Director of Lifespan Religious Education (DLRE)

Job Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Report To: Minister

Overview

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville (UUCR) is seeking a passionate, experienced, and dedicated Director of Lifespan Religious Education (DLRE). The DLRE will be responsible for developing and overseeing religious education programs for all age groups within the congregation, in alignment with Unitarian Universalist (UU) values, covenants, and principles. This role includes creating engaging programming, managing staff and volunteers, and fostering spiritual growth across multiple generations, with a particular emphasis on building and centering intergenerational and multigenerational spaces, events, and programming. Relocation expenses can be negotiated.

Key Responsibilities

Spiritual Exploration Programming (20-22 hrs/week):

• Develop, implement, and support curriculum and programs grounded in UUA resources and best practices.

• Oversee children, youth, and family programming, including Sunday morning activities and events throughout the week.

• Manage and support key programs such as Coming of Age, Our Whole Lives, Middle School and High School Youth Groups, and Sunday morning nursery care.

• Design and foster multigenerational opportunities for connection, worship, community-building, and justice-seeking activities. Create programming that encourages participation across age groups, and develop initiatives that center intergenerational relationships.

• Recruit, train, and support volunteer leaders, teachers, and facilitators for all age groups.

• Support families in integrating UU values, covenants, and principles into their daily lives.

• Collaborate with the Minister to implement adult spiritual education programs.

• Meet regularly with the Spiritual Exploration Committee to review and enhance programming.

Worship Participation (4-6 hrs/week):

• Participate in weekly worship planning meetings and monthly Worship team meetings.

• Lead/recruit for the “Time for All Ages” during Sunday worship services and support the integration of children and youth into worship.

• Collaborate with the Minister to plan and lead multigenerational worship services that include diverse age groups, and lead occasional Rites of Passage such as Child Dedications, Coming of Age, and Bridging ceremonies.

Administration (2-4 hrs/week):

• Monitor and manage the spiritual exploration budget.

• Promote programs via congregation communication channels, including newsletters and social media.

• Serve on the Safe Congregations Response Team and ensure adherence to child protection policies.

• Supervise nursery staff and childcare providers.

• Oversee the management of curriculum materials, supplies, and classroom setup.

• Maintain accurate records related to programming, attendance, and registrations.

Other Responsibilities (2-3 hrs/week):

• Work closely with the Congregational Life Coordinator and Membership & Hospitality Committees to foster a welcoming and connected environment.

• Participate in staff meetings and collaborate with the Minister and executive team.

• Assess for pastoral care needs of congregants and report to the minister promptly and directly 

Core Competencies:

• Mission Ownership: Aligns with and supports the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the congregation and promotes UU values, covenants, and principles.

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to lead, engage, and resolve conflicts positively and generously.
  Problem Solving: Develops creative solutions to challenges in programming and operations.

• Management Skills: Strong organizational skills to prioritize and manage people, resources, and tasks effectively.

• Leadership: Ability to lead diverse groups in spiritual education and work collaboratively with staff and volunteers.

• Spiritual Maturity: A strong personal spiritual practice that inspires others.

• Lifelong Learning: Committed to personal and professional growth and staying updated on religious education trends.

• Intergenerational and Multigenerational Programming: Ability to create, lead, and center inclusive, engaging spaces and events that foster relationships between different generations, enriching the congregation as a whole.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• 3+ years of experience in religious education, teaching, or youth ministry.
  Strong interpersonal, organizational, leadership, and management skills.

• Experience with program development and curriculum design.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking.

• Familiarity with UU values, covenants, and principles and a demonstrated commitment to liberal religious values.

• Proficient with technology, including computers, mobile devices, and social media platforms.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, religious studies, or a related field.

• 3+ years of experience as a Director of Religious Education (DRE).

How to Apply

Please send the following materials to Rev. Dr. Rebekah A. Savage at rev.rebekah@uucr.org with the subject line “Director of Lifespan Religious Education” (applications will be accepted until the position is filled):

• A cover letter detailing your motivation for applying, interest in the position, and relevant skills and experience.

• A resume.

• Three professional references.

Support for UUCR’s Mission and Values

UUCR is a vibrant, progressive faith community and a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We are a certified Welcoming Congregation and UUCR is dedicated to journeying towards spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community.

All UUCR staff members are expected to perform their job duties in accordance with UUCR’s values, principles, and mission. Unitarian Universalism puts love at the center of our commitments, which embrace the Shared Values of justice, equity, transformation, interdependence, pluralism, and generosity. The following points drawn from these Shared Values are of particular importance for UUCR’s work environment and staff culture:

• Pluralism and generosity: We affirm the need for a human-centered workplace that allows our diverse staff to flourish. We also understand that our wider culture and society oppresses and denies human dignity, and we seek to counter the effects of that oppression in our hiring and workplace culture so that each person feels whole and valued.

• Justice and equity: We speak openly and publicly of our support for social and political issues, including LGBTQ equity, racial justice, climate justice, gender equity, and reproductive justice.

• Interdependence and transformation: We recognize that the liberation of all people is interwoven, and we work to counter patriarchy, white supremacy, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, environmental exploitation, and other interrelated systems of marginalization.