Cumbria District DISTRICT CHAIR S PROFILE The District has seen a period of considerable stability and during this time tremendous strides have been made ecumenically through the Covenant Partnership and God for All initiative. These will need to be continued by the incoming Chair of District to embed them and ensure that the District benefits from the considerable investment made by the Circuits in Mission Communities. We see the future of the Cumbria Methodist District as being built upon and deeply rooted in the God for All initiative www.godforall.org.uk. God for All commits us, alongside our ecumenical partners, to ensure that all people within Cumbria will have had the opportunity to hear of the love of God for them. The fulfilment of this vision lies in the established and developing Mission Communities across the county, where churches work across denominations to live out the mission of God and seek to create a church that is welcoming to all. As the ecumenical relationships develop we seek a Chair who can promote the beliefs of the Methodist people in Cumbria and the theology and charisms of the Methodist tradition, ensuring that Methodist life and heritage is clearly reflected in the ecumenical vision for the county. There may be a number of changes in the ministerial staff alongside creative reconfigurations of some Circuits during the next couple of years. The Chairs of District in the North West and Mann region are in a Covenant working relationship with each other. The District has a strong Lay network which is active and creative and we would wish to see the continuing development of lay leadership and vocations. An appreciation of ministry in a number of diverse contexts particularly urban, rural, post-industrial and industrial is essential as some communities face severe economic challenges. An ability to be able to engage fully with and support the diverse needs of local communities and to have an overview of the wider strategy is important. The District is receptive to change and excited by the opportunities afforded and is looking for a Chair who will stimulate confidence and bring new ideas for collaborative working ecumenically among lay and ordained. The District held a review in line with the Larger than Circuit proposals this noted that the key qualities to be exhibited by the Cumbria District Chair are Ecumenical and Spiritual Leadership, Strategic Development with a vision for mission, an excellent communicator and Pastoral Carer. These were agreed to be the key qualities by the District Policy Group. Through God for All and as an Ecumenical County we endeavour to work together to ensure that everyone in Cumbria and those visiting the county have the opportunity of a meaningful relationship with God in Christ. The Church Leaders in Cumbria meet regularly and we would wish to appoint a Chair who will continue to support and build on this relationship. It is important the Chair can reflect theologically especially in discussions with ecumenical church leaders. Page 1 of 6
The Chair needs to be able to speak confidently and consistently about the strengths of Methodists as well as appreciate the differences between the churches in a spirit of mutual respect. The Chair will also need to look beyond the District and bring our ecumenical developments to the attention of the Methodist Connexion whilst bringing a Connexional understanding back to the District and the God for All initiative. The Chair is expected to work collaboratively with the District Policy Group which is the main facilitator of policy decisions with all of the key executive roles reporting into it, these are fed into a well attended Synod with a family feel. Encouraging youth activities and the participation of young people in Synod would be a priority. There is currently 10 hours of administrative/pa support provided in the District Office over 2 days per week, this may need to be increased in the future and a new administrator/pa put in place. There is currently a Deputy Chair who stands in for the Chair of District and organises the Ministerial Synod The role is currently under review by the DPG alongside exploring changes to the overall structure of Circuits and the District leadership. We would expect the Chair to continue to find new ways of working ecumenically including the need to focus on social responsibility issues, both within the District and the Region. This would include the Chair supporting Churches Together in Cumbria in the Social Responsibility Forum. In addition to the Connexional requirements expected of a District Chair, such as Stationing Matching Group and Connexional Leaders Forum, it is expected that an appointed Chair may take on other national responsibilities depending on their particular gifts and graces. Qualities that the Cumbria District are looking for in a District Chair Essential To have a personal devotional life. Spiritual To be able to think, reflect and communicate theologically, drawing on Methodist emphases and practice. Leadership To be a strategic leader, who can demonstrate an ability to hold an overview of the District and Connexion and communicate this to others. To be an enthusiastic and passionate holder of the role. To be whole-heartedly committed to furthering opportunities for joint lay and ordained leadership and be willing to break new ground. Desirable To be a spiritual leader for lay and ordained throughout the District in a variety of contexts, who encourages theological reflection. To be willing to encourage and enable new and existing work with young people. To be able to develop lay leadership and vocations. Page 2 of 6
