Kerry Group Profile The parishes of St Paul, Dolfor, St Michael and All Angels, Kerry, St Llwchaiarn, Llanmerewig, and All Saints, Mochdre, comprise the Kerry Group, the southernmost grouping of parishes in our diocese, and a significant part of the Cedewain Mission Area. Our villages are set in beautiful Montgomeryshire hill country, but close to the town of Newtown. We have been a group of parishes for 6 years and are growing closer together, through the sharing of witness, worship and service in our area. We are also planning actively to share more in mission with our neighbouring Newtown and Bettws Groups. Ministry The ministry is predominantly rural, with farms and small communities clustered around the four villages which comprise the group. The total population of the group is a little under 3000, of which the greater part lives in Kerry and Llanmerewig (Abermule). Agriculture offers some employment in the area, and there is also some commuting to Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, and other local towns. The demography is very varied across the Group, but is predominantly English-first-language. There is one Church in Wales St Michael s Voluntary Aided Primary School in Kerry, with 141 pupils, aged 4-11, on roll, and a Community Primary School in Abermule, with 82 pupils, aged 4-11 on roll, and the Special Needs Brynllywarch Hall School in Kerry. The Group is also served by Newtown High School and there is a Further Education College in the town. There are strong, imaginative links between St Michael s School, Kerry, and the worshiping community of that parish. All in our parishes appreciate the support and involvement of the members of the church community. The Churches The worshipping communities of all four churches, although relatively small, are in good heart, and are beginning to discover ways of encouraging one another and working better together. We see ourselves as essentially the body of Christ here, served by ordained and licensed colleagues, including our two Readers and eight commissioned Worship Leaders and two Pastoral Assistants. Increasingly, we are sharing worship and ministry resources across our Mission Area. Attendance at major festivals and popular services is very good, and the parishes are looking for someone who will help them to make the most of these occasional contacts with people. Parish officers in particular anticipate welcoming a priest who will guide them in this collaboration and give firm leadership. Ecumenical relations are good: in Kerry there are strong contacts with the Baptist Chapel; in Mochdre the worship is ecumenical on special occasions; in Abermule (within the Parish of Llanmerewig) there is a monthly, wellestablished worshiping presence in the community centre; and in Dolfor there is a good working relationship with the Free Church Chapel. The group is conscious of its place in the Mission Area, recognizing the support which it receives from both retired and serving colleagues, ordained, licensed and in worship
leading. The Group also seeks to continue to contribute from its own strengths to the life of the Mission Area. For worship, the churches currently use seasonal booklets for the Eucharist, derived from the 2004 provision; occasional Morning Prayer and midweek Eucharist from the 1984 provision; All-age Worship in Dolfor; DIY Songs of Praise with Readings services and other homemade liturgy as appropriate. All four congregations are flexible and open to discussion about adopting alternative forms of worship. The parishes are currently meeting their parish share, and recognize their commitment to this. Our Incumbent We are looking for someone: with a warm heart and who is a very good communicator and team member who leads firmly, and whose enthusiasm recognizes and encourages the gifts and skills in others who will enjoy living in this rural part of the world, meeting people of all ages, and joining in with community events who prays faithfully and with imagination and will encourage us in this; who will keep clear our perspective of belonging to and contributing to the Cedewain Mission Area who is committed to working with young people, and especially in our schools, further strengthening our link with them The four individual parishes present the following brief profiles for your consideration: Mochdre Mochdre is a small parish set in a delightful part of Montgomeryshire. It has a very friendly and welcoming approach, something of which we are most proud, together with an excellent reputation for catering. Mochdre consists of three small hamlets namely Mochdre Village itself, together with Pentre and Stepaside.
