Lay Pastoral Assistant

All applicants should be seriously considering ordination and be keen to broaden their experience of many aspects of parish life as part of the discernment of their vocation. The successful candidate would work the equivalent of three days a week, plus Sundays, for ten or eleven months, beginning in September 2010. It is expected therefore that he/she would seek additional part-time employment, which is easily found in Cambridge, to supplement his/her income; there are also many resources in Cambridge for furthering the study of theology. Please also see our Parish Profile.

Nature of the Work

  1. Liturgical

    Attendance would be expected at the principal Sunday services (10:30 High Mass, 18:00 Evensong and Benediction). Regular attendance at the Sung Mass on festivals, the Daily Office and Daily Mass would also be expected, as negotiated with the incumbent. Opportunities would be given to gain experience of preaching, serving, and leading offices, as appropriate.

  2. Pastoral/Social

    The Pastoral Assistant would be able to accompany the incumbent at occasional offices and on home Communion visits; he/she would be encouraged to participate in the recently established Pastoral Visiting Scheme. He/she would be expected to help with the many social events of the parish, and to join in with ecumenical links, especially that with Emmanuel United Reformed Church, and with pilgrimages, study days and retreats. Work with the Sunday children's group, the children's choir, and young people and students in the congregation would be particularly important. Basic 'Godly Play' training in children's work would be offered.

  3. Teaching

    Where suitable, the pastoral assistant would be involved in the planning of the Lent course and other discussion groups. Development of further biblical and theological study and/or meditation opportunities would also be appreciated.

  4. Administrative

    Assistance with the regular administrative and organisational life of the parish would be welcomed. Opportunities would also be given to witness the operations of the Parochial Church Council and other local ecclesiastical and ecumenical meetings.

  5. Flexibility and Initiative

    The person appointed may be asked to undertake other appropriate duties, and would be encouraged to show initiative in developing the role in accordance with his/her own particular gifts.

Supervision

Appropriate personal supervision would be offered through regular meetings with the incumbent, and, from time to time, with the assistant NSM Priest and churchwardens. The present incumbent has experience of training curates and involvement in residential and non-residential theological education and ministerial formation. The successful candidate would be expected to comply with the Church's policies on child protection and health and safety, and on appropriate ministerial conduct.

Accommodation

Appropriate accommodation would be provided.

Stipend

The Church will pay for accommodation including electricity and telephone. In addition to this a stipend of £175 per month would be provided to complement income from other part-time employment.

Method of Application

Applicants are requested to send a CV, a personal statement on not more than one side of A4 giving their reasons for applying for this post and what they hope to gain from it, and the addresses of three referees, including at least one clerical and one lay, to:

The Revd Canon Andrew Greany,
The Vicarage,
1B Summerfield,
Cambridge
CB3 9HE

Tel: 01223 350733/366202

E-mail: andrew.greany@lsm.org.uk

Those interested in combining this placement with academic study should indicate this in their application. Closing date for applications is March 13th 2010, and we shall be shortlisting the following week. We expect to call those shortlisted for interview after Easter.