The Diocese of Chelmsford
Role Description
Role description signed off on The Bishop of Bradwell behalf of: Signature, name and title:
Date: Autumn 2015
SECTION 1 – Role Details The information here must be consistent with the Statement of Particulars and License issued to the post holder.
Name of appointed candidate:
Role title (as on licence): Priest in Charge
Proportion of time given to this House for Duty: two days plus Sunday each week (i.e. role, if not full-time? Please list 20 hours) other roles or appointments: Woodham Mortimer w Hazeleigh and Woodham Name of benefices: Walter
Archdeaconry: Chelmsford
Date you started in this role:
Date of this Role Description: Autumn 2015
SECTION 2 – Role Purpose See the appendix for an outline of expectations for an incumbent in the Diocese of Chelmsford
(i) General Statement of Purpose
To reimagine ministry in the parishes of Woodham Mortimer and Woodham Walter, so that The discipleship of the congregations is grown and developed through nurture, worship, teaching and pastoral care Those who live in the parishes are served in such a way as to make the gospel intriguing, challenging and appealing There is good leadership as the churches learn to live distinctively, evangelise effectively and be accountable for their Christian life in the context of the Bradwell Episcopal Area and of the Diocese of Chelmsford In collaboration with the PCCs and congregations, good partnerships are established with neighbouring parishes, in and around Maldon, to create a new Mission and Ministry Unit
(ii) Specific Statement of Purpose and Key Responsibilities What follows is specific to this role and should be read alongside the Specific Statement of Purpose of an incumbent in the Diocese of Chelmsford as set out in the appendix
The balance between what is done personally and what is delegated will vary according to the gifts, experience and skills of the incumbent, but in every case the responsibility for ensuring these things are addressed lies with the incumbent (in some cases jointly with the PCCs).
Mission, Service and Outreach Help the churches grow, reaching out to all age groups in the villages Be a visible presence in village community activities and events Encourage greater participation from Woodham Walter Primary (VC) C of E school into St Michael’s church Increase church involvement in the pre-school groups in the villages Explore possibilities of Fresh Expressions of Church in Woodham Mortimer and Hazeleigh Leadership and working collaboratively Lead and teach the congregations in their mission and ministry Prayerfully and sensitively develop the churches to take account of new thinking develop the Sunday School, Kidzone, in St Margaret’s and establish work with children and young people, as appropriate, in St Michael’s Worship, prayer, preaching and teaching Encourage, teach and guide the congregations to grow in faith and explore vocations Pastoral Care Develop the pastoral care offered in and by the churches Wider Ministry Actively encourage closer links with the deanery of Maldon and Dengie as it works to create new units for mission and ministry Strengthen the churches’ relationships with neighbouring parishes to learn from them and form new links
SECTION 3 – Key Contacts and Relationships
Generic or Churchwardens, PCC; its officers and committees Required Maldon and Dengie deanery synod and chapter
Specific to The interim priest at St Mary’s, Maldon (when she or he is appointed) this role Woodham Walter C of E (VC) Primary School Woodham Walter Sunday school, Lent study groups, Pastoral Care team and choir Woodham Mortimer monthly Bible storytelling group in the village hall; and monthly Sunday School called Kidzone The Henry Walter Thomson Charity of which the incumbent at Woodham Walter is a trustee The Friends of St Margaret’s The Friends of St Michael’s Speculative The pre-school groups in the benefice The two village halls, their committees, and the groups that use them The mobile library service The pubs, businesses and commercial premises in the Benefice The farming community Activities and events on Bell Meadow and the Bell Meadow Association Woodham Walter parish council, PTA and Women’s Club The Robert Henry Falkner Almshouses Wood Corner travellers’ site Supportive The Bishop of Bradwell; the Archdeacon of Chelmsford; the Bradwell Area Team and Voluntary Officers and Advisers;
The Diocesan Support Teams (finance, property, mission and ministry, communication, education);
The Rural Dean and Lay Chair of Maldon and Dengie deanery
SECTION 4 – Role Context
