We are currently seeking a new vicar and this page is to help possible candidates to find out more about us.

1       St. Peter’s – Some Important Features

St. Peter’s is a busy city centre church with a liberal tradition offering a vibrant and distinctive alternative to the Cathedral and Abbey Church just down the road. With three large choirs, a brand new Mander organ and two professional musicians leading the music at the church, St Peter’s aspires to offer liturgical music to or near to cathedral standards. Currently providing four Sunday services each week (including Choral Mattins and Evensong as well as a family Holy Communion service) St Peter’s is also a popular venue for weddings and baptisms. Each of the congregations has its own character: the 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion having a stable and generally older following; Mattins and Evensong attracting many choir parents alongside the loyal (and often older) members and the 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion being favoured by young families and a broader spread of other members. The congregations mix throughout the year on occasions such as the Petertide Fair, the Harvest Supper and musical events. The unusual musical offering at St Peter’s and its city centre location draws in worshippers from well beyond the parish and the church has traditionally attracted educated and articulate members to its congregation.

2       Location of the Parish

The Parish occupies a central position in St Albans running north/south in a long thin line from Sandpit Lane in the north down to the A414 orbital road in the south. The eastern boundary of the Parish closely follows the Midland Railway line at its northern end and the London Road at its southern end. The western boundary extends almost (but not quite) to the city hospital, cuts through the city centre and then largely follows the River Ver down to the A414 in the south.

3       Description of the Parish

The Parish has a population of around 11,000 comprising just over 5,000 households. There are 226 on the electoral roll (360 in 1996) of whom 41 (18%) are resident and 185 (82%) are non-resident. The 2001 census classified 46% of the population of the Parish as social grade AB (Higher and intermediate managerial, administrative, professional) compared with 40% for St Albans as a whole and 22% for England. The same census recorded that 64% of people in the parish described themselves as Christian (72% for England) and 24% as having no religion (15% for England).

The housing stock is quite varied across the Parish with some large detached properties just north of the Church, many small but highly sought-after Victorian terraces opposite the church and a mixture of semi-detached, terraced and some detached properties further south in the Parish. A large part of the parish is non-residential – principally shops and offices – which (alongside the unusual liturgical tradition at St Peter’s) accounts partly for the large number of non-residents on the electoral roll.

St Albans has easy and quick access to Central London by train and many people from St Albans generally and the Parish in particular are commuters. It follows that a lot of people in the Parish have been hit quite hard by the recent turmoil in the financial and professional sectors.

The Parish takes in a large part of the commercial centre of St Albans including the District Council offices, the Crown, County and Magistrates' Courts, the police station and the whole of the main shopping street (St. Peter's Street) as well as many other shops, banks, professional and financial firms. St Albans has an ancient market which is held in St. Peter's Street on Wednesdays and Saturdays and the town centre includes many pubs and wine bars, many of which are within the Parish. During more prosperous times quite a few restaurants opened in the town centre, not all of which are thriving in the current economic conditions.

In terms of recreation, the Parish includes the City Museum and the Alban Arena in its northern part and the Verulam Golf Course in the south.

In the recent past the Parish has been home to parts of the University of Hertfordshire and also Oaklands College of Further Education. However, both of these institutions have now largely withdrawn from the centre of St Albans in favour of more spacious accommodation elsewhere. Educational establishments still within the Parish are St Albans High School (Girls' Independent), Loreto College (Roman Catholic Girls' School), Maple Junior and Infants' School, Aboyne Lodge Junior and Infants' School and St Peter's Junior and Infants' School (which is not a church school).

Three groups of almshouses are located in the Parish. Trustees connected with St Peter's Church administer a group of six, while separate trustees are responsible for the Pemberton Almshouses in St Peter’s Street opposite the church and others for the Marlborough Almshouses at the top of Hatfield Road. A further charitable trust connected with St Peter's Church (The Church Lands Trust) administers a substantial portfolio of commercial and residential properties in the Catherine Street area, largely for the financial benefit of St. Peter's.

The Church has connections with a number of nursing homes and charities within the Parish, including Strathmore Residential Home, Grove House Hospice and Camphill Village Trust which runs workshops and retail outlets within the Parish.

The Open Door drop-in night shelter and day centre for homeless people was set up in the Parish in 1993, initially on the initiative of Christian groups in the area.

Other places of worship within the Parish include St Albans and St Stephens (RC), Marlborough Road Methodist Church, St Albans United Synagogue and the administrative headquarters of the Seventh Day Adventist Church together with its Church.

