Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney Vacancies

House for Duty Vacancy at Christ Church, Kincardine O’Neil

   

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Christ Church is a small independent congregation of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the oldest village on Royal Deeside.  Our beautiful rural setting is home to a well-educated, well-travelled membership.  For the past 30 years we have shared a Rector with St Ternan’s in Banchory; over the past six years we have been able to call a House-for-Duty priest to live in the village, who has worked in collaboration with our Rector and lay ministry team to continue a regular weekly worship pattern, oversee the pastoral care of the congregation, and nurture relationships with the local primary school and other community organisations.  As the only open church in the village, we maintain a high profile in civic events, ecumenical fellowship and general good will.  Our fondest hope is to serve this village and its surroundings more fully, the ‘churched and unchurched.’  We know the answer to that is increased engagement with the needs and dreams of our neighbours.  We see our priest as leader, teacher, and symbol of that engagement.

The basics of the job require Sunday worship and two other days per week in return for housing in the village (including council tax, water, and sewage) and expenses.  Details of length of appointment and any other special considerations would be determined in light of the particular candidate’s situation by our Vestry and Rector, in consultation with the Bishop.

Sunday worship is largely in traditional form (Prayer Book and 1970) and with the following pattern: 1st and 3rd Sundays – Holy Communion; 2nd and 4th Sundays – Matins or an alternative service of Morning Prayer; 5th Sundays – Evensong.  There are no immediate plans to change this pattern.  We are designated as a test congregation for the new SEC morning service. 

In addition, the priest would be responsible for organising Christmas, Holy Week, and special services throughout the year (esp. Remembrance Sunday and other community and ecumenical services), as well as take the necessary funerals, weddings, and christenings.  There are at least two times a year when we lead services for the local primary school, and we are keen to deepen that relationship. 

Assistance in all of this is provided by the Rector, who maintains full canonical authority for the activities and worship planning.  Primary Sunday support is offered by two of our lay people, who are authorised by local license to preach and lead services; and three others licensed as servers/chalice bearers.  All of the readings, including the gospel, are assigned by regular rota to designated readers, and intercessions led by a small group trained and discerned in that gift.  We are keen to widen this network of lay ministry as is appropriate. 

Music is a high value, and as our choir is often augmented by singers from other local churches or outside church, this has become a vital mission tool.  Good preaching is also appreciated by this intelligent and warm-hearted community.

The Vestry Secretary, with the Rector, currently takes all responsibility for planning and chairing the Vestry meetings and AGM, maintaining Communicants and Congregational Rolls, and completing the annual statistical returns to the Diocese as well as maintaining the website and circulating regular newsletters.  Therefore the primary role of the House-for-Duty priest is to be a symbol of faith in the congregation and village.
Hand-written letters of application, together with typed CV, should be submitted to the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney at: St Clement’s Church House, Mastrick Drive, Aberdeen, AB16 6UF, UK.  Tel: 01224 662247.

House for Duty Vacancy at St James’, Holburn Junction

Closing date: 31 May, 2012

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St James’s is an independent congregation of the Scottish Episcopal Church. We are currently looking for a non-stipendiary priest who would undertake Sunday duty and two days’ pastoral care per week in return for the use of the Rectory at 31, Gladstone Place, council tax paid (including water and sewerage). The Vestry will be responsible for the maintenance of the fabric of the building.

The terms of the appointment are in accordance with the Canons of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The appointment requires the approval of the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney.

The appointment is likely to be initially for five years, though special arrangements are necessary for any candidate over 70. The customary expenses of office are paid, including mileage on church business at the Diocesan rate (currently 45p. per mile).

Duties

The person appointed would be responsible for conducting weekly worship (currently Sundays, 10.30 [Holy Communion (HC) or Mattins]; Wednesdays 10 a.m. [HC]. St James’s previously held an additional HC at 9.0 a.m. on 2nd Sunday of month, ideally also 4th Sunday, but these services have not been held for some time. There is some help with these services from congregational members and the Honorary Assistant Priest (Revd Canon Ruth Edwards).  Other help may be available from the Diocese for holiday cover.

Unless another officiant is agreed, the House-for-Duty Priest would be responsible for taking occasional offices (funerals, baptisms, weddings) which are usually few in number; also for organising and/or leading special services held at St James’s (e.g. Christmas Day, Holy Week observances, ecumenical events, possibly an occasional evensong).

The Priest would have primary responsibility for sick-visiting and Home Communions, and for hospital and any other pastoral visiting (e.g. of newcomers) assisted by the Pastoral Visiting Team (currently convened by Canon Edwards). Unless otherwise arranged, the House-for-Duty Priest would also need to provide any baptism or confirmation instruction and wedding preparation, care pastorally for the bereaved, and support, or lead, any congregational Bible Studies/Lent devotions, etc. He/she would also liaise, as appropriate, ecumenically and with other Episcopalian congregations.

The Priest normally chairs the Vestry and Annual General Meeting of Constituent Members. Together with the secretary (or Priest’s Warden) he/she maintains the Communicants’ and Congregational Rolls, and makes the annual statistical returns to the Diocese. It is greatly appreciated if he/she is able to organise a regular Church Newsletter and other publicity materials.

Congregational Support

St James’s congregation has a reputation for being friendly and supportive, and able to take initiative. The majority of members participate actively in Church life, though there are a few who attend only occasionally.  Congregational members regularly read lessons, lead intercessions, and several of them are happy to lead Mattins. Four members, in addition to the Assistant Priest, have the Bishop’s permission to administer the chalice (one of these also acts as server). There are currently 4 members in the Pastoral Visiting Team (including the Assistant Priest), but other congregational members visit informally. Canon Edwards is also glad to help with leading worship, including preaching and the celebration of Communion, as far as permitted by health and other commitments, and as agreed with her colleague, the House-for-Duty Priest.

Application

Letters of Application, together with Curriculum Vitae and names of two referees should be sent to the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney (The Rt Revd Robert Gillies)  by May 31st 2012, at the Diocesan Office:

The Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney
St Clement’s Church House
Mastrick Drive
Aberdeen
AB16 6UF, UK
Tel: 01224 662247.