Diocese of Coventry eBulletin

Independent review of safeguarding cases complete Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2) was commissioned by the House of Bishops to see how safeguarding cases have been dealt with, therefore helping churches and church-related activities to be safer for everyone. An independent review of cases in the Diocese of Coventry was completed in December 2021. Two independent reviewers considered all known cases of concern relating to living church officers. Within the Diocese of Coventry, the process was overseen by a PCR2 Reference Group. Joan Beck, Chair of the PCR2 Reference Group said: “I want to thank the Independent Reviewers and all those who have been involved in this review. I particularly want to thank the survivors who took part in the review. The voices of survivors are central to the PCR2 process, providing an opportunity to listen and to learn from their experiences. If you wish to make disclosures regarding church-related abuse, please contact Sarah Price, our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor on 07950382934 or via email at sarah.price@coventry.anglican.org “ Read more

WaterAid Jars of Change WaterAid is inviting churches to join its annual Jars of Change Lent Appeal. By giving something up for Lent and donating the money saved to WaterAid, congregations will help bring clean water to other communities around the world, and with it, the power to keep families safe and healthy. WaterAid is an international development charity working in partnership with local organisations in over 30 countries worldwide, to provide clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to everyone. WaterAid has created a free resource pack that is available to order by post or to download, including Sunday School activities, an all age talk, a poster, fundraising ideas and jar sleeves that can be used as Gift Aid declarations too. Read more

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Called: Mission, Ministry & Me Are you or someone you know interested in exploring God’s calling? This course provides a space to think together about what it means to be called by God, to take our place in the mission of God, and to give opportunity to explore both lay and ordained Christian vocation. It will include teaching, discussion, guest speakers and some time for reflection and prayer. We hope it will be enjoyable, encouraging and helpful to you in identifying your next step, whatever that may be. It is open to all. Rev’d Mark Norris (DDO) and Jen Stewart are leading this event on Saturday 12th March from 10am – 4pm on zoom (with breaks). If you have any questions please email Jen.Stewart@Coventry.Anglican.org Read more

Living in Love and Faith Lent Course As a diocese we are exploring the theme of generosity over Lent. Sometimes being generous is being willing to explore issues that might make us feel uncomfortable so we can better understand ourselves and others through our reflecting, our listening and our sharing. As part of this there is a diocese Lent Course called ‘Living in Love and Faith’. The course helps us to unpack issues around identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage by bringing a range of perspectives and convictions together to reflect on and discuss. It helps us to have the conversation openly and sensitively as we explore our own convictions and hear the stories and perspectives of others. All sessions will be on Zoom Taster Session: Wednesday 23rd Feb, 7.30pm Course dates: Wednesdays from 9th March to 6th April, 7.30pm Read more

Diocesan news Easter Confirmations Bishop Christopher and Bishop John are looking forward to resuming their usual practice of Baptisms and Confirmations over Easter.  Bishop Christopher will lead the early morning Easter Liturgy including Baptism and Confirmation at the Cathedral at 5.15am on Easter Day, 17th April. Bishop John will lead the Easter Vigil with Baptism and Confirmation at St Andrew’s, Rugby on 16th April 2022 at 8pm. For details of the procedure for registering candidates and all relevant forms, click here. Lent Resources from St Clare’s The St Clare’s Lent shop has a range of Lent books, prayer resources and church supplies for the season. Shop online, or visit in person at the Cathedral. Open 11 am – 4 pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Supporting pioneer ministry in the Church of England. For more information, please visit their website by clicking here. Safeguarding announcement Due to the safeguarding team attending mandatory training, safeguarding cover arrangements will be in place through Thirtyone:eight on the following dates: Wednesday 23 February 2022 Thursday 24 February 2022 Wednesday 16 March 2022 Thursday 17 March 2022 Wednesday 23 March 2022 This means the safeguarding team will not be contactable on the above dates.  If you are concerned for a child or adults immediate safety please call 999. If you require safeguarding advice please call 02476 521 345 and you will be diverted through to Thirtyone:eight alternatively the direct number is 0303 003 11 11 ’ Loving the Enemy: building bridges in a time of war Are you looking for a speaker? If so, Andy March is available to speak about a book he’s written Loving the Enemy: building bridges in a time of war (featured in the Church Times, UCB2 and Premier Christian Radio), which tells the true and compelling story of Englishman Fred Clayton and Rike Büttner-Wobst from Dresden, Germany, who rose above the hatred and enmity of warring nations to build an enduring bridge of love. Would this be the sort of talk your group would be interested in hosting? If so, please get in touch either by phone 07816998642 or email info@halwillpublishing.co.uk or to discuss this further. Invitation to ‘The Narnia Adventure’ Organised by Holy Trinity Church and YWAM, this is a free interactive experience for children of all ages.  Enter ‘through the wardrobe’ and be transported to Narnia, meet characters from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and explore Christian themes in a fun way. The tours will take place at The Old Blue Coat School, Priory Row, Coventry city centre on Saturday 19th February, then Monday 21st February until Saturday 26th February, between 10am – 3pm . Tours run every 20 minutes. There may be a short wait at busy times. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, click here. Flags and Flagpoles for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Harrison Flagpoles have created three flag and flagpole packages exclusively for the Queen’s Jubilee to help celebrate this historic event. All packages include a flagpole and a Union flag with the official Platinum Jubilee flag available to purchase as an optional extra. For more information, click here.

