The Bishop of New Westminster is seeking to appoint an Incumbent for the Parish of St. Mary’s, Kerrisdale in Vancouver. The priest incumbent will ‘provide energetic, compassionate and collaborative leadership.’

The Parish of St Mary is celebrating 100 years of ministry in its service of God’s mission in the neighbourhood of Kerrisdale. St Mary’s is one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of New Westminster and is a strong contributor to leadership in the life of the Diocese.
Situated on Vancouver’s west side, and on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish, Kerrisdale still reflects its British colonial history; however the neighbourhood is rapidly changing. A diverse demographic shift is occurring which is providing a rich cultural dynamic and the parish recognizes the challenge in its bid to reflect the surrounding neighbourhood in its community.
In addition to the Incumbent, currently two associate priests compliment the ordained leadership along with a music director, organist, two office staff and a verger. This configuration, while it has been a long-standing model, may be reviewed in the future.

The Diocesan mandated Ministry Assessment Process was quickly embraced by St Mary’s as they sought to identify their key values. Four priorities were identified as places of ministry focus:

 Worship that has variety, high quality music, and an opportunity for all to engage in, is named as very important to St Mary’s. To that end there is a wide offering of worship times and style beginning with Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Eucharist (BCP), 9:15 a.m. Eucharist (BAS p 185), 11:15 am Eucharist (BAS p 230), Tuesday 7:00 am Eucharist, and Monday to Friday Morning Prayer at 8:30 a.m.

 Youth ministry, an historic focus of St Mary’s, was re-evaluated, and to address a feeling of isolation and separation from the rest of the community, Family Ministry was born to provide for multi-generational events.

 St Mary’s has “a deep desire to support Outreach by both financial contributions and getting involved in a hands-on way” and ‘there is a desire to see and live our outreach ministry as a fundamental aspect of discipleship…”. St Mary’s is involved locally with many programs such as a community meal program developed by the Parish, support for Downtown Eastside projects, and globally in El Salvador.

 Financial Sustainability at St Mary’s is understood to require messaging that conveys the understanding that Christian discipleship is intimately connected to Stewardship. In order to reach it goals for financial sustainability future cost efficiencies will need to be addressed.

The successful candidate will be someone who is a team leader, willing to both engage and be challenged, attentive to her/his own spiritual journey, a preacher and liturgist, a mentors mentor, a visitor, and someone who likes to laugh.


A Parish Profile is available from the Synod Office, as well as a list of expectations of all clergy in the Diocese of New Westminster. Applications for this position will be received until Thursday, March 15th, with a reasoned, written response to the documents provided, outlining what the applicant could bring to the position by way of gifts and experience. Applicants are required to provide this written response, a resumè, and references (both a mailed copies and emailed version) to:

 

The Bishop of New Westminster is seeking to appoint an Assistant Priest for the Parish of St. Mark’s, Ocean Park. This full-time position will work cooperatively with the Incumbent and lay leadership team.
The successful candidate will be someone who is comfortable in the evangelical ethos of the Anglican tradition, able to articulate her/his faith, an effective communicator and a gifted Biblical preacher and teacher. She/he will possess a strong organizational ability, able to relate to all age groups, a team builder, and an educator who also leads by example.


 

Because of the collegial and shared team ministry approach taking form in the North
Vancouver Deanery, a Regional Council has been established from lay and ordained
leaders responsible for a Ministry Plan that grew out of a long discernment called
“Ministry Assessment Process” (MAP) happening throughout the Diocese. Because the developing team is pioneering this new shape for ministry, mission and renewal both in each parish and in their neighbourhoods, the successful candidate will give shared oversight both to the ministry within St. John’s Church and its neighbourhood, as well as assist the team and regional parishes to work on strategies and implementation that will benefit the other parishes and the wider community. The primary ministry areas for the regions are: neighbourhood engagement; development of ministry centres; shared ministry team; congregational and regional development; stewardship resources.
The person chosen for this multi-faceted position will need to be disciplined in their own time management, and have ability to work collegially both in the Parish and in the Regional Team. Besides the given pastoral, liturgical, teaching, listening and
administrative gifts parishes expect of well-trained clergy, the person will need
experience in community engagement, working with and within teams, have a
demonstrated ability in congregational development, an ability to support and empower lay leaders and experience in strategic planning, goal setting and implementation.
This is a new beginning for the Parish of St. John since establishment in 1899. Situated on a hill on a main thoroughfare across from City Hall, the library and a school, very near the hospital and on a public transportation route, St. John’s striking building is the 3rd in its history, built 24 years ago, with a modern, bright worship space with stained glass windows and natural wood finishing, a seating capacity of 300. Two other Christian groups (Korean Presbyterian and the Iranian Christian Fellowship) share the space. The Parish is increasingly multi-cultural, welcoming in newcomers that bring gifts of energy and spiritual wisdom from many different cultures. A daycare operates in the former parish hall, and community groups, including three Alcoholics Anonymous groups, use 2
the facility. Adjacent to the Lonsdale business corridor, the community around is growing and developing, both in corporate activities and in residential density.
Mentored both in workshops and literature by Alan Roxburgh and Diana Butler Bass, the parishioners are redefining and redistributing ministries in the Parish, with lay ministers assuming larger, responsible roles. All age groups share in a variety of ministries that centers on the teachings of Jesus Christ and participation in the Sunday 10:00 a.m. Eucharist (and a monthly 8:00 a.m. Eucharist). “Children’s Time” in church is followed by Sunday School. There is a strong youth program, as well as contemplative prayer groups weekly, active seniors’ ministry and outreach, vibrant music ministry, hospitality and a community ministry task team.
The qualities sought in priest and laity alike are listed in the profile, including spirit-filled passion and compassion for God’s People, God’s Word and Sacraments, a listener and speaker, humble, sensitive and committed, welcoming in a sociable sense while helping to identify and redress societal wrongs and injustices, a team builder, an educator whoalso leads by example.
A Parish Profile and a Team Position Description, with the Deanery Ministry Plan (May
15, 2011) are available from the Synod Office, as well as a list of expectations of all
clergy in the Diocese of New Westminster. Applications for this position will be
received until Thursday, March 15th, with a reasoned, written response to the
documents provided, outlining what the applicant could bring to the position by way of gifts and experience. Applicants are required to provide this written response, a
resumè, and references (both a mailed copies and emailed version) to: