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Haverhill
Mission Post
Based in the heart
of the town of Haverhill there are many exciting mission opportunities
to reach out to those from the outlying and distinctive estates of the
town that do not attend church.
The local estates
of the Clements, Chalkstone and Parkway and also the newer estates that
make up the Hanchett Village area as well as the new developments on the
eastern side of the town.
The post is open to
an ordained or a suitably qualified lay person. One of the main thrusts
of this post will be to explore new ways in which the Church can reach
out to, and encourage local people, many of whom have had a good experience
of the Church through their attendance at Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals
at St. Mary’s.
What
the post will involve
To
explore the potential for fresh expressions and new ways of being church.
Share and communicate the vision for the Church in Haverhill and develop
it for the future.
To be willing to take risks for the Gospel and for the Mission of the
Church.
Follow their calling
and serve the people and community of Haverhill.
To integrate into and develop real fellowship within the estate communities.
Work with and across all boundaries, traditions, denominations and educational
institutions.
To
offer support, comfort and outreach to the migrant working population
on the estates.
Facilitate the telling and hearing of stories, sharing mission with
the many schools of the town.
To support the schools of the town through the reorganisation of the
education system.
Encourage and enable
the unchurched to become part of the existing church’s activities.
To share, exchange and communicate ideas and good practice.
Work collaboratively and use mission to build bridges between local
Churches Together.
To
encourage, support and enable the existing Church community to be involved.
Be comfortable in various types of worshipping contexts and situations.
To work to understand the nature and culture of the historical town
of Haverhill.
Collaborate with
the other Benefices of the Deanery and exchange the mission story.
To share the gains and richness found in both the urban and rural churches.
Work collaboratively with the Benefice Ministry Team and Churches Together.
To ensure they are rooted in the liturgical life
of the worshipping community of St. Mary’s.
Share a life of prayer and study of the Bible as part of the Benefice
Ministry Team.
To train and support lay visitors and evangelists to work on the estates.
To be highly visible,
visionary, and vibrant.
Live out the Gospel in their daily life, recognising the importance
of sacramental ministry.
To be prepared to live and share God’s word and work through this
pioneering role.
Essential qualities
Have the ability
to share the vision and present the Gospel in a relevant and meaningful
way.
Imagination, drive, enthusiasm, tenacity and above all the belief to
be able to succeed.
Excellent and well grounded communications skills.
Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
Be supportive, proactive and with the ability to solve complex or difficult
issues.
Be able to involve himself or herself in local ecumenical problems.
Have good leadership skills and to be able to work on his or her own
initiative.
To
ground the mission post in Haverhill
• Fellowship
through the services in St Mary’s, including daily Eucharist and
offices.
• Weekly meetings to ensure the establishment of good collaboration
and communication.
• Involvement in occasional offices.
• Ecumenical contacts, including Local Ministers Fraternal.
• Recognition that Sunday worship will principally be in St Mary’s.
Because of the pioneering
nature of this post, initially all work will be under the supervision
of the Rector of Haverhill.
An Annual Performance
Review will be undertaken with the Rector of Haverhill (and the Archdeacon
of Sudbury).
The Annual Performance
Review will consider previous objectives and goals set and their achievement,
whilst also setting the targets for the next year’s work.
For more information
about this excoting new post please contact
Ian Finn on ian.finn1@btinternet.com
or Canon Graham Hedger
on 07917 390362 or graham@stedmundsbury.anglican.org
Closing date
for applications is November 11th 2009
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