Describe the role context and any other relevant information here Internal Role Context The two Churches share a Parish News magazine which is delivered free of charge around the Benefice The Rectory has been used for two Alpha Courses, annual Lent courses which have been held with a lunch or supper to raise money for the Bishop’s Appeal and regular Bible Study courses as well as social events such as an annual Cheese and Wine Party and the regular breakfasts which have proved to be a good fund raiser for St Margaret’s. St Margaret’s PCC Meetings have been held at the Rectory The congregation of St Margaret’s use the drive for parking during church services External Role Context
The diocese is working to the vision set out in Bishop Stephen Cottrell’s paper Transforming Presence and to the strategy paper, Reimagining Ministry, passed by the diocesan synod in March 2013
Woodham Mortimer and Woodham Walter are seeking to strengthen the ties between them and with All Saints Maldon
An interim priest is being appointed at St Mary Maldon. Part of his or her role will be to lead in work with the three parishes that serve the town of Maldon in developing a team ministry or similar structure which integrates mission and ministry across the town, as part of a wider Mission and Ministry Unit
SECTION 5 – Benefice Summary
Number of Parishes: Two
(1) The Bishop of Chelmsford Patrons: (2) Church Society Trust
Number of PCCs/DCCs: Two PCCs
Four (currently only two are in post, both Number of Churchwardens: at Woodham Walter)
Licensed and Commissioned ministers (list Four pastoral assistants (trained by the number of clergy, readers, pastoral assistants, previous incumbent) evangelists, MLT members etc. by category).
Parish paid/employed staff One organist; one grounds-man for the (e.g. Administrator or Organist) churchyard at Woodham Mortimer
Parish unpaid staff One grounds-man for the churchyard at (this is likely to include all those with a job Woodham Walter; one grounds-man for description). List roles and number. the churchyard at Hazelaigh
Buildings (churches, halls, etc, including details of Two churches (both grade II*) listed buildings)
Churchyards (specify open or closed) Three (two open)
The 2011 census gave the following: Population: Woodham Mortimer 641 Woodham Walter 532
(2014 October count) Average Sunday Attendance: Woodham Mortimer: 21 adults, 2 children Woodham Walter: 20 adults, 2 children
Parish share: (specify both amount requested and Woodham Mortimer: £8,506 (100%) percentage paid) Woodham Walter: £9,306 (100%)
Are ministerial expenses paid in full (if not, what Yes percentage)
Are resolution A and/or B and/or C in place? No
Church tradition: Middle of the road
The deanery is working with the diocesan Pastoral reorganisation proposals: strategy paper: Reimagining Ministry The church primary school; the villages’ Outreach/service to the wider community by the pre-schools; Wood Corner travellers’ site; parish (e.g. schools, chaplaincies): various village activities Business element (e.g. major building project or hall used by variety of tenants)
Other:
V2 12 July 2011
Appendix Generic Role Purpose and Responsibilities for Benefice Incumbents This document sets out some expectations for an incumbent in the Diocese of Chelmsford. All role descriptions are expected to develop over time with changes approved with the authority of the Bishop through the MDR process.
Role Purpose and Key Responsibilities Section 2 of the Role Description aims to answer the following questions: • What is the role intended to achieve? • What would not get done if the role did not exist?
The purpose of the role is to be stated in two parts, (i) general and (ii) specific.
(i) General Statement of Purpose All incumbents are Priests in the Church of England whose responsibilities and duties are set out in the Ordinal. Incumbents are additionally licensed by the Bishop to exercise a shared ministry of leadership in a particular context where they will usually be the representative, public face of the church. The general statement of purpose in the document is phrased according to the tradition of the church. It includes reference to any Diocesan, Deanery or Benefice vision, mission or purpose statements, and the following: The provision of worship, administration of the Sacraments, preaching, education, pastoral care, nurture, service, evangelism and leadership that is both Kingdom focussed and a locally relevant response to the Five Marks of Mission in order that: a. each worshipping congregation is a transforming presence in and for their local community and is connected with the wider church and world, and b. the vocational gifts and ministries of the whole people of God are discerned, developed and deployed. The collaborative exercise of leadership with the Bishop, other clergy and lay people in the benefice, deanery and diocese to further God’s mission and ministry. The blend of congregational, local community, and wider civic, social and/or church involvement that every licensed clergy person is expected to exercise.
