Pastoral Worker for People in their Later Years : St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Portobello

St Mark’s Episcopal Church  is seeking a part-time Pastoral Worker (lay or ordained) to provide dedicated pastoral and spiritual support to older people, nurturing their gifts and passions to develop ‘Elders’ who can bring knowledge and wisdom to our congregation and community.

St Mark’s is an active, warm and inclusive church serving the communities in the east side of Edinburgh. We are a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion within the Diocese of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church. This post is central to the vision of St Mark’s to increase its presence in the local community, and a key part of the job would be to develop existing partnerships with local organisations which share the vision of an inclusive and life-giving community.

This post is funded for two years. It is expected that over the two years the worker will work with colleagues to seek further funding for the continuation of the post by grants or dedicated funding.

Job Description

Hours:             14.5 hours per week: to include 11-3pm on Wednesdays and Sunday mornings – we anticipate that the worker will join our congregation for worship.

Fixed term:     2 years                                Salary:             FTE £25,000 (£9,802)

Location:         St Mark’s Church – where the worker will have full access to an office and IT equipment. There will also be some work off-site and visits within the community. This is not a work from home position.

Line Manager: The Rector

Key tasks:

• To work closely with the clergy of the church to support the pastoral needs of older people in our congregation, focusing on their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. This will include visiting in a range of different settings and ensuring regular communications to increase a sense of inclusion and involvement.
• To help grow our older people to become mature disciples of Jesus and agents of mission, sharing the joy of faith with others.
• To foster connections and relations between those who feel isolated.
• To work with volunteers (of all ages) in the congregation on a range of events and ways to connect with the older members of the congregation and community.
• To work with vestry to ensure older people play their full role in the life of the church community, including building on our experience of inter-generational creative worship and away days.
• To work with the established Wednesday Wonderings group to develop outreach in the community and establish its long-term future.
• To work with other groups within the Portobello area and with networks at national level for appropriate training and good practice.
• To stay up to date with research and best practice in the spirituality of aging.
• To attend regular church staff meetings and contribute to the worship life of the congregation.
• To be an advocate and a champion for older people as they play a full role in church and community life.
• To work with colleagues to plan for the long-term sustainability of this work.

Person specification

• This position would be suitable for either an ordained or lay person.
• Be an active member of a church community, preferably an SEC church, and willing to join the congregation in worship at St Marks.
• Proven experience of, and enthusiasm for, working with older people, and of pastoral care.
• Experience of working with volunteers, of team working and supervision.
• Experience of community asset based development would be an advantage, but not essential.
• Experience of planning, organising, and hosting community events.

Please note this post is considered Regulated Work under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.  The successful applicants will be required to join the PVG scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update Check prior to starting in post.

Interviews: It is expected that interviews will be held in the week beginning 1 April.

Application:  via attached Application form                   Deadline: 8am on Monday 25 March 2024

Any further details available from Rev Dr Sophia Marriage; sophia.marriage@stmarksportobello.org