Youth Leader, St John’s Meads

12 hours per week, initial 12-month contract

£27,040 pa pro-rata plus pension contribution

St John’s is seeking to appoint a part-time Youth Leader to guide and develop our small but growing youth ministry.

You will be responsible for overseeing and developing the programme for 11-18 year olds, with a view to growing the number of young people coming to St John’s and nurturing their love of Jesus. You will manage, augment and encourage a team of volunteers working with youth, identifying and releasing gifting among them. You will be helping to shape the pattern of worship to increase the visibility of young people across different aspects of St John’s ministry, enabling their gifts to be fanned into flame. You will promote the welfare, healthy and safety of youth in all activities.

You will have recent experience and/or training in Christian youth ministry and there is a genuine occupational requirement that the postholder is a practising Christian. You will have experience of working with volunteers and are able to work well as part of a team. You will have proven ability to initiate and lead on new ideas and to communicate well with young people and with parents and carers. Most importantly, you will be fully committed to St John’s aim to ensure the safety and welfare of all its members and in particular children, young people and vulnerable adults.

The initial contract for this role will be for 12 months, but we anticipate extending this subject to progress made during this period and to ongoing funding. It is a great opportunity for someone to shape our ministry and to bring more young people to know the love of Jesus.

To apply, please contact David Scott-Ralphs, PCC Vice Chair, for an application pack at David.scottralphs@gmail.com. The closing date for applications is Friday 11^th  August and interviews will be held on Thursday 24^th August.

Please note that an enhanced DBS with Barred List check will be required for this role.

A TRANSFORMED LIFE THROUGH THE BOOK OF PHILEMON

Recently I was asked a question while travelling in a car with 3 others, what is your favourite book in the bible, or what book in the bible would you want to have if you were stranded on a desert island?

…For myself, I like the books of Philemon and Ephesians…Philemon because it has a message that I and probably many other people can relate to, a book about a complete transformation of a man’s life.

…Onesimus was a slave and was considered useless or unprofitable in who he was as a person. As a slave he was poor, rejected and in bondage. This is how we all were before we found Jesus…

This is a remarkable transformation in his life and circumstances.

Onesimus is sent back not as a slave and unprofitable, but as a free person, now a son, brother and is counted as useful and profitable…It is so remarkable that it is hard to comprehend, but as I look at my own life, it has been exactly the same – I was once bound in my own ways, bound by drugs, alcohol and that sense of being a nobody – running away, trying to find what life was all about – to eventually finding God and finding or discovering that I am someone who has significance and is profitable to God and His Kingdom. Isn’t this the same with all of us?

I ended up leaving my job, family, friends, and country

…Onesimus and I are very similar in many ways, after finding God we both embarked on a healing and discipleship journey that changed our lives forever.

when I stopped running and found Jesus, things changed.

I can say the same as what Paul writes to Onesimus: I was once running away trying to find and search for answers, yet when I stopped running and found Jesus, things changed. I no longer run away from God but to Him, only He has the answers to all life’s issues.

I wonder, how do you see yourself today?

By Robert Steel, Director of Ellel Glyndley Manor

Read the full article: https://ellel.uk/news/a-transformed-life-through-the-book-of-philemon/

TRANSFORM: A 20-DAY RETREAT

10 September – 1st October
Glyndley Manor

LEARN MORE

Have you heard of Eagles Nest Home Education Group? It may be of interest to you or people in your congregation.

You may have heard of us or members of your congregation may attend, but we are aware that some churches are not aware that our group exists, in which case we would like to introduce ourselves.

We are a community of Christian home educating families from all across Sussex. We are multi denominational, with many nationalities represented each week. We aim to be a welcoming group, who support each other. We meet weekly on a Tuesday with up to 75 children attending and with ages from 0 to 17 years.

Families choose to home educate for a variety of reasons and we are not asking that you promote home education as a church but if you come across a family that are considering home educating or are struggling with the school system and could do with meeting or speaking with someone please do sign post them our way.

Regards

For more onformation email lorrietwigc@gmail.com

Lorraine Taylor
Eagles Nest Home Ed Group

Richard Herkes, local anglican officiant and formerly the Publishing Editor at Kingsway Books has crossed over and become an author. Here is his introduction to the new venture.

