Cathedral Verger and Sacristan 2

Cathedral Verger and Sacristan Introduction Due to the retirement of the present post holder, the Cathedral Chapter wishes to appoint a Cathedral Verger and Sacristan. Newport Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Monmouth (The Rt Revd Cherry Vann) and the Mother Church of her Diocese in the Church in Wales. Founded as a house of prayer by St Woolos (St Gwynllyw) in the fifth century, the Cathedral has deep spiritual roots and has been a sacred site for over fifteen hundred years. The oldest part of the present building dates from 11th century with traces of earlier structures. The East End was extended in the 1960s. It is a mixture of styles but with a special charm. It has only been a full cathedral since 1949, having been a pro-cathedral since 1930, and while it is compact being the smallest of the Welsh Cathedrals it offers intimacy and versatility. Today Newport Cathedral is a vibrant house of prayer and worship, offering an open and inclusive welcome to all, and reaching out in faithful and loving service. The arts have a central place in our life and, pre-Covid, we hosted many concerts, exhibitions and events. Music is at the core of our worship with separate boys and girls sections singing along with adults in the choir. The Dean, The Very Revd Ian Black, is new having been installed on 22nd May 2021. The full-time Residentiary position is vacant and a recruitment process will begin for this post in due course. The Archdeacon of Newport is an honorary Residentiary Canon and there are four retired priests who are actively involved in the Cathedral’s ministry. Other clergy support the worshipping life. There is a paid interim Administrator and a recruitment process is in progress for the permanent position. The verger needs to liaise with the Administrator over events and activities in the Cathedral. This is therefore a time of great change, and a new team is being formed as we emerge from the pandemic. The Cathedral is governed by the Cathedral Chapter and everything that happens is ultimately accountable to them. The Dean is the chair of the Chapter and has a key role to ensure that Chapter holds to the Cathedral Constitution. The Chapter is also being formed following a revision of the Cathedral’s Constitution. There is a Congregation Committee to ensure that the voice of the worshipping congregation is heard and to provide a conduit for information to flow between the congregation and Chapter. There is a newly formed management team consisting of the Dean, the Cathedral Wardens and the Director of Music. A diary meeting is also being established to monitor and oversee events and activities and the Verger will be a key part of this group. The Verger is a key position in the Cathedral and is often the public face of the Cathedral to all who come. The verger is an ambassador of the Cathedral, the Church in Wales and the Christian Faith. A friendly, open and inclusive manner is essential. This is a public facing role, but also requires an ability to work alone and take initiative. Worship is the heartbeat of the Cathedral. The day begins with Morning Prayer at 8.00am followed immediately by the Eucharist. The residentiary clergy take it in turns to preside at this, and the bishop regularly presides at the morning Eucharist on Fridays. Evening Prayer is at 5.00pm. The offices follow Common Worship Daily Prayer, and the lectionary is the Anglican version of the Revised Common Lectionary. The alternative office lectionary is not used. On Wednesdays during term time Choral Evensong is sung by the choir at 6.30pm in place of Evening Prayer (later time due to the adult singers’ working commitments). On Sundays, the current service pattern is 8.00am Holy Communion (Traditional Language – 1984 Church in Wales rite), 10.30am Cathedral Eucharist (2004 Contemporary Language Church in Wales rite) and 5.00pm Choral Evensong (Prayer Book). Baptisms are held at 12.30pm currently looked after by one of the retired clergy. There are other special services throughout the year. The Cathedral offers an open and inclusive welcome to all. It is liberal in its theology, Modern Catholic in its spirituality. Much of the liturgy is unfussy, with a relaxed dignity, within the Anglican Choral Tradition. Clergy vestments and robes are worn at Eucharists and Choral Evensong, but not for morning and evening prayer. Except on special occasions, the Verger does not robe. Internally, the Cathedral has been reordered with all the pews being removed in the past 5 years, a new altar at the head of the nave. The lighting was renewed over a decade ago and is in need of some attention. The Cathedral is fully equipped for live- streaming and audio-visual media. It is a space which lends itself to imaginative and creative use. Purpose of the Church in Wales The Church in Wales is part of the world-wide Anglican Communion. “Its calling is to nurture