2021-2022 – An Invitation
Applicants are being sought for a one-year 1001 New Worshiping Community residency established by Shalom International Ministry in partnership with the New Church Development Commission and Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.
Applications, including letters of reference, are due by March 15, 2021.
Shalom International Ministry (Shalom), one of the PCUSA’s new worshipping communities is located in the incredibly diverse city of Clarkston on the outskirts of Atlanta, GA. Some call Clarkston the most diverse square mile in America due to the number of refugees who have been resettled there from all over the globe. The vast majority of the members of Shalom are recently arrived refugees and immigrants from Africa who are adjusting to a new country, a new language, and a new way of life.
At Shalom, we use Jeremiah 29:7 as the worshiping community’s core verse. That verse says, “Seek the Shalom of the community, because it is in its Shalom that you will find your Shalom.” This verse urges each of us in the congregation to be working in our community for the wellbeing of all. We believe that, when we act as agents of God’s peace and wholeness, both the community and we ourselves will be blessed. We continue to look for ways to be faithful to that calling in Clarkston.
Following after Jesus Christ’s ministry, we seek to address the social, economic, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the full person. Our ministry is oriented around four core values: worship, learning, hospitality and healing. We are looking for residents who embody these values.
Residents who is interested in collaborating with our community will be exposed to a diverse form of ministries at Shalom and within the larger Clarkston Community. Any resident that partners with Shalom will be expected to work with each of the Shalom ministries. Currently, Shalom has four main ministries that make up its discipleship and outreach efforts: a children’s ministry, a youth / young adult ministry, Music and Worship ministry and Inspire: A Shalom Afterschool Initiative. These ministries have grown out of the needs that Shalom members have seen in the Clarkston community.
Every first and third Saturdays, Shalom offers a fun and safe place for children to play, to interact with friends, and to hear the Word of God. We also provide the children with a substantive meal and take-home snack bags.
Shalom’s youth and young adult ministry provides immigrant and refugee youth a space where they can develop cross-cultural friendships, build confidence and gain skills, and grow in their Christian faith. This work is part of our congregation’s broader mission to seek wholeness and well-being for our community. The Music ministry is at the center of worship at Shalom International Ministry. We sign a mixture of styles and multiples languages. We strive to find innovative ways to incorporate both African and Western style of music that reflect the cross-cultural setting in which the congregation resides. The Praise and worship team meet Every Friday at 6:00 pm to rehearse for Sunday Service.
Inspire: A Shalom Afterschool Initiative, is a direct response to the needs of refugee and immigrant youth in the Clarkston community where Shalom International Ministry is located. Many refugee and immigrant youth in Clarkston have experienced little or interrupted formal education. As English Language Learners, they face the challenge of adjusting to middle school while also navigating a new educational system, a new language, and a new cultural context. Through Inspire, we aim to seek Shalom by contributing to the holistic development of the middle school youth in our community. By providing homework assistance, learning activities to build basic reading and math skills, and opportunities for creative expression and physical health, we help students grow as critical thinkers, self-confident young adults, excited learners, and socially responsible community members. We also work to empower family members to become engaged in their student’s academic success through regular home visits.
As the leadership team of Shalom International Ministry, we are excited about hosting residents for 1,001 New Worshipping Communities. Shalom will provide a safe environment to seek the well being of the community. At Shalom we have a dynamic leadership team, Advisory council made up of a diverse group of people who have the passion to seek the wholeness of the community. We hope to learn from each resident and open to share journey of starting a New Worshipping Community eight years ago. Residents at Shalom International Ministry would provide us support in imagining worship in a cross-cultural setting, out-reach in a diverse community and administrative.
Residents will report directly to the Organizing Pastor and will take part in our leadership team meetings. There will be weekly meetings to discuss short, medium, and long-range goals for the community. At these meetings, there will be accountability for tasks assigned to the residents.
Financial Support: The total package available for support of this residency is $48,000 for the year, to include salary and health insurance support. Shalom International Ministry will work with the successful candidate to organize the package to be most beneficial to the resident. The resident will be an employee of New Church Development Commission, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.
Selected applicants will take part in the National 1001 New Worshiping Communities Residency and Apprenticeship Gathering (location/dates TBD and costs covered, likely Oct or Nov 2021).
Applications, including letters of reference, are due by March 15, 2021.
Site contact information
Gad Mpoyo
(404) 438-2362
gmpoyo@shalompcusa.org
Application checklist
Cover letter including:
What attracts you to this residency?
What do you hope to gain out of this experience?
Completed application
Two Letters of Recommendation
Application deadline is March 15, or when the position has been filled. Questions? Contact Gad Mpoyo at gmpoyo@pcusa.org or Sara Hayden at sara.hayden@pcusa.org.
Email your completed application and cover letter to the following persons:
Gad Mpoyo at gmpoyo@shalompcusa.org
Sara Hayden at sara.hayden@pcusa.org