Precentor Candidate brief

Living worship Growing Disciples Connecting Communities

Introduction by the Rt. Revd David Urquhart, of Birmingham Thank you for your interest in the role of Canon Precentor at Birmingham . This is a time of great opportunity for Birmingham Cathedral in the life of the city and diocese. Over recent years Birmingham Cathedral has been renewed as a place of vital spiritual nourishment in the city centre and beyond. A city centre church which is loved and valued by its city as a sacred space for coming together, as a cultural and artistic hub and increasingly as an icon of positive Christian and, indeed Anglican, witness in a multi-cultural, multi-faith, non-conformist and secular city. The potential for new relationships between the Church and the wider world and between Cathedral and diocese has been very much enhanced by the 300th Anniversary celebrations in 2015. The tercentenary year enabled the cathedral to strengthen relationships within the diocese, raise its profile among the businesses, institutions, charities and other faith communities of the city and grow in ambition and confidence in the gospel. With a refurbished building and sound finances, the Cathedral, led by our new , finds itself well placed to respond to these opportunities. Birmingham Cathedral demonstrates daily its attraction as a house of prayer to the people of the city and its international visitors. Alongside daily worship the Cathedral hosts diocesan, regional and national events and is responsive to immediate community needs for celebration and lament. With growing confidence and a newly refurbished interior the cathedral has a clear vision and strategy. The published five-year plan focusses on Living Worship; Growing Disciples; Connecting Communities and gives Birmingham Cathedral a clear sense of direction and confidence. The cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Birmingham and plays its part in promoting the life and mission of C of E Birmingham, as mother church. The cathedral enjoys close working relations with diocesan and staff and the cathedral clergy and staff share offices with diocesan support staff at 1 Colmore Row. C of E Birmingham is at an exciting stage with the ‘People and Places’ initiative, part of the Transforming Church plan. The cathedral is playing a full part in this important and innovative work. The cathedral is blessed with a of adults, boys and girls of the highest standard and offers unrivalled opportunities for music in this great city. After over 30 years outstanding service as Director of Music, Canon Marcus Huxley’s retirement in August 2017, a new Head of Music, David Hardie has recently been appointed and will be a key colleague for the new Canon Precentor. We are looking for a Canon Precentor who is excited by these opportunities and wishes to work with people, liturgy and music to the glory of God. You will be joining a friendly and growing cathedral team who will support you and work collaboratively and creatively with you as you grow into the role. I hope that this pack, alongside the supporting documents gives you a good briefing, please don’t hesitate to contact me, or Dean Matt, for more information on [email protected] Please be assured of my prayers as you make your discernment about the next stage of your ministry.

The Mission and Values of Birmingham Cathedral

Birmingham Cathedral is a house of Christian prayer and the seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. Mother church to Birmingham Diocese, the cathedral is a treasured sacred space for Anglican worship and Christian discipleship in this great and diverse city ‘where the world meets’. As the Church of England cathedral church, we are also privileged to offer hospitality as a place of gathering and connection for people of all faiths and none in order witness to God’s love for all and to serve the common good.

Our purpose is to worship God, share the gospel of Jesus Christ, welcome and offer hospitality to all who come, celebrate, teach and pass on our rich Christian heritage and discover the Kingdom of God in our contemporary city context. We support the mission and ministry of the Bishop of Birmingham and the parishes of the diocese. We seek to discern our unique vocation and bring our distinct gifts and resources to the diocese, other Christian churches and faith communities, institutions and charities as a valuable, effective and innovative ‘team player’ in the life of our region. We intend to be properly ambitious for our work, to foster identity and create impact.

In order to fulfil this mission, we commit ourselves to:

Living Worship: we worship God daily in the steady rhythm of the liturgy of the Church of England and, in our corporate worship, rejoice in the riches of the Anglican choral tradition. Mindful of the invitation of our Patron to ‘Come and see’, we seek to offer a growing diversity in worship offering rich opportunities, for all ages, for encounter with God. We cherish periods of silence each day enabling private prayer for our visitors. We celebrate the contribution of the arts to spiritual life. We conduct all the pastoral offices of a parish church.

Growing Disciples: we seek to grow in number and in depth of discipleship in order to witness to Christ more effectively. We enable people to encounter God and grow in faith and discipleship through our welcome and pastoral care, through opportunities for conversation, learning and voluntary service.

