Diocese of Coventry eBulletin

Sharing Stories of New Worshipping Communities We are documenting the stories of New Worshipping Communities from across the Diocese of Coventry; showcasing the great work they are doing, and sharing the stories of how they got started. Each one is unique, and we hope that as you watch their story unfold, you will find aspects of their story that inspire you. Read more

Come and See – Muddy Church Have you heard about Muddy Church, but aren’t sure what it is? Are you curious about whether it could be a good fit for your church and community? We have arranged for some experienced practitioners of Muddy Church to host a session so you and others from your church can come and experience this model for yourselves. 29th March 2023, 6 – 8pm at St Laurence’s Church (Churchyard and Hall), CV6 7ED Read more

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News Grants for church repairs, energy saving investment and community projects Benefact Trust (formerly All Churches Trust) have updated their grant criteria. They now offer Building Improvements Grants for repairs and energy saving investment and Community Impact Grants for social action and church growth projects. Benefact Trust rarely offer more than 50% of project costs. However, churches considering energy saving projects can also apply to the Diocese of Coventry for a Church Improvements Net Zero grant of up to 50% (up to a maximum of £25,000). For Benefact Trust Building Improvements Grants click here. For Benefact Trust Community Impact Grants click here. For Diocese of Coventry Net Zero Grants click here. For help with planning projects and preparing grant applications contact Andy Duncan: andy.duncan@coventry.anglican.org Easter Baptisms and Confirmations at Coventry Cathedral Bishop Christopher is, as usual, confirming candidates during the dawn service on Easter Day at Coventry Cathedral. The service will start at 6am and Bishop Christopher would be especially pleased to conduct baptisms as part of the service. If you intend to present candidates, please let Helen know at helen.walker@bishop-coventry.org The relevant forms for completion may be found by clicking here. Please submit completed forms to Helen by 30th March. Good Friday Parish Pilgrimage A fitting way to spend part of your Good Friday – a symbolic, solemn gesture in remembrance of our Lord’s journey to the cross. The times for the pilgrimage are: 9:30 – St Gregory’s, Offchurch 10.40-11 – St Michael’s, Weston under Wetherley 11:45-12-05 – St John the Baptist, Wappenbury 12:50 – Outside Eathorpe Village Hall 1:35-2:15 – St Margaret’s, Hunningham for lunch 3 – St Gregory’s, Offchurch. For more information please contact susandenning4@gmail.com Further Education Sunday Did you know that more 16-19s attend a Further Education or Sixth Fom College than stay on at school?  Further Education Colleges play a huge role at a vital stage in young people’s lives, offering training, qualifications and skills for life, as well as being major local employers.  Further Education Sunday (14 May 2023) is a great opportunity to pray for your local college, its staff and students, and consider how your church could love your local college. For more information including downloadable prayer resources, videos and ideas for worship and action, click here. The Gathering Online - tastelife conference Join tastelife online for an inspiring morning of talks, personal testimonies, and interactive workshops as they share and network together with others from the tastelife community. tastelife is reaching out to those looking for hope and seeking recovery from eating disorders, in ever more relevant and creative ways, but always with compassion, love, and understanding. It will take place on Saturday 25th March, 9 am-1 pm. For more info click here. St Mark’s Academy Internships St Mark’s Academy offers internships to 18-30 year olds who want to grow in faith and develop in leadership. We offer an outstanding teaching programme, personal formation through mentoring, and the opportunity of a hands-on ministry placement either at St. Marks or another participating church in the diocese. If you know someone who may be interested please encourage them to sign up for our upcoming open event on 30th March at www.stmarks.academy/join-us. Alternatively, if you are a church leader and would like to know more about becoming a participating church please contact academy@stmarkscoventry.org.