No, this is not about the new release of The Little Mermaid, but my first novel. (Could be the last too!) After thirty years of languishing in the proverbial drawer as an idea, and three more since beginning writing during lockdown, I’ve finally completed Ariel: No Name Under Heaven. I guess if we must categorise it, it’s a sci-fi thriller with elements of fantasy, dealing with scientific and spiritual themes along the way.

It’s currently available as a Kindle digital book, but a printed version should follow shortly. (Warning: that will cost more – it’s a long book!)

I realise this may not be your sort of thing, but I thought you’d like to know. Readers so far have found it satisfying.

You can purchase it here (or read it for free if you have Kindle Unlimited):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C7R5PFVN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27YVV8SUKHCCV&keywords=ariel+no+name+under+heaven&qid=1686587151&s=books&sprefix=ariel+no+name+under+heaven%2Cstripbooks%2C78&sr=1-1

The next breakfast is on the 12th August at the Royal Eastbourne Golf Club at 8.00 when Catherine Butcher, Lay Reader at St John’s Church, Eastbourne, author, Christian Historian and broadcaster will be sharing her Thought for the Day.

For newcomers, the breakfast is a full English breakfast served buffet style, the cost is £12.00, cash if possible, but cards will be taken if required.  Please ensure you register at the payment station as you come into the Millennium Lounge before taking your seat.

The breakfast starts promptly at 8.00 to finish at 9.00, please arrive around 7.45 to collect a coffee or tea from the drinks station.  With the increased number of guests an early arrival does help to smooth entry.

For newcomers who might be interested in attending, please contact me.

For our regular attendees, if you are unable to attend, please give me your apology by midday, by replying to this email, the Thursday prior to the breakfast, the number I submit is what I can be charged for.  I do hope to see you there.

Our September speaker on the 9th is Terry Boatwright, Team Leader at Gateway Church, Eastbourne.

God Bless

Dennis
Email: dennisthompson618@gmail.com
(M) 07808 731166
(H) 01323 749329

Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre’s next teaching day “Call to Holiness” is on Wednesday 9^thAugust led by Revd Steve Gendall. 

Here’s what Steve says about the day: Have you ever been apologised to when people learn you are a follower of Jesus?  I sometimes get it, as a Vicar. Usually, it’s because they have used dirty language.  Bishop Richard Jackson once said that we should consider ‘holiness’ as a tool to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is hard not to be moved, in the presence of holiness.

The Scriptures reveal the impact holiness can make. Yet they also show how easily it can be missed.  The command is very clear; ‘Be holy, for I the Lord you God, am holy’.  All followers of Jesus are holy, are being made holy (we have a significant part to play in this!) and will one day be completely holy.

If you’re interested in your call to holiness, come along and let’s learn to be more confident in who we are in Christ.  To book call 01424 830204 or visit www.crowhursthealing.org.uk.  £30 per person including lunch and refreshments or £10 via Zoom.  The day runs from 10am – 4pm.

St Andrew’s Church, Alfriston, East Sussex.

We wish to appoint a Benifice Administrator to provide administration support to the Cuckmere Churches.  Based in the dedicated Benefice office at St Andrew’s Church – the ‘Cathedral of the Downs’ – in the idyllic village of Alfriston, this post offers the successful candidate a fulfilling and challenging opportunity to contribute fully within our busy and thriving community .

The mission of the Ministry Team is not only conducted at St Andrew’s, but also at the four other churches in the Benefice; at Westdean, Litlington, Lullington and Folkington.  Services, including Sunday worship, weddings, baptism, and funerals are conducted throughout the Benefice, and thus the Administrator holds a pivotal enabling position.  This is an exciting opportunity to join our team and is well-suited to an enthusiastic, proactive and engaging individual who is looking to manage and develop the ouput of the Benefice office. Responsible to the Rector, you will assist the Rector, Ministry Team, Churchwardens and others in the work of ministry and mission of the Benefice, by providing efficient administrative support.

