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

This is a re-advertisement. Previous applicants need not apply.

Generously funded by the TOR Christian Trust

Aim:    The aim of this post is to provide dedicated pastoral and spiritual support to the older members of our congregation and community, nurturing their gifts and passions, creating and training ‘Elders’ within the community, who can bring knowledge and wisdom to both congregation and community. It therefore has at its core an intergenerational aim, as we bring those in later years fully into the worship, service and community of the church.

Skills:   It is anticipated that with community development skills, strongly based within the Christian faith, the post holder will enable the church to optimise the wellbeing of the older members of congregation, enabling them to share their wisdom and gifts with people of all generations and to become agents of mission and mature disciples of Jesus. This post will facilitate activities and connections which will enable people to continue to find meaning in life and grow in faith as their health and mobility declines.

This post is central to the vision of St Mark’s to increase its presence in the local community and a central 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 includes groups such as the doctors’ surgeries, local health charities, other churches in the area, the Older People’s project of Portobello, Action Porty, Tribe Porty, the Wash House, as well as organisations a bit further away, such as the Compassionate Communities project at St Columba’s Hospice and Faith in Older People. We would envisage that the post holder will connect into the Anna Chaplaincy movement to foster networks and access appropriate training and good practice.

The Legacy of the post: This post is for two years, which will provide a period of scoping, assessing the need and direction of such a dedicated worker. During the two years, it will be expected that the worker will lay plans and seek useful sources of funding for the continuation of the post, by grants or by dedicated funding.

Outline Job Description

Hours:              14.5 hours per week: it is expected that some of these hours will include 11-3pm on Wednesdays and Sundays mornings – we would 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 would have full access to an office, support, photocopying, landline etc. This is not a work from home position.

Line Manager:   The postholder will be accountable to and supervised by 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, ensuring regular communications (eg newsletters, phone and video calls) to increase a sense of inclusion and involvement and to aid pastoral care.
• 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. This is likely to be in a range of in person and virtual events.
• To work with vestry to ensure elderly are fully included in and play their full role in the life of the church community, including building on our experience of inter-generational creative worship and away days / weekends
• 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 society, church and community life.
• To be able to plan for the long term sustainability of this work.

Person specification

• This position would be suitable for either an ordained or lay person.
• A practising Christian willing to worship with St Mark’s.
• Proven experience of and enthusiasm for working pastorally with the elderly.
• Experience of Community Development would be an advantage
• Experience of planning, organising, and hosting community events.
• Experience of team working and rigorous supervision.

Any appointment is subject to an enhanced PVG check

Closing Date: 9am on Monday 20 May 2024. It is anticipated that the interviews will be held within 10 days of closing date.

Application:  via attached Application form             

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