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Vacancy for the Position of Office Administrator
We have a part-time vacancy for the position of Office Administrator based in the Parish Office here at St Michael’s. If you would be interested in applying for this position, the job description and person specification is set out below. To apply please send a covering letter detailing why you are interested in the role, a CV, and the names of two referees to vicar@parishofstmichaels.org.uk
Job Description and Person Specification for Parish Administrator
St Michael with St Mary, St Albans
Job title
Parish Administrator
Department
Parish Office
Main purposes of job
The Parish Administrator maintains a warm, welcoming, orderly atmosphere for parishioners and others who call or visit the church. Reporting to the Office Manager, the Parish Administrator is responsible and accountable for day-to-day coordination and implementation of administrative and business-related functions of St. Michael’s with St Mary’s.
Key tasks
Responsible for smooth, efficient operations of the parish office, including coordinating and executing all non-ministerial, non-financial parish operations
Annual task - Annual Church Meetings
− Prepare legal notices and display on appropriate notice boards.
− Request reports from the various committees, groups etc., including the annual accounts from the Treasurer, for inclusion in the Annual Report.
− Collate, prepare and publish the Annual Report.
Quarterly tasks
Assignment of Fees to Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF)
− Collate fees for occasional offices (weddings, funerals, burials of ashes).
− Complete DBF spreadsheet and arrange for BACS payment of the clergy fees in these offices.
Payment of Organist’s Fees (Occasional Offices)
− Collate fees and provide information for the Treasurer for inclusion with the quarterly expenses’ payment.
Monthly tasks - bank account reconciliation
− Receive the monthly statement and input the information for received by BACS into the accounting system.
− Liaise with Treasurer to resolve any unidentifiable items shown on the statement to enable to be input into accounting system.
− Complete reconciliation and provided agreed specific reports created by the system to the Treasurer.
− Ensure that utilities are tracked and accounted for.
Weekly/Ad hoc tasks
− Create weekly pew sheets using information provided by vicar, organist, etc.
− Receive invoices from suppliers and raise appropriate paperwork to arrange authorisation and payment.
− Receive expenses claims from church personnel, raise the appropriate paperwork to arrange authorisation and payment.
− Handle phone calls, postal enquiries, face-to-face enquiries and emails and deal with as appropriate.
− Deal with enquiries relating to weddings, baptisms funerals etc. and take the appropriate action to:
a. Send an application form (baptisms)
b. Send the information pack (weddings)
c. Liaise with clergy (funerals and burials of ashes)
d. Raise invoices at the appropriate time for services provided
e. Monitor receipt of payment
− Create and maintain baptism and wedding diaries, and distribute to the appropriate personnel on a timely basis.
− Maintain a record of payments made to show:
a. the recipient
b. the sum paid
c. the allocation codes used
d. the method of payment (BACS or cheque)
e. the date of receipt and closure
− Monitor office supplies and re-order as required.
− Monitor church supplies as above.
− Monitor office equipment, and handle problems as they occur.
− Keep porch and notice boards up to date and post notices as required.
− Other administrative tasks as required by the Vicar.
Key results / objectives
Completes all annual, monthly and weekly tasks in an efficient and timely manner. Working closely with all church staff, volunteers, Treasurer, Wardens and Clergy to provide support services for all church operation.
Note: specific projects & activities to be scheduled for the coming year to be added by agreement with your Line Manager
Reporting to
To the Parochial Church Council via the Vicar and Office Manager appointed to act as your Line Manager, presently Stephanie Rainbow.
Person specification
A successful candidate will have good IT and communication skills, and will be comfortable communicating both via email and on the telephone.
They will be organised and numerate, and able to either demonstrate knowledge of or willingness to learn bookkeeping skills and the sometimes unintuitive ways a Church of England parish works as a legal and pastoral entity. They will be in sympathy with the Christian ethos of the parish and keen to work as part of a small office team.
Typical hours
16 hours a week, normally 09:00-13:00 Tuesday-Friday. There is a requirement that at least three of these days be spent in the office.
