The appointee will be joining a church where we take Jesus very seriously, but ourselves not so much.
We have been a worshipping community since the 1880’s but most recently we have grown organically as illustrated by a look at the service records. In one week in January 2017 21 adults and 2 children took part in one Sunday service. In that same week in 2025, 69 adults and 10 children took part in 3 services across the week. But that is just one measure, as we give time to relationships through 121 conversations. We do not all think the same on all issues, but we all feel passionately that God’s action to be with us in Jesus is the heart of the gospel. Most members are also volunteers at Sparkle, Glass Door, with Sunday services, events, courses or in PCC roles. We are active in our local Deanery and love collaborating with others in service of the community.
Our building is in the heart of the community just off the expanse of playing fields, woods and wildlife that is Wandsworth Common. We hold outdoor services at Christmas, Easter and throughout the summer on the common. We are disciples of Jesus who understand ourselves to be called to be guardians of all life within creation. We work to be anti-racist and committed to justice as followers of Jesus Christ.
We are a parish church, and our focus is the locality. We aim to be a church for all who live, work, learn and play in the neighbourhood. The parish is characterised by the high volume of families and has within it two of Wandsworth’s largest primary schools and one of Ark’s most respected secondary schools, which was started by local parents.
As a church we have six values which shape our shared life and mission. We aspire to be:
1. Directed by Jesus
2. Attentive to need
3. Offering what we have
4. Enabling all age participation
5. Thankful
6. Developing a culture of try
We are thrilled to be introducing this new post of Children and Families Worker to join our team of part time staff and volunteers. Our ideal candidate will embody our values and be:
· Committed to following Jesus closely in their own life and modelling discipleship to others.
· Experienced in nurturing young disciples, especially 0-12 year olds.
· An imaginative energetic person.
· Creative in finding opportunities to reach out to children and families, always embracing a ‘culture of try’ which includes accountability and learning from mistakes.
· A strong team player, capable both of exercising leadership and releasing the potential of others.
· A competent administrator, willing and capable to do the administration necessary for effective, responsible children’s work.
Building a team to start a Messy Church.
· Recruiting, supporting and training volunteer leaders for all children’s work through Sundays, our Baby and Carer group and Sparkle, our intergenerational ministry.
· Building on opportunities to work with schools in the parish.
· Leading and or preaching at monthly all age worship on Sundays as well as seasonal all age services.
· Creating new opportunities for engagement with the church for local families perhaps through Godly Play, Bubble Church or other initiatives.
· Exploring and leading ways for the church to engage with local families in school holidays, including holiday clubs.
· Working with parents within the church to provide resources and support to raise their children as disciples of Christ.
· Working with other local institutions, and churches, especially Wandsworth Citizens.
· Administer up-to-date consent records and current DBS checks for Children and Families work volunteers; working with the Church Safeguarding Officer to ensure best safeguarding practices; coordinating rotas for children’s work; and arranging team meetings.
· Joining in weekly team prayer and action meetings, termly prayer days and supervisions.
This role will have the following requirements and benefits:
· The religious nature of the role requires that applicants must be practising Christians, assenting to the Nicene Creed. Their lives should model Christian discipleship to the members of the church. The successful applicant must be willing to participate in the worship and life of SMWC except during their holidays.
· Report to the vicar.
· Work closely with the vicar, part time staff team, volunteers and PCC.
· A two-year fixed term contract, renewable subject to review of the role and ongoing funding.
· 20-hours per week with a salary of £17,000 - £18,700 depending on experience.
· Work on Sundays required and some evenings is expected.
· 14 days of holiday (including up to 6 Sundays) per year, plus bank holidays.
· Statutory sick pay.
· Employer contributions to a pension scheme at 5% matching employee contributions.
· Working space in the church.
· Support for reasonable professional development.
· Six-month probation period.
· The role is dependent on the results of an enhanced DBS check prior to commencement and completion of all appropriate Church of England safeguarding training during probation. The role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act; applicants will be asked to fill out a Confidential Disclosure form. Failure to submit this form will result in the rejection of an application.
· The role is dependent on satisfactory references being received.
· Applicants must have current Right to Work in the UK.
If this feels like a community you’d like to be part of and a team you would like to join, then please email the vicar Tif Ewins, on tewins@smwc.online Please include an up to date CV and a covering letter explaining how you feel you could thrive here and what you could bring to this role.
Closing date: Midnight Sat 1 March 2025
Interviews (in person only): 5/6 March 2025
Start Date: May 2025 (Negotiable)