Essential Desirable Ecumenism To have experience of working ecumenically and be prepared to take advantage of all opportunities in this field To be able to represent Methodism in crossdenominational discussions and negotiations. Evangelism To be a visionary, who can discern possibilities for God s mission, evangelism, and the making of disciples. Pastoral To be someone who demonstrates a pastoral sensitivity and commitment with the ability to support, challenge and counsel. To be prepared to promote and demonstrate excellence in safeguarding practice. Development To be able to demonstrate the capacity to develop and nurture skills in supervision and a willingness to receive formal supervision of ministerial practice. To support the variety of chaplaincy opportunities in public spaces, for example rural chaplains, industrial chaplains and tourism chaplains. Communications Be a good communicator and be comfortable with the media. Have access to a vehicle and be comfortable with travelling over long distances/with long travel times. Be someone who is prepared to take risks and to encourage risk-taking in others. Demonstrate a keenness to develop opportunities across the Cumbria District. District Manse The address is 14 Monnington Way, Penrith CA11 8QJ. It is situated on a cul de sac on a private residential estate overlooking the market town of Penrith which is well located for travel within the District being located on the junction of the M6 and A66 roads and is on the main west coast railway line to London with a journey time of approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Penrith is on the fringe of the Lake District and is a developing town which is well provided with shops, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation. Other facilities include infant, junior and secondary schools with a further education establishment at Newton Rigg, College and 3 screen cinema. Page 3 of 6
The Manse is a two storey building with the office accommodation including toilet, mini kitchen facilities and meeting room and a single garage on the ground floor and the residential accommodation above with four bedrooms (1 en suite), separate modern family bathroom with walk in shower, kitchen. The lounge/dining room offers spectacular views over the Lake District fells at the front of the property. The residential accommodation is accessed from a central corridor. There is parking for three or four vehicles on the sloped drive at the front of the property and there is a large grassed garden to the rear which can be accessed without going through the property. God for All Churches Together in Cumbria Cumbria Methodist District http://www.godforall.org.uk/ http://www.churchestogethercumbria.co.uk/ http://www.cumbriamethodistdistrict.org.uk/welcome.htm Page 4 of 6
Appendix 1 Essential Qualities that the Cumbria District are looking for in a District Chair to be a strategic leader, who can demonstrate an ability to hold an overview of the District and Connexion and communicate this to others; to have experience of working ecumenically and be prepared to take advantage of all opportunities in this field; to be a visionary, who can discern possibilities for God s mission, evangelism, and the making of disciples and who is prepared to take risks and to encourage risk-taking in others; demonstrating a keenness to develop opportunities across the Cumbria District; someone who demonstrates a pastoral sensitivity and commitment with the ability to support, challenge and counsel; to be a spiritual leader for lay and ordained throughout the District in a variety of contexts, who encourages theological reflection. This should spring from a personal devotional life and an enthusiastic and passionate commitment to the role; to be willing to encourage and enable new and existing work with young people; to be whole-heartedly committed to furthering opportunities for joint lay and ordained leadership and be willing to break new ground; to be able to develop lay leadership and vocations to be prepared to promote and demonstrate excellence in safeguarding practice; to be able to demonstrate the capacity to develop and nurture skills in supervision and a willingness to receive formal supervision of ministerial practice; show a willingness to support the variety of chaplaincy opportunities in public spaces, for example rural chaplains, industrial chaplains and tourism chaplain be a good communicator with technological competence and be comfortable with the media; have access to a vehicle and be comfortable with travelling over long distances/with long travel times show a willingness to engage with external bodies; i.e., non-church organisations to be a focus and representative figure for Cumbrian Methodism connexionally to have experience of managing change and conflict resolution Page 5 of 6
CONNEXIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF A DISTRICT CHAIR 1. Governance of the Church All Chairs are members of the Conference each year. Each year 4 Chairs are members of the Methodist Council. 2. Leadership of the Church All chairs are members of the Connexional Leaders Forum, along with the Warden of the Diaconal Order, the Presidency (President and Vice President, ex-president and ex-vice President, President-designate and Vice President-designate), the Chair of the Strategy & Resources Committee of the Methodist Council, the Senior Leadership Group of the Connexional Team. The aim of the CLF is, broadly, to enable coherent leadership right across the Connexion, and to that end: To facilitate partnership and mutual support among Connexional leaders of the Church To implement Conference and Council decisions fairly and consistently To develop good practice across the Connexion To reflect together on the challenges facing and the opportunities for the Church in contemporary society To propose policies, ideas, resource-sharing and visionary options for consideration by the Council and the Conference. Some Chairs are required by our constitution to Chair or be members of some Connexional bodies Some Chairs are asked to serve particular Connexional bodies because their representative presence supports the work in hand Some Chairs, in the light of their personal experience and expertise, are asked to contribute to particular Connexional bodies, ad hoc groups and working parties. 3. Stationing Stationing Matching Group requires disciplined procedures of all Chairs Some Chairs will also be members of the Stationing Committee, which oversees stationing policy under the authority of the Conference. 4. The Chairs Meeting All Chairs attend for mutual support, reflection on matters of common concern and the development of good practice in the role of the Chair. 5. A Chair is on average away from the District 26 nights per year and 35 days. Page 6 of 6