THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH of ST MARY the VIRGIN the University Church of St Mary the Virgin

THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN The University Church of St Mary the Virgin

Parish Profile September 2016

THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN St Mary’s

Welcome

We are a vibrant and inclusive church in the centre of Oxford with strong links to the University. At St Mary’s we seek to nurture each other’s search for religious meaning, to foster a sense of friendship and community within the church, and to reach out to those outside the church in the city, in the University, and beyond.

St Mary’s ethos is inspired by the motto of St Anselm, ‘Faith seeking understanding’. We aspire to show how Jesus’ message of divine love and charity to all people can be relevant and transformative in the modern world. We believe that God calls us to be active, critical and faithful disciples, inspired and enabled by the Christian message to live in love and joy.

Situated at the heart of an historic city, where people from the University, city and far beyond come together, St Mary’s connects the spiritual and civic, sacred and secular. We strive to be a place of intelligent, critical Christianity, unafraid to engage with the modern world. We want to continue to offer those who are within and without the church a place where they can deepen their spirituality and their sense of the divine presence. And we want to do so from a confident, joyful Christian We are a vibrant perspective, anchored in the historic catholic faith. and inclusive We seek a Vicar who can inspire us, and who can church in the deepen our relationships with God, each other and centre of Oxford our wider community through challenging preaching, generous leadership and wise direction. We look forward with strong links to to working with him or her to develop the distinctive spirit the University. of St Mary’s, in the service of our city and our world.

THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN

Our services Our central service is the Parish Eucharist at 10.30am on Sundays, with “In Oxford, St Common Worship liturgy and an auditioned choir; people come from across the city, and well beyond, to participate in our distinctive mix Mary’s is unique of traditional worship and cutting-edge theological reflection. Average Sunday attendance is about 150 people: a mix of regular parishioners, in its mixture of occasional worshippers, and those who are in Oxford for short periods traditional liturgy of time including undergraduate and graduate students. Twice a term there is a University Sermon, attended by representatives of the and openness to University, and on the first Sunday of each month there is a Family Service at 9.30am. all.”

What draws people to St Mary’s is the theological emphasis on God’s love and generosity to all people, the spiritual space people find here to develop their own ideas and perspectives, and the high-quality preaching. The services are about an hour long, followed by coffee, and sometimes lunch in the Old Library above the church.

The sermon is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the service, and the congregation has come to expect sermons which will inspire and challenge them. Most sermons are, of course, given by Christian clergy, especially our own Vicar and Associate Priests, but the church also invites preachers and speakers from very diverse backgrounds to come and talk about their own sense of purpose and meaning, sometimes in a University Sermon; recent examples include the prizewinning novelist Howard Jacobsen, Sandy Nairne (former Director of the National Portrait Gallery) and the former Bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway.

THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN

The high standards in the pulpit are matched by the excellence of the choir, which sings an anthem and the principal movements of the mass during the University terms. Many of the choir members also sing semi- professionally, and together they are recognised as one of the best mixed-voice ensembles in the city. We are fortunate to have a paid Director of Music and an Organist, both of whom are leading musicians in their own right, and who ensure a varied pattern of music each week in term. During vacations the congregation sings the Gloria and Agnus Dei, to our own mass setting by Geoffrey Webber. During the main Sunday Eucharist, children up to the age of 12 or so are welcome to go to Children’s Church in the Old Library upstairs. One of the children leads the short introductory liturgy, after which a parent introduces the theme of the day, which is often based on the day’s Gospel reading. Bible stories may also be told through Godly Play, and glue and glitter often make an appearance. Once a month there is a discussion group for teenagers, led by one of the parents. “A place where The Sunday congregation has been growing steadily in recent years and there is a strong sense of community. It includes people of all anyone seeking ages, from those who are retired to children who are part of young families. More unusually, the church also attracts men and women God can come in their 20s, 30s and 40s, who do not have children. For many of the congregation, the church is an important part of their social as well as and share in a their spiritual life, and it continues to be a place where friendships are questioning faith.” made and developed. On the first Sunday of each month the German Lutheran congregation holds a service in the afternoon. The first Lutheran service was held here in 1939, when the then Vicar welcomed some German Christians fleeing Nazi persecution, and the connection has continued ever since.