Diocesan vacancies Director of Development (Vision & Strategy) We are looking for someone who can help us achieve our 2030 vision restored health, new growth and renewed relationships. We have already created a strategic framework ‘Our Shared Future’ which reflects the national Church of England vision and Strategy in our specific context. The Director of Development (Vision & Strategy) will play a pivotal role in the next phase of our strategy development. Their main focus will be bringing together data and understanding from across our parishes and working in partnership with key staff to develop the specific strategies, people and missional plans needed. We are looking for someone who has the ability to work with multiple stakeholders to effect change. They need to have emotional intelligence, strong listening skills, professional excellence, strategic thinking, and the ability to be agile and adaptable. The postholder will be someone who brings a balance of clear strategy development awareness with a strongly relational approach and exceptional communication ability to engage diverse stakeholders. 35 hours per week – £51,104 per annum. For more information, click here. 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. Kenilworth is a historic and beautiful place with a vibrant community spirit a short journey away from Coventry, Leamington Spa and Warwick. We are looking for someone who wants to pass on God’s love to a new generation, with a passion for mission. Personal specification: – A pastor – with a caring personality who welcomes and includes everyone. – A leader with a vision – with leadership qualities who can lead a multi generational, multi style church. Who can help us be more outward focused. – An inspiring worship leader – to inspire with different ways to worship. Who understands the needs of older and younger generations. – Develop our gifts – inspire more people to offer their gifts and skills to God. To encourage new people into leadership. – Strategic – someone who can join the dots. Who can see the bigger picture and help us focus on being missional. Someone who can put a strategy in place and keep us informed. For more information, click here. Associate Minister, Bedworth Mission Hub Church in the Diocese of Coventry The Diocese of Coventry is recruiting a new Associate Minister, fully funded at incumbent level with housing, for an initial period of five years. This is part of an exciting and adventurous mission strategy to see healthy churches propagate, plant, or graft 150 new worshipping communities over the next ten years. Bedworth is a town located 5 miles north of Coventry. The town has a population of 32000 and the parish covers the town. There are two churches in the parish. The larger church in the town centre is All Saints, and a smaller church, St. Andrew’s. All Saint’s is a lively growing church with a variety of ages meeting across three Sunday congregations. St. Andrew’s is a small church mainly comprising of an elderly congregation with a range of new projects underway to enable it to grow and become part of the community again. Our vision is that over the next 10 years every person in Bedworth has the opportunity to have the good news of Jesus presented & demonstrated to them. We want to do this by planting churches and missional communities across our parish. So, we are looking for an Associate Vicar that can work within the predominantly evangelical charismatic theology of the parish, who enjoys motivating a large team to plant & grow new worshipping communities & who lives life to the full. 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. For more information, click here. Vicar, St John the Divine, Willenhall, Coventry St John the Divine is at the heart of Willenhall with the people of Willenhall engraved on their heart. The many projects developed though St John’s seek to meet real need, are creative, generous and have resulted in a relationship of trust between community and the church. We are a supportive church family with a heart for the community, ready to greet with warmth and welcome any who cross the threshold. We seek a vicar who will live among us and help us to grow as a church and as individuals. Someone who is prepared to meet people where they are and encourage them to come to know the love of Christ in their lives. Person specification: – Have a strong visible Christian faith rooted in prayer and be a passionate sharer of The Gospel. – Be a good communicator with the ability to engage all age groups. A gifted listener who will love without prejudice and lead inclusively. – Be collaborative and enable, empower and encourage others on their faith journey. – Provide pastoral care in different settings in our local care homes, community hubs and with those who come seeking care and compassion as they encounter problems in daily life. – Be an enabler of mission and teach discipleship that can be applied to the life of the church through small group teaching, lay leadership and outreach to the wider community. – Be committed to working with local schools, food bank, local businesses and other churches close to us. – Be organised – it is a busy parish with lots of occasional offices and involvement in community functions. – Be someone who has a sense of humour, a love for people and who eats cake. Closing Date for Applications: Noon Friday 28th April. For more information, click here

External vacancies Chair of Trustees at Flourish Flourish is looking for a Chair of Trustees to lead the Trustee team of this well-established mental health charity, in its mission to support girls and young women and nurture their self-esteem and mental wellbeing. The role of the Chair of Trustees is to ensure that Flourish fulfils its mission to support girls and young women and nurture their self-esteem and mental wellbeing. It is an organisation created for girls, shaped by women. We’re here to listen, understand and support this generation of girls, providing them a safe space. For more information, click here.

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