4       The Church

St Peter's is reputed to have been founded in 948 as one of the gateway churches to the monastic town, though no surviving parts of the Church can be dated to that period – the oldest surviving fabric now being the 15th century nave arcade. Built at one of the highest points of the town, St Peter's presents an imposing sight at the north end of the town and is often mistaken by visitors for the abbey. Located in a large churchyard, the Church was substantially rebuilt in the 19th century, losing its cruciform shape in 1803 after the tower collapsed and gaining its flint and brick facing with ashlar quoins at the end of the century. The only substantial addition since then has been the octagonal meeting room (“the Octagon”), kitchen, library, choir vestry and church office added on the north side in 1983. The churchyard was closed to burials at the end of the 19th century and is now maintained by the local authority, but both the Hope Garden and the older Garden of Remembrance are still open for the burial of ashes.

The quinquennial report dated November 2008 summarises the general condition of the fabric in these terms: "The PCC have continued a programme of repairs and maintenance over the past five years which has placed the building in excellent repair, notwithstanding the roofing works currently being carried out as a result of the theft of lead from the south vestries [work since completed] and the works identified later in this report." All high priority work identified in the report has already been carried out. Since the quinquennial report, some damage to stonework has been identified and this is in hand.

5       Other Buildings

The large Church Hall on Hatfield Road is no longer used for Parish purposes and, instead, is now let to commercial tenants. The Octagon and the Church library together fulfil the requirement for meetings, social and other church activities. The large portfolio of commercial and residential properties, the income from which supplies an important part of the Church's income, is vested in the Church Lands charitable trust. The only other properties are the vicarage, which is described below, and the verger's house next to the Church. There is no longer a house for a curate, but it is expected that, should a curate become available and require accommodation, the Church Lands trust might be able to provide housing given enough notice and depending on the curate’s family circumstances.

6       Worship Tradition at St Peter's

The worship tradition at St Peter's might be described as just slightly high of central Anglican.

The Eucharist is generally celebrated at the altar in the body of the church and the celebrant faces the people. Exceptionally, at the 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion which is held in the Chancel (where the altar is against the East wall), the celebrant faces the altar. The sacrament is reserved but no bell is rung at the elevation of the host. All baptised Christians are invited to communion, which is taken standing in a semi-circle within the body of the church or kneeling at the high altar at services in the chancel.

Incense has been used very occasionally, just a few times a year. Processions within the church have been slightly more frequent, and a procession around the outside of the church has taken place on Palm Sunday.

Vestments are worn for Eucharistic services and a scarf for other services. Academical hoods are worn by gentlemen choristers on feast days.

7       Form of Services at St Peter's

Four Sunday services are generally held at the Church:

8.00 a.m.
The service of Holy Communion is said, based on the Book of Common Prayer.

9.30 a.m.
A family Communion service based on a more modern liturgy from Common Worship takes place. The music is generally led by the Organist with the girls' choir supplemented by a group from the men's choir. Hymns are usually taken both from the English Hymnal and from Hymns and Worship Songs. Once a month at 9.30 Junior Church join the congregation for an all-age service with hymns led by an all-age orchestra. The Ministry of Healing with anointing is offered on a monthly basis after the 9.30 service of Holy Communion.

11.00 a.m.
Choral Mattins is sung from the Book of Common Prayer. A few times a year a Choral Eucharist (BCP) replaces Mattins.

6.30 p.m.
Choral Evensong is sung, also from the Book of Common Prayer.

St Peter's has an open policy on baptisms, which usually take place at 12.15 p.m. on Sundays roughly twice a month, except on those occasions when integration into a service is thought more appropriate.

8       Services - Statistics

9       The Team at St Peter's

10       Lay Ministry

Lay ministry has featured strongly at St Peter's. Both experienced Readers regularly conduct and preach at Mattins and Evensong, preach at the 9.30 a.m. service, conduct funerals and take communion to those who are housebound or in residential homes. One Reader has permission to take Communion by Extension and has diocesan responsibilities and both have taken a share of pastoral duties within the parish. Intercessions are frequently led by members of the congregation at the 9.30 Holy Communion and Evensong.

11       The Parochial Church Council

The PCC comprises 18 elected members, 9 ex officio members and a couple of co-opted members. It has generally met just 4 times a year in order to deal with significant matters of policy though, in practice, business has also tended to include some more routine matters which happen to be current at the time of the meeting. In the past new members have been identified and approached by the vicar and if willing to be appointed, they have been put forward for election at the APCM. The general pattern is that one third of the elected membership has been elected each year for a three year term, with casual vacancies being filled as necessary at the APCM.

