2021 Explore Summer Internships

The Explore Summer Internship exists to help young adults (18-25 years old) discern their call to vocational ministry by providing an environment for exploring their gifts and giving the intern opportunities to explore particular aspects of ministry and/or program development in a safe and encouraging environment.
 
The internship is a hands-on experience in a church setting or a church affiliated organization. Interns engage in a broad range of ministerial work and/or program development then reflect on their experiences. Interns are not meant to fill a certain hole in the ministerial staff, they are to be given opportunities to experience the full breadth of pastoral ministry; to discover, dream, develop and deliver, to learn by doing as well as by observing and discussing.
 
The Intern Application, Selection & Assignment Process
Candidates for the Explore Internship Program are selected based on their written application. After selecting the interns, the Explore Internship selection committee places them based on ministry setting preference, previous experience, the makeup and setting of the host congregation and the prayer/discernment of the selection team. This team does its best to make pairings that will be beneficial and life-giving to the intern, the clergy mentor and host congregation/organization.
 
Internship Schedule for 2021
Tuesday, January 5^th Application Opens
Thursday, February 25^th: Application Deadline
Monday, March 1^st: Applicants contacted to schedule a ZOOM interview
Monday, May 17^th: Intern/Mentor Orientation from 10:00-Noon Location to TBD or by ZOOM
Tuesday, May 18^th: First day of Internship
Thursday, June 10^th: Support Team Meeting from 10:00-Noon. Location to TBD or by ZOOM
Thursday, July 8^th: Support Team Meeting from 10:00-Noon. Location to TBD or by ZOOM
Sunday, July 25^th:  Last day of Internship
 
***The Intern is expected to begin and end on the dates listed above and is expected to serve in the location she/he is assigned for the duration of the 10 weeks. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, interns will not be excused to participate in mission trips with other groups, take vacation, etc. Any exceptions should be determined in conversation with the clergy mentor and Rev. Annalee Allen.
 
Funding for Explore
Each intern will receive a $3,000 stipend paid by the WNC Conference.  A payroll packet will be completed before orientation and a blank check must be provided for direct deposit. If needed housing will be provided by Host Congregation/Organization.
 
Application deadline is February 25^th, 2021
 
For more information contact:  Rev. Annalee Allen at aallen@wnccumc.org
 
Use this link to submit an application
https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/Explore