Waltham, MA
Phone: n/a
Web address: http://www.chaplainsontheway.us
Email: jill@chaplainsontheway.org
Contact Person:
Jill Gaulding
Organization Description:
Site Unavailable AY 24-25
COTW is a small nonprofit that works at the intersection of interfaith chaplaincy and social justice. Our central function is to serve as chaplains to people experiencing homelessness in Waltham. We serve people of any and all faiths, as well as no-labeled-faith, as they turn toward the Big Questions facing us all. As chaplains, we build one-on-one relationships and offer one-on-one spiritual support and companionship. We also support people—whether housed or unhoused—as they create innovative forms of community. These communities arise out of a number of evolving settings, including the places in Waltham where those who are unhoused are able to gather, several COTW breakfast programs, our interactive interfaith services, and the meetings and programs of the Waltham Community Leadership Group (a grassroots collective led by people with lived experience with homelessness). Every COTW setting is open-invite, and “we belong to one another” is our manifesto. While respecting the boundary-based ethics of chaplaincy, we seek to break down false barriers between volunteer and participant, helper and helped. Instead, we get to know one another, dissolving lines (like being housed versus unhoused) that would otherwise divide us. Everyone belongs and everyone matters.
Opportunities for Student Involvement:
Chaplains on the Way aims to provide an experience similar to that offered by a Level 1 CPE program, but in a very different setting: one that permits long-term relationship building with chaplain clients, within the context of a closely-knit community, and the chance to explore innovative forms of “movement chaplaincy.” We invite field education students to take part in every aspect of our programming over the course of the academic year. (We can accommodate students’ class schedules by planning for a distinct fall and spring schedule.) Students will also be actively involved in peer support, via weekly cohort meetings (in which they and their peers will present verbatims and theological reflections) and are invited to take part in staff level “chaplain circles.”
Commute/Transportation Information:
You can (probably) get there! Waltham is a vibrant small town just up the Charles River from Cambridge / on the other side of Watertown. It is accessible from Cambridge and surrounding areas by car or bike, as well as commuter rail and the 70 bus line. There’s free or very low cost parking available. Biking is possible year round. The 70 bus connects Cambridge and Waltham; the commuter rail leaves from Porter Square.
Arts of Ministry Competencies Offered:
- Administration and Program Development
- Pastoral Care and Counseling
- Peacebuilding and Just Conflict Resolution
- Preaching and Worship
- Public Leadership, Community Organizing, and Planning
- Racial Justice and Healing
- Religious Education and Spiritual Development
Supervision:
Chaplain interns are expected to take part in weekly 1:1 meetings with the supervisor. They also have the opportunity to shadow COTW’s more experienced chaplains and to ask questions or seek guidance at any time. As noted above, chaplain interns are also expected to join in weekly joint (cohort-based) supervision sessions, in which they and any other chaplain interns will present mini-verbatims or theological reflections and respond thoughtfully to the presentations of their peers. If their schedule permits, chaplain interns would also be invited to take part in weekly staff-level “chaplain circle” meetings.
Additional Information:
- Number of Students: 1
- Total Compensation: $6000.00
- Type of Compensation: Work Study