Associate Vicar
Job specification
Job specification
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St Mary Abbots is a large, historic parish church in the heart of West London with a vibrant church community, full pattern of daily services, longstanding choral tradition, close relationship with the parish school and established civic and community links. The shops, restaurants and businesses of Kensington High Street, as well as Kensington Town Hall, Kensington Palace and parts of Kensington Gardens fall within our parish boundaries.
The Daily Office and the Eucharist are offered throughout the week; our Sunday service provision includes a Common Worship Parish Eucharist, alongside an 8 am Eucharist, Choral Matins and Sung Evensong, all from the Book of Common Prayer.
We have a well-staffed parish office (Parish Manager, PA/communications and events co-ordinator, Virger, Hall Manager and part-time Children’s Worker); and our clergy team comprises the Vicar and a part-time curate entering her final year, as well as the Associate Vicar we seek. We have regular contact with our parish primary school: the Vicar is Vice-Chair of Governors, and we offer weekly assemblies and a weekly Eucharist, as well as pastoral support.
This has been a time of change for the church, though we have also sought to honour and preserve the history and tradition of a parish which has existed for over 800 years. A Mission Action Plan drawn up in 2022 discerned three main areas of focus for the next three years: Welcome, Discipleship and Outreach. This has encouraged us to begin a number of building projects aimed at increasing the welcome, visibility and accessibility of our church building; committing to deepening the faith and spirituality of the congregation; and working to expand and develop our existing social outreach in the local community.
We are seeking to appoint a priest of the Church of England who has, as a minimum, completed a curacy title post, to the full-time, stipendiary post of Associate Vicar. This is a Locally Supported Ministry post, in agreement with the Diocese, who will pay full stipend, subject to ongoing funding by the PCC who are also responsible for providing housing.
The post comes with a three-bedroom cottage in St Mary Abbots Centre, which is situated between Kensington Church Street and Kensington Gardens, and also houses the Church Halls, the Parish Office, the Vicarage and one further cottage.
The Daily Office and the Eucharist are offered throughout the week; our Sunday service provision includes a Common Worship Parish Eucharist, alongside an 8 am Eucharist, Choral Matins and Sung Evensong, all from the Book of Common Prayer.
We have a well-staffed parish office (Parish Manager, PA/communications and events co-ordinator, Virger, Hall Manager and part-time Children’s Worker); and our clergy team comprises the Vicar and a part-time curate entering her final year, as well as the Associate Vicar we seek. We have regular contact with our parish primary school: the Vicar is Vice-Chair of Governors, and we offer weekly assemblies and a weekly Eucharist, as well as pastoral support.
This has been a time of change for the church, though we have also sought to honour and preserve the history and tradition of a parish which has existed for over 800 years. A Mission Action Plan drawn up in 2022 discerned three main areas of focus for the next three years: Welcome, Discipleship and Outreach. This has encouraged us to begin a number of building projects aimed at increasing the welcome, visibility and accessibility of our church building; committing to deepening the faith and spirituality of the congregation; and working to expand and develop our existing social outreach in the local community.
We are seeking to appoint a priest of the Church of England who has, as a minimum, completed a curacy title post, to the full-time, stipendiary post of Associate Vicar. This is a Locally Supported Ministry post, in agreement with the Diocese, who will pay full stipend, subject to ongoing funding by the PCC who are also responsible for providing housing.
The post comes with a three-bedroom cottage in St Mary Abbots Centre, which is situated between Kensington Church Street and Kensington Gardens, and also houses the Church Halls, the Parish Office, the Vicarage and one further cottage.
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We are looking for someone who:
- is first and foremost a team player, inclusive in theology and practice, warm and pastorally sensitive to the needs of people of all ages and stages of faith, who will work closely with clergy colleagues, parish staff and a wide range of volunteers, and encourage and develop lay ministry
- has the commitment, energy and stamina required for a church with a busy pattern of services, broad pastoral outreach, and a regular programme of cultural events and community activities
- has the Daily Office and regular Eucharistic worship at the heart of his/her own life and Christian practice
- is a wise, inspiring, challenging and theologically articulate preacher
- has the self-confidence, energy and humility to build upon those things that have already been achieved and to draw on ideas and inspiration from others whilst bringing new vision and ideas to the parish’s ministry and outreach
- possesses the organizational, administrative and communication skills to draw together, nurture and enable the gifts and skills of a wide variety of people
- is in sympathy with, and delights in, the choral and liturgical tradition of the Church of England
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The Associate Vicar:
- will report to the Vicar and will serve with her as part of a team alongside the curate in training, lay staff , Director of Music, professional choir and a wide range of volunteers
- will take a full share in leading and preparing Sunday services, the Daily Office and weekday Eucharists, occasional offices and school worship
- will share in the pastoral nurture of all parishioners, including children, families, the elderly, the sick and the isolated, and will also take on discrete areas of responsibility or projects appropriate to his/her gifts and interests, and the needs of the parish
- will be keen to take the opportunity of working in a large and busy parish to engage with the strategic, organisational and practical aspects of church leadership, participating fully in the life of the parish, Deanery, Area and Diocese
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We can offer:
- a three-bedroom cottage with small garden in St Mary Abbots Centre
- the opportunity to preside at a variety of different services, including weekly choral services alongside a professional choir, large civic services, healing Eucharists, more informal services and school worship, together with a good number of occasional offices
- a place to develop wide pastoral experience within a supportive team
- the chance to engage with the administration and management of a large parish
- time to develop areas of particular interest within ministry and mission
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Closing date: Monday 19th June at 10 am
For an initial informal conversation with the Vicar, please contact pa@stmaryabbots.org,uk
Please send completed application forms (see below) to
Mr Petter Kringberg, Parish Manager,
at parishmanager@stmaryabbots.org.uk or to
The Parish Manager,
St Mary Abbots Parish Office,
Vicarage Gate,
London W8 4HN
The post will be offered subject to enhanced DBS checks and an interview with the Bishop of Kensington, the Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, who will license the Associate Vicar to the parish.
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