Connecting Communities: as a place of connection in the city, we work in active partnership with other churches, institutions and faiths for the common good, to foster understanding, respect, inclusion, social justice and cohesion among the diverse communities of our diocese and region. We seek to offer a place of safety and hospitality for all. We seek to support community life and communities across the city and diocese and encourage mutually enriching conversation and education.

Our Values:

As Christians, we seek to grow in  Faith  Hope  Love As a cathedral community, we seek to express our Christian faith by growing in  Compassion  Justice  Service  Wisdom Role Description and Person Specification

Reporting to The Dean of Birmingham

Reporting to post holder Head of Music, Liturgy and Admin Officer (These staff are line managed by the Chief Executive and the Dean’s PA respectively)

Purpose of the Role The new Residentiary Canon will, on behalf of , take responsibility for the preparation and presentation of all worship in the cathedral.

Nature and Scope of the Role Birmingham Cathedral is set in heart of the city, and its day to day life reflects the joys and challenges of busy urban life. The cathedral has a strong choral tradition, and is committed to worship which is inclusive, imaginative and transformative; living worship which gives glory to God and meets the needs of our worshippers, the diocese and the city. The cathedral strives to make optimum use of its resources and space, by being creative and adaptable.

The Canon Precentor will work collaboratively as part of a mutually supportive staff team and as a member of a number of different working groups including clerical colleagues, staff, and volunteers to bring people together, to build on our strong liturgical and choral tradition but also to be creative and imaginative in broadening the worship of the cathedral.

Main Duties Chapter The Canon Precentor plays a full role as a member of Chapter and to serve on specific committees as required. Specific duties include:  The Canon Precentor is expected to be committed to the daily offices in the cathedral and especially those designated as ‘Foundation Prayer’ and to share fully in public worship.  To attend and fully participate in monthly Chapter meetings and the weekly Dean’s Executive and Residentiary Canons meetings.  To meet with the Dean on a 1:1 basis each week.  To attend the Cathedral Council and the Cathedral Community Committee and the Fabric Advisory Committee.  To be an advocate for the Chapter Strategic Plan and be committed to its development and delivery.  To be a loyal and supportive colleague respecting confidentiality.

Living Worship The Canon Precentor will be responsible for all aspects of the worshipping and liturgical life of the cathedral to enable living worship which is inclusive, transformative and of an excellent standard. Specific duties include:  To collaborate with others in planning, preparing and overseeing the cathedral’s services including daily, weekly and special services.  To ensure that all necessary administration including orders of service, rotas and readings are delivered with a high standard of accuracy and in good time.  To ensure that all cathedral policies, including safeguarding, are implemented in the Music Department, the serving team and amongst the licensed pastoral care team and bell-ringers.  To maintain a bank of liturgical material for use in cathedral worship and for the planning of special services.  To share with colleagues in the pastoral work of the cathedral including occasional offices and to oversee the work of the pastoral care team.  To oversee the training and support of members of the cathedral community in worship and pastoral ministries such as reading, leading intercessions, healing and pastoral care team, enabling the gifts of the cathedral’s diverse congregation to flourish.  To work with the Head of Music in developing the wider musical programme of the cathedral and developing choral outreach, and ongoing relationships with visiting .  To offer pastoral, spiritual and educational support to the choristers and their families, including baptism and confirmation preparation.  To liaise with the Bishop’s Chaplain over all services at which the Bishop is present.

Growing Disciples The Canon Precentor plays a full part in the mission of the cathedral and the diocese. Specific duties include:  To preach and teach within the cathedral and around the diocese as appropriate.  To collaborate with the Canon Missioner in the planning, preparation and delivery of services designed to enhance the outreach of the cathedral.  To share in offering pastoral, spiritual and educational support to members of the congregation.

Connecting Communities The Canon Precentor will support the engagement of the cathedral with its parish, the diocese and the city. Specific duties include:  To support the work of the cathedral in engaging with the wider diocese, other churches and faith groups to connect communities and build relationships.  To develop new liturgies to enable the worship of the cathedral to reflect more fully the diverse nature of this global and multicultural city region.  To work with the Dean and the Canon Missioner in establishing and maintaining good relationship with city institutions and to work with them to encourage and plan special services and commemorations to be held in the cathedral.