The day to day business of the PCC has been conducted largely through committees of the PCC, namely the Standing Committee, the Worship Committee, the Pastoral Committee, the Finance & Fabric Committee and the Mission Committee. These committees have met as required and their minutes submitted to the next PCC meeting for report and approval. The vicar has chaired the majority of committee meetings.

12       Parish Organisation

	The Parish Year Book reported on over 40 groups active within the church including the Mothers' Union and others as diverse as the Credo Discussion Group, Lectio Divina, Circle Dancing, Parish Rambles and the Theatre Group. Perhaps a special mention might be made of: The choirs – The importance of music in the life of the church will already be apparent. The girls' choir currently numbers about 12 and the men's choir and the boys' choir each have some 20 or so members. The Director of Music and Organist, with the help of a trained voice coach, offer an all round musical education, including preparation for the Royal School of Church Music examinations and the Royal Schools of Music theory examinations. The repertoire and the standard of music each week is approaching cathedral standard. In June the choir will be visiting Berlin to perform two concerts. In 2005 the church invested in a superb new Mander organ as part of its commitment to music within the liturgy of the church, and this instrument, together with the new Bösendorfer grand piano, make the church a venue for concerts as part of the International Organ Festival and other performances throughout the year. Junior Church – There are four groups for children and young people integrated into the life of the church. Three of them, Crèche (0-4), Junior Church (4-6) and Junior Church (6+) meet for the start of the 9.30 a.m. service but then separate for their individual activities, rejoining the service before communion. The fourth, After Eight (13+), meet after Evensong for a mixture of discussion and youth group activities in the church or further afield, in the care of the two youth workers. Pastoral Support Groups – There is well organised system of lay pastoral support in the parish: visitors for people in various kinds of need and bereavement etc. The parish prayer group and prayer chain supports this work. The Green Community Group – Led by an academic who is a specialist in Geography and Environmental Management, the group leads St Peter’s initiative to become a more environmentally friendly church and community. It is currently calculating the church’s carbon footprint and advising the PCC how it might minimise its impact on the environment. The bellringers – The church has a fine 24 cwt ring of ten bells cast and hung by Taylors in 1993. The band includes many experienced ringers as well as a thriving group of learners benefiting from the tower's status as a regional ringing centre, and regularly wins county and regional striking competitions.

13       Ecumenical Links

The church has a representative on the Churches Together in St Albans collaboration and, on Maundy Thursday, St Peter’s has normally joined forces with Marlborough Road Methodist Church for a shared service. But there is considerable scope for strengthening ecumenical ties further.

14       Parish Finances

As a result of historical endowments and skilful financial management, the church enjoys a settled financial position, although the recent turmoil both in the property market and in interest rates has taken a toll. In round figures, in the calendar year to 31 December 2008 the church had an income of £300,000 (of which half came from the Church Lands Trust and a sixth from stewardship and plate). Expenditure of £280,000 included roughly £60,000 each for parish share, salaries and fabric, with about £25,000 for missions. Of course, the church expects to meet its parish share every year and the budget for 2009 is broadly similar to the 2008 position.

15       The Vicarage

The vicarage is situated in Hall Place Gardens and has a gate from its back garden into the churchyard (though many people would prefer the short walk along the pavement from the front of the house). The vicarage is a large detached Edwardian town house with bedrooms on two floors, a sitting room and dining room, study, large kitchen, utility room, bathroom and WC and it has off-street parking.

16       The Parish's Needs

We believe that the successful applicant for this position will be:

• A godly man or woman able to communicate the presence of the Holy Spirit and to foster a Christ centred sense of purpose in the midst of a bustling and sometimes rather task-orientated church community.
• Enthusiastic to develop the unique musical tradition of St Peter’s in its aspiration to offer liturgical music to or near to cathedral standards.
• Able to lead the church community both in shaping a vision for its mission and in the realisation of that vision.
• Able and willing to teach the Bible through preaching and in leading study groups.
• Willing and able to build a consensus in leading St Peter’s in any new direction of ministry.
• Able to spot and harness the plentiful skills and interests of the laity within the church in order to keep the business of this complex organisation running smoothly.
• Committed to a collaborative role and the encouragement of lay ministries.
• Sufficiently energetic to maintain an ambitious pattern of Sunday and other services, drawing on the help of Readers and honorary clergy in order to free some of his or her own time for other aspects of ministry.

Click to open a printable version of this information.

