Diocese of Coventry eBulletin

Presidential address to Diocesan Synod - November 2022 A Presidential Address given by the Bishop of Coventry at the November 2022 session of Coventry Diocesan Synod Since we last met as a Synod in June, many of the challenges facing the world, the country and the church, including this diocese have become more acute. The heat of the summer, with its record temperatures, the warmth of the winter so far, the repeated warnings that we have heard from Cop 27 press the urgency of the climate crisis upon us. Read more

2022 Advent Retreat Bishop John is offering an online retreat to explore God’s call and invitation to us today. This is God’s call through the prophets in challenging and critical times “Come to me”, “Return to me”. We also hear from the mouth of Jesus, again and again, “Come to me”. This retreat will give us the opportunity to hear and receive afresh this invitation which is always in the present tense. It will explore the different ways and means God uses in and through the ordinary circumstances of our lives to issue this same invitation.   Read more

Warm hubs set up across the diocese As winter creeps closer and energy bills soaring, many people will be increasingly worried about how they are going to heat their homes this winter. Some will have to significantly cut the time they have their heating on and others will not be able to switch it on all together. Warm hubs have been set up across the diocese in response to the need for warm places for people to go this winter. Read more

Living in Love and Faith – the story so far in the Diocese of Coventry The LLF Advocate Team give an update on LLF in the diocese. We’ve been tremendously encouraged by the engagement with LLF across the Diocese over these last 2 years. With the help of our Deanery Representatives and others, we ran 12 LLF Courses, as well as 5 Away Days which enabled over 200 people to participate in this vital process of listening, learning and discernment around issues of human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Read more

The Equip Hub The online learning platform for our diocese. Once you've signed up, emails you receive from us will contain personalised recommendations.     Sign Up Now

Breakdown In this video Rob Harrison shares some more thoughts about the role of lay people. Read more

Diocesan News TFC warm hub community fund Together For Change are supporting “warm hubs” across Coventry and Warwickshire. The Cost of Living Crisis means that many more of us are struggling to pay for essential food and heating. TFC are moving towards providing hot food and drinks in various warm spaces of welcome across Coventry and Warwickshire, which they are developing with their partners. Some have now opened and with your help, they can open more spaces across the most deprived parishes in the sub-region. If you would like to donate to support the purchase of food and heating costs, you can here. Donations up to £250 are currently being matched by Aviva! The Chosen in cinemas As part of the launch of Season 3 of The Chosen, cinemas all over the UK are showing the first two episodes on the big screen. The Chosen is the first multi season television series about the life and ministry of Jesus. Find out more and book tickets here. Red Hill Christian Centre 65 acres of tranquil fields, woods & lake near Stratford-on-Avon. – New Camping Facilities Brand new, purpose-built showers / WC’s & stretch tent for hire: ideal for church away days / weekends. – Meeting Spaces Day conferences; seminars; retreats / quiet days; catering. – Accommodation Beautiful, refurbished oak-beamed Bed & Breakfast or self-catered en-suite rooms. Please enquire: 01789 731427 or email: info@red–hill.org  For more information, click here.

