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APPLYING FOR SPA
TRAINING
A new SPA training programme starts
each September.
About selection requirements ...
None of us have finished learning
and growing ...
... therefore we do not expect you
to be perfect in every regard! What we look for is to make sure you
have the right motivation, attitudes and potential to benefit from
the training programme and have an effective ministry as a SPA.
To train as a SPA applicants need:
- Sensitivity and concern for
other people within both the church and wider community
In other words people’s wholeness and wellbeing will matter to you
and you will have the desire and potential to come alongside
people in a sensitive way
- An awareness of pastoral
needs in the community,
and a willingness to find and help develop ways in
which the Church can respond
SPA ministry looks beyond congregational needs to those of
local people; alongside providing care for others directly
yourself your role will be to help your church be aware and
respond. Within the training we will seek to make you more aware
of your own community’s needs and how they might be met.
- A readiness to share, think
about and learn from
experience – both your own and that of other people
Openness to reflect on your own experience and to enter into other
people’s experience is vital in this training and in this pattern
of ministry
- A desire to grow in faith,
prayer and the love of God and neighbour
This caring ministry is rooted in openness to God, so a
willingness to develop your life in God is vital.
- Enough time to participate
fully on the course
The course is based on a weekly evening meeting [Tuesdays] with a
Saturday a term and three residential weekends over the two years.
Whilst there is some course work we are sensitive to the many
other demands people have on their time.
If you want an application pack, or
to find out more –
Please contact:
Sue Maree, Diocesan Training
Administrator on 020 7939 9475
sue.maree@southwark.anglican.org
or Chris Chapman, Co-ordinator of
SPA Training, 020 7939 9474
chris.chapman@southwark.anglican.org
An Application Form can
also be downloaded (41KB Word document)
About recruitment policy ...
We want to recruit people in each
course from a variety of situations within the Diocese. We
particularly welcome applications from minority ethnic people and
men who are currently under-represented in SPA ministry.
Those who apply will need the
backing of their Incumbent / Priest-in-Charge, and their Church
Council. People applying for the course also need the backing of
their church [expressed through a PCC resolution]
All applicants are invited to a
selection day
If the course is oversubscribed
with suitable applicants, places on the next course will be
allocated first to those parishes and parts of the Diocese where
there are fewer existing lay ministers.
As with all people considering
applying for any form of accredited ministry, those considering SPA
ministry are encouraged to attend a Vocations Guidance Unit [dates
and venues from Sue Maree]
About the Application process
...
Step 1: Thinking about Applying
There are two important things to do: they may happen at the same
time ...
- Talk with your Incumbent /
Priest-in-Charge; you will need his / her backing and eventually
that of your PCC [Church Council].
- You will need to attend a
Vocational Guidance Unit to make sure that SPA ministry is right for
you. This is a short [usually one day] course exploring the idea of
‘call’ with the opportunity to talk to people in different forms of
ministry.
Phone Sue Maree for details.
Step 2: Making an application
- Once you have received your
Application pack, fill in the Application Form and return it by 4th
May 2007 to: Sue Maree, Diocesan Training Administrator, Trinity
House, 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, London SE1 1HW.
Think about the questions on the form carefully and follow the
guidance given. If you need help to fill in your form please let us
know.
- Reference sheets are provided
to be filled in as follows:
[These should be returned to Sue Maree
by 4th May 2007 ]
-
PCC Reference Form (via PCC
Secretary): for the formal support of the PCC
-
Personal Reference Form: someone who knows about your involvement
in caring work. For some people, this might be a neighbour or a
colleague – it doesn't have to be somebody from the church
-
Clergy Reference Form: give this form to your Incumbent. In some
circumstances – e.g. an interregnum – this could go to another
clergyperson such as a curate, area dean or hospital chaplain
Step 3: The selection process
- We will invite all candidates
for an interview.
[There is no short-listing process; this is
why we need the Applications in advance so extra interviewers can
be appointed if need be. Please also see under 'About recruitment policy ...'
above]
- Candidates will meet Diocesan
interviewers, who will want
to find out if they meet the selection criteria.
The selection day is planned for
Saturday June 23rd 2007.
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