Vyrnwy Mission Area Vyrnwy Mission Area is looking for a part-time ordained colleague to work with us, focusing especially on building up God’s ministry to children and young people in the communities we serve, minister to, and live in. The Diocese of St Asaph In the Diocese of St Asaph or Teulu Asaph, we’re • Growing and encouraging the whole people of God • Enlivening and enriching worship • Engaging the world We’re a family of more than 7,000 regular worshippers, with 80 full time clergy, over 500 lay leaders, 229 churches and 51 church schools. We trace our history to the days of our namesake, St Asaph and his mentor, St Kentigern who it’s believed built a monastery in St Asaph in AD 560. Many of the churches across the Diocese were founded by the earliest saints in Wales who witnessed to Christian faith in Wales and have flourished through centuries of war, upheaval, reformation and reorganisation. Today, the Diocese of St Asaph carries forward that same Mission to share God’s love to all in 21th Century north east and mid Wales. We’re honoured to be a Christian presence in every community, to walk with people on the journey of life and to offer prayers to mark together the milestones of life. Unlocking our Potential is the focus of our response to share God’s love with people across north east and mid Wales. Unlocking our Potential is about bringing change, while remaining faithful to the life-giving message of Jesus. It’s about challenging, inspiring and equipping the whole people of God to grow in their faith. Geographically, the Diocese follows the English/Welsh border in the east, whilst the western edge is delineated by the Conwy Valley. The northern boundary runs along the North Wales coast as far as Llandudno, but only takes in part of that town. The southern boundary runs from the lower end of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) across to Dolfor, just south of Newtown in Powys. Ecclesiastically it is bordered by the dioceses of Chester, Lichfield and Hereford on the northern and eastern sides. To the south we border Swansea and Brecon diocese and to the west, Bangor. Large parts of the diocese are rural, but there are important and continually developing industrial and commercial areas around Deeside (one of the largest industrial parks in Europe) and Wrexham and significant developments along the two main arterial roads (A55 and A483). The coastal strip is home to traditional holiday resorts and tourism is an important industry in many parts of the diocese. St Asaph offers: • A welcome to all • Life enhancing opportunities for all • A commitment to nurture God’s gifts to everyone • A Christian education through our 51 Church Schools • A celebration and conservation of our very special places • A commitment to walk alongside those in need • A prayerful heart at the centre of every community Vrynwy Mission Area Profile – January 2019 2 Part-time Shepherd required • Are you someone with: • dynamism, enthusiasm and energy; • a commitment to working with children and young people, having a love and respect for them as equal members of the Body of Christ. Being willing to learn from them as well as encouraging them forward in their own journey of faith; • a desire to reach out to the local community, especially the schools; • good interpersonal skills; • a pastoral heart; • experience of living and/or working in a rural location; • a sense of humour and ability to see the funny side in things; • the capacity to work as part of a team as well as being able to lead. Vyrnwy Mission Area are looking for a part-time ordained colleague to work with us, focusing especially on building up God’s ministry to children and young people in the communities we serve, minister to, and live in. Our Mission Area message is taken from Jesus’ words to Peter, found in John 21: ‘Feed my lambs; feed my sheep.’ The Mission Area Conference (MAC) is exploring ways to bring this into reality, as we seek to maintain and nurture those who’s faith is long-standing, whilst reaching out to and engaging with those who’s journey of life and /or Christian faith is newer and younger. The Vyrnwy Mission Area includes the communities of Llwydiarth, Llanfihangel yng Nghwynfa, Llanwddyn, Llanfyllin, BwIch-y-Cibau, Llanfechain, and Llansantffraid ym Mechain. It’s an area of stunning environmental beauty, where the number of sheep (and at certain times of year, pheasants also) are in competition to outnumber the people who live in or visit the area! Farming, game-keeping, forestry, land management, light industry, community initiatives, charitable organisations, and commerce are all found in the area, alongside the schools in Llanfyllin (County Primary and High), Llanfechain (Church in Wales Primary), and Llansantffraid (Church in Wales Primary). In addition, it’s an area of rich artistic, musical, and creative expression and exploration, with a deep spiritual (Christian and other) history. A good proportion of people from the different communities know each other