men and women in the faith of Jesus Christ and to aid them to grow in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, so that the good news of God’s grace may be clearly proclaimed in the world and that God’s Kingdom may be honoured and advanced” (From the Constitution of the Church in Wales) This is our ethos and guides everything the Cathedral aims to do. Key features of the role: This is an important post and is a key role for the functioning of the Cathedral. The verger holds the space of the Cathedral, ensuring what is needed is prepared and that everything is in order. We would expect him/her to recruit and train a team of volunteers to assist them in their role. 2 Everyone in the Cathedral is required to abide by the Safeguarding Policies of the Church in Wales. It is a genuine occupational requirement (GOR) of this roll that the post holder be a worshipping member of either Church in Wales or a church in communion with it. As a faith-based organization and place of Christian worship since the fifth century, our beliefs are foundational to everything we do. The post-holder will be expected to be in sympathy with these, if not a practicing member of the Church in Wales, and work actively to support our ministry and vision. Key Responsibilities • To have the day-to-day care of the Cathedral fabric, furnishings and equipment. • To present both the Cathedral Church and its associated premises and facilities to the highest possible standard. • To oversee the maintenance of the Churchyard and the gardener(s). • To assist in the delivery of the Cathedral’s liturgical life. • To prepare for special events and services, as required. • To engage with regular and occasional worshippers, visitors and event organisers, as required. • To oversee the security and day-to-day safety of the Cathedral and those present within it. Key Working Relationships: • The Dean, who also currently line manages the Verger • The Canon Residentiary and other clergy • The Cathedral Wardens • The Administrator • The Director of Music • Volunteers • The Congregations Duties and Responsibilities 1 - As Cathedral Sacristan to assist in the Cathedral’s liturgical life a) To prepare as required for all services, including moving furniture b) To ensure the cleanliness of all liturgical vesture, vessels and artifacts, liaising as necessary with volunteers c) To prepare the altars for the daily and occasional celebrations of the Holy Eucharist 3 d) To write up the Register of Services e) To inform the Administrator in plenty of time of the need to order all regular and seasonal liturgical requisites (candles, votive lamps, altar bread and wine, charcoal and incense, Paschal Candle, Remembrance Wreath, etc.) and all cleaning materials f) To prepare the Servers’ Rota and to recruit additional Servers, train them in cooperation with the clergy g) To act as a ceremonial verger as required. (This is not a daily requirement). h) To organise the rota of lay people to read at Morning and Evening Prayer and the daily Eucharist 2 - To prepare for special events and services as required a) To arrange the Cathedral premises for special events in accordance with the terms agreed in advance in each case b) To seek to comply with any reasonable additional requests whenever possible c) To return the Cathedral premises to good order after special events 3 - To engage with regular and occasional worshippers, visitors and event organisers as required a) Even when occupied in other part of the premise, to be a frequent presence in the Cathedral Church in support of welcomers and shop volunteers, etc. b) To engage with occasional visitors and pilgrims so that they feel welcomed but not overwhelmed or intruded upon c) To deal with tact and diplomacy with anyone using the Cathedral premises and facilities while being able to act with firmness in the event of any misuse or misbehaviour and hold the sanctity of the space when other users are running events. 4 - To have the day-to-day care of the cathedral fabric, furnishings and equipment a) To notify the administrator of anything needing repair or renewal b) To understand and co-operate with the Health and Safety requirements c) To supervise, care for and operate the sound and lighting systems, as required d) To programme the heating system each week in accordance with the Cathedral calendar of events. 5 - To present the Cathedral’s facilities to the highest possible standard a) To clean the church and all other rooms and spaces as agreed with the Cathedral Administrator in consultation with the Cathedral Wardens b) To undertake additional cleaning resulting from special events c) To undertake necessary additional cleaning resulting from unforeseen circumstances 6 - To oversee the maintenance of the Cathedral Grounds a) To liaise with the gardeners b) To keep paths neat and tidy c) To liaise as necessary with those who care for the ‘Living Churchyard’.

Load more