Sunday School Leader

Role Summary

The Sunday School Leader provides child-centered, progressive Christian teaching and care for children ages 5–12. This role helps create a safe, welcoming space where children learn about faith, community, and social justice, and where they feel valued regardless of identity or background. This is a part-time, term position, starting immediately and ending at the end of June 2027.

Whitehorse United Church

WUC is a congregation of The United Church of Canada; a Canadian denomination created in 1925 through a union of Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregationalist churches. As disciples of Christ, we strive to love our neighbours in the congregation, in Whitehorse, and around the world. We care deeply about social justice, both locally and globally. We seek to be active partners in building right relations with Indigenous people. We are an Affirming church, which means we are not only accepting, but affirming of God’s LGBTQ+ children. We love the children and teens who are part of our church, and want to offer consistent and loving leadership for their programming.

Schedule / Hours

- Sundays: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (including Sunday prep, teaching, and wrap-up)

- Required biweekly meeting: every two weeks with the Minister (day/time TBD)

- Expected total work time: 8–10 hours per week on average, including lesson planning, Sunday prep/teaching/wrap-up, and the Minister meeting.

- Open to negotiation for certain Sundays off (for vacation, travel, etc.)

- Open to negotiation if the role requires additional hours (for example, extra time may be needed during major church festivals, including Christmas and Easter).

Key Responsibilities

- Prepare and lead age-appropriate Sunday School lessons and activities for the assigned group (generally 5–9 or 10+).

- Use provided source materials and follow the church’s preferred structure/outline to plan lessons that are engaging and developmentally appropriate.

- Create and maintain a warm, safe, and affirming learning environment for all children.

- Co-teach flexibly as needed (typically each leader handles one age group; on certain Sundays it may be appropriate to co-teach the entire group depending on attendance and ages).

- Support group routines (arrival/welcome, transitions, group norms and cleanup).

- Communicate as needed with the Minister and Sunday School team regarding planning needs, attendance, and any follow-up.

- Establish, with the Minister, how to best communicate with families and the congregation. (Communication needs and topics will likely evolve as the work progresses.)

- Participate in biweekly meetings with the Minister.

- Follow church policies for child safety and safeguarding (including mandatory reporting procedures).

Contacts

• Directs the Assistant; collaborates with both the Assistant and the Nursery Caregiver.
• Supervised by the church minister.
• In contact with the Christian Growth Committee and church Council, as needed.
• Supported by the Ministry & Personnel Committee of the church.

Required Qualifications

- Alignment with progressive Christianity and the church’s mission and values, including affirmation of LGBTQ+ people.

- Commitment to values of compassion, justice, and love.

- Experience working with children and demonstrated ability to build trust, patience, and a respectful group culture.

- Ability to teach and facilitate discussions in an age-appropriate way (including handling questions with care).

- Reliability and consistency on Sundays and for the biweekly Minister meeting.

- Willingness to complete RCMP Vulnerable Sector Check and take online child safety training.

Preferred Qualifications

- Prior experience teaching Sunday School or working in education/childcare.

- Familiarity with progressive and justice-oriented faith practices.

- Comfortable using crafts, games, storytelling, and interactive learning methods.

How to Apply

Please submit:

- Brief statement of interest (including your alignment with progressive Christian values)

- Resume

- Availability for Sunday mornings

Send to: Rev Frances Kitson, [email protected]

Subject line: “Sunday School Leader Application”