We are currently seeking a new vicar and this page is to help possible candidates to find out more about us.

1       St. Peter’s – Some Important Features

St. Peter’s is a busy city centre church with a liberal tradition offering a vibrant and distinctive alternative to the Cathedral and Abbey Church just down the road. With three large choirs, a brand new Mander organ and two professional musicians leading the music at the church, St Peter’s aspires to offer liturgical music to or near to cathedral standards. Currently providing four Sunday services each week (including Choral Mattins and Evensong as well as a family Holy Communion service) St Peter’s is also a popular venue for weddings and baptisms. Each of the congregations has its own character: the 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion having a stable and generally older following; Mattins and Evensong attracting many choir parents alongside the loyal (and often older) members and the 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion being favoured by young families and a broader spread of other members. The congregations mix throughout the year on occasions such as the Petertide Fair, the Harvest Supper and musical events. The unusual musical offering at St Peter’s and its city centre location draws in worshippers from well beyond the parish and the church has traditionally attracted educated and articulate members to its congregation.

2       Location of the Parish

The Parish occupies a central position in St Albans running north/south in a long thin line from Sandpit Lane in the north down to the A414 orbital road in the south. The eastern boundary of the Parish closely follows the Midland Railway line at its northern end and the London Road at its southern end. The western boundary extends almost (but not quite) to the city hospital, cuts through the city centre and then largely follows the River Ver down to the A414 in the south.

3       Description of the Parish

The Parish has a population of around 11,000 comprising just over 5,000 households. There are 226 on the electoral roll (360 in 1996) of whom 41 (18%) are resident and 185 (82%) are non-resident. The 2001 census classified 46% of the population of the Parish as social grade AB (Higher and intermediate managerial, administrative, professional) compared with 40% for St Albans as a whole and 22% for England. The same census recorded that 64% of people in the parish described themselves as Christian (72% for England) and 24% as having no religion (15% for England).

The housing stock is quite varied across the Parish with some large detached properties just north of the Church, many small but highly sought-after Victorian terraces opposite the church and a mixture of semi-detached, terraced and some detached properties further south in the Parish. A large part of the parish is non-residential – principally shops and offices – which (alongside the unusual liturgical tradition at St Peter’s) accounts partly for the large number of non-residents on the electoral roll.

St Albans has easy and quick access to Central London by train and many people from St Albans generally and the Parish in particular are commuters. It follows that a lot of people in the Parish have been hit quite hard by the recent turmoil in the financial and professional sectors.

The Parish takes in a large part of the commercial centre of St Albans including the District Council offices, the Crown, County and Magistrates' Courts, the police station and the whole of the main shopping street (St. Peter's Street) as well as many other shops, banks, professional and financial firms. St Albans has an ancient market which is held in St. Peter's Street on Wednesdays and Saturdays and the town centre includes many pubs and wine bars, many of which are within the Parish. During more prosperous times quite a few restaurants opened in the town centre, not all of which are thriving in the current economic conditions.

In terms of recreation, the Parish includes the City Museum and the Alban Arena in its northern part and the Verulam Golf Course in the south.

In the recent past the Parish has been home to parts of the University of Hertfordshire and also Oaklands College of Further Education. However, both of these institutions have now largely withdrawn from the centre of St Albans in favour of more spacious accommodation elsewhere. Educational establishments still within the Parish are St Albans High School (Girls' Independent), Loreto College (Roman Catholic Girls' School), Maple Junior and Infants' School, Aboyne Lodge Junior and Infants' School and St Peter's Junior and Infants' School (which is not a church school).

Three groups of almshouses are located in the Parish. Trustees connected with St Peter's Church administer a group of six, while separate trustees are responsible for the Pemberton Almshouses in St Peter’s Street opposite the church and others for the Marlborough Almshouses at the top of Hatfield Road. A further charitable trust connected with St Peter's Church (The Church Lands Trust) administers a substantial portfolio of commercial and residential properties in the Catherine Street area, largely for the financial benefit of St. Peter's.

The Church has connections with a number of nursing homes and charities within the Parish, including Strathmore Residential Home, Grove House Hospice and Camphill Village Trust which runs workshops and retail outlets within the Parish.

The Open Door drop-in night shelter and day centre for homeless people was set up in the Parish in 1993, initially on the initiative of Christian groups in the area.

Other places of worship within the Parish include St Albans and St Stephens (RC), Marlborough Road Methodist Church, St Albans United Synagogue and the administrative headquarters of the Seventh Day Adventist Church together with its Church.

