The Governors of the Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson and the Bishop of Birmingham wish to appoint a Master of the Foundation which includes the position of Vicar of St Mary the Virgin, Temple Balsall.

The Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson at Temple Balsall, set in beautiful countryside near Knowle on the borders of the West Midlands and Warwickshire, is a Christian foundation with a long and fascinating past, a lively present and a confident future.

Founded in 1674, the Foundation’s work today is focused on:

• Lady Katherine Housing and Care, which provides residential care and supported living for up to 50 people
• The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, a flourishing multi-generational church in the liberal Catholic tradition

Also on site is the Lady Katherine Leveson Church of England Primary School, part of the Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust, with which the Foundation has strong links.

The role of the Master – the historic title of the head of the Foundation – is to:

• ensure that the Foundation remains a thriving community, true to its origins as a place of worship, education, hospitality and care, working with the Governors to develop a vision for the future
• provide effective leadership to the management of the care home and its 40 staff members
• love and serve St Mary’s church as its vicar and to lead its continuing return, post-pandemic, to being a vibrant, growing, welcoming and active church
• to foster links with the school, and lead the ministry to children
• provide pastoral and spiritual support for all involved with the Foundation

This is a unique and exciting role, open to men and women. We are seeking a forward-looking individual, ideally with broad managerial experience, who is also a capable and inspirational parish priest with a pastoral heart. We welcome applications from those with a good understanding of, and genuine interest in, the care of older people. The position attracts a full stipend plus housing on site.

If you are interested in the role, please contact Jonathan Evans, a Foundation Governor, at jonathan.evans3@btinternet.com or 07710 015577 for an informal conversation or to request an information pack and application form. Rev Nick Parker, Area Dean of Yardley and Solihull on 07890 720240, is also available for informal conversations.

Closing Date: 3 February 2023 Interviews: in February, date to be confirmed

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, particularly those
under-represented including persons of Global Majority Heritage.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment. All appointments to roles undertaking regulated activity are subject to pre-appointment checks, including a references and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.

PLEASE APPLY VIA THE PAPER APPLICATION FORM FOR THIS POST

DO NOT APPLY VIA PATHWAYS AS YOUR APPLICATION WON'T BE ACCEPTED

The Bishop of Birmingham, looks for priests to serve as incumbents who have the capacity to grow local church in spiritual depth, in numbers, in confident witness, and in serious engagement with their community. Central to this is the task of identifying, encouraging and endorsing the ministry of others and entrusting them with real responsibility in the work of mission and outreach.

The priest appointed to this role must have been ordained in the Church of England or a church in communion with it and must have exercised at least three years ordained ministry. Those applying to be considered must have the right to work in the UK as this vacancy has does not yet qualify to sponsor a visa. The priest appointed will be an office holder under Common Tenure, and the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations will apply.

It is important that the priest appointed plays a full part in the life of the deanery, particularly Chapter and Synod, and in the wider programmes of the Diocese. Opportunities for ecumenical collaboration should also be pursued, and good relationships sought with other faith communities.