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Church in the week The church organises a range of activities on weekdays, especially during the University terms. We have held discussion series on themes such as death, the self, sex and work, and these have attracted a range of people, not only from the congregation, and stimulated lively debate. The students hold a Bible study group each week in term, and two graduate students organise monthly meetings of ‘The Moot’, in which a speaker leads a conversation on a topic that matters to them. These have included issues in medical ethics, politics, history and psychology, and many have been led by members of the congregation. Outreach As Christians we want to help those in need, and we have found that “St Mary’s is the we are good at this when offered particular problems to solve. The congregation can be very generous when asked to contribute to a first church where specific cause; recently, for example, we provided the resources to furnish a flat for a family coming to Oxford from Syria. We are also I’ve experienced committed to the Interfaith Friendship Walk, set up by Charlotte Bannister-Parker in 2004 when she was Assistant Priest here. community.”

We believe there’s more that we could do as a church to reach out to the local community and beyond, ideally on a more regular basis. We hope our new Vicar will help us to find new and creative ways to use our resources and the expertise and skills of our congregation in the service of others. We could be more active in working for social justice in a practical way, perhaps in the less affluent parts of Oxford. And we could do more to articulate clearly and persuasively THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN

the generous, outward-looking Christian faith we believe in. University links St Mary’s is the official church of the University and enjoys a strong relationship with the University and with Oriel College. The Vicar sits, ex officio, on the Committee for Select Preachers, which nominates the preachers of University Sermons, and St Mary’s also hosts memorial and thanksgiving services for the University. Almost every college has a chapel and a chaplain, but St Mary’s offers a space in which those chapel communities can come together in shared worship. On special occasions such as Ash Wednesday we are joined by two or three college choirs, and one of the highlights of our year is a combined Collegiate Evensong with a dozen or so college choirs – between them they fill almost the whole nave. There is scope to foster deeper connections with some of the college chapel communities, and to work with them to offer a vision of liberal Christianity which is attractive to students and young people. Heritage and education As the scene of some of the most dramatic events in the history of the Church of England, including the trial of Archbishop Cranmer, St Mary’s receives a large number of visitors each year. As part of a recent grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund we have been able to improve our welcome to those who come through our doors. We have developed our educational resources, both for tourists and for local people; and we currently fund an Education Officer who runs talks and workshops designed to open up some of our rich heritage – material, spiritual and literary – to the whole community. “The church brings students together for debates, discussion and friendship.”

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More than a church The work of St Mary’s is supported by our flourishing businesses, especially the tower and shop. Each year, we have around 600,000 visitors, of whom about 100,000 pay to climb the tower for the panoramic views from the top. Throughout the year, we host a significant number of concerts and plays in the church. There is also the popular Vaults & Garden café, which operates as a concession. Our recently renovated Old Library provides space for parish events, such as lunches and meetings. It is also available to hire for conferences. Opportunities and challenges We believe St Mary’s is well placed for the future, but we know that there are many challenges which lie before us, and that we need to keep developing and growing if we are to engage effectively with those around us. We know that the congregation at St Mary’s is a changing mixture of those who are here for years and those whose time in Oxford is quite short; we want to work with our new Vicar to maintain a strong sense of community within the church, with good pastoral support for each other. We want also to use all the opportunities we have to make God’s love known to all, within the physical setting of our parish and church but also through new media and new technology. Our church and congregation has immense potential and enthusiasm, and we hope our new Vicar will help us to channel that potential into the work of spreading the Kingdom of God through both words and deeds. Our new Vicar As a parish, we hope for a new Vicar who will be:

• Confident and creative in articulating a generous and loving Christian faith, within the church and far beyond;

• Excited to develop further our inquisitive approach to faith;

• Excellent at building relationships, within the church, with the University, and with the wider community;

