*Please note: the Diocese of York is not the employer*
York Minster is seeking volunteer chaplains to assist the Minster clergy by providing a pastoral presence in the Minster for any who wish to talk, take brief hourly prayers, and to lead an act of worship at midday.
Key tasks/activities:
- Offer Pastoral support and friendly interaction to visitors, sometimes including praying with them. (Honorary chaplains who are not ordained must make this clear to visitors when praying with them.)
- Offer Pastoral support and friendly interaction with Minster employees and volunteers.
- Respectful support and friendly interaction with people of other faiths, no faith, and of different cultures.
- Lead brief hourly prayers 10am; 11am, 12pm (when no service), 2pm and 3pm from an appropriate place in the Minster.
- Honorary Chaplains with Permission to Officiate in the Church of England can expect to be Celebrant for the 12.30pm Holy Communion service (12pm on Saturday) unless otherwise informed.
Skills and attributes sought:
- An empathy with the Mission of York Minster and the aims of the Chapter of York.
- Have Permission to Officiate or Readers’ Licence, or, if of another Christian denomination, have some comparable accreditation.
- Willingness to wear required identification issued by the Minster.
- Be able to move around the building and engage effectively with others (who may be wearing face masks).
- Have good communication skills, including awareness of and responsiveness to those in the Minster.
Training provision
- General induction (Introduction to the Minster as a whole and your place within in it) and Health and Safety induction
- Role-specific induction and opportunity to shadow an Honorary Chaplain
- Safeguarding training appropriate to the role
- Ongoing training opportunities.
Commitment
- Honorary Chaplains volunteer to serve approximately once per month (Monday to Saturday inc.) from 10.00am to 4.00 pm. Rotas are agreed mutually with the Vergers on a 3 month basis.
- Collect and return vestry keys at the Police Cabin.
- Wear a cassock and Minster Volunteer ID while on the floor of the Minster. Be willing to wear the Minster vestments. Chaplains are welcome to wear their own alb and stole when presiding at Holy Communion.
- Undergo induction training, including guidance on leading worship safely and in the Minster style.
- Attend Safeguarding and Health and Safety training and comply with all relevant Risk Assessments.
The Chaplains are invited to gather for a meeting with the Canon for Congregational Discipleship and Nurture three times a year to provide an opportunity to share experiences, feedback and build collegiality with fellow chaplains.
For more information, please contact Molly Forbes, volunteering adviser: mollyf@yorkminster.org.