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Minister of Music Job Description

HOUGHS NECK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
310 Manet Ave, Quincy, MA (617) 479-8778

Houghs Neck Congregational Church (HNCC) is a United Church of Christ Congregational Church founded in July of 1894. We are a well-established church community, and minister to neighbors near and far. In addition to in person worship on Sunday mornings, thanks to the dedicated efforts of a talented technology team, HNCC offers online ZOOM access to link members and friends across the country. Served by a half-time pastor, the congregation is faithful and hard working. The expectations they hold for themselves are high when it comes to:

  1. Providing excellent spirit-filled Sunday worship.

  2. Nurturing a culture of care and welcoming.

  3. Partnering energetically with local civic and religious organizations.

 
Houghs Neck Congregational Church (HNCC) in Quincy, MA, is seeking a part-time Minister of Music (average 10 hours per week). The Minister of Music serves as organist and choir director, plans, coordinates, rehearses and performs music to enhance the worship service. At HNCC, music is integral to each service and is provided for weekly Sunday morning worship services as well as other special services during the year (see below). Instruments include an Allen MDS-36 digital organ and a studio piano in the sanctuary plus a piano and the option of an electronic keyboard in the choir room for rehearsals.  The hymnal used is Worship and Rejoice by Hope Publishing.
 
Duties and Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Prepare for and play organ or piano as appropriate for the Sunday morning service (10:00) including a prelude, postlude, hymns, an offertory and all other music as well as for seasonal evening worship services (currently Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Christmas Eve).

  2. Select choral anthems from the extensive library of music for Sunday morning services and special services September through the first Sunday in June consistent with the minister’s theme for the service. Collaborate with the pastor to plan the worship music. The library contains over 50 years of music, most of which the current volunteer choir has not sung. The most popular choir anthems are by some of the more contemporary composers such as Pepper Choplin, Ruth Schram, Mary MacDonald, Joseph Martin, etc. which were written for volunteer choirs.

  3. Prepare, conduct and accompany weekly choir rehearsals on Wednesday evenings September–May, as well as a 1/2-hour rehearsal prior to each service at which the choir sings.  Total hours for this position average 10 hours per week:  1 ½ hour choir rehearsal on Wednesday evenings, ½ hour rehearsal prior to each worship service, 1 hour worship service, plus planning and rehearsal time.

  4. Choir anthems are accompanied by piano which may be recorded to allow for conducting.

  5. Make recommendations for the Music Budget as requested annually by the Board of Finance and Investment. Plans should be consistent with funds available including the purchase of any new choir anthems.

  6. Prepare Music Ministry report for the annual report each May.

  7. Provide music for all weddings, wedding rehearsals and funerals. This shall be for additional compensation as arranged for by the family. If not available, the Minister of Music could facilitate finding a suitable substitute.

 
Qualifications for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Ability to play organ and piano as well as sight-read music — required.

  2. A degree in music, music education or a related field — desirable but not required.

  3. The ability to communicate effectively with church leaders, choir members and the congregation and to promote and inspire a sense of praise and service with music — required.

  4. Experience directing a volunteer choir — desirable.

  5. Flexibility to change musical selections on short notice due to unexpected events — required.

 
Compensation:

  1. Salary $18,500 - $20,000 based on experience.

  2. The Church withholds taxes as appropriate and issues a W-2 at year-end.

  3. The position includes 2 weeks paid vacation annually (the Minister of Music may be asked to assist in finding an appropriate substitute for any absence.)

How to Apply

To apply, please use the Contact Us button below and let us know that you are interested in the Minister of Music position. Please include “Minister of Music Search” in your message. 

Church Administrator Job Description

Part-Time — 5 Hours per Week
HOUGHS NECK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
310 Manet Ave, Quincy, MA (617) 479-8778                                            
 
Houghs Neck Congregational Church (HNCC) is a United Church of Christ Congregational Church founded in July of 1894. We are a well-established church community, and minister to neighbors near and far. In addition to in person worship on Sunday mornings, thanks to the dedicated efforts of a talented technology team, HNCC offers online ZOOM access to link members and friends across the country. Served by a half-time pastor, church membership is modest but faithful and hard working. The expectations that members hold for themselves are high when it comes to:

  1. Providing excellent spirit-filled Sunday worship.

  2. Nurturing a culture of care and extravagant welcoming.

  3. Partnering energetically with local civic and religious organizations.

 
The central focus of the Church Administrator position is to keep the church’s communication tools current and accessible. Generation of content is primarily the responsibility of church members and staff. The Church Administrator will maintain the means of content circulation flowing and in good order. Communication tools which require regular attention (weekly, monthly, semi-annually and annually as needed) are:

  • Monthly newsletter: The editor receives content from staff, congregational members, does layout and sends to the admin who will email an electronic copy, print and mail hard copies.

  • Pastoral letters 2x a year at Advent and Lent - print and mail to the congregation.

  • Worship bulletins for Christmas Sunday, Christmas Eve, Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday as well as for requested special occasions during the year.

  • Stewardship Kits 1x a year – print, collate and mail to the congregation.

  • Annual Report – email and print several hard copies for members who do not receive the electronic version.

  • Online calendar (links to the website): Update as items communicated by staff or communications chair.

  • HNCC email: Check congregation’s account 3x per week, forward to appropriate recipient’s personal email or respond as needed.

  • HNCC voicemail: monitor and distribute messages as necessary.

  • Directory: Keep updated as members are added or removed.

  • Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals: Maintain an accurate account of all sacraments for quick reference when inquiries are made.

 
Onsite office duties:

  • Routinely (at least 1x a week) work in the church office to assess office supplies needs, e.g., stationery, paper and toner.

  • Check mail 1x per week and distribute as necessary.

  • File documents and complete printing responsibilities.

 
Qualifications:

  1. Skills and experience necessary to accomplish the above tasks in a timely manner, e.g. proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Word and Excel.

  2. Proven ability to handle oral and written confidential information appropriately.

  3. Collaborative and cheerful temperament.

  4. Pass Criminal Offender Background Check (CORI).

 
To apply, please use the Contact Us button below and let us know that you are interested in the Church Administrator position. Please include “Church Administrator search” in your message.