• Keen to build and nurture the talents of our congregation, willing to listen and to provide support and pastoral care for us all; • Able to lead and to manage others within our complex system; “St Mary’s offers a good at ensuring the smooth running of the church and our related business operations. voice for reasoned Above all, we hope for a Vicar with the vision and the wisdom to enable faith in a secular us to use our excellent resources (material, financial and spiritual) in the service of God and for the good of the church and wider community. age.” THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN St Mary’s information

A brief history A church was established on this site in Anglo-Saxon times but the oldest part of the present church is the tower, which dates from around 1280 and whose spire was completed around 1320. The present chancel was completed in the late 1400s; by the 1510s the nave had also been substantially rebuilt. Both are in the Perpendicular style characteristic of the time. The church was adopted as the first building of Oxford University and Congregation met there from at least 1252. By the early 14th century it was the seat of University government and was used for lectures and the award of degrees. Around 1300 a two-storey building was added to the north side of the chancel. The ground floor, now the Vaults café, was the Convocation House used by the University parliament, and the upper storey, now the Old Library, housed books which formed the first University library. The connections with the University deepened when one of our rectors, Adam de Brome, founded Oriel College in 1326. Oriel remains patron and Lay Rector of St Mary’s (alongside Merton College, the historic patron of St Peter in the East and St Cross). The church has witnessed some of the most dramatic events in the life of the Church of England. Archbishop Cranmer was tried here in 1554 and 1556, on the latter occasion denouncing the Pope in vehement “A place of sanctuary for all seeking spiritual solace.”

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terms before being taken to be burnt in Broad Street. Almost three hundred years later, John Henry Newman preached some of his most famous sermons here, as Vicar of the church. In the 20th century, the first meeting to set up what became Oxfam was held in the Old Library. The facilities of the modern church Although an historic building, the church has good, modern facilities. There are offices in the narthex, with loos available for the congregation, and further offices adjacent to the organ loft. There is a small parish kitchen just off the nave. Doors from the nave and Adam de Brome chapel lead to the shop, and through there to the tower. The Old Library is now a parish room and is also available as a meeting or conference venue, with bookings handled by the Parish Adminstrator. It has a fully- fitted kitchen and a choir robing room. St Mary’s is also a popular venue for concerts, plays and talks, again handled by the Parish Administrator, with a large number of events being held in both the nave and chancel throughout the year.

As well as being a popular destination for visitors, the Vaults & Garden café also caters at events both in the church and in the Old Library. The café is open from 8am to 6pm serving locally sourced meals and refreshments throughout the day. THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN

The church is open every day of the year: 9am to 6pm in June, July & August; closing at 5pm for the rest of the year. Works and maintenance St Mary’s recently benefited from a major restoration, funded in large part by substantial grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£3.4m), the Clore Duffield Foundation (£600,000), and our reserves. The fabric, including the spire, was extensively restored, stonework was repaired, painted areas redecorated, and the organ renovated. In the tower, the bells were rehung and the original tower clock mechanism reinstalled.

The church is consequently now in a very good state of repair, although there are always matters to address in a building of this age. The Quinquennial Review of August 2015 identified 19 items that needed to be addressed in the following year and a further 49 matters to consider before the next review. Our major concerns at the moment are water seepage from the nave roof and the need to complete the re-facing and repair of the outer south wall. Seating space The church comfortably seats over 400 people in the nave and gallery and chairs can be placed in the Adam de Brome chapel for larger congregations. The chancel seats around 70 people. “An outstanding choir and beautiful music.”

10 THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN Who you will work with

We have a fine and dedicated team at St Mary’s, both clergy and lay, involved in our services and running the administration of the church.

As Vicar you will be supported by: Clergy, Lay Assistant, and PCC Associate Priest This position is usually offered with a three-year contract and is funded by the PCC. The post is currently held by Alan Ramsey, who will be moving to full-time study in January 2017.

