Summary, Scope, and Responsibilities
The Multifaith Chaplaincy invites applications for the position of student Multifaith Fellow (please see the supplemental application form on Handshake for information about specific program openings). Detailed job descriptions can be found below and you can also learn more about the Multifaith Chaplaincy at our website. The Multifaith Fellows work together with the Multifaith Chaplains and the Program Coordinator to implement numerous programs: {Pause}, Arts & Spirituality, Baccalaureate, Hearth, Multifaith Banquet, Stringfellow, and Telescope.
Multifaith Fellows work with the Multifaith Chaplaincy staff on events and programs throughout the academic year. Fellows have specific projects/events/programs on which they work, and are also expected to work and plan as a team. The Fellows bring a diversity of voices into the Chaplaincy, contributing breadth and depth to program planning and helping to shape the conversation in the wider Multifaith community on campus.
You do not have to be affiliated with a particular religious or spiritual tradition to work with the Multifaith Chaplaincy. If you would like to speak with a current Multifaith Fellow about their experience in the position you can reach out to us via email at multifaithchaplaincy@bates.edu and we will connect you with one of our Fellows.
What Does the Multifaith Chaplaincy Do?
- Builds authentic relationships across different perspectives
- Creates spaces for deep conversations around questions of meaning and purpose
- Facilitates moments of silence, pause, stillness, and contemplation
- Supports the Religious and Spiritual groups on campus
- Encourages growth in and exploration of spiritual practices
- Engages in intentional intentional joyfulness and play as a form of community bonding
The Basics
Department:Multifaith Chaplaincy
Supervisor:
Brittany Longsdorf
Office Location:
163 Wood Street
Email:
blongsdo@bates.edu
Hours:
4-6
Workers:
10
Qualifications, Requirements, and Responsibilities
Responsibilities
A Multifaith Fellow will act as the Coordinator for one of the following program areas throughout the year:
1. Arts & Spirituality Coordinator:
Two Multifaith Fellows will work with the Multifaith Chaplaincy on programs that explore the relationship between the sacred, secular, and the arts through both art-making and aesthetic experiences. Prior examples of Arts & Spirituality programming include musical performances and workshops, spiritual practices of painting, dance, music, poetry, and zine-making; visits to the art museum for intentional viewings and conversation, coordinating poetry sharings or free-writing and pizza nights, interviewing visiting artists to reflect on their spirituality, or something new and creative that is stirring in you! Programming opportunities within this position are not limited to religious or spiritual topics.
Hearth Coordinator:
One Fellow will work with the Multifaith Chaplaincy to help to coordinate Hearth, a bi-weekly gathering for dinner and conversation typically held in the home of Brittany Longsdorf, our Multifaith Chaplain. This Fellow is responsible for brainstorming queries to spark conversation, helping to make food selections, sending out email invitations, collecting RSVPs, helping to find and train Hearth facilitators, helping to set up and clean up, and possibly helping with grocery shopping/food pick-up if the student has a car.
Telescope Coordinator:
Two Multifaith Fellows will work with the Multifaith Chaplaincy to coordinate Telescope, a small, student-led discussion group engaging in biweekly conversations about individual and communal identities. Fellows create promotional materials, manage sign-ups, and facilitate bi-weekly groups of 10-12 students.
Multifaith Banquet / Baccalaureate Coordinator (seniors only):
One Multifaith Fellow will collaborate with the Multifaith Chaplaincy on planning the Multifaith Banquet (Fall semester) and the Baccalaureate Service (Spring semester). The Multifaith Banquet is an annual dinner celebrating religious diversity on the Bates campus. The Fellow will work with the Multifaith Chaplaincy to select a theme, put together the evening’s program, and select and coach student speakers ahead of the event. The Baccalaureate Service provides an opportunity for graduating seniors and their guests to pause for a time of reflection and gratitude the day before Commencement. The service incorporates such elements as a featured faculty/staff speaker, interfaith prayer, musical pieces, student dances, a student poem, an acapella performance, and more. The Fellow will recruit and chair the Baccalaureate Planning Committee composed of 5-7 graduating seniors, attend weekly planning meetings with Multifaith Chaplaincy staff, and work with the Chaplains and Program Coordinator on administrative tasks related to preparations for Baccalaureate. To be eligible for this position, students must be a senior and on campus for short-term.
{Pause} Coordinator:
Two Multifaith Fellows will work with the Multifaith Chaplaincy to coordinate {Pause}, a weekly service of silence, music, poetry, dance and prose held in Gomes Chapel Wednesday evenings 9-9:30pm. The Fellows will find performers for each week of {Pause}, select weekly themes and related readings, coordinate advertising, and will attend {Pause}, taking responsibility for setting up and cleaning up.
Stringfellow Coordinator:
Two Multifaith Fellows will work with the Multifaith Chaplaincy to coordinate Stringfellow programming, named for William Stringfellow ’49. Throughout his life, and beginning at Bates, Stringfellow gained a reputation as a formidable critic of the social, military and economic policies of our country and as a tireless advocate for racial and social justice. Our Stringfellow program aims to bring William Stringfellow’s values to campus through nurturing a culture of activism at Bates. The Fellows will work with the Multifaith Chaplaincy to conceive and plan projects that support student activists and nurture a culture of activism at Bates. Prior examples of Stringfellow programming include Free Press: Bates, a social justice printmaking event; an Activist Retreat; Queer Ecology; and a Post-Election Arts & Processing Space.
Multifaith Fellows will also:
Attend weekly Multifaith Fellow staff meetings with all Fellows and Multifaith Chaplaincy staff members to discuss event planning and issues on campus, and to build community among the Multifaith Fellows.
Occasionally assist with other projects and events sponsored by the Multifaith Chaplaincy for which they are not the point-person. Such projects and events may include:
-Attending, and sometimes participating in or ushering for various multifaith services throughout the year, including the Welcome Service during Parents and Family Weekend, Candles & Carols, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Worship Service;
-Assisting with events for which they are not the Coordinator/Liaison.
Assist with office tasks such as:
-Putting up posters/notices to advertise Multifaith events
-Sending emails on behalf of the Fellows and Chaplaincy
-Contributing to the Multifaith Chaplaincy social media accounts
Requirements
Please note: Applications are due SOON - To guarantee consideration, please apply by the date specified on Handshake by submitting your resume and filling out the required supplemental application form (a cover letter is not needed). If you have any trouble, you can send any application materials or questions to multifaithchaplaincy@bates.edu.
Reporting
Multifaith Fellows generally work 4-6 hours per week. Fellows are paid an hourly wage through the Payroll office, and must submit bi-weekly timesheets on Garnet Gateway to be approved by the Multifaith Chaplaincy Program Coordinator. The pay grade for Multifaith Fellows is “C” (State of Maine minimum wage).
Most of the work done by Fellows can be arranged to fit in the Fellows’ schedules; however, Fellows should be willing to work evenings and weekends for events. The exception to this flexibility is the weekly Multifaith Fellow staff meeting. That meeting has often been held 4:10-6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Working Conditions