Succentor and Minor Canon of Southwark Cathedral and Minister-in-Charge of St Hugh’s Bermondsey

Overview

This is an exciting post that will suit a priest with strong musical and liturgical skills, who will also enjoy the opportunities for mission in a small inner London parish and who has a passion for team working within an inclusive environment. Please note that this post is offered on the basis of a standard diocesan incumbent’s stipend, but neither accommodation nor a housing allowance.

Introduction

The person appointed will assist the Canon Precentor in the preparation and delivery of the liturgy for the Cathedral, will officiate and preach at the Cathedral services and will have a pastoral role with the choristers and young people within the Cathedral community. As Minister-in-Charge of St Hugh’s Bermondsey, the successful candidate will take responsibility for the worship at St Hugh’s, pastoral care of the congregation and mission and ministry to the local community.

Main Responsibilities

• The role of the Succentor is focused in two main areas of work: liturgical and pastoral.

Liturgical

• Officiating, alongside the Dean and Residentiary Canons at Morning Prayer (livestreamed each day) and Choral Evensong and at other livestreamed and recorded broadcasts;
• Presiding and preaching at Cathedral services with the members of the Chapter clergy and at their invitation within an agreed distribution of duties;
•  Assisting the Precentor in the preparation of liturgy for regular and special events including Ordinations and Consecrations, memorial services; anniversary commemoration services; charitable, school and other occasions;
• Doing administration and proof-reading, and briefing participants for such services;
• Choosing hymns for Sunday services in collaboration with the Director of Music and liaising with the Director of Music on the production of monthly music schemes;
• Encouraging younger members of the congregation to take on liturgical roles in the Cathedral worship;
• Sharing, with the Precentor, the training of lesson-readers, intercessors and Eucharistic ministers;
• Attending the weekly Music Meeting;
• Taking responsibility for the production of monthly rota of liturgical duties for clergy and laity;
• Undertaking other duties as directed by the Precentor.

Pastoral

• Establishing a harmonious and caring working relationship with the Honorary Minor Canons, Lay Clerks, Organists, Choir Chaperones, lay ministers (such as those who read, lead prayers of intercession or administer communion), Chorister parents and Servers. This will involve the regular pastoral care of people undertaking these roles and, where appropriate, assisting with their training and development;
• Accompanying Choir Tours in the role of chaplain;
• Being the Staff Meeting link with Connected, the Cathedral’s work with young adults.
• Observing carefully the Chapter’s policies on Safeguarding as far as they pertain to the Succentor’s role. This includes undertaking Safeguarding
• training as appropriate and required by these policies and in accordance with the Bishop’s expectations of clergy who hold his Licence. The Succentor will also be expected to support the Precentor (Chapter’s Safeguarding Lead), the Director of Music and others in implementing the Safeguarding Action Plan following the recent SCIE Audit in so far as the Action Plan relates to the Succentor’s role.

The Minister-in-Charge:

• Is responsible with any other clergy licensed to St Hugh's, Readers and lay leaders for the worship at St Hugh's, pastoral care of the congregation and mission and ministry to the local community, and will be at St Hugh’s on at least two Sundays a month.
• Chairs the PCC and assumes all other statutory responsibilities for the parish.
• Will work with the PCC and Ministry Team to develop and implement the Mission Action Plan.
• Supervises any other Assistant Clergy and Readers at St Hugh's.
• Acts as line manager for the Premises Manager and Assistant Premises Manager.
• Organises the worship rota which includes regular visits by members of the Cathedral clergy.
• Represents the St Hugh's community at Deanery Chapter and Deanery Synod.
• Will foster good relationships between St Hugh’s and the Cathedral.
• Will maintain and develop the links with Cathedral Primary School where many of our children are pupils. To lead Collective Worship at the school together with the Cathedral clergy.
• Will work to develop relationships within the local community, to ensure that St Hugh’s is a contributor to life in the neighbourhood and to stay aware of development and planning issues which affect the lives of residents in the parish.

The Ideal Candidate

• A priest of the Church of England or of another province of the Anglican Communion.
•  a person with strong musical ability and confidence in singing.
•  a pastor with a proven track record in a previous post.
•  a team worker.
•  someone with a willingness to learn and work under direction.
•  someone with a good knowledge of liturgy, both theoretical and practical; and with an imaginative approach to the creation of apt and transforming acts of worship.
•  a person with administrative and IT skills, an ability to work to tight deadlines and an eye for detail.
•  an individual with real enthusiasm for the Church, for cathedrals and for people.
•  a person with excellent preaching skills.
• The person appointed will preferably be:
•  a graduate.
• in sympathy with the liberal catholic tradition of the Cathedral and St Hugh’s.

About us

Southwark Cathedral is an inclusive Christian community growing in orthodox faith and radical love.
The marks of our community are:

• confidence in God and the Gospel
• passion for those on the edge of society
• engagement in vibrant theology and teaching
• prayerful service of our Bishop and Diocese
• love for London and the world

Our rule of life is centered on a commitment to:

• worship
• study
• service

and above all

• to the Living God we know in Jesus Christ.

We seek to live this out day by day as the Cathedral of the Diocese of Southwark. The Chapter works closely with the diocese in supporting the ministry of the Diocesan Bishop and that of his episcopal colleagues and all the people of God.