Additional Associate Priest Charlotte Bannister-Parker is currently also serving as an Associate Priest, licensed to St Mary’s until June 2018. She first came to St Mary’s as a Deacon in 2003, was ordained Priest the following year, and was Assistant Priest for some years. She introduced the Family Service and was the Bishop’s Adviser for Overseas Programmes. Having moved to another church in the Deanery, she returned to St Mary’s in June 2016 to help cover the vacancy.

We are very fortunate to be able to call on the services of college chaplains including Andrew Allen (Chaplain of Exeter College) and Judith Maltby (Chaplain of Corpus Christi College), and retired clergy including congregant Donald Reece, to assist at services.

Lay Assistant The church has a Lay Assistant, a post which has been filled by Claire “A blend of Browes since September 2014; before that she worshipped at St Mary’s while a student at the University. She will be leaving us in summer 2017 academic rigour to train for the priesthood. The PCC is committed to refilling this post. and practical PCC Our current Churchwardens are Janet Greenland and Sarah Mortimer. pastoral The PCC is an engaged and supportive body of 12 members of the friendship.” congregation. Servers and Stewards Many members of the congregation are involved in serving, stewarding, and other areas including the intercessions. The Head Server is Ellie Williams; there are three Sacristans: Jill Harding, Juliette Trotter and Liz Adams; the Head Steward is Megan Roper. Children’s Church is organised by Debbie Hall, and flowers by Victoria Mort. Music We are fortunate to have two very skilled musicians working on this vital

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“A beautiful and aspect of worship at St Mary’s. Dr Gulliver Ralston is Director of Music and Choirmaster, and James Brown is our Organist. The Director of spiritual space for Music is paid an annual fee whereas the Organist and the members of the Choir of the University Church are all paid per service. The make- all ages.” up of the choir depends on the music being sung and the availability of individual choir members. Administration The able administrative team is headed by our full-time Parish Administrator Ana-Maria Niculcea. Maintenance is overseen three days a week by Buildings Manager Kevin Harris, the church Caretaker is Sam Bell, and our bookkeeping is done one day a week by Jeanne White.

The gift shop is managed by Adam Hardiman who is responsible for both stock and staffing. Education Officer Penny Boxall’s post was funded as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund grant, but from September 2016 her post is being funded by the church for one year.

Will Pouget runs the Vaults café as a concession.

We also have an active cohort of Volunteer Guides, some of whom are members of the congregation.

12 THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN The Vicarage & amenities

The Vicarage of North Oxford at 9 Norham is an Academy School which was Gardens (OX2 6PS), which is just rated in 2011 as “Outstanding” St Mary’s Vicarage is a substantial off the Banbury Road and twenty by Ofsted. It is the main four-bedroom house in North minutes’ walk from St Mary’s and comprehensive school for North Oxford with a large garden and the centre of Oxford. Oxford and consistently ranks spacious offstreet parking. among the top ten state schools The Vicarage, which is owned by Amenities for Oxbridge entry. the Diocese, was built in 1997 The shops and cafés on North There are also many private and is just under a mile from the Parade are a few minutes’ walk secondary schools in Oxford. church. There is a direct cycle from the Vicarage, and the many route to the church which takes facilities of Oxford including Other property about five minutes. cinemas, museums and theatres are also nearby. There is a wide St Mary’s owns a three-bedroom On the top floor there is a large range of music and drama on terraced house in East Oxford. master bedroom with an en offer, especially student-based The house was bought to suite bathroom, two further well- productions during term time. The accommodate the church’s proportioned bedrooms, and a Vicarage is well located for buses Associate Priest, but is currently family bathroom. into Oxford, and up to Oxford occupied by our Lay Assistant. The first floor has a single Parkway station via the busy bedroom with an associated shopping area of Summertown shower room, and a spacious with its banks, chemists, drawing room. restaurants, leisure centres and tennis courts. The University The ground floor has an oak fitted Parks and the Cherwell Boat kitchen; a living room with doors House punt station are a short which open on to the garden; a walk from the house. study and a small utility room. Schools At the front of the Vicarage there is a small garden and a driveway Primary schools with parking for three to four cars. The Vicarage is in the catchment There is a large single garage to area of the Church of England the side of the house. state primary of St Barnabas. The school is rated as “Good” by The back garden has a lawn with Ofsted and it is a twenty-minute borders and a vegetable patch. walk away. It is also possible to There is also a patio and a lean-to apply to St Philip & St James (Phil greenhouse. The garden backs on & Jim), another Church of England to a wooded area of the University primary, which is also nearby. Parks. Access to the Parks is via a public footpath a few yards There are many private junior, pre- down the road. prep and prep schools in the area. Secondary schools Location The state secondary school The The Vicarage is in the area Cherwell School in Summertown 13 THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN Finances

