About BMC

The Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests (BMC) is an organization and beloved community alive at the intersections of queer theological activism, healing, and liberatory justice-making. For nearly 50 years, BMC’s central mission remains twofold: to care for lgbtqia+ Mennonites and Brethren and to transform harmful church structures. 

 

Position Description

The Queer Religious Justice Field Placement / Seminary Internship is an opportunity for students to support the important work of BMC and to engage in embodied theological praxis, grounded in a lgbtqia-led organization & religious justice movement. At BMC, opportunities exist for theological/ecclesial resource curation and creation, organizing and activism, occasional preaching and presenting, workshop facilitation, and event planning. Additional foci could include chaplaincy, youth and young adults,  lgbtqia+ archives, online media/communications, and enhancing BMC’s Center for Queer Studies. There is flexibility to adapt to the strengths and interests of the student in pursuing particular projects, alongside administrative tasks.  This placement includes a modest stipend. Students can receive course credit for completing a field placement which typically consists of 300-400 hours over two semesters. Field Placement at BMC is a student-directed internship, with mentorship from the placement supervisor.

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BMC could be a fitting placement if

• You are excited about the intersections of queer and trans community, religion, and social justice

• You are called to faith-based ministry but not necessarily in a congregation

• You have emotional/spiritual capacity to respond effectively to cis-heterosexism & transphobia 

• You bring a ‘hermeneutic of suspicion’ to church institutions, alongside compassion & care

• You’re willing to both take initiative and collaborate on a team

• You can flex with the demands of a small, grassroots nonprofit

• You identify as Brethren, Mennonite, Anabaptist and/or LGBTQIA+. Applicants who hold one or more of these identities will be prioritized given the communities that comprise BMC.

Field Placement Supervisor:    Annabeth Roeschley, MDiv – bio here

Accessibility

The BMC office is in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago, on the 2nd floor of a vintage church building with no elevator. We're located several blocks from a Metra train station, CTA bus lines, and the Lakeshore bike trail (and amazing Lake Michigan). Options for remote work and other accessibility arrangements are possible. People from historically and currently marginalized communities are encouraged to apply. BMC seeks to foster a safe and brave workplace, with a living commitment to dismantle interlocking forms of injustice and nurture work that is healing.
 

Application

Contact bmc@bmclgbt.org with questions. To apply, please send an email stating why you are interested and how this placement fits with your program of study.

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