Mochdre Church plays an important part in village life. It is likely that the site of the present Church was first used for Christian worship as long ago as the 12th Century or even earlier. Over the years the Church has been lovingly maintained in every way and at present is in a very good state of repair. The Church is fortunate to have many members who are prepared to give of their time and expertise in carrying out substantial maintenance work on both church and churchyard. From April until October each year members meet every three weeks to maintain the churchyard in good order. The Church has close connections with the two chapels in the community supporting each other throughout the year. The Church has three Worship Leaders with other members on reading and intercession rotas. We are also fortunate in having three organists who share the services. Situated close by is Mochdre Old School which is used as a Community Hall. Again this is in good repair with extensive work having been carried out during recent years to include Disabled Toilets and Central Heating. Finances are adequate with fund raising events arranged annually. We have an active branch of Mothers Union with eighteen members. Kerry Kerry is very much a rural parish, with a predominantly farming community, although many families who live in the newer houses in the village work in a range of jobs both in Newtown and in larger towns nearby such as Shrewsbury. The village has a population of around 1300 people and is a friendly, lively community, with a wide range of activities on offer for all ages, most evenings in the village hall. The church has been fortunate to host musical events in recent years connected with the Gregynog Music Festival, including traditional folk bands and the royal harpist Hannah Stone. Andrey Chulovskiy, Russian composer and organist has also performed recitals, which have proved very popular. The church-aided school is central to the village and plays a very active role in both the community and the church. The village also has a Special Needs School, a Baptist
Chapel, a Post Office / shop, 2 pubs and a hairdresser s salon. The beautiful surrounding countryside, with views across to the Berwyns and even Cadair Idris, is a magnet for lovers of hill-walking and other outdoor pursuits. The church itself dates from the 11 th century but is mainly Victorian, with a Hammond organ and a peal of 3 bells. There are regular Holy Communion and Morning Prayer services and the recent inclusion of a monthly Songs of Praise service, led by Worship leaders and other members of the congregation, has proved very popular with church members. The school s involvement in church activities has developed in recent years, with the school regularly holding services and concerts in the church and taking part in festivals such as Christmas and Harvest. These are very well attended by family and friends of the school. Last year s Easter Cantata by the school received high praise and it is hoped it will be repeated next year! Llanmerewig St Llwchaiarn's Church lies on a ridge some 3 miles to the north-east of Newtown. It is a small single-chambered building with a diminuitive west tower and a south porch, all of which appear to date from 1833 through to the 1840's, with some restoration in 1891. Inside the original, a late medieval arch-braced roof survives, and there is an early font or stoup and a fragment of the medieval screen. The building is sited in a raised circular churchyard which has been claimed as a prehistoric enclosure. The hamlet of Llanmerewig is situated south of the village of Abermule. Because of its inaccessibility, relative to its main source of congregation in Abermule, the numbers of worshippers have declined to a weekly average of 15. Outreach Services During the incumbency of Father Mark Chadwick and together with the support and assistance of the Area Dean, Revd Andy Grimwood, a successful Outreach Service was established in the village of Abermule, held in the Community Centre on the fourth Sunday of each month, attracting congregations of 25-40, including many younger people. A grant has been made to cover the costs associated with the set up and establishment of these Outreach Services, and this continues to apply for the coming year at least.
Regular Weekly Services It is hoped to re-establish a routine monthly order of services as follows, each commencing at 11.15 am: Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Morning Prayer Holy Communion Morning Praise Outreach Family Service in Abermule Where there is a fifth Sunday in a month there is an established rotor of Joint Services provided by each of the four parishes. The Future The lack of facilities at Llanmerewig has also been a hindrance to attracting people into the building. However, the sale of church land in Abermule has provided funds sufficient to cover the costs of building an extension to include kitchen and toilet facilities. Revised plans are currently being drawn up to carry forward the planned proposal. These facilities will be essential to the prosperity of St Llwchaiarn's. Ministry At present we have one Worship Leader and one Lay Reader with members of the congregation assisting with readings. Llanmerewig Ladies A number of years ago a ladies support group was established - Llanmerewig Ladies. They meet each month at organised meetings or social events and actively raise funds for the Church and other charities. Our Parish Share for 2013 is 7,763, and our Parish Civil Roll (Abermule, mostly) is 823 Dolfor St Paul s is situated in the beautiful rolling countryside of mid Wales, four miles south of Newtown. Located in the small hamlet of Dolfor, which has one other place of worship, a Free Church, a Christian holiday centre, a village hall and a pub, the church is surrounded mainly by farmland.
The nineteenth-century church building and churchyard are well maintained; the congregation, though few in number, are dedicated and regular in attendance, and the atmosphere is welcoming and supportive. There is a strong musical tradition, and the hymnbook currently used is Combined Mission Praise. A sung Eucharist using a modern setting is currently offered on three Sundays of the month. We have recently replaced one of these three Eucharists with All-age Worship. A modern version of Morning Prayer is offered on the remaining Sunday. On any fifth Sunday, the four parishes in the Group join in one of the churches for the Eucharist. We have occasional baptisms, weddings and funerals. We see our main challenges as outreach and growth.
