Application
Pack
Minor Canon and Chaplain
Westminster Abbey
October 2014
Contents
• Covering Letter
• About Westminster Abbey
• Job description and personal specification
• Working for us
• Equality statement
• How to apply
WESTMINSTER-ABBEY.ORG
The Very Reverend JOHN HALL BA
HonDD HonDTh HonDLitt FSA FRSA FCT
Dean of Westminster
The Deanery
Westminster
London
SW1P 3PA
Westminster Abbey
Telephone
020 7654 4801
Facsimile
020 7654 4883
Switchboard
020 7222 5152
www.westminster-abbey.org
email: [email protected]
October 2014
Appointment of a Minor Canon and Chaplain
It is fundamental to the Abbey’s mission to offer divine worship publicly and daily. The details of
the daily round of worship can be found on the Abbey’s website. The Dean and Chapter see this as
the heart that sustains the Abbey’s rich and complex life, and the context for the wide-ranging work
of a large number of paid staff (both full- and part-time), in which they are assisted by some 500
volunteers.
A new and exciting full-time opportunity has arisen to appoint a Chaplain within the Minor Canons’
Department. The Chaplain will have pastoral responsibility for members of the Abbey Community,
and will oversee the delivery of the pastoral offices and many memorial services. The two Minor
Canons, currently the Reverend Dr James Hawkey and the Reverend Christopher Stoltz
(respectively Precentor and Sacrist), have the key responsibility for the daily liturgical round, and
for the designing and delivery of the very many special services that are an essential feature of the
Abbey’s life and mission. The Chaplain will share fully in this work. Their responsibility is to the
Dean as Ordinary, with whom they have a close working relationship.
The pastoral ministry of the Chaplain will be supported and overseen by the Canon Steward, who
has responsibility on Chapter for the staff and visitors. This appointment is for an initial five years,
subject to a ten month satisfactory probation, with a possible two year extension.
There is one BCP Eucharist a week (on Sunday at 8) and BCP Evensong daily, apart from which
services are Common Worship with Bible readings in the NRSV. Eucharistic vestments are worn.
The Eucharist is celebrated at great feasts at the High Altar with the use of incense, and on most
Sundays at a Lantern altar.
A detailed job description and person specification follow, together with a statement of the terms
and conditions. This exciting post will be a demanding one in a busy and high-profile place of
worship. It is envisaged as a key role in the day to day life of the Abbey and is strongly supported
by the Dean and Chapter. Appropriate training is available.
It is hoped the successful applicant will start in early February 2015. Potential applicants are
welcome to telephone or email the Dean with enquiries.
About
Westminster
Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a major centre for Christian worship, a leading venue
for tourism and a treasured part of Britain’s heritage. The Abbey has occupied
a central place in the celebration of great events for the nation and remains
one of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in Britain.
A living Church, Westminster Abbey is the House of Kings, where the coronation of Kings and Queens has
taken place since 1066, and where many of the Kings and Queens of England and of the United Kingdom are
buried. Principal among them is St Edward the Confessor, King of England from 1042 to 1066, whose shrine
is at the heart of the Abbey Church. Beside and around them are buried or commemorated many of the great
men and women from almost every century of British history: statesmen and politicians, lawyers, warriors,
clerics, writers, artists, musicians. Westminster Abbey is a Royal Peculiar, and the Dean and Chapter of
Westminster are directly responsible to the Sovereign.
Westminster Abbey’s Mission is

To serve Almighty God as a ‘school of the Lord’s service’ by offering divine worship daily and
publicly;

To serve the Sovereign by daily prayer and by a ready response to requests made by or on behalf of
Her Majesty;

To serve the nation by fostering the place of true religion within national life, maintaining a close
relationship with members of the House of Commons and House of Lords and with others in
representative positions;

