Pastoral Assistants:
This option is particularly aimed at young women and men who are drawn to the broad Catholic tradition and who are wanting to explore a possible call to ordained ministry.
Pastoral Assistants will work full time alongside clergy and other staff in one of the Kensington Area’s more Catholic-style churches.  Their ministry is characterised by a sacramental focus borne out through incarnational ministry.  A commitment to the daily office and the regular celebration of the Eucharist is common to these parishes as they  welcome all - regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or disability. 
The precise role will vary from parish to parish, but may include: community engagement; pastoral work; preaching and participation in the liturgy; youth and children’s ministry; and occasional administrative work.  The aim is to provide a broad experience of parish ministry and to assist in discerning God’s call.
Those taking part on this part of the scheme will be accommodated at Bickersteth House in Kensington.  Bickersteth House, the home of the Pathfinder Fellowship, was founded by the Community of the Resurrection in 1922, and offers accommodation for up to eleven young professionals, of whom the four interns will be a part.  They live communally, sharing in the worship and domestic life of the house, and as far as possible the Bickersteth House community eats together each evening.
The scheme will start in early September 2020.
If you're interested in working as a pastoral assistant as part of our ministry experience scheme, send in an application - we'd love to hear from you.

What we can offer

• Free accommodation
• A monthly allowance (plus all ministry-related expenses)
• The opportunity to study theology in both a practical and academic way – drawing on the expertise and resources of local clergy and the local St Mellitus College
• Regular supervision and support from your Placement Supervisor (usually a vicar or pioneer minister in your context) and the Bishop’s team.
• Regular opportunities to meet the Diocesan Director of Ordinands, to help you explore the possibility of ordination, if that is relevant to you.
• The chance to experience life and ministry in the Church of England, equipping you for your future life and ministry wherever you find yourself.
• Life in community, with like-minded young adults, living, learning and serving together – sharing experiences, and joining in formal and informal activities, including meals, social activities, talks and an annual retreat.