary: To be negotiated.

Position Description Keeper of the Circle of the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre

Position Description Keeper of the Circle of the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre Position Title: Keeper of the Circle of the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre of the United Church of Canada. Purpose: The