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Diocese of Bristol ROLE DESCRIPTION For Vicars, Rectors and Priests-in Charge Role Description signed off by: (Bishop of Bristol/Archdeacon of Malmesbury & HR Officer) Date: **/**/201 To be reviewed: (date) Initially after 6 months and thereafter bi-annually, Post holder’s Name: SECTION 1 DETAILS OF POST Role Title (as on licence) Priest-in-Charge Name of Benefice Swindon New Town Archdeaconry Malmesbury Deanery Swindon SECTION 2 ROLE PURPOSE GENERAL To play a distinctive and purposeful role in creating communities of wholeness with Christ at the centre, advancing the mission, Church and Kingdom of God, by: Sharing the “cure of souls” with the Bishop and exercising spiritual leadership as part of a team Leading the Church in mission and encouraging it to grow in commitment, partnership, influence and numbers Releasing the energy and gifts of the whole people of God Exercising a pastoral, sacramental and teaching ministry within the Church and community Celebrating the diversity within the churches of the parish as a strength and a blessing, whilst fostering the sense of unity for which we strive 1 RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Leadership in mission Lead the church community in setting and holding its vision for mission and growth Ensure the parish responds to the Diocesan Growth Programme and contributes to, and implements, the Deanery Strategic Vision and Objectives Encourage and build partnerships between the parish and local charitable organisations which share the parish’s aspirations, continuing to work closely with the Swindon Foodbank, Broadgreen Breakfast Club for the homeless, and the Swindon Street Pastors Strengthen links with local ethnic communities, building on current initiatives to integrate Goan church members within the worshipping community, and continue work with the Harbour Project for refugees and asylum seekers Revive the partnership with the primary school located in the parish 2. Team leadership and ministry development Lead the churches as part of a ministry team, providing support and line management as required Identify, encourage and develop gifts for ministry in the parish, working with and building on existing lay ministry and initiatives Help to foster vocations and encourage the development of licensed ministry, being ready to supervise licensed ministers appropriately 3. Leading worship Lead worship thoughtfully and confidently, placing the celebration of the Mass at the heart of the parish’s life Work with others in planning and conducting a programme of worship that inspires and challenges, and that makes full use of the Church’s liturgical resources Encourage greater participation in the riches of Catholic devotional life, so that all are able to partake fully of the sacramental life of the Church 4. Encouraging discipleship Preach the good news of God’s Kingdom in a way that encourages the development of mature faith, adapting style and content for different occasions and purposes Work with others to ensure opportunities for learning that develop faith and strengthen discipleship, leading and facilitating study groups, at Lent and as required Meet the particular spiritual needs of children and younger church members and prepare them for Confirmation Challenge church members to give generously as a response to God’s generosity and to further the Church’s mission 5. Pastoral care Work with others to identify pastoral care needs and develop appropriate structures and skills to respond to and meet those needs, building on the lay pastoral groups already engaged in ministering to the sick of the parish Ensure that appropriate support is offered to those in need of pastoral care, including baptism and marriage preparation, care to the sick and dying, bereavement, and individual support and visiting Build on the parish’s existing pastoral involvement with the Kings Court Care Centre. 2 6. Administration and parish organisation Ensure good communication within the parish and relay relevant messages from the deanery, diocese and national church. Work in collaboration with the Churchwardens, PCC and DCCs to ensure effective organisation and Godly Stewardship of the parish’s resources Play an appropriate part in the administration and organisation of the parish, in collaboration with the churchwardens and the parish secretary Affirm and abide by national, diocesan and parish policies and legal requirements Raise the profile of the churches in the local community, ensuring people in the locality know what the parish has to offer 7. Ministering in a wider context Play a full part in the life of the Diocese and Deanery, including Deanery Chapter and at Deanery Synod Be open to additional diocesan responsibilities (e.g. training roles, synodical representation etc) 8. Self-discipline, spiritual discipline and own development Give continual attention to own personal, spiritual and professional development Participate in Ministerial Development Review and undertake appropriate Continuing Professional Development Maintain professional boundaries Develop and maintain a prayerful spiritual life with appropriate support networks