Keele University Chapel Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant Information Pack The volunteer role offers the opportunity to serve God as part of the vibrant community connected to Keele Chapel. The Chaplaincy Assistant is an important part of the wider chaplaincy team and will have the opportunity to serve whilst exploring God s wider call on their life. The following provides some background as well as information on the kind of qualities and experience we are looking for. Although this gives a picture of the kind of person we are looking for, the role is flexible so maybe you will bring something different to it! Keele Chapel The striking purpose-built Chapel is in the very centre of the university campus, constructed in 1965 as a place for ecumenical Christian worship and activity. Inside, there is the large multipurpose Main Chapel (used for worship, student events, music concerts, graduations, and a wide variety of other functions). There is also a smaller East Chapel that is generally reserved for prayer and quiet contemplation. In addition, there is a dedicated room (The Space) available for individual private prayer or contemplation for people of all faiths or none, a Roman Catholic apse (where the sacrament is reserved), and several meeting areas, rooms and offices.
Today the Chapel is the focus for a diverse and vibrant community with a through-flow of around 500 people every week. Regular Sunday worship is held throughout the year, with integrated Anglican/Free Church worship (known as TEN:15) followed by a Roman Catholic Mass at 12.30pm. Both congregations attract students, staff and others (nonstudents) from the surrounding community, and the Chapel functions in many ways as a university church as well as a chaplaincy base. The TEN:15 Anglican/Free Church service is contemporary/informal in style, typically involving a small worship band, projection and limited formal liturgy. The service is welcoming and inclusive with a desire to be lively yet offering space for reflection and prayer. TEN:15 is centred on the Bible and Communion. Attendance at TEN:15 fluctuates greatly from year to year, the congregation is normally around half students with a more consistent group of non-students and a few children. Catholic Mass also runs throughout the year. In term about three quarters of the congregation are students, many of them international, and a number are involved as readers, altar servers or through the Catholic Music Group. The Chapel is a daily meeting place for students, with free tea and coffee and a host of activities. Each of the chaplains has an office in the chapel, and there is a drop-in culture with many students, particularly from the Christian community, looking to the chaplaincy team for pastoral support. Much of the work of the chaplaincy team is thus focused in and around the Chapel itself. The Chapel attracts significant numbers of students from evangelical and Pentecostal backgrounds, as well students from more traditional Anglican, Catholic and Free Church backgrounds. The diversity of Christians also includes LGBT+ and international students. There is a wide range of well-attended Chapel social events throughout the year, such as Chapel Lunches on several Sundays each term (hosted by the Catholic Chaplaincy), BBQs, Christmas Party, Pancake party and culminating in the end of year Chapel Ball. The chaplaincy team organise occasional weekends away and trips to places such as Taizé and Ampleforth for students spiritual and personal development. The chapel is also very well used during Welcome Week with events hosted by both the Chaplaincy and Christian Union, and hosts a variety of events ranging from plays and concerts to quiz nights and soup lunches. The Chapel is the meeting place for a wide variety of student-run Christian groups, with a different Christian based group meeting nearly every night of the week. These include the Christian Union, worship and discipleship group Jesus Jam, the Catholic Society, and Haven, a small group supported by the chaplaincy for anyone wanting to explore issues around being both LGBT+ and a person of faith. There is a student-led Sunday evening service (The Late Service) during term time. While most of the groups are student-led and run, the chaplaincy assistant is expected to be able to build strong relationships with all, and to provide appropriate support in collaboration with the chaplains.