(ii) Specific Statement of Purpose and Key Responsibilities The following eight sections summarise the main duties and responsibilities of an incumbent. The balance between what is done personally and what is delegated will vary widely but in every case the responsibility for ensuring these things are addressed lies with the incumbent (in some cases jointly with the PCC). The exercise of ministry should always be collaborative and make use of the gifts entrusted by God to his people in each particular place. In many of these responsibilities, it is important to have in mind the demography and geography of the benefice so that the appropriate needs of different ages, backgrounds and stages of faith can be addressed. There will be additional responsibilities associated with any church schools in the benefice. 1. Mission, Service and Outreach develop a ministry that gives expression to each of the Five Marks of Mission provide opportunities for individuals to discover and learn about the Christian faith interpret the Gospel afresh for this generation in this context, which may include new forms of church and discipleship, to lead new people of all ages and backgrounds to Christian faith
support existing Christians to show God’s love in action through evangelism, service, witness and discipleship make use of opportunities for outreach and service to the community, collaborating where appropriate with other churches, agencies, community organisations, local authorities, schools and/or businesses engage with local, national and world mission and development agencies. 1. Leadership and working collaboratively lead the benefice in discerning, setting and holding its vision within the context of the deanery and diocesan vision and strategy motivate and empower members of the church(es), to achieve that vision build up the community of faith, sharing ministry as appropriate and working collaboratively with others, (including clergy colleagues, churchwardens, PCC, staff and volunteers), so that individuals’ gifts and talents are identified and used effectively work with other churches in the deanery in implementing the deanery vision and play a full part in the life of the Deanery Chapter and Synod. partner with ecumenical colleagues and churches whenever appropriate 3. Worship, prayer, preaching and teaching oversee a pattern of worship and prayer for all ages and stages of faith oversee a programme of teaching and preaching which supports the Church as a learning community, develops its faith and responds to the needs of different ages and levels of faith interpret and preach the gospel in ways that encourage faith development, adapting content and style for different audiences, occasions and purposes. 4. Pastoral care oversee the structures and resources to provide appropriate care to the congregation(s) and community lead the provision of pastoral care as appropriate, including baptism and marriage preparation, care to the sick dying and bereavement, individual support and visiting shows awareness of own limitations and boundaries; and of other individuals and agencies to whom referrals can be made. 5. Discipleship, Vocation and Stewardship oversee appropriate preparation for baptism, confirmation, communion and discipleship that encourages life-long growth and development encourage a culture in which vocational discernment and response is a natural part of the church’s life. Enable every Christian to discern their calling from God and use the gifts, skills and experience that have been entrusted to them in the family, church, workplace and world ensure that each person receives the appropriate support and training to exercise their ministry in response to God’s calling. lead by example and teaching on the responsibility of stewardship and giving. Encourage the congregation(s) to meet their proper obligations to the benefice and wider church. 6. Parish Organisation and Communication ensure that structures and resources for parish organisation are appropriate, including clear boundaries and accountabilities of roles ensure that structures, processes and policies in relation to services, weddings, baptisms and funerals, health and safety, child protection, finance, fabric, staff employment and management, etc to meet diocesan and legal requirements. communicate effectively and appropriately in both written and verbal form with people of all ages and situations in society, inside and outside the church. undertake personal administration, planning and organisation in a collaborative and open manner with appropriate delegation. Ensure meetings are planned and chaired effectively. 7. Personal development and spirituality model an appropriate pattern of work that enables a rounded spiritual and personal life while
meeting the proper demands of ministry. Continue to develop personal skills and knowledge in relation to ministry through appropriate use of CMD grants and relevant reading, study, consultancy, training courses and workshops maintain a worshipping and prayerful spiritual life with appropriate support structures (including spiritual director, networks of support and regular retreats) make full use of time off to care for self, household and personal relationships, including adequate time for family life, friendship, recreation, renewal and personal health 8. Wider Ministry serve beyond the parish at local, deanery, diocesan and national level by offering time, wisdom and skills to serve the wider church’s ministry and mission. play an appropriate part in the civic and community life of the locality (eg governance of local schools and/or charities) learn from the traditions and diversity of the wider national and world church.
18 July 2011