Generic Responsibilities of all Staff Birmingham Cathedral is run by a small dedicated staff team who work closely and flexibly together. Specific duties include:  To follow the policies and procedures of the cathedral, paying particular attention to the requirements of the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children policies and procedures and to undertake the required training.  To offer a welcome at some concerts or events and help volunteers and visiting groups.  To support the work of the cathedral office by dealing promptly and courteously with enquiries and telephone calls.  To treat everyone with respect and dignity in the workplace.  To undertake as requested other duties as might reasonably be expected.

Key Challenges of the Role

These will include:  To respond to the diversity of our communities by providing a growing diversity of worship experiences and to seek to be as inclusive as possible.  To promote and enable living worship rooted in the Anglican choral tradition while reflecting a breadth of different styles, providing experiences of both excellence, and inclusion.  To encourage participation and the ministry of a diverse range of people and monitor and encourage proportionate ethnic and age representation.  To respond creatively, responsively and pro-actively to ‘Missional moments’ in public and national life as well as local events and develop the role regionally and nationally.  To seek opportunities and appropriate ways to take worship outside into cathedral Square including use of screens and audio.  To work with artists, craftspeople and the Arts in worship to share the Christian imagination more widely and deepen and inspire prayer and reflection.  To update the Liturgical Plan on a three-year rolling cycle.

Person Specification

Criteria Qualifications Have been in priest’s orders for at least six years. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check will be mandatory.

Experience and  Have an excellent liturgical knowledge and a wide Knowledge experience of organising and leading worship.  Have an understanding and appreciation of the Anglican choral tradition, as well as experience of other liturgical and musical styles.  Have experience of team working.  Experience of ministry in an urban setting.  Experience of nurturing adults and children in faith. Skills and Abilities  Excellent team working and interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with a diverse range of people.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  A good eye for detail when proof reading texts.  IT literate including a good familiarity with Microsoft Office, Dropbox and the ability to format both text and music.  Musical literacy and the ability to sing.  Ability to plan proactively, work to strict deadlines and with good personal time and task management skills.  Theologically able with the ability to preach and teach to a high standard and to train others effectively.  Ability to take responsibility for and resolve issues in an empathetic manner.  Energetic and capable of handling a complex and demanding workload. Personal Qualities  A person of lively, deep and reflective faith.  A people person, who enjoys working in a team.  A person who is committed to mission and ministry in the city.  A person who is resilient and who will enjoy the rapid and demanding pace of life and work in and urban cathedral.

Terms and Conditions of Service

The Canonry is a Common Tenure post open to those ordained at least six years in the Church of England and a Statement of Particulars will be issued to the person appointed setting out the terms of the appointment.

Stipend The person appointed will be paid according to the Church Commissioners Recommended rates for a Residentiary Canon.

Housing The Canon Precentor will live at 4 Nursery Drive, Handsworth, a modern five bedroomed house with a garage.

Office An office space is provided at I Colmore Row in an open-plan office Accommodation shared by cathedral staff and C of E Birmingham staff. The administrative function of the Cathedral occurs within these offices.

Holidays There are six weeks holiday per annum, plus Bank Holidays (other than Good Friday and Christmas Day for which a day in lieu may be taken). Clergy are encouraged to take time off after Easter and Christmas; this holiday forms part of the 36 days allocation. The leave year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31 each year, and leave may not be carried over. All leave will be agreed by the Dean in consultation with the requirements of the Cathedral diary.

Rest Day Clergy are entitled to an uninterrupted rest period of 24 hours in each period of seven days. The person appointed will be required to take as his/her regular rest day a day other than that normally taken by colleagues.

Expenses Agreed working expenses are reimbursed in full (authorised by the Dean or the Chief Executive) on a monthly basis. There is an agreed scale for transport and receipts are required.

DBS Birmingham Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this post. The offer of the post is made subject to satisfactory DBS clearance.

How to apply

Please complete the Application Form as well as the Fostering Diversity Form and return by email to Mrs Anna Pitt Chief Executive Email: [email protected]

Closing date Tuesday 3rd July 2018

Interview Date Monday 16th July 2018

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, as those from minority ethnic groups are currently under- represented in our staff team, we would particularly welcome applications from those groups.