Follow a pattern of life that allows the personal, family and spiritual aspects of life to flourish alongside the demands of ministry SECTION 3 KEY CONTACTS Parish Parish/Benefice/Team Leadership Team These might include: Members of the PCC Deanery/Diocesan Churchwarden: Alastair (Sandy) Steele-Davis (V. Chairman) Churchwarden and Treasurer : John Bishop Deputy Churchwarden: Julie Emmett Diocesan Synod (2) Deanery Synod (4) and 12 other members PCC/Parish Secretary: Karen Vermeersch Child Protection Officer: Shelley Jell Vulnerable Adults Officer: Pat Gordon Management Team PCC Secretary Parish Treasurer S. Aldhelm’s Centre Manager: Pat Mortimer Other churches in partnership / LEP / local area Churches Together in Swindon Centre Representative: Helen Watt 3 Retired Clergy and Priest Associates Fr Michael Berrett Fr Andrew Cooper Fr John Hawthorne Fr Robert Pitt Fr Alastair Stevenson Fr David Woodhouse Specific Swindon Foodbank – Lee Thompson The Harbour Project – David Rowlands Broadgreen Breakfast Club – Angus MacPherson Street Pastors – Anna Soulsbury Swindon Day Centre – Phil Smith Speculative Robert Le Kyng Primary School: Headteacher, Mrs Maran White Drove Primary School (on the edge of the parish, attended by many children from within the parish) ‘A’ Squadron Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry Playsteps Day Nursery, Church Place Pilgrim Centre Broad Street Mosque Manchester Road Mosque The Moravian Church, Dixon Street Holy Rood RC Church Supportive Bishop of Bristol, Bishop of Swindon (when appropriate) Bishop of Ebbsfleet Archdeacon of Malmesbury Area Dean Forward in Faith Adviser in Ministry Development Adviser for Ministerial Support Diocesan Officers and employees as necessary SECTION 4 ROLE CONTEXT AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION Parish / benefice context The Parish of Swindon New Town sits right at the heart of the historical ‘Railway Town’ of Swindon and incorporates the churches of S. Mark, S. Saviour and S. Luke, and the chapel of S. Aldhelm, serving the town centre and the homes which were originally built for the families of those working at the Railway Works. Swindon has a population of 180,000, with a broad mix of inhabitants of all ages and ethnicities. There are areas of affluence interspersed with those of great poverty and need. There are a number of major employers within Swindon, primarily within the financial and car manufacturing sectors. Most of the housing within the parish itself is terraced, built during the height of the railway construction era for which the town is famed. The population within the parish, c16,000, is rising steadily, with the appearance of new apartments in the town centre. The town centre itself is undergoing major regeneration. We are an Anglican Parish in the Catholic tradition, which operates under Resolutions A and B of the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 and has successfully petitioned for extended episcopal care under the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993. We are registered with the organisation Forward in Faith. 4 The parish is unique in that its three churches cater to the very diverse needs of their local communities, whilst offering a haven for those who feel led to worship in a traditional manner. Worship in the parish follows a pattern in the catholic tradition using contemporary language liturgy, with which the majority of the members feel most comfortable. Prior to the interregnum, mass was sung or said on a daily basis, in at least one of our churches. Special services are held for all major feasts and solemnities and joint worship takes place for many of these. Our vision is to continue to provide pastoral ministry and witness to the diverse population of Swindon New Town to encourage growth and spiritual maturity within the parish, developing the talents of our members for the benefit of all to continue to be known as a place where the Catholic faith is taught in all its richness to work in partnership with neighbouring parishes for the strengthening of the faith and the enrichment of worship to encourage children and young people to come to faith and participate in the life of the parish through Junior Church and youth activities to strengthen communication between the churches within the parish Deanery and wider area context The Swindon Deanery comprises of 19 parishes and is served by a Deanery Leadership team led by the Area Dean, the Revd Simon Stevenette. Swindon is one of seven Deaneries in the Bristol Diocese. Amongst our number we have a pioneer minister in Pinehurst, the Chaplain of Wiltshire Police and a Chaplain for Economic life in Swindon. As a group we are very committed to Swindon Churches Together and play a full part in Street Pastors, Swindon Foodbank, the Harbour Project for Asylum Seekers, The Filling Station, Christian Aid, New College and Swindon College, for example. We emphasise that ' we are the Deanery, we are the Diocese'. We do all we can to build up the ministry and confidence of one another as colleagues, friends, and partners in mission. We meet once a month from 10am - 12.30 p.m. for encouragement, teaching and sharing together.