Dictionary

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Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Episcopal

‘Episcopal’ refers to the role or ministry of a bishop. So an episcopal church is one in which oversight is entrusted to a bishop. Like many others, the Church in Wales is an episcopal church.

Evangelism

‘Evangelion’ means ‘good news’. Evangelism is about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection in the hope that others may come to believe in and follow Jesus.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Liturgy

Liturgy is a set form of words and action used for worship. In the Church in Wales (and many other churches) these forms follow the same pattern from one congregation to another. Most Anglican liturgies look back in some way to the Book of Common Prayer.

Priest

‘Priest’ comes from the Greek word for ‘elder’. Priests in the Church in Wales are those authorised specifically to proclaim forgiveness of sins, preside at the Eucharist and bless God’s people, as well as other responsibilities.

Theological

‘Theology’ means literally ‘words about God’. Christian theology involves our trying to understand and explain what God has revealed about himself through Scripture. This work is aided by the writings of past and present theologians and human reason.

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Diocesan Office

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Diocesan Secretary

Location: Diocesan Office, Abergwili, Carmarthen SA31 2JG
Salary: Circa £65,000 – £70,000
Reporting to: The Bishop of St. Davids and Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

The Diocese of St. Davids is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as Diocesan Secretary, the most senior lay officer within the diocesan administration. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the diocese’s mission and ministry, working closely with the Bishop and senior leadership to shape and deliver strategic priorities.

About the Role

As Diocesan Secretary, you will:

Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across the Diocese.
Act as an advisor to the Bishop and a key member of the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team.
Lead the implementation of the Diocesan Strategy through the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF).
Ensure effective governance, financial stewardship, and administrative excellence.
Serve as Company Secretary to the DBF and Joint Secretary to the Diocesan Conference and Standing Committee.

Key Relationships

You will work closely with:

The Bishop’s Senior Staff Team
Chairs and members of the DBF and its Committees
Local Ministry Area Deans and Officers
The Church in Wales Provincial Team
Strategic partners and other Diocesan Secretaries

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a strategic thinker with:

Proven leadership and management experience
Strong understanding of governance and financial oversight
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
A commitment to the mission and values of the Church in Wales

Benefits

In addition to a highly competitive salary of c.£65-70k p.a., the successful candidate will be eligible to join the occupational pension scheme, to which the Diocese contributes another 15% of salary. The post holder will be entitled to 25 days’ annual leave, plus Bank Holidays.

Whilst this is a role which will require regular attendance at our Abergwili office, we are committed to being a flexible employer with employee wellbeing at the heart of our working practices. As such, hybrid working would be open to the right candidate.

Safeguarding Statement

The St. Davids DBF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share that commitment and this post will require an enhanced DBS certificate.

Equal Opportunities

The St. Davids DBF is committed to ensuring equal opportunities, fairness of treatment, dignity, work-life balance and the elimination of all forms of discrimination in the workplace for all its staff and job applicants. The Diocese treats all staff and job applicants equally and fairly in adherence with the Equality Act 2010.

Diversity

The Board of Finance believes that diversity enables us to thrive and develop and is committed to race equality, welcoming applications from UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

How to apply

Job Description / Person Specification

To apply for the position please send a copy of your CV, together with a covering letter of no more than 2,000 words covering 2 sides of A4 setting out the principal reasons why you believe you are suited to the role to recruitment.stdavids@churchinwales.org.uk

The closing date for applications is 5pm on September 22nd.

Interviews will take place at The Bishop’s Office, Abergwili on 6th October 2025.

Administrative Assistant (Property Department)

Location: St Davids Diocesan Office, Abergwili, Carmarthen (with occasional offsite meetings)

Hours: Full time (34 hours per week)

Salary: £22,780 - £24,531 (a generous contributory pension scheme is available)

Are you a well-organised and enthusiastic individual looking to make a meaningful contribution in a supportive team environment? The St Davids Diocesan Board of Finance is looking for a diligent Administrative Assistant to join our small and friendly administrative team.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will play a key part in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of our office, particularly the work of the Property Department, and supporting the wider work of the Diocese.

What you will do:

Provide general administrative support using Microsoft Office software
Take accurate minutes across various meetings and manage diaries efficiently
Communicate effectively with a wide range of visitors, callers, and email correspondents
Deal with various queries (e.g. utilities, insurance, Letting Agents, Local Authorities, contractors) relating to property, including schools, residential and leased premises
Assist with maintaining the Diocesan Property Database

What we are looking for:

Proven experience in minute taking
A team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, who is motivated and proactive
Someone with a keen eye for detail and a flexible approach to tasks
Confidence in using Microsoft Office and handling a wide range of administrative duties
The ability to speak Welsh (or willingness to attend a Welsh language course) is desirable
Someone who has empathy with the mission and ministry of the Church in Wales

If you are looking for a meaningful role in a warm and welcoming environment, and you enjoy helping others whilst keeping things running smoothly, we would love to hear from you.

Job Description/Person Specification

Application Form

Please return your completed Application Form to diocese.stdavids@churchinwales.org.uk or by post to:

Miss Emma O’Connor, Admin & Property Manager, Diocesan Office, Abergwili SA31 2JG

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS BY CV.

If you have not heard from us within a week of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

Clerical Vacancies

Archdeaconry of Carmarthen

PRIEST IN CHARGE to the Local Ministry Area of BRO GWENDRAETH

This role is for a cleric with primary pastoral responsibility for the churches of St Lleian’s, Gorslas; St David’s, Saron; St Ann’s, Cross Hands; St Edmund’s, Tycroes and St Edith’s Llanedi, resident in a vicarage located in Cross Hands.

The successful applicant should be a team player who is approachable and sympathetic to different styles of worship, keen on working with children, young people and families and who has a pastoral heart.

The ability to speak Welsh or a commitment to learn is desirable.

For further information please contact the Archdeacon of Carmarthen

(07398 587018) archdeacon.carmarthen@churchinwales.org.uk

Archdeacon's Introduction

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