Beloved in the Desert wonders what occurs when Christian expressions interact with current methods of community organizing, social justice, and intersectionality. Every day participants are asked to pray together, generally in the form of one of the daily offices, and to keep a practice of regular common meals. BITD's work together is guided by five notes, or expectations: community, liberty, grounding, searching, and joy. The Corps members may be serving at an Episcopal Church supporting Young Adult and Campus Ministry, or in organizations like the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Interfaith Community Services, Imago Dei Middle School, Habitat for Humanity, or another community non-profit. Depending on what one’s vocational experience and vocational callings are, the Partner Agencies and the Beloved in the Desert team pair the applicant with Agencies with which to interview.
Service Activities
Each agency is interested in the Corps Member exercising his or her gifts and stretching and strengthening one for service or for next steps in education or work. As a volunteer one commits to serve 32 hours per week at a partner site, with Friday’s reserved for community formation and Sundays for Church.
Community Need Addressed
The Corps members serve in local non-profits working to end homelessness, hunger, and poverty in Tucson, live together in intentional community, and pray together and with the community in Southern Arizona. Through their efforts they do the work of justice while being grounded in the liturgy and support of the Church, and they gain the spiritual skills to live in intentional community. This opportunity for emerging professionals offers time for vocational discernment and the opportunity to seek and serve Christ in Tucson through service and community.
Position Outcomes
In Tucson the borders and boundaries of the US and of our communities are lively, and this is the place to engage "the stranger" today. Beloved in the Deserts investigate the beauty and difficulty of being a border community, and will work to build the Beloved Community across borders of our experiences and hearts.
Benefits
Health coverage, Housing, Living allowance, Stipend, Training
As a volunteer you may be working at an Episcopal Church in the work of Mission and Outreach, Young Adult and Campus Ministry, Evangelism, or in organizations like the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Interfaith Community Services, El Rio Community Health, Old Pueblo Community Services, or another community non-profit. Depending on what your vocational experience and vocational callings are the Partner Agencies the Beloved in the Desert team will pair you with three with which to interview in the Winter. Each agency is interested in you exercising your gifts and stretching and strengthening you for service or for your next steps in education or work. As a volunteer you commit to serve 32 hours per week at a partner site.
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
leadership, vocational discernment, organizational skills, interpersonal skills
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment