Aim: The aim of this post is to provide dedicated pastoral and spiritual support to the older members of our congregation and community, nurturing their gifts and passions, creating and training ‘Elders’ within the community, who can bring knowledge and wisdom to both congregation and community. It therefore has at its core an intergenerational aim, as we bring those in later years fully into the worship, service and community of the church.
Skills: It is anticipated that with community development skills, strongly based within the Christian faith, the post holder will enable the church to optimise the wellbeing of the older members of congregation, enabling them to share their wisdom and gifts with people of all generations and to become agents of mission and mature disciples of Jesus. This post will facilitate activities and connections which will enable people to continue to find meaning in life and grow in faith as their health and mobility declines.
This post is central to the vision of St Mark’s to increase its presence in the local community and a central part of the job would be to develop existing partnerships with local organisations which share the vision of an inclusive and life-giving community. This includes groups such as the doctors’ surgeries, local health charities, other churches in the area, the Older People’s project of Portobello, Action Porty, Tribe Porty, the Wash House, as well as organisations a bit further away, such as the Compassionate Communities project at St Columba’s Hospice and Faith in Older People. We would envisage that the post holder will connect into the Anna Chaplaincy movement to foster networks and access appropriate training and good practice.
The Legacy of the post: This post is for two years, which will provide a period of scoping, assessing the need and direction of such a dedicated worker. During the two years, it will be expected that the worker will lay plans and seek useful sources of funding for the continuation of the post, by grants or by dedicated funding.
Key tasks:
Person specification
Previous applicants need not apply.
Please note this post is considered Regulated Work under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.
The successful applicants will be required to join the PVG scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update Check prior to starting in post.
Application: via attached application form
Closing Date: 9am on Monday 20 May 2024. It is anticipated that the interviews will be held within 10 days of closing date.
Any further details available from Rev Dr Sophia Marriage; sophia.marriage@stmarksportobello.org