Job Description Title: Serving the Cedewain Mission Area and rooted, as Vicar, in the Kerry Group Location: The Kerry Group, comprising the Parishes of St Paul, Dolfor, St Michael and All Angels, Kerry, St Llwchaiarn, Llanmerewig, and All Saints, Mochdre in the Cedewain Mission Area, in the Archdeaconry of Montgomery and Diocese of St Asaph. Main purpose of the role: To support the Bishop as Chief Shepherd, Pastor and Minister of the Diocese, a visible sign serving the Church s unity and continuity in apostolic life, mission and ministry. Responsible: In collaboration and full co-operation with the local church in the Diocese of St Asaph and Cedewain Mission Area and rooted in the four parishes listed above, to be responsible for: People Mission Teaching Preaching Finance Buildings and property Principal tasks and duties in collaboration and co-operation with others Preaching and teaching: 1. To preach the Word 2. To ensure that the sacraments are administered 3. To lead the people in praise and thanksgiving to God through the reverent, regular, careful and inspiring ordering of worship, and to build up people s confidence in collaborating in this 4. To encourage the people to discern opportunities in mission and evangelism, and to lead them in this 5. To teach the faith 6. To bring new members into the Church by Baptism, including the appropriate preparation of candidates, parents and godparents, encouraging others in the worshipping congregations to participate in this 7. To prepare and present candidates for Confirmation 8. To prepare people for Holy Matrimony and arrange for an authorized officiant at the service.
Pastoral care: 1. To liberate and nurture God s people for the good of all and the glory of God 2. To minister to the sick and dying 3. To officiate at funerals 4. To minister to the bereaved 5. To offer a pastoral ministry to all people within the parishes, encouraging collaboration in this 6. To share Christian service with others 7. To minister to all who are in need of support and spiritual counsel Administration: 1. To encourage and enable the PCCs to consider and define a mission policy for the church, taking into account The call of God The needs of the local community The needs of the Mission area, parishes, diocese and province The needs of the wider church
Role Description Mission and Outreach 1. Nurturing existing Christians in discipleship and evangelism, so that members of the parishes are encouraged to show God s love in action 2. Developing, with others, a ministry that encourages new people to Christian faith 3. Developing relations with the community, making full use of opportunities for service and outreach 4. Collaborating fully with mission area ministry in these areas Leadership and working collaboratively 1. Helping the Group, and the parishes that comprise it, to set and hold their vision 2. Inspiring, motivating, challenging and empowering members of the churches, individually and collectively, to achieve that vision and to be built up as a community of faith 3. Sharing ministry as appropriate across the Group and mission area, so that individuals gifts and talents are identified and used effectively in any given situation or task Worship and preaching 1. Leading worship that gives glory to God, prayerfully and confidently 2. Encouraging the discernment and training of worship leaders and working in full collaboration with them, both across the Group and deanery 3. Reflecting, interpreting and preaching the gospel in a variety of imaginative ways that will encourage faith development Pastoral care 1. Identifying, with the PCCs and parish officers, pastoral care needs and ensuring appropriate structures and skills to provide such care, including the discernment and training of pastoral assistants 2. Ensuring that appropriate pastoral care is provided for baptism and marriage preparation, care to the sick and dying, and the bereaved 3. Demonstrating active listening and empathetic behaviour
Stewardship and parish organization 1. Enabling and advising the PCCs and churchwardens as they ensure that the structures and resources for parish ministry are appropriate 2. Following an appropriate pattern of work that enables a full spiritual and personal life, as well as fulfilling the requirements of ministry Personal development and spirituality 1. Maintaining a prayerful spiritual life with appropriate support networks 2. Recognizing that s/he is on a life journey involving development of theological understanding and spiritual reflection 3. Inspiring growth in others through learning and example and by acting as a model of the love of God in action
Person Specification Qualifications / training Applicants for the post should 1. Be licensed minister within the Church in Wales or a Church in communion with it 2. Be experienced in enabling others to discern, set and hold to a vision in a parish and community setting 3. Be committed to working collaboratively within the Group and the wider mission area Experience Candidates equipped for the role will be able to demonstrate experience and understanding in the following areas: 1. The building up of churchwardens and PCCs to take joyful responsibility for many aspects of mission, ministry and maintenance in parish life 2. Leading mature and thoughtful worship, using both existing forms of liturgy and new ones Knowledge, skills and competencies They will be able to demonstrate that they possess knowledge, skills and competencies as follows: 1. Full collaborative working, both within the Group and the communities it serves, and within the mission area 2. Leadership skills, including the ability to motivate, inspire and effectively coordinate others 3. An ability to make, and build on, links with individuals and community organizations whose involvement with the Church is limited, and to model this way of working with others