As we move toward our Homecoming service on September 9th (don't forget to bring a little water from a place you cherish for the Water Communion!), I am glad to be able to tell you that we are one large step closer to having our staff changes settled. Chris Engler, our Business Manager, has completed his training and taken a position as a special education teacher for 6th, 7th and 8th graders at Brentano Elementary Math and Science Academy. He will be leaving us by the end of the month. Please drop him a note or give a phone call to wish him well in his new career and offer thanks for his service to us through the past few years!

Last spring, the Board and I decided that we would look for a full-time Office Administrator/Bookkeeper and a half-time Director of Faith Development to simplify our staffing structure, once our Business Manager and Director of Programs were moving on to their new jobs. We began the search in the middle of July and found ourselves with many applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences for the role of Office Administrator. In the end, we found that the person with the best fit of skills and interests for our needs was Jennifer Duston. With joy and an optimistic eye toward the future, I am glad to welcome her to the staff of 2U and to the service of our faith in a new way! You'll be able to reach Jen at office@secondunitarian.org, and she'll be reading email sent to programs@secondunitarian.org for the time being, as well. Keep an eye here and on the website as we get our new contact information and office hours established.

Faithfully, and happily,

Rev. Adam

Jennifer Duston is a novice quilter, an embarrassingly competitive scrabble player, and a lifelong lover of books. Coming from nine years as the bookkeeper and office manager of a small family business, she is more than a little bit excited to put her experience and compulsive organizing skills to use in the newly-minted position of Office Administrator at 2U. She sings alto in the 2U choir, and is perpetually amazed by the beauty that's created when many voices weave together. She lives in Evanston with her husband Tyler and three very noisy cats. 

Director of Faith Development
Second Unitarian Church (656 W. Barry, Chicago IL) is seeking a half-time Director of Faith Development (DFD) whose primary area of responsibility will be programming for children and youth, including Sunday morning classes and beyond. We seek a person who is interested in both the overarching vision of the ministry of religious education and faith development within the congregation and also the week-to-week management of classrooms, curricula, and volunteers. Strong communications (interpersonal, written, and technological) and administrative skills are essential in this position, as are a minimum of 2-3 years personal and/or professional experience with education/religious education and demonstrated experience with/commitment to the Unitarian Universalist religious life.

Second Unitarian Church is a congregation with a deeply committed faith development volunteer base, a large (and growing) community of young families and children, and a commitment to the growth and health of the program. Our DFD will work closely with the Minister (who is also the position's supervisor) and the Lifespan Faith Development Council in planning curricula, intergenerational worship, and family rites of passage. We see faith development as an integral part of the ministry of the church, and want our DFD to be a partner in that ministry.

This is a salaried half-time position with benefits in line with UUA compensation guidelines. The hours are generally flexible with the exception of Sunday mornings and office hours which will be set in conversation with the Minister.

Queries, cover letters, and resumes can be sent to the
Rev. Adam Robersmith at personnel@secondunitarian.org.