PASTORAL ASSISTANT

We are excited to offer the opportunity to join our team at Mayfield Salisbury as the Pastoral Assistant. The role of Pastoral Assistant is to work alongside the minister and other staff to lead our team of pastoral co-ordinators and visitors, to engage in the pastoral care of our congregation and the local community in the parish, and to contribute to our worship services which are focussed on an older age group. A full description of the duties in the role is below.

The post is for 30 hours per week with a competitive salary, initially until the end of 2023 but with the potential to then continue on a long-term basis under a new three-way union.

Whilst our previous Pastoral Assistants have been Deacons or ministers in the Church of Scotland, we are open to applications from anyone with good experience in a pastoral setting, of leading a team and of leading Christian worship and prayer.

We’d be very pleased to hear from you. For further information, or to apply with a CV and covering letter, please mail our minister, Revd Dr Sandy Forsyth – aforsyth@churchofscotland.org.uk

Full description of duties in role:
1. To lead and co-ordinate the Pastoral Care Framework for caring for and visiting members and adherents.
2. Working with the Minister and the Pastoral Co-ordinators, to coordinate and support the Pastoral Visitors.
3. To undertake visiting in private homes, care homes and hospitals, particularly with those who have the greatest needs.
4. To engage with, and participate in, the work of Southside Faith Care.
5. To keep the Minister apprised of the wellbeing of members and adherents.
6. To co-ordinate the weekly Prayer Chain sent by email; and to encourage engagement with it.
7. To help the Minister to keep the Kirk Session apprised of pastoral care, with occasional reports to the Kirk Session.
8. To attend worship services on Sunday mornings, to liaise then with the congregation in relation to pastoral needs, and to contribute occasionally to Sunday worship.
9. To plan and lead specific services, in conjunction with the Minister, from some or all from the following: short monthly services in a local nursing home; afternoon services for elderly members (five per year); occasional funerals; the monthly evening communion service; and prayers on a Tuesday morning.
10. To attend weekly staff meetings.
11. To provide pastoral cover in the Minister’s absence.
12. To carry out such additional duties as may reasonably be requested from time to time.