North London Pastoral Assistants are Ministry Experience roles serving in some of London’s most vibrant, challenging and diverse parishes in Camden, Kentish Town, Tottenham and Hornsey.
The roles provide opportunities to offer and develop your skills and abilities for mission and ministry and to take time to respond and discern what God is calling you to be and do.
The full-time pathway is free to do, with accommodation, as part of an intentional community, and all living expenses provided for those roles. The full-time roles enable you to get involved with the wide range of mission and ministry of the parishes including liturgical, pastoral, youth and children’s work, hospitality, music, teaching and preaching, social outreach and community work, chaplaincy and other mission and evangelism activities. The range of parishes participating in the scheme enable candidates to be matched to a role that suits their interests, gifts and development needs.
The part-time pathway enables you to volunteer as part of the scheme and involves a commitment of at least 3-4 hours per week, including Sunday morning worship. It provides an opportunity to experience parish ministry and be supported in exploring your vocation alongside your work or study commitments. These placements will be tailored to suit individual circumstances, interests, and commitments.
The placements will be combined with practical and vocational guidance, support and friendship with others on the scheme, and membership of a praying and worshiping community. Formation sessions (including an annual trip abroad) are available to full time members of the scheme with opportunities for those undertaking a part time placement to participate if their other commitments allow.
The parishes are in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England and include those of both liberal and traditional catholic integrities. One of the distinctive aspects of this scheme is that it provides an opportunity for young adults to experience the riches of worship, ministry and mission in that tradition in urban settings. However, over the long existence of this scheme, women and men from a wide range of church traditions have thrived as Pastoral Assistants within it.
Appointments are subject to completion of an enhanced DBS check.
Please see our website for more information, closing dates, details of how to sign up for a Zoom information session, and to apply online.
Interested in getting involved?
Learn more about the Ministry Experience Scheme at the Diocese of London (Edmonton) or make an enquiry using our webform, selecting London - Edmonton diocese.