ELCA Youth Gathering Intern

About The Position

The ELCA Youth Gathering (Gathering) Intern will provide administrative, logistical, and coordination support to Gathering staff and teams. The intern will support registration, travel and expense processes, training platforms, DEIA-related coordination, and community engagement efforts, while reinforcing the Gathering’s mission, vision, values, and youth ministry best practices.

This is a part-time (hours will vary based on the needs of the work, meetings, travel, events, etc.), hourly, internship position beginning September 8, 2026, ending October 31, 2027. This is a remote, location-specific role required to be based in or around the surrounding area of Minneapolis, MN. The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden.

General Administrative & Team Support

• Respond to inquiries submitted through the Gathering inbox and phone, providing accurate and timely assistance or routing inquiries to appropriate staff/teams.
• Aid team members with preparing and completing expense reports.
• Aid Gathering office in expensing flights.
• Attend team leader and planning meetings and take clear, organized notes.

Registration & Onsite Support

• Provide general registration support to congregations, special guests, and team members (Pre-Gathering).
• Support registration operations onsite.
• Assist with onsite logistics during events, including problem-solving and participant support as needed.

Community Engagement & Local Support (Minneapolis)

• Advise Gathering staff and team leaders on events or decisions that may have a significant impact on marginalized populations in the Minneapolis metro area.
• Represent the ELCA Youth Gathering locally and help foster deeper community engagement.
• Serve as a resource to Gathering planning teams meeting in the Minneapolis area.
• Support the SERVE team in identifying and coordinating service project opportunities in and around Minneapolis for congregational and synodical groups (as needed).
• Purchase and expense team supplies and assist with organizing and taking inventory of supplies at a local storage unit.

Event Presence & Commitment

• Be physically present in Minneapolis to support execution of the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering, MYLE, the tAble, and the Young Adult Gathering from June 22 – July 3, 2027.
• Attend required planning team meetings in November 2026, January 2027, April 2027, August 2027, and September 2027.
• Participate in event closing, evaluation, and follow-up work through October 31, 2027, including submission of a final report with a personal evaluation and future recommendations.

DEIA Memorial Support

• Provide administrative and coordination support for DEIA-related memorial actions connected to the ELCA Youth Gathering, including scheduling conversations, preparing materials, and supporting communication among designated partners.
• Serve as a note-taker during meetings; organize and distribute notes, track follow-ups and deadlines, and support timely documentation.
• Absorb and organize background materials, records, and resources to support staff-led planning, evaluation, and reporting related to DEIA initiatives.

The Academy & Training Support

• Provide general support for The Academy access and login issues.
• Aid in building and maintaining online courses.
• Support Adult Leader Training initiatives through coordination, communication, troubleshooting and running necessary reports.

Other Duties as Assigned

Estimated hours of work each month:

• September - 10
• October - 10
• November - 10
• December - 10

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or university (youth ministry, nonprofit management, events, communications, or related field preferred).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Lived experience and familiarity with the city of Minneapolis, especially non-profit/community-based organizations.
• Lived experience and familiarity with the ELCA and the ELCA Youth Gathering preferred but not required.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Self-starter, able to function well without supervision and able to manage multiple tasks; aptitude for detail and problem-solving.
• Ability to support a team of volunteers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: the ability to attract and work collegially and collaboratively with a diverse population to present, motivate, communicate, and engage effectively both verbally and in written form.
• Understanding of and ability to work collaboratively across the organization and with external constituents.
• Comfort and skill with public speaking.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism.
• Ability and experience working with multiple constituencies, including multicultural, ethnic-specific, and LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Appreciation for, and ability to articulate, the mission, vision, and values of the ELCA and the Gathering.
• Minimum Technical Competency: Computer knowledge that enables you to operate a Windows Computer and follow basic troubleshooting instructions. Software skills to efficiently use computer programs and applications. Ability to leverage computer knowledge and software skills to understand new software, follow process, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.) preferred as well as various resources like Google Suite (Google Drive, Forms, Docs, Sheets), Slack.
• Willingness to learn financial platforms (Workday).

Physical

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time as well as driving in and around Minneapolis and moving throughout large event spaces. This position will also need to lift materials and boxes of materials.

Reasonable Accommodations

Can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel

Frequent travel by car throughout Minneapolis and surrounding areas. Valid driver’s license is required.

Benefits

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.

Contact

If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact Human Resources.

Salary

Commensurate With Qualifications And Relevant Experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. As a religious organization, we reserve the right, where permitted by applicable federal and state law, to employ individuals who share and support our religious beliefs, mission, and values.