|
Here at Bethlehem Farm, we love to have extra help in the summer. If you are at least 18 years old and interested in giving us a hand for at least two weeks, consider being a summer servant. As a summer servant, you will live with the caretaker community to participate in community life, help with daily chores, and contribute to group week activities. In addition, Americorps Education Awards are available for those who can serve with us for 300 hours (around six weeks) of the summer. Summer Servant Role Description Summer Servant Application Process
1. Read the documents on the BF Community page to familiarize yourself with community life at Bethlehem Farm. 2. Contact Andi at Bethlehem Farm (304)445-7143 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
to talk about joining us as a short-term summer servant. 3. Download, fill out, and mail or email us the summer servant application: Summer Servant Application. The PRIORITY DEADLINE is February 15. 4. We will schedule a phone conversation with people from our community during which we ask you questions to try to get to know you better, and you have another opportunity to ask us questions. (See possible phone conversation questions below.) 5. The caretakers make a decision, and you make a decision, about whether there is a good fit for you and Bethlehem Farm for this summer.  Why be a Summer Servant? by Caitlin
In short, my experience as a summer servant was probably the most beautiful, inspiring, challenging and fulfilling experience of my life. Spending two months at Bethlehem Farm gave me the opportunity to really internalize the cornerstones, in a way that I had only began to explore on group weeks. By living and working closely with the caretakers, I witnessed their living out of the cornerstones, which was a constant reminder for me to do the same. I loved learning construction, leading volunteers and building relationships with the homeowners. I learned about new ways to pray by sharing in prayer with others. I learned to prioritize what was really important by living simply. I was blessed by the gifts of all those living in community and had the privilege of getting to share my gifts with them. I arrived at the farm feeling very lost and broken, but I left with the truest, most authentic sense of self that I have ever known and all of this helped me in my discernment of vocation. It really is difficult to articulate just what happened for me that summer. I just know that my experience is something that I carry with me constantly as more than just memories. It continues to challenge me to grow in my understanding of the cornerstones and in love with Jesus Christ every day of my life. -Caitlin Baummer, Summer Servant 2008 Possible Phone Conversation Questions for Summer Servant Discernment (pdf version)
1.Describe any past experiences with community living. 2.Comment on your ability to work with people of differing ages and a variety of cultures. (Include any examples of experiences such as travel and life overseas, work with youth, rural populations or inner city). 3. Bethlehem Farm focuses on cornerstones of community, prayer, service, and simplicity. Please share your experience with and thoughts on living by these cornerstones while at the Farm. 4. Describe your strengths and areas for growth. 5. What does it mean to you to participate in a church or community group? How do your religious beliefs or personal values shape your life? 6. How open are you to people’s differing expressions of Catholicism or other faiths, their practices, and styles of prayer? 7. What role does prayer play in your life? |