St Mary’s is fortunate in being a beautiful and historic comprises the Parish Share, Curate’s costs, and all church, located in the centre of one of the most administrative fixed and running costs. famous cities in the world and one of the most visited The de Brome Trust tourist attractions in England. This trust is a registered charity whose objective is to Around 600,000 visitors come to the church each support the operations of the church. The trustees year, and many of them buy items from our shop and are appointed from the PCC but are independent pay to climb the tower. After deducting the costs of that body. The Vicar is usually also one of the of running these operations, this provides us with a trustees. Apart from some gifts, income comes significant annual income. This income helps us to entirely from St Mary’s (P.C.C.) Ltd. The Trust look after the fabric of this large and ancient building currently assists with the running costs of the church, and also to employ a relatively large staff for a parish but its main function is to provide large capital sums church. for restoration and repair. St Mary’s (P.C.C.) Ltd Responsibility for the finances of St Mary’s rests with This limited company is a subsidiary company of The the PCC. Reports prepared by our bookkeeper with de Brome Trust. It receives income from the shop, supporting material from our Treasurer and Shop tower visits, and Vaults & Garden café rent (paid Manager are examined at each PCC meeting. at 7% of turnover). The surplus on these trading In financial terms the church consists of three activities is paid as a charitable donation to The de businesses: Brome Trust. The University Church of St Mary the Virgin There are various other small trusts, funds, and This is a registered charity which is run as a normal investment holdings in the three businesses. parish church account. Sources of income are: stewardship and other giving including Gift Aid; fees Last financial year from conferences and other events; the University The financial year-end is 31 December. The grant and any grants from our patron, Oriel College; combined accounts for 2015 show income of weddings and funerals; and rental from our Stratford £677,685 and costs of £506,220, of which the Parish Street property (when applicable). Expenditure Share was £64,476, giving a surplus of £171,465.

Income 2015 Expenditure 2015

14 THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN The Parish & church

The Parish The old Parish of St Mary the Virgin (outlined in red) was expanded in “A home from 2009 when it took in the Parish of St Cross with St Peter in the East. It is composed in the main of college and University buildings and land, home for stressed- with very few residents. The congregation is therefore drawn from surrounding and other parishes, and the church’s electoral roll of 119 is out students.” composed almost entirely of people from outside the parish.

The Benefice of St Mary’s includes the churches of St Cross and St Peter in the East. St Peter’s has been closed as a place of worship and is now a college Income 2015 Expenditure 2015 library. It is let to St Edmund Hall by the Diocesan Finance Board. No services are held in St Peter’s. A faculty is required for any alteration or restoration and St Mary’s applies for the faculty. St Cross is a Chapel of Ease of St Mary the Virgin. The church has been closed for weekly services and is now the Historic Collections Centre for Balliol College. There is an annual service in the chancel on St Cross Day. Holywell Cemetery is situated on land behind St Cross. The Friends of Holywell Cemetery manage it, and the Vicar of St Mary’s is their ex officio chairman; they meet three or four times a year. The cemetery is open for the interment of ashes. The PCC The members of the PCC are: Anna Zornoza, Christopher Gasson (Treasurer), David Barr (Deputy Churchwarden), Ellie Williams (Secretary), 15 THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN

