The Community Worker will be based at The Haven, an established outreach centre and a vital part of the community work of Stirling Baptist Church. Founded in 2007, the renovated building is designed to be welcoming, functional and user-friendly.

The Vision of the Haven is to support and enhance the experience of life in the Stirling and surrounding area, with an emphasis on multiple social and practical deprivation issues and families affected by substance use. We work in partnership with a variety of organisations from both the third and public sector.

The Haven works in conjunction with the Life Centre, both run by Stirling Baptist Church. Together they provide a safe and welcoming space for the delivery of community support services. The Community Worker may be involved in activities at the Life Centre on occasion.

The Haven Community worker and volunteers carry out a regular programme of activities that benefit the local population and schools. We have raised our profile in the third sector through networking forums and promoting our services on online platforms.

The Community worker will focus on support for individuals and families through a range of practical and social action projects.

The successful candidate will:

• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of community development including families experiencing issues arising from substance use.
• Have experience in social inclusion and community projects.
• Be an effective, thoughtful and relevant communicator.
• Demonstrate a values-based leadership.
• Have excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
• Be able to grow, equip and lead a team of volunteer leaders.
• Be able to assist in the innovation, development of and delivery of community programmes.
• Work well in both a team membership and team leadership context.
• Be self-motivated and flexible.
• Be able to prioritise workload and manage time effectively.

Main Purpose:

To lead provision of Christian teaching for children and young people.

To develop relationships with families within the parish.

To engage young people through imaginative and innovative ways of sharing the gospel.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the work of the Sunday and other children’s provision.

• Provide and develop opportunities for children and parents to engage in exploring the Christian faith.

• Extend work with children through support and encouragement of volunteers whilst enabling further development.

• Build on existing children’s groups within the Church and create new groups where appropriate.

• Reach out in welcome and follow up those new families who visit us.

• Be an integral part in team ministry.

• Support developmental and missional work e.g., Messy Church.

• Engage with the community with organisation of community events e.g., holiday clubs.

• Link up with other Christian youth workers in Troon with a view to reaching out effectively to non- churched young people in the community.

• Build on existing links with schools and share in chaplaincy work.

• Report regularly to Kirk Session.

• Any other relevant duties as required.

Working with older people from the congregation and wider community.

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and relational individual to work in a pastoral role with older people. As well as working with church members the intent is also to look outward missionally to the wider community. The post is funded by the TOR Christian Foundation.

The role is interesting, wide-ranging, and requires a broad range of skills. Key aspects are:

• Co-ordinating the provision of regular activities for older people
• Creating fellowship opportunities for older people
• Planning and leading mid-week worship for older people
• Offering spiritual and pastoral care for older church members
• Organising and training volunteers

The post is suitable for a suitably experienced and qualified non-ordained person, or alternatively for an ordained minister or deacon.

A full job description can be obtained from office@murrayfieldparishchurch.org.uk