6 Succentor Application Pack

www.chch.ox.ac.uk/

@ChChCathedralOx CONTENTS

Succentor • Introduction The and Canons are seeking to appoint a priest to this new ministry-development post, from 1 September • Job Description 2018. It would be ideally suited to someone about to complete their curacy and who wishes to develop their strong liturgical, musical, and pastoral gifts in a unique • Person Specification cathedral and college context. The Succentor will work closely with the Diocesan • Working Conditions in planning and leading Cathedral worship. She or he will also assist the College in organising Chapel services, and play a key linking • About the Foundation role with the Cathedral School, as School Chaplain. Housing and the equivalent of an Oxford diocesan • Worship Patterns incumbent’s stipend will be provided.

Closing Date: Friday 23 February 12noon • How to Apply Interviews: Thursday 8 March and Friday 9 March Application packs: www.chch.ox.ac.uk/vacancies To arrange an informal conversation with Grant Bayliss, the Diocesan Canon Precentor, please contact the Canons’ PA, Izabela Hreska, on 01865 276188. Hospitality Encounter Transformation

2 INTRODUCTION

Succentor To start 1 September 2018 The Succentor’s role is a new ministry-development post. It results from changes to the staffing of Christ Church in 2017 and the appointment of the first Diocesan Canon Precentor with oversight of the Cathedral’s liturgy on behalf of alongside significant diocesan commitments. Aspects of the role have been covered over the past year on a temporary, fixed- term appointment by an Interim Lay Succentor, who finishes at the end of August 2018. In holding this new role, the successful candidate will have significant opportunities to help shape the priorities and balance of the post over the course of their tenure, which is expected to last for up to five years. Christ Church (also known as ‘the House’) is a unique institution: one of the largest colleges of the University of Oxford and also the diocesan Cathedral. The Dean of the Cathedral is also the head of the College. The Foundation also operates a prep-school, Christ Church Cathedral School, originally set up for the education of the Cathedral choristers. The whole institution shares a commitment to education, learning, and religion. The Succentor will have responsibilities across the whole foundation but will primarily be responsible for assisting the Diocesan Canon Precentor (Grant Bayliss) with all aspects of the liturgy and worship of the Cathedral, working essentially as his ‘number two’. In addition, she or he will share with the Sub Dean (Edmund Newey) and his team in offering pastoral care to the Cathedral’s congregations, visitors and pilgrims; act as assistant to the College Chaplain (Clare Hayns), serving as a liturgical resource and support in Chapel activities (up to 12 hours per week in University term-time); and also serve as Chaplain to the Cathedral School, ensuring good relations not just with the choir boys but the whole student body and staff (up to three hours per week during school terms). Although to be known formally as ‘the Succentor’, the post is appointed under the Chapter’s statutory authority to provide one or more ‘Cathedral ’ and is the equivalent of a Minor Canon in other foundations. The Succentor is not a member of Chapter, nor of Governing Body, but the successful candidate will be nominated for associate membership of the Christ Church Senior Common Room. The post is intended to provide an opportunity for a priest at a formative stage of her or his ministry to develop existing liturgical, pastoral, and administrative skills to a higher level of competence and explore a longer-term vocation to either university or college chaplaincy or cathedral ministry. Applications are welcomed from suitable ordained candidates from across the Anglican Communion (or, with approval from the appointing committee, other churches in full communion with the Church of England), who will have been in priest’s orders for at least two full years at the start of the role. Chapter would particularly welcome applications from women and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, who are currently under-represented in the institution. 3 JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting Line Manager: The Diocesan Canon Precentor. Initial weekly supervisions, changing to monthly after successful completion of the probationary period of three months.

Roles & Responsibilities 1. Liturgical Roles The Diocesan Canon Precentor has primary oversight of all Cathedral worship and liturgy on behalf of Chapter but, under his instruction and supervision, the Succentor is responsible for: • Day-to-day delivery of detailed arrangements of services in accordance with the Cathedral Customary, including (but not limited to): briefing and other ministers; organising rehearsals; welcoming visitors, especially visiting choirs; supporting the serving team; and coordinating with Vergers, Sidesmen, Musicians or other relevant parties. • Serving as ‘first singer’, with regular officiating and cantoring of Choral Evensong (typically four nights a week) and Choral Matins (Sundays when not at College Communion). • Regularly preaching and presiding, as part of the ministry team. • Nurturing explorers and preparing confirmation candidates (College confirmation/ explorers classes in spring; Cathedral School classes in summer); occasionally contributing to College Chapel study groups. • Taking primary responsibility for the Thursday 6pm Choral Eucharist (alongside the Cathedral LLM) and developing its potential as either a place of liturgical creativity or community growth; as well as for a number of major services each year, as agreed with the Diocesan Canon Precentor. • Working with the Cathedral Education Officer in planning and delivering special schools services throughout the year, e.g. Christingle, Headteachers’ Eucharist. • Regularly attending the weekly Cathedral School assemblies and termly eucharists, with occasional preaching/talks. • Attending College Communion every other Sunday during University term, as well as some Complines or late night Taizé services, as agreed with the College Chaplain. • Assisting the College Chaplain with planning the Advent Carol Service and the termly House Communion; and developing good working relationships with the College Chapel Sacristy and Serving Team.

