Project Transformation
Interns

Transforming Communities through Relationships

“Working with volunteers and pastors has reminded me how much I enjoy and thrive in a church setting and want to be leading congregations in mission and ministry.”

-Sara Porter, intern 2003

What’s In Store for You as an Intern

“When someone asks how my summer was...I’m going to say, “It was amazing! Let me tell you about it!!! God is so AWESOME!”

– Melissa Matson, 2004 intern

Who Can Participate?

Project Transformation is a summer internship program for Christian young adults who have completed at least one year of college and are seeking to serve in ministry in central Virginia communities.  Interns live together and work in teams, connecting children from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds with adult volunteers and church groups from various denominations.
Interns from Virginia and beyond live communally and engage in regular times of reflection on their experiences, including weekly Bible studies, meetings with host church pastors, and interaction with a summer chaplain and Wesley Foundation staff. Fridays are devoted to vocational exploration and spiritual development for the interns, as they visit different ministry settings and meet with people who are combining faith and work in their vocations.
Project Transformation is an ecumenical ministry and we welcome interns from various Christian denominations.

What will I be doing?

After a week of training, interns will direct 8-week camps for 1st through 6th grade children at host churches in the area each Monday through Thursday from 9am-3pm. Interns design craft projects and recreational activities, organize field trips, lead Bible lessons, and work closely with volunteers.
On Sundays, interns participate in Sunday school and worship at the host church where they work during the week. This is an opportunity to connect children from camp and their families with the larger life of the congregation. One Sunday during the summer, interns visit one of the area partner churches in order to share stories from the summer and further engage those congregations in the ministry.
In addition to the opportunity for hands on ministry in churches and with children, Project Transformation is designed to encourage vocational exploration and reflection among interns. Interns live together in community, sharing times of morning devotion each day and Bible study each week. Interns also meet weekly with pastors of the host churches, share dinner with local church volunteers during the week, and meet with the summer chaplain and Project Transformation director. On Fridays interns visit various ministries, learning about avenues for ministry and spending time with people who are in full-time lay or ordained ministry.

What is the time commitment?

Project Transformation is a 9-week program from June 2 – August 7, 2005. The initial week is training, followed by 8 weeks of camp.  This is an intense but rewarding summer and requires full-time participation and presence – it is not possible to hold another job or attend summer school. Interns work with children from 9am-3pm Mondays-Thursdays, then spend time in the afternoon preparing for the following day. Most evenings of the week interns share dinner with partner churches, who prepare the meals. One evening a week there is a Bible study after dinner. Friday mornings are set aside for ministry visits. Sunday mornings interns are involved in Sunday school and worship at the churches where they work during the week and on Sunday afternoons interns meet to plan for the coming week. Friday afternoon through Saturday evening is time off.
In many ways working with Project Transformation exceeds participating in a summer job and crosses into a summer life. The time expectations can be great, but the potential for personal and faith growth is even greater.

Are housing and meals provided?

Interns live together in housing provided by the program.  Interns share rooms and bathrooms in a dormitory. The summer “house” is an integral part of the program, when interns have time to relax, have fun, and learn from one another. Each intern is responsible for helping to create a loving and supportive living environment.
Dinners are provided 4-5 nights of the week and interns share these dinners with volunteers from area churches. Interns eat lunch with the children during camp and breakfast is provided by the program during the week.

Is this a paid position?

Yes, each intern will receive a $2000 stipend. Interns are paid biweekly.

I want to apply. What do I do?

Project Transformation is a partnership among churches here in the Charlottesville area and beyond. Interns’ home churches help to support the program by praying for interns throughout the summer and by donating a portion of each intern’s stipend. The first step in applying is to speak with your pastor. To the left you will find links for everthing you need to apply: an application, the Home Church Letter of Commitment (for your pastor), and the forms for Reference letters. Then start working on your application! The application deadline is March 15, 2005.

I still have questions. Who can I contact?

For more information, contact:
Deborah Lewis
Project Transformation
Wesley Foundation at UVA
1908 Lewis Mountain Rd.
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: 434-977-6500
e-mail: wesleyuvaDL@earthlink.net
Site Maintained by: Eddie Jobe (sawblade@virginia.edu)
Past Webmasters include Andrew Marshall, Joedy Felts, Ryan Baucom, Jen Muter, Michael Diehl, and Matt Zimmerman
Last updated: Wed Oct 20 14:29:47 2004