Diocese of HEREFORD ROLE DESCRIPTION for the Vicar of the Benefice of St Weonards, Garway, Hentland with Hoarwithy, Orcop and Pencoyd & Tretire with Michaelchurch (part of the Archenfield Group Ministry) See also the person specification and the Statement of Needs for the same Benefice Role description signed off by the Archdeacon of Hereford Date: 11 May 2015 To be reviewed with the Archdeacon six months after commencement of appointment 1 Details of post Role title (as on licence): Vicar Name of benefice: St Weonards Deanery: Ross & Archenfield Archdeaconry: Hereford Initial point of contact on terms of service: The Archdeacon of Hereford 2 Role purpose General To share with the diocesan Bishop in the cure of souls; and with all God s people in discerning and joining in the mission of God within the benefice, deanery and diocese, working collaboratively with all relevant colleagues in accordance with the diocese s strategic priorities. To show due regard for their own personal and spiritual well-being, in particular in the Ministry Development Review programme. To undertake the responsibilities specified in the Canons and Ordinal, ensuring the appropriate provision of pastoral care and of the ministries of word and sacrament, so that all may find opportunities to grow in faith as disciples of Jesus Christ. Specific To grow the churches, both in numbers of worshippers and in depth of discipleship. This does not prejudge whether the growth will be in traditional congregations or in new models of gathering. To develop a cadre of Biblically-literate Christians in the benefice
To engage younger generations with the claims of Christ, without losing sight of the value and the needs of older people To work collaboratively with lay leaders: both those already in post, and those whose gifts will be identified and who will be trained and encouraged into new roles To model warmth, friendship and welcome and to encourage the churches to exhibit these characteristics To understand and celebrate the qualities of each congregation, while encouraging full participation in the life of the benefice, the group, the deanery and the diocese. 3 Key contacts Key contacts/relationships within the benefice and deanery include: Generic Wardens Members of the PCC Deanery chapter Specific OLM Curate: Revd Dr Frances Pullen The Rural Dean: Revd Dr Mark Johnson Supportive The Archdeacon of Hereford who will help you review this role description when you are six months into post The Diocesan CMD Adviser, Revd Nick Helm Support Ministers are available via the diocesan office, including: Revd Dr John Daniels, Lay Ministry Officer Revd Caroline Pascoe, Lay Development Officer [incl. Mission Action Planning] Miss Esther Gregory, Young People s Officer Ms Anni Holden, Communications Officer Mr Philip Sell, Director of Education Mrs Wendy Coombey, Community Partnership & Funding Officer Mrs Christine Pepler, Community Links Development Officer
4 Role context and any other relevant information Typically, rural multi-parish benefices are shotgun marriages, created in a diocesan office and incorporating communities which may have little in common. However the St Weonards Benefice has succeeded in generating a true sense of shared identity and mission. The congregations and traditions of the parishes are diverse, ranging from evangelical to moderately catholic. Under the ministry of the outgoing incumbent they were affirmed in their identities, and encouraged to contribute to the life of the benefice. The success of this strategy was apparent when, in a recent round of pastoral re-organization, the St Weonards parishes petitioned (successfully) to remain together, rather than going into new groupings with neighbours with whom they had historical ties. The parishes are rural, but not remote-rural. Some of them (notably Hentland with Hoarwithy) are in areas much visited by tourists. Significant numbers of retirees skew the age-profile; yet there are also numerous young families and the churches have healthy links with the schools. The overall population size is modest, at 1700: the incumbent can realistically hope to know all the parishioners, 10% of whom are already members of a church electoral roll. The opportunities for fruitful mission both evangelism among the unchurched, and transforming the community with Kingdom values are immense. These parishes attach great importance to participatory, collaborative working. They seek an incumbent who will value and encourage their gifts, and will exercise authority by sharing it appropriately. 5 Benefice summary Churches: Patrons: PCCs: Churchwardens: Seven: St Weonard (St Weonards), St Michael (Garway), St Dubricius (Hentland), St Catherine (Hoarwithy), St John the Baptist (Orcop), St Denys (Pencoyd), St Mary (Tretire). St Michael (Michaelchurch) is closed and is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. The Bishop of Hereford, Dean & Chapter of Hereford, Martyrs Memorial Trust Five St Weonards Mr Stephen Herbert Garway Mrs Janet Pullen
Hentland with Hoarwithy Mr Peter Pember Mr Robin Symonds Orcop Mr Peter Garratt Pencoyd & Tretire with Michaelchurch Mr Peter Everall Dr John Oubridge Ministers: Churchyards: Population: Electoral Roll: Average Sunday Attendance: OLM Curate: Revd Dr Frances Pullen Retired ministers who live locally also participate in leading worship Seven St Weonards 420; Garway 400; Hentland with Hoarwithy 205; Orcop 300; Pencoyd & Tretire with Michaelchurch 175; [St Owens Cross 200]: Total 1700 St Weonards 36; Garway 48; Hentland with Hoarwithy 27; Orcop 25; Pencoyd & Tretire with Michaelchurch 31: Total 167 St Weonards 32; Garway 21; Hentland with Hoarwithy 23; Orcop 13; Pencoyd & Tretire with Michaelchurch 27: Total 116 nb. not all churches have a weekly service Parish share: Expenses: Paid in full in 2014; one of the parishes is struggling to meet its 2015 commitment. Reimbursed in full Resolution A, B; Resolution under House of Bishops Declaration: Not passed. Church tradition: The background traditions of the individual parishes range from evangelical to mildly Catholic. Generous orthodoxy including valuing and teaching Scripture, a willingness to start from a baseline of traditional central Anglicanism, and the capacity to lead a congregation closer to God these characteristics will meet a favourable response irrespective of churchmanship. In recent years, Celtic spirituality/iona worship has been favourably received.
Occasional Offices 2014: Baptisms 9 Weddings 4 Funerals 9 + 4 crematorium and 2 memorial Outreach/service: All the churches are heavily engaged in community activities; in the smaller villages, the church is the centre of all community life. The churches organize or participate in cultural activities such as concerts, and poetry and folk/jazz festivals. The churches attract good numbers of worshippers to special services (Christmas, Harvest etc) and activities to mark Advent and Lent: there is a spectrum of spiritual content from undemanding to demanding. St Weonards members run, on behalf of the benefice, a Christianity Explored course in a pub. Several of the churches are engaged in Open the Book and Messy Church-type activities with schools.