Ian Hewitt, Janet Greenland (Churchwarden), Liz Adams, Louise Jarvis, Nicholas Hardyman (Deputy Churchwarden), Roy Foster, Sarah Mortimer (Churchwarden) and Victoria Mort, and there are three representatives of Deanery Synod: Felix Leach, Jenyth Worsley (Lay Member of the Oxford Deanery Standing Committee ) and Julia Reece. The PCC currently meets six times a year and has committees for Stewardship and Charities. Services and worship Regular services Sunday 10.30 Choral Eucharist – the choir sings during term-time and the congregation out of term. This service incorporates the University Sermon twice a term. The average number of communicants in the past year was 133 with attendance of around 150. Children’s Church – this takes place during the 10.30 service except when there is a Family Service and during August. Tuesday and Thursday Eucharist – 12.15 in the Chancel. The number of communicants ranges from 2 to 5. Family Service 9.30 – this service is held on the first Sunday of the month. German Lutheran Service – this is held at 15.30 on the first Sunday of the month. Occasional Services Advent Carol Service – a joint service with the German Lutheran Congregation Sunday before Christmas – Christmas Carol Service at 18.30 Christmas Eve – Children’s Christmas Service at 16.00 Christmas Eve – Midnight Mass Christmas Day – Eucharist Latin Sermon – held on the first day of Hilary full term Ash Wednesday – Eucharist with imposition of Ashes Palm Sunday – procession with palms and donkey from Clarendon Building to church; Eucharist. Holy Week – Compline Maundy Thursday – Eucharist of the Last Supper and Stripping of the Altars “All are welcome, Good Friday – a series of events are held including: Stations of the Cross; Poetry of the Passion; Choral Music for the Passion; Sung whoever they are Liturgy and Veneration of the Cross and whatever their Easter Day – Choral Eucharist with Exultet Ascension Day – 8.30 Eucharist followed by Beating the Bounds belief.” Occasional Choral Evensongs during July and August

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Harvest Festival – usually held at the Eucharist on the last Sunday in “St Mary’s is September All Souls’ Day – Eucharist of the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed resolutely open- Baptism, Marriage, Funeral and Memorial Services take place in the church during the year. minded.” Liturgies Eucharist: Common Worship Order One (Modern Language) Family Service: Service of the Word Evensong: Book of Common Prayer 1662 Activities Parish lunch in the Old Library: Sundays after morning service, two or three times a term. Student Bible study: Tuesday evenings, weekly during term-time. The Moot: Evening meetings two or three times a term; a brief introduction by a speaker of a topic that interests them followed by a general discussion. Themed discussion series during term-time: recently on death, anger, self, sex, work. Each theme usually over three meetings. Heritage/Education talks and workshops: weekly during term. Occasional ‘reflection mornings’: especially during Advent and Lent. Events for young people: St Mary’s has a large number of activities for children and young people, including discussion groups, poetry readings, plays, picnics, barbeques, Children’s Church, and events such as Beating the Bounds. The Grapevine: A network to enable members of the congregation to support each other. It has not been active recently and it would be good to revive it. Statistics The majority of the congregation comes from Oxford and its surroundings but there are always a significant number of visitors from elsewhere in the country and abroad. Figures from gift aid show that 54% of the people making donations come from the city.

The average number of communicants at the 10.30 Eucharist has risen from 100 in 2013 to 133 in the past year. There are very large congregations at Easter and Christmas. There were 2 Baptisms, no confirmations, 6 Weddings, 3 Funerals, and several Memorial services at the church in the past year.

17 THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN Diocese & Deanery

A word from the Archdeacon of Oxford Oxford Diocese covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Our Diocesan Bishop, Steven Croft, is also the Area Bishop for Oxford and Cowley Deaneries. He has recently said,

I believe that the Christian faith and the Christian church will become ever more central in the life of our nation and the world in the 21st century as people seek again for meaning, for values, for purpose and for hope. God has called the Church to be a community of mercy and kindness, reflecting the nature of Jesus Christ and telling the good news of his love. Together we are called to be a community of missionary disciples: faithful, united, hopeful, creative and rejoicing in God’s grace.