Diocesan vacancies Children’s or Youth Worker - St James Styvechale St James Styvechale is a vibrant Anglican church in Coventry with a heart to bring God’s transforming love to the local community, Coventry and beyond. To help them achieve their vision they are looking for a Children’s or Youth Worker. Do you have a passion for Jesus? Do you have a passion for seeing children or young people come to faith and grow in faith? Are you someone with vision? Do you want to be part of a church whose mission is to make committed followers of Jesus who transform the local community, Coventry and beyond? Do you sense a call to providing vision and leadership in the area of Children’s or Youth Ministry? If the answer is yes to these questions then this could be the job for you. For more information please visit their website by clicking here. Children and Families Worker - Alcester Minster Part-Time 20 hours per week, including some evening and weekend work,  3-year appointment, £14,500pa. A fantastic opportunity for a dynamic, committed Christian with a strong and visible faith to engage with children and families in the Alcester area. If you are passionate about sharing your faith, work well with others, and are keen to help grow our mission and ministry with families in and around Alcester then this is the role for you. You will be working alongside others and with the local schools in leading and supporting work involving events, projects, and initiatives that enable young parents and children to have a life-enhancing encounter with the Christian faith and the person of Jesus Christ. The closing date for applications will be Friday 11 March 2022. Interviews will take place in Alcester on Saturday 26 March 2022. For more information, click here. For an informal conversation and an application form please contact Julie Lindsay on 01789 963126 Family Link Worker - Arden Marches Do you have a heart for seeing children and families flourish in all aspects of life, and a vibrant and growing faith in Jesus to share with them? The Arden Marches Churches (Studley and Mappleborough Green) are looking for a creative and self-motivated person who is good at building relationships and communicating the Christian faith, to become our new Family Link Worker. You will work as part of the church and in partnership with Studley St Mary’s CofE Academy to grow our mission and ministry among families with young children.  You will work with the school to support families (including those experiencing various life challenges), engage with the wider community, and support spirituality.  You will work with the churches to a) develop our contacts with families, helping them become disciples of Jesus Christ, and b) develop opportunities for our children and families to worship God and grow in faith. 24 hours a week (14 hours with the churches, 10 hours in the school). 6 weeks holiday. Salary £14,400. Closing date for applications: Monday 21st February 2022. For more information and an application form please contact Reverend Kate Mier 01527 852830 rector@ardenmarches.co.uk

External Vacancies Why do we advertise external vacancies? Information & Signposting Officer - Healthwatch Coventry 25 hours, £25,801 pro-rata £7% pension Healthwatch is the independent champion for Coventry people for health and social care. Help us to ensure that people can access the service they need. This role leads our information service for the public; supporting people to get the information they need by answering questions by phone and email about NHS and social care. It provides information or signposts on to the right help. You will be an excellent communicator with strong call handling abilities. You will have empathy for others, plus listening and problem-solving skills. You will have experience of responding to members of the public which you can transfer to this role. You will be able to seek out the right information for people to answer their questions. You will write clearly for a public audience and understand safeguarding and data protection in the context of this role. For more information, click here. Supported Volunteering Officer - Voluntary Action Coventry 20 hours per week, – £25,295 pro rata plus 7% pension  VAC is looking to recruit a caring and compassionate individual to undertake the role of Supported Volunteering Officer (maternity cover) for our Progress Project. The role will be to deliver volunteer placement brokerage and support to participants on the Building Better Opportunities and European Social Fund Progress programme. Progress is a part of ‘Building Better Opportunities’ – a programme funded by the European Social Fund and the Community Fund, through the Big Lottery Fund, to tackle poverty and social exclusion faced by the most disadvantaged people in England. For more information, click here. Director (Fund Raising & Grants Lead) - Hope4 At Hope4 we believe that everyone has the right to have a place to call ‘home’, somewhere that is safe, secure and sustainable, and enough food even when in a crisis. We also believe that everyone should have the chance to realise their hopes and ambitions. The charity is founded on Christian principles and works to address poverty, primarily homelessness and food poverty in the Borough of Rugby. Our staff and volunteers support these values and ethos irrespective of belief or background. This role involves leading on fund raising and grant applications at board level, ensuring that the board of Directors are aware of and kept up to date with any fundraising/grant developments. You will work alongside the Treasurer and the rest of the board to plan what level of funds are required to be generated to ensure the effective running of the charity. A full Director’s induction is in place to support the prospective candidate within their role, as well as access to local voluntary action trustee training. For more please contact chair@hope4.org.uk