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2. Administrative Duties The Succentor must be an excellent completer-finisher with a keen eye for detail, commitment to accuracy, and effective collaborative skills in order to bear a significant, time- critical administrative burden, including: • Collaborating effectively with colleagues from the Liturgy Team, Cathedral Chapter, Vergers’ Department, Cathedral Administration, Choirs and Musicians, on the business of the Cathedral as set by the Dean and Chapter. • Preparing accurate and timely orders of service (currently using Adobe InDesign, for which training can be provided), rotas, briefing notes, and other liturgical resources, especially the Cathedral lectionaries. • Contributing appropriately to meetings and planning groups. These include the weekly Liturgy Team meeting and Cathedral Diary meeting (currently on Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively); monthly Cathedral Music Planning meetings; and the termly Music Sub-Committee. Although not a member of Chapter, the Succentor may be asked to attend its meetings from time to time and will be consulted where appropriate. • Coordinating arrangements for visiting choirs with the Liturgy Team and Organist. • Providing appropriate cover for Liturgy Team colleagues during periods of leave or sickness, in coordination with the Diocesan Canon Precentor.

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3. Pastoral Responsibilities The Succentor is expected to have a pastoral heart and an openness to the stories of all God’s people, whether they profess a faith or not, but will have particular responsibility for: • Collaborating with the Sub Dean and his pastoral care team (especially the Cathedral LLM, Day Chaplains and Visitor Officer) to offer pastoral care to members of the various communities connected with the Cathedral, including visiting them when appropriate and maintaining the Cathedral Roll. • Developing good relationships with the musicians and choristers in order to offer effective pastoral care as needed and be a significant point of pastoral contact, particularly for the Cathedral Choir. • Ensuring regular visibility on the Cathedral ‘floor’, developing good relationships with the Vergers, Sidesmen, Guides, Flower-Arrangers, Embroiderers, Bell-Ringers, and other Cathedral volunteers. • Serving as formal Chaplain to the Cathedral School, being a key point of liaison, and ensuring adequate pastoral care for the boys in coordination with the Headmaster (Richard Murray). • Officiating at a proportion of the Cathedral’s baptisms, weddings and funerals, with their attendant pastoral contacts, as requested by either the College Chaplain (in relation to College connections) or the Sub Dean (in relation to the Cathedral communities). A successful candidate with suitable experience may well be asked to undertake some line- management responsibilities for Cathedral staff where appropriate.

4. Worshipping Life The Succentor must be a person of prayer with a deep, personal commitment to the daily round of worship, both for their own sake and to build up the different congregations present. She or he will usually be expected to: • Attend Morning Prayer and Choral Evensong when not off-duty or asked to be working elsewhere. • Attend up to three Sunday services each week throughout the year when not off-duty or asked to be working elsewhere. • Ensure his or her own spiritual health, through regular study and reflection, taking of quiet days and an annual retreat, conversation with a spiritual director or mentor etc.

6 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Person Specification Essential Skills and Qualifications • At least two full years (at the point of employment) in priest’s orders within the Church of England or another Church within the Anglican Communion (or, by agreement with the appointing panel, a Church in full communion with the Church of England). • Deep commitment to the work of prayer and the daily offices. • Liturgical confidence, creativity, and understanding. • Openness to the breadth of Anglican worship and a rich sense of its transformative potential. • Developing gifts as a teacher, preacher, and . • Up-to-date safeguarding training (CS3) and a commitment to good practice in working safely and appropriately with both young children and vulnerable adults. • An attention to detail, commitment to accuracy, and an ability both to plan ahead and work to frequent and short deadlines. • Excellent administrative and IT skills. • A co-operative and collaborative personality. • Sound musical knowledge and singing ability (vocal coaching can be provided if necessary).