I’m delighted that you’re interested in becoming the next Vicar of St Mary the Virgin at the heart of the City and University of Oxford. It’s a vibrant, thoughtful, outward-looking church and its Vicar has a key role to play not only in the parish and city, but potentially in the Deanery and Diocese as well. There is a wonderful team of clergy and lay people in this parish and I would like to see a gifted communicator, vision setter and team builder come here to draw out the potential of this great church and ensure that all are working creatively and together for a common purpose. Could that be you?

Martin Gorick

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From the Area Dean, Oxford Deanery The Oxford Deanery is part of the Oxford Archdeaconry and the wider Oxford Diocese, under the Episcopal oversight of the Bishop of Oxford. The Cathedral of the Oxford Diocese is also in the Oxford Deanery. The Deanery meets regularly for Chapter and Synod meetings, at which speakers are invited to talk on a range of issues that are of shared concerns to the parishes. Some of the key features of the Oxford Deanery are as follows: • We have good links with our neighbouring Cowley Deanery which covers the southern and eastern half of the city. • There is a full spectrum of churchmanships reflected in the parishes: traditional anglo-catholic, liberal catholic, central, charismatic and conservative evangelical and also shades of different practice expressed in the same benefice/parish. • Some of the largest congregations of the Oxford Diocese are found in our Deanery. These tend to be (although not exclusively) eclectic congregations with large groups of people coming into the parish to worship. • More ordination candidates are produced in a year from our many thriving churches in the Deanery than some small dioceses. We hope that the new incumbent will play a full and active part in the life of the Deanery, along with other clergy staff and lay members at St Mary the Virgin. You will be most welcome!

Will Donaldson

19 THE UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN Role description

Person specification Role description ESSENTIAL 1. DETAILS OF POST • Man or Woman in Priest’s Orders for at least five Role title: Vicar of Oxford St Mary the Virgin years, and in good standing with their diocese Type of Role: Full time stipendiary

• Prayerful sense of calling to this post Benefice : Oxford St Mary the Virgin with St Cross with St Peter in the East • Commitment to maintaining the inclusive, inquisitive, ‘liberal catholic’ ethos of St Mary’s Episcopal area: Oxford

• Proven ability to lead teams in church or non- Deanery: Oxford church context Archdeaconry: Oxford • Evidence of developing spirituality and ongoing learning in recent times Conditions of Service: Please refer to Statements of Particulars document • Proven skills as a preacher and teacher, with an issued in conjunction with this role description (after ability to communicate effectively to people with appointment) different levels of knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith Key contact for Clergy Terms of Service: Archdeacon of Oxford. This role falls within the • Willingness to provide pastoral support for people Clergy Terms of Service formally known as Common from a range of backgrounds, in collaboration with Tenure. The Archdeacon of Oxford is the designated the wider team person by the Bishop of Oxford to issue the Statement of Particulars for the post holder. • An appreciation of the arts, and church choral music in particular, and an understanding of their Accountability: value in bringing people to God Priests share with the Bishop in the oversight of the church. Whilst, as an office holder, the individual • Right to work in the UK is expected to lead and prioritise work in line with the purpose of the role, they are encouraged to DESIRABLE inform the Archdeacon and Churchwardens about • Experience of effective ministry in the public any issues exceptional or otherwise that have the square potential to affect ongoing delivery of ministry.

• Willingness to harness the power of digital media Additional responsibility: to enhance the life of the congregation and to None engage with those outside it 2. CONTEXT • Evidence of leading or managing a complex organisation or business Wider Context As a diocese we are committed to holistic mission, • Experience of successful fundraising and grant working through the framework of ‘Living Faith for the applications Future’. We have defined our purpose as ‘to join with