Salary
£15,543.00 per annum
To apply please send a covering letter detailing why you are interested in the role, a CV, and the names of two referees to vicar@parishofstmichaels.org.uk
Wimbledon Men’s Final at Kingsbury Manor, 13th July
Wimbledon Men’s Final 13th July
Adam and Jill Singer have kindly offered their cinema room in the Bothy at Kingsbury Manor so we can host an event for friends, former friends, and future friends to watch the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final, enjoy drinks and nibbles, and raise money for the Friends of St Michaels. Tickets will cost £50 per person for which you will get plenty of drinks, food, and great company while you watch the final. If the weather is kind, we can also sit by the river before and after the match. We are limiting the numbers to around 20 so it will be first come first served.
This year the final starts at 16.00 and we will be ‘opening the doors’ at 15.30. There is parking at the Manor if you need it.
To secure a ticket or for more information contact Charles Naylor at thesallylunn@me.com.
Cake Sale, the Parish Centre, Sunday June 1st
In support of Christian Aid, there will be a cake sale in the Parish Centre after the 9.30 a.m. service on Sunday, 1st June. Can you bake (or buy) a cake or make some small cakes, muffins or the such-like to help raise funds for Christian Aid? If you are making cakes, please label them if they contain nuts or other items to which people may be allergic. If possible, please bring your cakes to the vicarage from Thursday 29th May onwards or preferably, on 1st June itself. Thank you.
Future Sunday Parking Provision
Parking from June will be available in the St Michael’s Top School playground. We need a steward on the gate to help people maximise the use of spaces from about 9 to 9.30am- if you’re willing to take on a session every now and again please contact Ken Young on kenyoung22@hotmail.com. Thanks to all who have volunteered already.
Emily Lloyd Ordination to the Diaconate
Emily will be completing her parish placement at St Michael's at the end of May. As she prepares for her ordination to the diaconate and her new ministry as curate at St Saviour's, you are invited to contribute to a monetary gift towards the purchase of clerical clothing as a token of the good wishes of the Parish. Please, pass your donation - cash only please - to John Bannister or Georgie by 16th May. Thank you.
The Annual St Michael’s Folk Night 2nd July
Wednesday, 2nd July – the annual St Michael’s Folk Night event from 7.00 p.m.
St Michael’s bellringers will signal the start of the event, and we will once again welcome the UK’s number one Anglo-Cuban band, the SwanVesta Social Club to the churchyard. Delicious food and beer will be available.
Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the church. Further details to come.
Farewell Service for Bishop Alan 18th May from 3pm
There will be a Farewell Service for Bishop Alan on Sunday 18th May, starting at 3.00 p.m. at the Cathedral, all are welcome to attend. If you wish to make a contribution towards the gift which will be presented at this service, the information is as follows:
Account Name: St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance. Account Number: 20776041
Sort Code: 20-05-03 Reference: BISH2025 (please note that without this reference funds will not be allocated to the gift).
Easter Day Services Sunday 20th April
8.00 am
Holy Eucharist
9.30 am
All-age Easter Eucharist - followed by the famous St Michael’s egg hunt in the churchyard.
11.30 am
Holy Eucharist from the Book of Common Prayer at St Mary’s Childwickbury.
Giotto ‘Resurrection’ c.1304 - c. 1306. Series- Scenes from the life of Christ. Proto Renaissance. Media: fresco painting. Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy.
Good Friday Services 18th April
Midday - Young People’s Service
We have a special young people’s service at midday, finishing with making the Easter Garden and followed by hot cross buns in the Parish Centre. All welcome!
2.00 pm - The Liturgy of Good Friday
The Liturgy of Good Friday is a time of remembrance, repentance and hope. It allows us to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus, pray for foregiveness and anticipate the joy of Easter Sunday.
Maundy Thursday 17th April
Join us for Holy Eucharist of Maundy Thursday at 8pm, St Michael’s.
Holy Week Compline with Address Monday 14th - Wednesday 16th April at 8pm
As part of Holy Week and Easter here at St Michael’s and St Mary’s there will be a Compline with Address each evening at 8pm on Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th April. Please note: the Compline with Address on Tuesday 15th will take place at St Mary’s, Childwickbury. Do join us if you can. The theme for the addresses is ‘Holy Failures - thank God it’s not just me’.
Palm Sunday Procession 13th April
Join us for our annual procession with palms from Lower School to St Michael’s. During the service the whole congregation takes part in reading the Gospel of Jesus’ last days by Mark.