Huntsville, AL
May 28 – July 25, 2024
Includes housing and a $2,500 stipend.
The Mission
Huntsville is one of the most unique cities in Alabama. The past, present, and future collide in this historic, yet high-tech city. Huntsville’s tourist attractions reflect the heritage of Alabama’s first English-speaking city, the strife of the American Civil War, and the accomplishments of America’s rocket scientists.
Huntsville is truly a cosmopolitan city. It is home to people from across the globe. More than 100 languages and dialects are spoken here. Recently, Huntsville surpassed Birmingham as the most populous city in Alabama.
Living, learning, and serving in Huntsville will offer interns the opportunity to experience the challenges and hopes that accompany a rapidly changing environment.
Interns in Huntsville can expect:
Working with elementary students as teachers for the summer camp.
The Site
The Legacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama’s mission is to provide health and wellness support programs for older, disabled, and cognitively impaired adults and under-served populations. As a part of this mission, the Legacy Center hosts the Southeast’s only intergenerational summer camp. Interns serving at this site will have the opportunity to work with elementary students as teachers for the summer camp.
“Growth. Spending my summer here in Huntsville with QuadW has helped me to grow in many ways. I've grown significantly in my faith and maturity throughout these last two months thanks to the internship. Having us on a Bible reading plan really helped me to be consistent with my Scripture reading. On top of that, having LTGs (Life Transformation Group) was super helpful, as it allowed me to further get to know my fellow interns.”
Matt V.
Summer Intern in Huntsville, AL
Site Director,
Marian Royston
Marian Royston is a native of Roanoke, AL. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Auburn University and a Master’s of Science Degree from the Queen’s University of Belfast, and a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary.
Before serving in Huntsville as the Senior Pastor of St. Paul UMC Huntsville and Associate Pastor of Center Grove UMC, Marian served as the part-time pastor of Mount Olive and Rocky Mount United Methodist Churches in Randolph County, Alabama.
Marian has previously served as the Program Director of the Randolph County Youth Development Initiative, a program she created in her home town to invest in the next generation of leaders in Randolph County, Alabama and as a Secondary Social Studies Teacher.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, trying a new gluten-free recipe, and spending time with family and friends.
Marian is passionate about community development and Christian discipleship and is strongly inspired by Jeremiah 29:7. But, above all, she is a servant of God and acknowledges that her primary purpose is to become more like Christ.
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I love to experience anything related to the arts. That could be anything from an art museum to seeing a show to going to a concert. I also enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, and cooking.
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I am genuinely concerned with peace-building and community development. Much of the strife that we see in our communities today are because of a lack of genuine relationships between different groups. It's easier to be for each other when we know each other. This directly relates to mission. It allows us to be in relationship and service with the people that we sometimes talk about abstractly in Sunday School and hear about in sermons. We have the opportunity to show up for one another and build a better world together.
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The last time I was out of my comfort zone was in July when I began my new pastoral appointment in Huntsville. It was a big move for me! Although I left for undergraduate and graduate school, I had been living and working and serving in my home town for several years. To move to Huntsville felt like leaving home for the first time all over again. Not only was I moving to a new city, but I was also starting a new position. In the middle of a pandemic! Everything since then has been an act of faith for me. But, God has seen me through every uncomfortable moment.
Transform communities — and yourself.
The QuadW Missional Internship lifts communities and unites people around common values and beliefs. Our interns and program leaders work to embody Jesus in everything we do, making change in our communities and uplifting congregations all over the world.