4       The Church

St Peter's is reputed to have been founded in 948 as one of the gateway churches to the monastic town, though no surviving parts of the Church can be dated to that period – the oldest surviving fabric now being the 15th century nave arcade. Built at one of the highest points of the town, St Peter's presents an imposing sight at the north end of the town and is often mistaken by visitors for the abbey. Located in a large churchyard, the Church was substantially rebuilt in the 19th century, losing its cruciform shape in 1803 after the tower collapsed and gaining its flint and brick facing with ashlar quoins at the end of the century. The only substantial addition since then has been the octagonal meeting room (“the Octagon”), kitchen, library, choir vestry and church office added on the north side in 1983. The churchyard was closed to burials at the end of the 19th century and is now maintained by the local authority, but both the Hope Garden and the older Garden of Remembrance are still open for the burial of ashes.

The quinquennial report dated November 2008 summarises the general condition of the fabric in these terms: "The PCC have continued a programme of repairs and maintenance over the past five years which has placed the building in excellent repair, notwithstanding the roofing works currently being carried out as a result of the theft of lead from the south vestries [work since completed] and the works identified later in this report." All high priority work identified in the report has already been carried out. Since the quinquennial report, some damage to stonework has been identified and this is in hand.

5       Other Buildings

The large Church Hall on Hatfield Road is no longer used for Parish purposes and, instead, is now let to commercial tenants. The Octagon and the Church library together fulfil the requirement for meetings, social and other church activities. The large portfolio of commercial and residential properties, the income from which supplies an important part of the Church's income, is vested in the Church Lands charitable trust. The only other properties are the vicarage, which is described below, and the verger's house next to the Church. There is no longer a house for a curate, but it is expected that, should a curate become available and require accommodation, the Church Lands trust might be able to provide housing given enough notice and depending on the curate’s family circumstances.

6       Worship Tradition at St Peter's

The worship tradition at St Peter's might be described as just slightly high of central Anglican.

The Eucharist is generally celebrated at the altar in the body of the church and the celebrant faces the people. Exceptionally, at the 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion which is held in the Chancel (where the altar is against the East wall), the celebrant faces the altar. The sacrament is reserved but no bell is rung at the elevation of the host. All baptised Christians are invited to communion, which is taken standing in a semi-circle within the body of the church or kneeling at the high altar at services in the chancel.

Incense has been used very occasionally, just a few times a year. Processions within the church have been slightly more frequent, and a procession around the outside of the church has taken place on Palm Sunday.

Vestments are worn for Eucharistic services and a scarf for other services. Academical hoods are worn by gentlemen choristers on feast days.

7       Form of Services at St Peter's

Four Sunday services are generally held at the Church:

8.00 a.m.
The service of Holy Communion is said, based on the Book of Common Prayer.

9.30 a.m.
A family Communion service based on a more modern liturgy from Common Worship takes place. The music is generally led by the Organist with the girls' choir supplemented by a group from the men's choir. Hymns are usually taken both from the English Hymnal and from Hymns and Worship Songs. Once a month at 9.30 Junior Church join the congregation for an all-age service with hymns led by an all-age orchestra. The Ministry of Healing with anointing is offered on a monthly basis after the 9.30 service of Holy Communion.

11.00 a.m.
Choral Mattins is sung from the Book of Common Prayer. A few times a year a Choral Eucharist (BCP) replaces Mattins.

6.30 p.m.
Choral Evensong is sung, also from the Book of Common Prayer.

St Peter's has an open policy on baptisms, which usually take place at 12.15 p.m. on Sundays roughly twice a month, except on those occasions when integration into a service is thought more appropriate.

8       Services - Statistics

9       The Team at St Peter's

10       Lay Ministry

Lay ministry has featured strongly at St Peter's. Both experienced Readers regularly conduct and preach at Mattins and Evensong, preach at the 9.30 a.m. service, conduct funerals and take communion to those who are housebound or in residential homes. One Reader has permission to take Communion by Extension and has diocesan responsibilities and both have taken a share of pastoral duties within the parish. Intercessions are frequently led by members of the congregation at the 9.30 Holy Communion and Evensong.

11       The Parochial Church Council

The PCC comprises 18 elected members, 9 ex officio members and a couple of co-opted members. It has generally met just 4 times a year in order to deal with significant matters of policy though, in practice, business has also tended to include some more routine matters which happen to be current at the time of the meeting. In the past new members have been identified and approached by the vicar and if willing to be appointed, they have been put forward for election at the APCM. The general pattern is that one third of the elected membership has been elected each year for a three year term, with casual vacancies being filled as necessary at the APCM.

