St. Asaph’s Church

at Priest-in-Charge
Location Bowling Green (north of Richmond)
Date Posted July 15, 2022
Category Virginia (Shirley Smith-Graham)
Job Type Half Time
Setting Town
Compensation 40,000
Diocesan Compensation Info https://www.thediocese.net/Customer-Content/www/CMS/files/Finance_and_Management/6_2021_Compensation_Guidelines.pdf
Health Benefits Negotiable
Housing None
Is there a rectory? No
Equity Allowance No
Communicants in Good Standing 151
Average Sunday Attendance 30
Budget 43,688

Description

Additional comments re: compensation, benefits and housing.

Compensation will vary depending on cost of health insurance benefits needed, if any

Liturgical style and practice

Traditional Rite II Eucharist

Strengths

  • Caring, loving congregation
  • Family oriented
  • Members give financially
  • Self-motivating
  • Like to celebrate special occasions
  • Good music program with musically trained individuals
  • Strong lay liturgical leaders – LEM’s, lay readers
  • An array of opportunities:
    • Church leadership needs to continue to work with Diocese
    • Need to reach out to new members to serve on vestry and help with church functions
    • New people are coming in the community so need to capitalize on this growth
    • Besides St. Asaph’s, there are five churches located on Main Street and need to work with them to combine programs such as youth group, vacation Bible school
    • Outreach in the community

Challenges

  • Smaller congregation; some members not coming due to Covid; some have gotten out of the habit of coming to church
  • Small number of youth and children
  • Facility weaknesses – leaking undercroft, kitchen needs to be updated
  • Older congregation
  • Priest-in-charge retired on May 29, 2022
  • Little growth in church

Comments

Seeking clergyperson with these skills:

  • Caring, loving
  • Knowledge of the Bible – have always had a strong Bible study
  • Part time position but clergyperson needs to be flexible as to schedule
  • Involved with the church in programs
  • Encourage reasonable growth
  • Encourage subtle changes in the church
  • Needs to know how to work in a small town community

This is a half-time (20 hours per week) position that focuses on preparing for and providing Holy Eucharist Rite II each Sunday (including sermon), Sunday adult faith formation hour before  worship, emergency pastoral care (hospital visits), funerals and weddings (minimal), Holy Week and Easter (including Seder Meal on Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday), and Christmas Eve evening service. There may be occasional need for a visit to homebound church members. The Vestry would also like to benefit from guidance on how to (re)engage children in the life of the church. The Vestry holds several food and fellowship events during the year and would appreciate the Priest-in-Charge’s presence, if they are available.

Contact Information

The Rev. Shirley Smith Graham, ssmithgraham@thediocese.net, 804-622-3180