Desirable Skills and Qualifications • An MA or higher-level qualification in theology or a related discipline. • Evidence of active study of Christian liturgy and worship. • Line-management experience. • Ability to sight-read music and learn new settings quickly. • Familiarity with the Anglican choral tradition and repertoire. • Experience of working in schools and with young people or students. • Experience of planning large services and public occasions. 7 WORKING CONDITIONS

Working Conditions and Remuneration The Succentor will be paid a stipend equivalent to that of an incumbent in the Diocese of Oxford (currently £26,350, with the expectation of an increase in April 2018). Reasonable expenses shall be reimbursed where authorised by the appropriate line manager. Non-contributory pension payments will be made to an appropriate pension scheme as determined by Chapter in consultation with the successful candidate. This will most likely be the Church of England Pension Scheme for clergy and church-workers. www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2017-10/2017-clergy-booklet-v-13_0.pdf. Suitable accommodation for better performance of the Succentor’s duties will be provided by the Dean and Chapter (or, by negotiation, a housing allowance may be paid in lieu); water rates and Council Tax will be paid, and the accommodation repaired to a suitable standard where needed, while the Succentor will remain liable for all other bills and utility costs. The housing offered is likely to be 33a Vicarage Road (a Diocese of Oxford property on long- term loan to the Dean and Chapter in conjunction with the tenure of the Diocesan Canon Precentor) and will be available to view at interview. The Succentor will have use of a ‘hot desk’ in the Liturgy Office with a networked computer, working alongside the Diocesan Canon Precentor, Liturgy Assistant and Cathedral Assistant. The Succentor may be asked to work away from the Cathedral at times, e.g. to accompany a choir visit to another Cathedral, to attend the ’ Conference or otherwise to further the work of the Cathedral, College or School. The successful candidate will be nominated for associate membership of the Senior Common Room which grants, among other things, dining rights for lunch and dinner, when the kitchens are open. Once granted and taken up, costs of the Succentor’s SCR meals (but not of non-Cathedral guests) will be borne by the Cathedral, while the Succentor will pay the relevant termly quarterage charges.

8 WORKING CONDITIONS

The Succentor will be an employee of the Deans and Canons of Christ Church, and as such exempted from Common Tenure but subject to the provisions of the Cathedral Staff Handbook. The Cathedral enjoys good relationships with the Diocese of Oxford, not least through the work of the of Oxford and the Diocesan Canon Precentor. As such, although not legally required, Chapter expects all Cathedral clergy to seek ‘Permission to Officiate’ within the Diocese from the Bishop of Oxford upon appointment (though exemptions may be granted under particular circumstances). The Succentor will be entitled to one full day off per week, as agreed with his or her line manager. In order to provide continuity of clergy cover, this will not usually be the same as either the Sub Dean’s or Diocesan Canon Precentor’s days off (currently Saturdays and Fridays respectively). She or he will be entitled to up to 36 days of holiday per year (non-transferable), plus bank holidays (or time off in lieu where there is a reasonable expectation to work, e.g. Christmas and Easter Days), at times agreed in advance with her or his line manager. This may be restricted where a requested holiday would leave the Cathedral liturgically or pastorally understaffed but is not otherwise limited by school or college term dates. This role is subject to a genuine occupational religious requirement. All offers will be subject to production of satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK, an enhanced DBS disclosure, medical clearance where appropriate, and a probationary period of three months (open to extension). Any offer of employment is expected to begin on 1 September 2018. However, Chapter recognise that many dioceses expect fourth-year to move out promptly in June or July and would be willing to be flexible in such circumstances. As a ministry-development role, this appointment is expected to be for a term of no more than five years.