To serve pilgrims and all other visitors and to maintain a tradition of hospitality.
The Abbey attracts approximately one million paying visitors each year, from all around the world. A large
number of people also attend services which take place seven days a week. Daily services are only part of
the Abbey’s work, for there are also many ‘special’ services and events throughout the year. Westminster
Abbey currently employs around 300 staff in a variety of roles and an even larger number of volunteers.
The Abbey receives no regular income from the State, the Church of England or the Royal Family, and relies
on monies raised from visitors to ensure that the building can be properly maintained and remain open as an
amenity for all.
Job Description
JOB TITLE:
Minor Canon and Chaplain
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
The Dean, through the Precentor, and the Canon Steward
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Two administrative assistants (alongside the other Minor Canons)
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
The Dean, the Canon Steward, the Minor Canons, the Speaker’s Chaplain
BACKGROUND:
Westminster Abbey defines its main mission as the worship of Almighty
God. In addition to hosting services of national and international
significance it maintains a daily pattern of worship with some 30 services a
week in the Abbey Church, St Margaret’s Church, and the Chapel of St
Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster.
JOB SUMMARY:
To act as Chaplain to the Abbey staff and community of around 300 paid
staff, and 500 volunteers, and to organise and participate in the worship of
Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church, with a particular (although
not exclusive) focus on the pastoral offices
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. In collaboration with the Canon Steward and volunteer Associate Chaplain, providing pastoral care to
the Abbey staff (part-time and full-time), volunteers, and regular worshippers
2. Participating fully in the liturgical round of the Abbey, including sharing in the leading of Morning
Prayer and Evensong with the other two Minor Canons
3. In collaboration with the Canon Steward, exercising pastoral and liturgical responsibility for baptisms,
weddings, funerals (and their associated rites), and some memorial services; including pastoral and
liturgical preparation of baptism families, wedding couples and the bereaved, and officiating at these
services when required
4. Designing, planning and organising special services in Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church as
required on a project basis; rehearsing participants, and overseeing ceremonial on the day of the service
5. In all the above and in general, collaborating closely with the other Minor Canons and the administrative
assistants
6. Ensuring the maintenance of the worship section of the Westminster Abbey website
7. Playing a full part in the worshipping and community life of the Abbey and undertaking other duties as
required by the Dean
Person Specification
Essential
Education:
 To degree level or equivalent
Skills/Aptitudes:
 Excellent pastoral skills
 Excellent oral and written communication skills
 Excellent organisational skills
 Excellent liturgical sense
 Ability to work to deadlines
 Excellent ICT skills, with attention to detail to produce error free materials
 Aptitude for team working
Knowledge/Experience:
 At least two years’ experience in full-time stipendiary ministry in the Church of England or in a Church
in Communion therewith
 Sound working knowledge of Anglican liturgy and of the practice of the Church of England
Personal Attributes:
 An ordained priest of the Church of England, or of a Church in communion therewith
 A priest in good standing
 Calmness under pressure
 Sensitivity and sound judgement at all times
The post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance.
Desirable
Education:
 A higher theological, pastoral, or musical qualification
Skills/Aptitudes:
 Skills in designing special services
 Excellent liturgical singing
 Knowledge of the Anglican choral tradition
Knowledge/Experience:
 Experience of people management
 Experience of working in a large church
 Experience of officiating at Choral Evensong
 Knowledge of ecumenical and inter-faith working.
This Job Profile will be kept under review and may be amended by the Dean and Chapter from time to time.
Any proposed changes will be discussed with the postholder.
October 2014
Working for Us
Stipend
The stipend for this appointment is currently £25,306 per annum. Stipends are reviewed in April each year.
Appointment
This appointment is for an initial five years with a possible two year extension.
Probationary Period
The appointment is subject to a probationary period of ten months.
Accommodation
If circumstances apply, accommodation can be provided rent free within or near the precincts. The Dean and
Chapter would meet all charges in respect of Council Tax and utilities (excluding private telephone charges).
Working Hours
The working hours will be those which are necessary for the proper performance of the Minor Canon’s
duties. One day off in each calendar week is given; the actual day to be taken may vary from time to time.
Annual Holidays
The holiday entitlement is six weeks (36 working days) with pay every calendar year, in addition to bank and
other public holidays. Minor Canons may be required to work on certain public holidays in which case a day
off in lieu is given.
Pension Scheme
The Dean and Chapter will contribute to the Church of England Pensions Board a sum equivalent to the
applicable rate for a Minor Canon.
Staff Discount
All personnel receive a 20% discount on purchases from the Westminster Abbey shop and a 30% discount
on purchases from the Benugo outlets, which serve refreshments.
Childcare Vouchers
Parents of children up to the age of 15 can use part of their salary to buy childcare vouchers.
Medical Insurance
The Dean and Chapter will pay 50% of premiums to join a nominated medical insurance scheme after one
year’s employment.
Equality Statement and
How to Apply
The Dean and Chapter aim at all times to recruit the person who is most suited to the job. Recruitment will
be solely on the basis of the applicant’s abilities and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the
job. Qualifications, skills and experience will be assessed at the level that is relevant to the job.
We will ensure that our shortlisting, interviewing and selection procedures avoid discrimination in any way,
including on grounds of age, disability, gender, marital status or civil partnership, race, nationality or ethic
origins, and sexual orientation.
Please note that a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies to this post in relation to the Equality
Act 2010. The details and requirements are as set out in the Person Specification.
Please return the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form with your application. This will help us monitor our
recruitment practice. The form will not be seen by the people making the selection decision.
How to Apply
Please complete our application form. There is no need to send a separate CV.
Your application should include:


The completed application form
A supporting statement showing how you meet each of the requirements listed in the person
specification
Please note that we might contact referees prior to shortlisting.
Please send your completed application to:
Hettie Wood
Administration Officer
The Chapter Office
Westminster Abbey
20 Dean’s Yard
London
SW1P 3PA
or email it to us: [email protected] to arrive no later than 9am on Monday 17th
November. The two day interview process will be conducted on Monday 1st December and Tuesday 2nd
December 2014.