well, having been educated, worked, and worshipped alongside each other for many years; yet there are also 'newer members' of the communities, giving a fuller expression of the multi-faceted world in which we now live. This enables a warmth and openness which is highly valued as we continue to grow and develop as the Mission Area. Our Shared Ministry Team (SMT), churchwardens, Church Committees, and part-time Administrator, are committed to working together to grow God’s Kingdom here, a way of working that our new colleague would need to embrace. The person appointed will live in Llansantffraid ym Mechain (see later in profile for details of the house) and be primarily based in the communities of Llansantffraid and Llanfechain, yet working across and engaging with all the communities and churches in the Mission Area. Vrynwy Mission Area Profile – January 2019 3 Who are we looking for? We are looking for someone who has the ability to engage with the children, young people and families of Vyrnwy Mission Area. You will work alongside the people already here, to develop, build, and provide a loving and spiritual environment in which to embrace, explore, and experience faith. You will need: • A gift for teaching the Christian message to all ages, but especially an ability to work in the community with children, young people, and families. • A heart to reach out to all ages with little or no Christian faith, in order to include them in the church family and to enable effective pastoral care. • The ability to relate to people of different ages. • Flexibility in developing and leading different types of worship. • Experience of team management skills, being able to empower and enable others in their ministries. Broad responsibilities These include: • Serving alongside the Mission Area Leader, Licensed Reader, Wardens, Church Committees, Worship Leaders, and MAC members in the Vyrnwy Mission Area, so working as part of a team • Engaging with and growing the existing work with children, young people, and their families, so enabling the nurture and development of their faith. This will include creating, developing and implementing a range of new ideas for social, recreational, and spiritual activities for children, young people, and their families • Recruiting, equipping and inspiring volunteers to support the work with children, young people, and families; and working supportively and collaboratively with the existing SMT, MAC members, and church officers to ‘feed my lambs; feed my sheep.’ • Nurturing God’s people in their discipleship and personal relationship with the Lord. • Through word and deed proclaiming the gospel of God’s grace and the good news of Jesus to those who haven’t yet responded and encourage others to do likewise, providing a positive witness to the community. • Leading and taking part in liturgical worship, administering the sacraments and supporting and encouraging other members of the SMT in their ministry. • The ability to speak Welsh, or at least show a willingness to learn, would be advantageous. The post holder will also be expected to participate in Diocesan clergy development and, with the Archdeacon and Bishop’s permission, attend other vocational courses/conferences. They will also be expected to attend Mission Area Conference. Vrynwy Mission Area Profile – January 2019 4 What we can offer The Vicarage The Vicarage is a relatively new property on an attractive housing development in the centre of Llansantffraid. The flexible living accommodation comprises Reception Hallway, Dining Hall, Family Room, Cloakroom, Lounge, Conservatory and Breakfast Kitchen to the ground floor with five bedrooms, two en-suite, and Family Bathroom to the first floor. The property has a block paved driveway leading to the Double Garage, driveway and lawned garden to the front with a large lawned garden and patio area to the rear. The property benefits from Oil Central Heating, Double Glazing, is fully carpeted and has a security alarm. The People Vyrnwy Mission Area is blessed with faithful and long-serving disciples, rooted in their local communities, providing much of the ‘on-the-spot’ pastoral care as well as organising and co-ordinating the activities of the individual churches. Supporting and assisting in this is the Shared Ministry Team (SMT), whose primary responsibility is the provision of liturgical worship and some nurturing activities, and the Mission Area Conference (MAC) who help with the co-ordination, support and organisation of MA activities and responsibilities. The part- time Administrator supports the MAC and Mission Area Leader (MAL) with administrative matters. Vrynwy Mission Area Profile – January 2019 5 However, the current worshipping congregations are primarily ageing ones – people with willing spirits and a desire to see the church grow and reach out further to their communities, yet limited by age, physical ability, and energy levels in their endeavours to engage effectively and long-term with children and younger people.