Department: Religious Life
 Reports to: VP of Programming & Religious Life Leadership Team
 Position Type: Seasonal Internship
 Location: Lakeside Chautauqua, Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio
 Season: June 15, 2026–August 31, 2026
 Hours: approx. 20 hours per week
 Compensation: $17.50/hour

Position Summary

The Summer Religious Life Intern supports the Lakeside Religious Life Department by assisting with worship preparation, hospitality, youth programming, event support, and the behind-the-scenes logistics that help Religious Life programming run smoothly during the Chautauqua season.

This position offers hands-on experience in seasonal ministry, worship production, youth ministry, hospitality, guest support, spiritual formation, and program administration. The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, hospitable, detail-oriented, spiritually mature, and able to work well with staff, clergy, speakers, youth, volunteers, and guests.

Because Religious Life programming includes worship services, visiting preachers and speakers, youth gatherings, evening programs, and community events, this role requires flexibility, clear communication, professionalism, and a willingness to assist where needed.

Primary Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist with the preparation, proofreading, production, organization, and timely delivery of worship bulletins and printed materials for Religious Life services, including Lakeside Worship, Hoover Worship, Sunset Praise, Tuesday Vespers, Thursday Vespers, and other services as assigned.
• Support worship preparation by helping with service setup, communion preparation, altar/table items, paraments, candles, worship supplies, and other behind-the-scenes needs that contribute to meaningful and hospitable worship.
• Provide hospitality and logistical support for the Preacher of the Week and other Religious Life guests, including welcome, orientation, schedule communication, wayfinding, golf cart transportation as needed, and general support throughout their time at Lakeside.
• Help collect, confirm, and deliver media, slides, presentation files, sermon information, scripture readings, and other materials to the appropriate Religious Life or media staff in a timely manner.
• Assist with youth ministry and Underground Youth Center programming by helping create a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment; supporting games, activities, fellowship, setup, cleanup, and group supervision; and helping facilitate youth Bible study when assigned, using curriculum provided by Religious Life leadership.
• Communicate promptly with Religious Life leadership regarding scheduling needs, program details, supply needs, guest needs, youth concerns, incidents, or any issues requiring staff attention.
• Assist with additional Religious Life programs, events, hospitality needs, administrative tasks, setup, cleanup, and other duties as assigned.

Essential Requirements

The Summer Religious Life Intern must be dependable, punctual, and able to meet deadlines. Because many Religious Life programs depend on timely preparation, hospitality, and support, the intern must communicate clearly and complete assigned responsibilities in a timely and professional manner.

The intern may be asked to work weekday, evening, weekend, and Sunday hours depending on the Religious Life schedule. Some duties may involve youth programming, worship services, guest hospitality, walking between venues, carrying printed materials or supplies, and assisting in indoor and outdoor spaces.

A valid driver’s license may be required if transporting guests by golf cart.

Qualifications

A successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong attention to detail
• Dependability and punctuality
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Hospitality and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and follow instructions
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage details
• Professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality
• Respect for worship spaces, clergy, staff, volunteers, youth, and guests
• Comfort working in a seasonal ministry environment
• Ability to respond calmly and responsibly to changing needs
• Willingness to assist with a variety of Religious Life functions
• Spiritual maturity and respect for Christian formation
• Ability to relate well to youth, adults, clergy, and community members

Pursuing a degree in Religion, Bible, Education, or related fields, are helpful but not a must. 

Experience with Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar formatting/design tools is helpful. Prior experience in youth ministry, camp ministry, worship support, hospitality, education, mentoring, or event coordination is also helpful.

Schedule

The Summer Religious Life Intern will serve June 15, 2026–August 31, 2026, approximately 20 hours per week.

The schedule will be determined in consultation with the VP of Programming and Religious Life Leadership Team and will be based on departmental needs, worship schedules, youth programming, guest hospitality, and special events.

This position may include weekday, evening, weekend, and Sunday responsibilities.

Work Environment

The intern may work in office, worship, hospitality, youth, outdoor, and program spaces throughout Lakeside. Responsibilities may involve walking or riding between venues, carrying materials, preparing worship spaces, assisting with youth programming, coordinating with staff, and supporting events before, during, and after they occur.

Possible venues may include:

• Hoover Auditorium
• Steele Memorial Bandstand
• South Auditorium
• Lakeside United Methodist Church
• Underground Youth Center
• Lakefront worship locations
• Religious Life offices
• Lakeside hospitality spaces
• Other Lakeside worship or program venues as assigned

Learning Opportunities

Through this internship, the intern will gain practical experience in:

• Worship planning and preparation
• Bulletin and liturgical production
• Ministry administration
• Seasonal Religious Life programming
• Hospitality and guest speaker support
• Youth ministry and Bible study facilitation
• Event coordination
• Communication with clergy, musicians, staff, speakers, volunteers, youth, and guests
• Media coordination
• Deadline management
• Behind-the-scenes operations of a Chautauqua Religious Life program

Compensation

This position pays $17.50/hour for approximately 20 hours per week, from June 15, 2026–August 31, 2026

Lakeside Chautauqua is an equal opportunity employer.