Chaplain--Cardigan Mountain School (NH)

Cardigan Mountain School - Canaan, NH - www.cardigan.org

Chaplaincy Description

Cardigan Mountain School seeks a dynamic individual to serve as its chaplain
and, in a broader sense, the director of spiritual life on campus. While
the School is not affiliated with any specific denomination, historically
the chaplain has been a minister, ordained by one of the Protestant
churches. Recent chaplains have come from Episcopalian, Lutheran,
Presbyterian, and Congregational backgrounds, although the position is
currently being filled on an interim basis by a lay faculty member.

The chaplain is responsible for conducting weekly chapel services and for
instructing required religion classes for all grades. Traditionally, the
chaplain's homily has been the focal point of the chapel services he leads.
Over the past two years, guest speakers have been substituted on occasion to
expose students to a broader spectrum of views and experiences. Even in
those instances, the chaplain remains the celebrant, leading the
congregation in prayers and "managing" the service. The chaplain works
closely with the music director to select appropriate vocal or instrumental
pieces to showcase student talent and enhance the service.

Religion classes for all students meet three times weekly for one trimester,
a load of 16 periods per week. Recently, the chaplain has been closely
involved in the development of the Life Skills curriculum, adding a
character/morality component to the more "health-oriented" model that had
been in place. Occasionally informal counseling is part of the job, too,
perhaps to help a boy cope with the loss of a relative, for example.

As a full-time member of the faculty, the chaplain participates in the many
other aspects of working in a boarding school, doing dorm duty, advising
students, helping in the dining hall, and coaching.