The day to day business of the PCC has been conducted largely through committees of the PCC, namely the Standing Committee, the Worship Committee, the Pastoral Committee, the Finance & Fabric Committee and the Mission Committee. These committees have met as required and their minutes submitted to the next PCC meeting for report and approval. The vicar has chaired the majority of committee meetings.

12       Parish Organisation

	The Parish Year Book reported on over 40 groups active within the church including the Mothers' Union and others as diverse as the Credo Discussion Group, Lectio Divina, Circle Dancing, Parish Rambles and the Theatre Group. Perhaps a special mention might be made of: The choirs – The importance of music in the life of the church will already be apparent. The girls' choir currently numbers about 12 and the men's choir and the boys' choir each have some 20 or so members. The Director of Music and Organist, with the help of a trained voice coach, offer an all round musical education, including preparation for the Royal School of Church Music examinations and the Royal Schools of Music theory examinations. The repertoire and the standard of music each week is approaching cathedral standard. In June the choir will be visiting Berlin to perform two concerts. In 2005 the church invested in a superb new Mander organ as part of its commitment to music within the liturgy of the church, and this instrument, together with the new Bösendorfer grand piano, make the church a venue for concerts as part of the International Organ Festival and other performances throughout the year. Junior Church – There are four groups for children and young people integrated into the life of the church. Three of them, Crèche (0-4), Junior Church (4-6) and Junior Church (6+) meet for the start of the 9.30 a.m. service but then separate for their individual activities, rejoining the service before communion. The fourth, After Eight (13+), meet after Evensong for a mixture of discussion and youth group activities in the church or further afield, in the care of the two youth workers. Pastoral Support Groups – There is well organised system of lay pastoral support in the parish: visitors for people in various kinds of need and bereavement etc. The parish prayer group and prayer chain supports this work. The Green Community Group – Led by an academic who is a specialist in Geography and Environmental Management, the group leads St Peter’s initiative to become a more environmentally friendly church and community. It is currently calculating the church’s carbon footprint and advising the PCC how it might minimise its impact on the environment. The bellringers – The church has a fine 24 cwt ring of ten bells cast and hung by Taylors in 1993. The band includes many experienced ringers as well as a thriving group of learners benefiting from the tower's status as a regional ringing centre, and regularly wins county and regional striking competitions.

13       Ecumenical Links

The church has a representative on the Churches Together in St Albans collaboration and, on Maundy Thursday, St Peter’s has normally joined forces with Marlborough Road Methodist Church for a shared service. But there is considerable scope for strengthening ecumenical ties further.

14       Parish Finances

As a result of historical endowments and skilful financial management, the church enjoys a settled financial position, although the recent turmoil both in the property market and in interest rates has taken a toll. In round figures, in the calendar year to 31 December 2008 the church had an income of £300,000 (of which half came from the Church Lands Trust and a sixth from stewardship and plate). Expenditure of £280,000 included roughly £60,000 each for parish share, salaries and fabric, with about £25,000 for missions. Of course, the church expects to meet its parish share every year and the budget for 2009 is broadly similar to the 2008 position.

15       The Vicarage

The vicarage is situated in Hall Place Gardens and has a gate from its back garden into the churchyard (though many people would prefer the short walk along the pavement from the front of the house). The vicarage is a large detached Edwardian town house with bedrooms on two floors, a sitting room and dining room, study, large kitchen, utility room, bathroom and WC and it has off-street parking.

16       The Parish's Needs

We believe that the successful applicant for this position will be:

• A godly man or woman able to communicate the presence of the Holy Spirit and to foster a Christ centred sense of purpose in the midst of a bustling and sometimes rather task-orientated church community.
• Enthusiastic to develop the unique musical tradition of St Peter’s in its aspiration to offer liturgical music to or near to cathedral standards.
• Able to lead the church community both in shaping a vision for its mission and in the realisation of that vision.
• Able and willing to teach the Bible through preaching and in leading study groups.
• Willing and able to build a consensus in leading St Peter’s in any new direction of ministry.
• Able to spot and harness the plentiful skills and interests of the laity within the church in order to keep the business of this complex organisation running smoothly.
• Committed to a collaborative role and the encouragement of lay ministries.
• Sufficiently energetic to maintain an ambitious pattern of Sunday and other services, drawing on the help of Readers and honorary clergy in order to free some of his or her own time for other aspects of ministry.

Click to open a printable version of this information.