The succesful candidiate will be:

• Well organised, proactive, and self-motivated and able to multi-task to tight deadlines.
• Personable, friendly and welcoming to all in contact with the Benefice.
• Able to communicate clearly, verbally and in writing and able to use internet and email.
• In sympathy with the Christian Faith and the ethos of the Church of England.

The Post:

Based in the Benenfice office, this is a part time role, offering employment for 50 hours (0.3 pro rated) each calendar month (ideally including from 9.30 to 12 noon each weekday) though this can be flexible and subject to discussion. You will enjoy the happy and active community while being paid at a starting rate of £12.00 per hour (£7500 per annum).

How to Apply:

• Interest in the post should be expressed by emailing cuckmerechurches@gmail.com in the first instance, or by phoning the Benefice Office on 01323 871093, and requesting the necessary application form by return.
• Applications will close by 12 noon on Monday, 28^th August 2023.

Dear Fellow Church Leaders,

I speak as the outgoing Chairperson about the immediate action needed by you and the churches you represent to prevent closure of this amazing ministry.

For over 25 years PARCHE – The Church in Care Homes, has been helping to coordinate and equip our Eastbourne churches to minister to the many care homes in our town. Many lives have been blessed and changed by this wonderful work. This charity was set up to coordinate how WE, the church, minister to the elderly in care homes so it is our joint responsibility to support this ministry.

However, unless you take immediate action this important Christian charity will not be able to continue.

In recent years many church teams have had to cease going into care homes to take services, befriending residents and staff because of the age or illness of the team members themselves. BUT the lack of succession planning amongst the churches means there simply are not enough people anymore who are able or willing to take up their precious mantle.

What can we do you may ask?

• Trustees: we need new trustees to take responsibility for leading this valued ministry into the future and to help the existing trustees.
• Administration: We are currently interviewing for our Office Manager role – so prayers into this would be great (our wonderful Office Manager Marylou is leaving to focus on her other  commitments)
• Local coordinator: (our existing coordinator Debbie, who is my wife, and I are moving to Uckfield where I am now stationed) we need someone to coordinate between the care homes and the churches. We currently have many more care homes wanting services than existing teams able to go in.

The hours required to help are variable according to need.

• Finance: PARCHE has always been mainly funded by the local churches but in the past few years that support has decreased dramatically as various demands compete for attention within our church communities. We have also been able, from time to time, to secure other external funding, but we need help to secure further grants.

Please don’t let this valuable Eastbourne ministry die, respond today, let us know now how you can help.
Please reply by return to parcheenquiries@hotmail.co.uk

God Bless you

Andy

Rev Andy Melvin
Chair of Trustees

Operations Manager– part-time

Bible by the Beach is a charity which provides an annual, weekend Christian conference based in Eastbourne but focusing on the whole southeast region and beyond.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced part-time Operations Manager to join our small team to help deliver this annual event.

The key responsibilities of this role are-

• Managing the whole event in conjunction with BBtB Trustees
• Act as clerk to the Trustees
• Develop relationships with local venues, churches and other organisations and draw up contracts for use of.
• Liaise with heads of departments (Youth, Children, Speakers, Musicians, Technical etc.) to ensure smooth running of the event.
• Oversee all aspects of Publicity and Marketing of the event.
• Give financial support to the Charity and the event.

Our ideal candidate will have exceptional organisational and interpersonal skills and have knowledge and experience across the above areas.  You will have excellent communication and IT ability as well as being able to liaise with venues and help draw up contracts. You will be able to work under pressure and think on your feet.  Used to working in a team, and leading others, you will enjoy the variety of work that event management brings.  You will have worked with a wide range of people spanning all walks of life, which means you will also have a good knowledge of Safeguarding.

There is a genuine occupational requirement for this role to be filled by a committed Christian who agrees with the Bible by the Beach Statement of Faith.

For this position you will be based at home and living within proximity of Eastbourne, the hours are flexible with an average over the year of 20hrs per week but will be heavily weighted towards the run-up to the event itself which takes place at the beginning of May each year.

If you think you have what it takes to join our team and help Bible by The Beach continue to grow, then please contact Vanessa Redhouse at vanessaredhouse@gmail.com or via telephone 0794 1966855 for further information and application pack.   Applications must be returned by 5.00pm on FRIDAY  1^st September 2023.