Diocesan Vacancies Vicar, St Nicholas with St Barnabas, Kenilworth St Nicholas with St Barnabas are looking for a priest rooted in prayer with the pastoral and leadership gifts that will continue to build the confidence of this church community to grow its missional capacity. Person specification: – Leader for change – leadership qualities to lead a multi-generational church, multi style church. – Sharer – a passionate sharer of the gospel. – A pastor – someone with a caring personality who welcomes and includes everyone. – A mature leader – with good emotional intelligence – Brave and strong – might need to make difficult decisions and deal with strong personalities. – Contemporary thinker – who understands the way younger generations think and help us be relevant to our community. – Organized – it’s a busy parish with lots going on. – Adaptable – confident in leading different styles of worship. For more information, click here. Priest-in-Charge, St Paul's Foleshill In 2022 the adjoining parish of Foleshill St Laurence has been designated as one of 6 Diocesan Mission Hubs; to equip and resource parishes in mission and discipleship.  Following discernment and consultation, it is envisaged that the successful postholder will be supported in ministry through a new hub collaborative leadership team between St Laurence’s and St Paul’s (and potentially other parishes).  This would initially be on a relational basis to establish trust and to identify potential areas for shared mission opportunities – including the planting of new worshipping communities. We are looking for someone with the following qualities: – INSPIRING – The ability to inspire people and bring enthusiasm for new patterns of contemporary worship on Sunday. – WELCOMING – Encourage new members to grow and be committed to St. Pauls’ Church, by identifying and nurturing the individuals, helping them to find their place in its mission, and by finding and developing their spiritual gifts through dedicated small groups. – CARING – A visible leader with the capacity to lead and model through compassion and care within our congregation and the wider parish community. – EMPOWERING– Working with us to develop a leadership team able to serve and develop our vision to reach our community with the Gospel and the love of God. – PASSIONATELY MISSION FOCUSED – The passion for serving in a diverse community, sustained by a deep Christian faith.  Supporting the whole church to hear the call of God and to nurture our spiritual growth and discipleship. – EMBRACING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE – A willingness to develop ministry with children and young people and encourage them to take a full part in our church life. – COLLABORATION – Focus on working with St. Laurence’s mission hub to develop strategic mission and lay leader development opportunities, including a commitment to a weekly staff meeting with the Mission Hub leader and the hub clergy. – SAFEGUARDING – An ability to develop and establish a strong culture of safeguarding within the church. For more information, click here.  Associate Minister House for Duty, Hillmorton We are seeking a priest who will help us to grow missionally, discipling and nurturing those in our midst; someone who is prepared to meet people where they are at, bringing the light and love of Christ into new lives. The role is to: – Be fully engaged with the life of both churches and wider communities. – Be fully committed to growth, taking the roots that have already been set and using them to further disciple and nurture others, so that we may be an active visible presence in our communities and within our congregations. – Be actively involved in the vision we have for the future of our churches in Hillmorton and Houlton. – Help us to disciple more families, children and young people in our worshipping communities. – Be involved in all areas of ministry with specific leadership responsibility for some areas of church life – Conduct occasional offices – Lead worship and preach across all our services. – The post will be based on 3 days a week & is offered on a non-stipendiary, House for Duty basis. We welcome applications from capable priests who: – Have a strong visible Christian faith rooted in prayer. – Are collaborative, a team player, who enables and empowers and encourages others and has a passion to see our community grow, as we demonstrate Christ’s love within both our communities. For more information, click here. Coventry Cathedral - Fundraising Donor Coordinator Coventry Cathedral are looking for someone to support their fundraising department to help secure the future of the Cathedral. Successful candidates will need to have excellent administration skills, to maintain relationships with existing and potential donors, keep accurate records on through their database and assist in the planning and delivering of fundraising events. 21 Hours, Permeant, £12,924.20 per annum with 8% pension contribution. For more information, click here. Coventry Cathedral - Maintenance Assistant Coventry Cathedral  are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join their Maintenance Team. The team is responsible for the day to day maintenance of the Cathedral buildings, providing support to all departments. You’ll be working with an experienced maintenance team staff and this post will give the right person an opportunity to learn and develop a range of manual skills in a pleasant and friendly work environment. 35 hours a week, Permeant, £17,356.50 per annum with 8% pension contribution For more information, click here. St Andrew’s, Rugby – Children’s and Families’ Worker This is a wonderful opportunity for a gifted, dynamic Christian with a mature and vibrant faith. The role offers great variety: working both within and outside the church building and family, you will be called to nurture and facilitate the growth of faith in parents, children and young people. Excitingly, since St Andrew’s has recently been nominated as one of six Mission Hubs in the Diocese of Coventry, you will also be working with colleagues at St Andrew’s and beyond to equip and train partner churches in their ministry with children and families. This post gives candidates the chance to build upon what has already been done, and shape the work in line with new challenges and their own particular skills. 25 hours per week, flexibly, including Sunday mornings and alternate Sunday afternoons. Salary: £15,000 (£25,000 FTE) Find out more here.

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