Keele Chapel is constituted as a Local Ecumenical Partnership, sponsored by Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, United Reformed and Methodist Churches, and overseen by the Chapel Committee (elected from within the Chapel community). The University Chaplaincy Team There are three Christian chaplains, all working with students of all faiths and none: Free Church/ coordinating chaplain James Pritchard, Roman Catholic Lay Chaplain Niall Hammond and Anglican Chaplain Stephanie Couvela. They all live either on campus or in Keele village, and work collaboratively including making time to reflect, plan and eat together. The team is committed to Christian unity and express that in prayer and action. There is a Visiting Roman Catholic Priest Chaplain (Fr John Laybourn), who combines commitments at the University Chapel with local parochial duties. The Chapel employs a Chaplaincy Administrator, Anna Mountford, who works part-time, term-time only. Rukia Bi works as part-time Muslim Chaplain, whilst recognising that Rukia s role has a particular focus on the Muslim community she also forms an important part of the chaplaincy team. Key events and activities such as pop up chaplaincy that are not specific to any particular faith tradition are often shared with Rukia. The University is also seeking to expand the use of Faith Advisors - university staff of other faiths who can offer support and information to their faith community. Together they seek to fulfil the vision for chaplaincy. Our Vision for Keele Chaplaincy is: to seek, protect and encourage the life of faith and spirituality in the context of the University to provide pastoral care for staff and students of all faiths and none We fulfil this by: providing safe space for pastoral support and encounter offering hospitality spiritual development, guidance and education facilitating conversation, encounter and understanding within and between faiths engaging meaningfully with the wider University as critical friend and resource sustaining and encouraging the life of worship at the University working for justice, peace and sustainability in the University and the wider world
The chaplaincy team is well resourced and respected as part of Student Services and the university sees its chaplains as an integral component of the pastoral and welfare provision for the University. ECO Church As a chapel community we take seriously the place of social and environmental justice as a key aspect of the outworking of our faith. We have received a Silver Eco Church award which focuses on various aspects of Chapel life, including worship and teaching, but also our use of the building. Good progress has been made and useful contacts established within the wider University community to help support us as we continue to focus on these issues. We want the chaplaincy assistant to continue to be a key facilitator in helping us live out this aspect of our Christian discipleship, as well as maintaining links with the University and the wider community. The setting of Keele University As well as many professional qualifications such as medicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy Keele specialises in multi-disciplinary learning, and students can study fascinating combinations of subjects. Most of the students and many of the staff live on the university campus itself, creating a genuinely welcoming, friendly and integrated campus community. For more general information about the university and the locality, please see the university website (www.keele.ac.uk). Practical details The role is for a 10 month period, beginning in September 2019 and running until the end of the academic year (June 2020). The Chaplaincy Assistant will have no duties during the Christmas and Easter vacations, and have at least one day off in the week and usually two. A one bedroom flat on campus, within walking distance from Chapel, is provided free of charge and this will be available to be viewed on the interview day. There is a small weekly living allowance of around 55 per week. Regular supervision is offered as well as pastoral support and mentoring. Closing date: 12 noon Monday 20th May, 2019. Please download the application form from Keele Chapel website (www.keelechapel.org) and return a completed form via email to chaplaincy@keele.ac.uk. Applicants being called for interview will be informed after 22nd May. Interviews will take place on Monday 3rd June, 2019 for which travel expenses will be covered. For any general enquires please email Anna in the office: chaplaincy@keele.ac.uk or call us on: (01782) 733393.
Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant Person Specification & Task description Education/Qualifications The successful candidate will be educated to degree level or show relevant experience and understanding meaning they could operate confidently in an HE environment. Experience Essential: Understanding of the place of listening skills and pastoral care Ecumenical understanding and engagement Desirable: Appreciation of different styles of worship Involvement in leading services (eg. prayers, music, preaching) Experience of leading discussion groups Some knowledge of other faith traditions and inter-faith engagement Skills/Aptitudes/Competencies Essential: Good listening skills Good communication and presentation skills A passion for environmental and social justice Competent IT skills, including internet, e-mail and social media Ability to relate well to a wide range of young adults eg Christians from different denominations and church backgrounds; people from other faiths or countries Ability to work both independently and in close collaboration with others a team player Ability to be flexible, given the fast-changing nature of chaplaincy and Higher Education Self-directed in working practice, committed to continuous personal, spiritual and professional development, and with a willingness to undergo training as appropriate Desirable: Understanding about current issues in Higher Education Awareness of Student wellbeing / mental health issues Musical ability to lead people in worship (singing/instrument)
Indicative Task Description: Welcoming people to the Chapel and offering hospitality daily in the kitchen and at other services throughout the week. Offering informal support by talking with students, having a chat over coffee, offering a listening ear and support wherever possible (and referring to one of the Chaplains and other areas of the University as appropriate). Using social media and other avenues for publicity and engagement, helping to maintain the chapel and chaplaincy s virtual presence as well as its physical one (in collaboration with the wider team, ensuring our messages are communicated effectively). Acting as a link between student groups and societies, sharing events via social media and fostering collaboration within the chapel community. Attending and contributing towards the diverse worship at the Chapel, (including that of traditions other than the Assistant s own). This could involve assisting the TEN:15 Service through your gifting or skills you wish to learn, musically, practically or in the direct delivery of services including prayers or preaching. The Chapel is committed to social and environmental justice and it is expected that the assistant would help continue our focus on improving the profile of these issues in our worship, teaching, community engagement and links with the wider community. Supporting and assisting in the organisation and running of regular or one off events, (mission/social/spiritual) these happen at all times of the week including evenings and weekends. Take a lead on the organisation of events such as Chapel Christmas Party and Chapel Ball. Space will be given for the assistant to work/develop their own passions or interests. The Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant will receive a free place on at least one retreat/ pilgrimage organised by the Chaplains. Assist the Chaplains in other ways that are appropriate to the Volunteer s role within the Chapel community, working collaboratively as part of the team. Being present around the Chapel and externally representing the Chaplaincy team at meetings, where appropriate.