Children & Family Minister

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church has served the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco and the greater Bay Area for more than 130 years. Founded in 1888 as a Sunday School, the formation of children and young people has always been central to our life together. Today, St. Mary’s is known throughout the city and the Diocese of California as a welcoming, family-oriented parish.

Like many churches in San Francisco, St. Mary’s has been shaped by a changing cultural and ecclesial landscape, including the relocation of many families during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, we are rooted in a neighborhood rich with young children and families, offering new opportunities for connection and growth. In this moment, we seek to remain grounded in God’s love while bearing Christ into the world with creativity, faithfulness, and hope.

For the past 45 years, our children’s ministry has been guided by a dedicated Sunday School Director whose faithful service has shaped generations. As she retires, St. Mary’s has engaged the church consulting firm Ministry Architects to help us reimagine a sustainable and integrated approach to ministry with children and families. This transition broadens the role beyond Sunday School alone to include collaboration across all ministries that support children, parents, and caregivers.

In light of this vision, St. Mary’s seeks a part-time Children & Family Minister who will nurture the faith formation of children from infancy through 5th grade and support the spiritual lives of their parents and caregivers. This role is both pastoral and programmatic, focused on building relationships, strengthening existing ministries, and helping children and families experience St. Mary’s as a place of belonging, growth, and joy.

The Children & Family Minister will collaborate closely with clergy, staff, and lay leaders to shape a cohesive approach to children’s formation that extends beyond Sunday mornings. This includes supporting our nursery, Sunday School, developing age-appropriate faith practices, equipping parents as primary faith-formers, and creating opportunities for children and families to participate fully in the worship and mission of the church.

The primary goals of this role are to cultivate a sustainable, engaging ministry for children and families; to foster intergenerational connections within the parish; and to help St. Mary’s respond faithfully to the needs of families in our current cultural context. Through creativity, presence, and collaboration, the Children & Family Minister will play a key role in helping St. Mary’s live into its calling to receive God’s love and bear Christ into the world.

Primary Responsibilities

Children’s Faith Formation

• Oversee and develop Sunday School and other age-appropriate faith formation opportunities for children.
• Ensure that curricula and practices reflect Episcopal theology and are developmentally appropriate.
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers who serve in children’s ministries.

Family Ministry

• Build meaningful relationships with parents and caregivers, supporting them as the primary faith-formers of their children.
• Create opportunities for families to grow in faith together through gatherings, resources, and seasonal programming.
• Serve as a pastoral presence for families during significant life moments and transitions.

Intergenerational & Parish Life

• Collaborate with clergy and staff to integrate children and families into worship, parish events, and outreach ministries.
• Encourage intergenerational relationships and participation in the life and mission of the church.
• Partner with other ministry areas to ensure children and families are welcomed and included across parish life.

Leadership & Administration

• Work collaboratively with clergy, staff, and lay leaders to align children and family ministries with the overall mission of St. Mary’s.
• Maintain clear communication with families and volunteers.
• Manage ministry planning, scheduling, and modest administrative responsibilities appropriate to a part-time role.

Goals for the Role

• Develop a sustainable, engaging ministry model for children and families in our current context.
• Foster a strong sense of belonging for children and families at St. Mary’s.
• Equip parents and caregivers with tools and confidence to nurture faith at home.
• Strengthen intergenerational connections within the parish.

Qualifications

• A love of Jesus and a passion for ministry with children and families.
• Familiarity with Episcopal theology, worship, and parish life (or a willingness to learn).
• Experience in children’s ministry, education, or a related field.
• Strong relational, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clergy, staff, and volunteers.
• Background check and Safe Church training (or willingness to complete).

Position Details

• Status: Part-time
• Schedule: Includes Tuesday morning staff meetings, Sunday mornings and occasional weekday or seasonal events
• Compensation: $30-45/hour commensurate with experience
• Benefits: Provided in accordance with the policies and practices of the Diocese of California.
• Reports to: Associate Rector
• Begins: Late Spring/early Summer 2026

To Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume, a brief cover letter describing their interest in ministry with children and families and their sense of call to this role, and the names and contact information of three references to The Rev’d Kira Austin-Young (kira@smvsf.org). For fullest consideration, please submit applications by March 20. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Benefits are provided in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Diocese of California

Must be comfortable speaking and writing in English.