2020 Senior Adult Chaplaincy Internship Program
Rhonda Hetzel Internship extended through 2020
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Purpose
Chief among the many insights gleaned from BVCC’s accidental journey into a senior adult chaplaincy is that individuals 65+ living in independent and assisted living communities represent America’s most rapidly growing vulnerable and underserved populations. We believe our journey has useful implications for future or displaced ministers seeking an alternative rewarding career path. This internship is a rare, if not unique, opportunity to both learn about a potentially robust and critically needed ministry, and to gain real-world experience in a congregation pioneering senior adult chaplaincy as a new way to be church.
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Time Commitment & Stipend
BVCC’s Senior Adult Chaplaincy Internship requires a minimum commitment of 20 hours per month. The 2020 internships run from January 1 – June 30 and July 1 – December 31. The candidate selected for the first six-month period may be considered for a subsequent six-month internship. The intern will be paid a $500 per month stipend.
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Scope of Responsibilities and Experiences
The successful candidate’s internship will be a total immersion in the church’s mission and ministry as a senior adult chaplaincy, including:
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Working closely with pioneering pastor Lois Kelley
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Weekly worship, including a minimum of two preaching opportunities
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Participation in monthly Leadership Circle meetings in which all components of traditional church operations are discussed in a focus of executing BVCC’s 2020 Vision (Connecting Families, Bridging Generations, Developing Community Partnerships, Creating Opportunities for Purposeful Life for Residents and Sharing Our Story) and pursue an evolving ministry that foresees expanding in other Silvercrest locations
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Participating in joint mission and fellowship initiatives with BVCC and Silvercrest residents
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Helping recruit new members for a small congregation
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Offering new insights from an outside perspective
Requirements
The successful candidate will be either a currently enrolled student seeking a bachelor’s degree in theology or religious studies in an accredited seminary or academic institution, or a licensed pastor in standing interested in exploring a new career path.
Contact:
Rick Hughey, Convenor
Blue Valley Christian Church
Due to the outstanding chaplaincy services Pastor Hetzel has provided during this challenging period of COVID-19, BVCC is extending her Internship as per the prerogative set forth by the program. Her second term runs from July 1 - December 31, 2020.
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About Pastor Hetzel:
The reverend Rhonda Hetzel is a Commissioned Minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a Master of Divinity student at Central Baptist Seminary. Her most recent ministerial experience was Pastor at Blue Ridge Blvd. Christian Church in Blue Springs, Missouri. She previously held various positions at Longview Chapel Christian Church in Lees Summit Missouri where she rose to become Associate Pastor. She holds a bachelors degree in elementary education from Fort Hays State University. Her varied teaching experience includes a rural Kansas school, junior high in Ramstein, Germany and as a home educator participating in multiple cooperative environments.