In 2015, the United Thank Offering (UTO) Board began an internship program for young women, named for the organization’s founder, Julia Chester Emery. This program supports the work of UTO in addition to participating in the work of a local ministry. UTO is now seeking a fourth Julia Chester Emery intern for 2019-2020.

The internship will be in conjunction with Jasmine Road, a Thistle Farms Affiliate, in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Jasmine Road exists to offer women who are trapped in a cycle of sexual exploitation and addiction a path to freedom, a haven for healing, and the opportunity to flourish, leading to generational change and the betterment of the Greenville community. Modeled after Thistle Farms, Jasmine Road offers a transformative two-year residential program with an innovative social enterprise component.

“Jasmine Road is an example of what can happen when God’s people work together to participate in God’s mission,” says the Rev. Canon Alan Bentrup, canon for evangelism and mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. “We are excited to partner with UTO and Jasmine Road on this opportunity.”

Sherri Dietrich, UTO board president notes, “The UTO Board has benefited so much from working with our interns—their energy, interest, and perspectives enliven our discussions and keep us ever mindful of the future of our work. We are eager to meet our next intern, to teach and learn from her, and to work with her and Jasmine Road, a UTO Grant Site.”

“We are so excited about this partnership with UTO as it provides much needed operational support as we continue to grow and expand our residential program and social enterprise,” states Beth Messick, Executive Director, Jasmine Road. “We also feel it will be transformative not just in the lives of our residents but also for our intern. Together they will experience relationship and community and this truly is the heart of our rooted in love Jasmine Road community.”

For the 2019-2020 internship year, in addition to work with Jasmine Road, the intern will participate in the UTO Pilgrimage to Spain in October, represent UTO as support staff for The Episcopal Church delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City in March, attend one of the Thistle Farms Training Conferences, join UTO Board Meetings or events planned during the year, and travel to speak at public events regarding work with UTO.

Applicants need to be comfortable with public speaking, travel, and show a willingness to participate on a team.  Applicants need to be proficient in Microsoft Office programs; collaboration software such as Slack, Google Drive, and Zoom; and social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The internship begins on September 20, 2019 and includes: housing at Vista House, travel costs, a stipend and intentional mentoring.

The intern will need their own vehicle for local travel in South Carolina, a current passport, a personal laptop and insurance.

More information, applications and instructions are available here.

Applications are due June 1, 2019 to the Rev. Canon Heather Melton, staff officer for the United Thank Offering, hmelton@episcopalchurch.org.

The United Thank Offering is a ministry of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through UTO, individuals are invited to embrace and deepen a personal daily spiritual discipline of gratitude. UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for those blessings and make an offering for each blessing using a UTO Blue Box. UTO is entrusted to receive the offerings, and to distribute the 100% of what is collected to support innovative mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal Church and Provinces of the Anglican Communion.