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God in creating a caring, sustainable and growing • preparing candidates for confirmation Christian presence in every part of the Diocese of • diligently visiting the parishioners of the benefice, Oxford, enabling every Christian and every Christian particularly those who are sick and infirm community to live and share the love of God, seen in • providing spiritual counsel and advice the life of Jesus Christ.’ • consulting with the parochial church council on Within the Living Faith framework we are inviting matters of general concern and importance to the every parish, benefice, Board and Committee to benefice paint their own unique work of art using the colours • bringing the needs of the world before God in of: intercession • Sustaining the Sacred Centre • calling your hearers to repentance and declaring • Making Disciples in Christ’s name the absolution and forgiveness • Making a Difference in the World of their sins • Shaping Confident, Collaborative Leadership • blessing people in God’s name • Creating Vibrant Christian Communities • preparing people for their death • discerning and fostering the gifts of all God’s These priorities are supported centrally by resources, people training, conferences, workshops, missioners and much more. We are inviting benefices and their • being faithful in prayer, expectant and watchful priests to share a vision rather than demanding a for the signs of God’s presence, as he reveals his response. kingdom among us C. To share in the wider work of the deanery and We encourage a priest to have a ministerial interest diocese as appropriate, for the building up of the beyond the benefice which is a personal specialism whole Body of Christ. and may be made available to the wider church – a ‘sixth day ministry’. Above all, we want all our priests Key responsibilities specific to the local situation: to flourish in ministry and to deepen their enjoyment • Confident and creative in articulating a generous of God. and loving Christian faith, within the church and far beyond; 3. ROLE PURPOSE AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Excited to develop further our inquisitive General: approach to faith; A. To exercise the cure of souls shared with • Excellent at building relationships, within the the bishop in this benefice in collaboration with church, with the University, and with the wider colleagues including the praying of the Daily Office, community; the administration of the sacraments and preaching • Keen to build and nurture the talents of our B. To have regard to the calling and responsibilities congregation, willing to listen and to provide of the clergy (as described in the Canons, the support and pastoral care for us all; Ordinal, the Code of Professional Conduct for the • Able to lead and to manage others within our Clergy) and other relevant legislation including complex system; good at ensuring the smooth • Bringing the grace and truth of Christ to this running of the church and our related business generation and making him known to those in operations. your care. The key responsibilities listed above may be • instructing the parishioners in the Christian faith supported by long- and short-term objectives to be

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agreed between the postholder and the Archdeacon • Deanery Synod and Churchwardens. • Deanery Pastoral Committee Other responsibilities In the benefice • Participate in the Bishop’s Ministerial Development • Churchwardens Review scheme and engage in Continuing Ministerial Development • Ministerial Colleagues

• Carry out any other duties and responsibilities as • Paid staff required in line with the benefice needs Support structures • Take care for their wellbeing including health and • Area Dean of Oxford, Will Donaldson safety and building a good repertoire of spiritual • Archdeacon of Oxford, Martin Gorick and psychological strategies • Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft 4. BENEFICE SUMMARY • Staff at The Diocesan Office with key Benefice: Oxford St Mary the Virgin with St Cross responsibilities for various aspects of supporting with St Peter in the East parochial ministry

Patrons: Oriel College (Lay Rector), Merton College 6. OTHER PCC: See profile for this item Relevant Documentation Churchwardens: Janet Greenland, Sarah Mortimer This role description is issued alongside and should be read in conjunction with the following documents: Ministers: Alan Ramsey, Charlotte Bannister-Parker • The Ordinal Benefice paid staff: Lay Assistant, Parish Administrator, Buildings Manager, Education Officer, • The Canons of the Church of England Caretaker, Cleaner • Guidance for the Professional Conduct of Clergy Buildings: St Mary’s, St Cross and St Peter in the • Bishop’s Licence East • Statement of Particulars issued to the office-holder Churchyards: St Mary’s, St Cross and St Peter in the on successful appointment East • Diocesan Clergy Handbook Resolutions: None • Parish Profile Church Tradition: Liberal catholic • Ministry Action Plans (MAPs) Pastoral Reorganisation proposals: None currently Any objectives discussed and agreed between the For more detailed information, please refer to the post holder and the supervising minister. Parish Profile. Draft Role produced by: The Venerable Martin Gorick, 5. KEY CONTACTS FOR THE ROLE Archdeacon of Oxford Generic and specific to the role Groups & committees Date: 09.08.2016 • The PCC To be reviewed next on: Three months after institution • Deanery Chapter with the Archdeacon of Oxford.