9 ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

Christ Church (Aedes Christi or simply ‘the House’) is a Royal Foundation dating from 1546. Yet it traces its history back not only to Wolsey’s Cardinal College in the early sixteenth century but to the Augustinian Priory that preceded it, and indeed to the seventh-century figure of St Fridewside, whose restored shrine has become once again a place of pilgrimage in the Latin Chapel today. Cathedral, College, and School together make up a complex and unique institution committed to education, learning, and religion, under the Dean, the Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy, as both Head of House and Ordinary. The Visitor is Her Majesty the Queen. The Dean is aided by the Sub Dean, four professorial canons and the Archdeacon of Oxford who not only constitute the Cathedral Chapter but also sit on Governing Body (along with the Students of Christ Church and College officers). Four of their number also actively serve on the Board of Governors of Christ Church Cathedral School (along with the Headmaster, Richard Murray, and other Governors); while the Diocesan Canon Precentor is a full member of Chapter but not of Governing Body. The College Chaplain has specific responsibility for the welfare and worship of the College students and staff but also plays a wider role in Cathedral worship as time allows. The Cathedral employs full- and part-time vergers, musicians, and administrators, the Cathedral Registrar, the Education Officer, and the Visitor Officer; as well as gratefully enjoying a significant offering of volunteer ministry from Honorary Cathedral Chaplains, the Cathedral LLM, Day Chaplains, Guides, Sidesmen, Flower Arrangers, Bell Ringers, and Embroiderers, amongst others. The College has over 600 undergraduate and graduate students from all walks of life, both from the UK and overseas, along with a thriving academic faculty and an extensive staff. The Cathedral School, founded by Henry VIII to provide boy Choristers and a Schoolmaster, is located in 3 Brewer Street, opposite Christ Church. It not only continues to educate the boys of the Cathedral Choir but, through its nursery, pre-prep and prep departments, offers wider provision for over 100 boys from age three to 13. Christ Church is also one of the major Oxford tourist attractions, with over 450,000 visitors a year drawn not only by its architecture, history, and international academic reputation but also its connections to Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter. Music is a key part of the life of the whole foundation and is principally overseen by the Organist, Professor Stephen Darlington (due to retire in the summer), who attends Chapter meetings and directs the Cathedral Choir of boys, Academical Clerks, and Lay Clerks, as well as the Organ Scholars and the Sub-Organist. The Cathedral Singers, a voluntary choir of women and men, sings at about 110 services a year, under the direction of a paid Director of Music, James Potter, and the Cathedral Singers Organist. The Fridewside Voices, a city-wide girls’ choir under the direction of Will Dawes, sings a term in residence each Michaelmas; while the College Choir regularly sings on Mondays in term-time and for the House Communion. During the summer the Cathedral also welcomes many visiting choirs. Chapter is currently in the process of reviewing its vision and strategy but in recent years has aspired to worship that is ‘simple, stable, yet sublime’, based upon an understanding of the Cathedral as serving four primary roles: as Mother Church of the Diocese; as focus of civic celebration; as College Chapel; and as a focus of congregational worship and mission. It is hoped that the newly appointed Succentor will have a part to play across Cathedral, College, and School, and will be excited to be part of the developing conversations and vision for the future. For further information on the College, Cathedral and School, see: www.chch.ox.ac.uk www.cccs.org.uk For information on the choirs, see: www.chchchoir.org cathedralsingers.org.uk fridewsidevoices.co.uk

10 WORSHIP PATTERNS

Mondays Fridays 7.15am CW Morning Prayer 7.15am CW Morning Prayer 7.35am CW Said Eucharist 7.35am CW Said Eucharist 6.00pm BCP Choral Evensong 6.00pm BCP Choral Evensong (College Choir in term-time) Saturdays Tuesdays 7.15am CW Morning Prayer 7.15am CW Morning Prayer 7.35am CW Said Eucharist 7.35am CW Said Eucharist 6.00pm BCP Choral Evensong 6.00pm BCP Choral Evensong 9.00pm College Taizé or Compline Sundays (fortnightly in term-time) 8.00am BCP Said Eucharist 8.45am College CW Eucharist (term-time) Wednesdays 9.45am BCP Choral Matins 7.15am CW Morning Prayer 11.00am CW Choral Eucharist 7.35am CW Said Eucharist 6.00pm BCP Choral Evensong 1.00pm BCP Said Eucharist 8.00pm ‘After Eight’ (four times a term) 6.00pm BCP Choral Evensong (men’s voices) Clergy are typically expected to attend no more than Thursdays three of the Sunday services. 7.15am CW Morning Prayer In addition to regular services, the Cathedral hosts 7.35am CW Said Eucharist some 100 special services a year, with attendances 6.00pm CW Choral Eucharist ranging from single figures to over 900.

Please note that Christ Church services begin five minutes later than ‘normal’ time, because the Cathedral keeps the old ‘Oxford Time’ (i.e. five minutes west of Greenwich). This means 6pm Oxford Time is 6.05pm GMT or BST.

11 HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the application form, providing the names of three referees, and send it, along with a covering letter and a copy of an order of service from a service that you personally have designed and planned, to the Canons’ PA: Izabela Hreska, Cathedral Offices, Christ Church, St Aldate’s, Oxford. OX1 1DP or [email protected] For an informal conversation about the role with Grant Bayliss, the Diocesan Canon Precentor, please arrange a suitable time with Izabela Hreska on 01865 276188. Applications must be received no later than 12noon on Friday 23 February 2018. Shortlisted candidates will be notified the following week and references taken up at that point. Interviews will be held over Thursday 8 March and Friday 9 March with accommodation provided overnight. Offers of employment are subject to proof of right to work in the UK, satisfactory references, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and, where appropriate, medical clearance.

Photographs are copyright © Ralph Willliamson, © Mark Hook and © Clare Hayns. Reproduced by permision.

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