DRE 101, Part 3

Over the last couple of months, I’ve attempted to paint a picture of life in the DRE world. We’ve talked about what you can see – the tip of the iceberg – so now let’s look at what you may not see. Here’s a close-up view:

I start my week on Sundays. Three Sundays a month I participate in the worship service or lead children’s worship downstairs, visit in RE rooms, support our wonderful leaders, supervise staff in the nursery room, and connect with congregants. It’s the day most people touch base with me, 

ask questions, brainstorm, and otherwise change the world. It’s also the day I get to connect with and learn from the young people of our congregation, which brings me joy. I hope that they feel my love and admiration every single Sunday.

As an introvert, Sundays are rewarding but challenging days, and I balance that by working at home on Mondays. These are my quiet Big Picture days – when I work on projects that require extended focus, reflection or study. I create children’s worship, write newsletter columns, do research, find meaningful stories, and map out programs on Mondays.

Tuesdays through Thursdays are my office-hours days – when I’m available in person, by phone and e-mail and when I do Everything Else. I communicate with teachers, parents, committees, colleagues, and people who would like to learn about this place they’re thinking of bringing their children. I meet weekly with Millie. I plan events, schedule programming, track expenses and attendance, and follow up on action items from various meetings. I think about today, next year and everything in between.

Fridays and Saturdays are my weekend. Like many of you, I often work during my weekend – shopping for supplies, prepping for worship, participating in events and meetings. Because I work primarily with volunteers – with busy lives of their own - I also work many evenings. Over three weeks in February I attended nine evening or weekend meetings.

The biggest challenge in this work - whether a DRE is full-time, four hours a week, or anything in between – is juggling the workload and maintaining a work/life balance. The biggest reward is you. Thank you for your time and energy, your incredible commitment to this community and this faith, your super-awesome children and youth, and for your support and love.

Ever thankful,
Andrea James
Director of Religious Exploration