Join the team
We have a large team of fantastic volunteers across all our ministries at St Mary of Bethany who play such a vital part in the life of our Church family.
We aim to ensure that everyone who is in a role within our church has adequate safeguarding training and safer recruitment (DBS etc.) in place.
If you would like to get involved in any of our ministries, you can access more information below and get in touch with our office or the leader of each ministry.
Safeguarding training and safer recruitment
We have a large team of fantastic volunteers across all our ministries at St Mary of Bethany who play such a vital part in the life of our Church family.
We aim to ensure that everyone who is in a role within our church has adequate safeguarding training and safer recruitment (DBS etc.) in place.
If you would like to get involved in any of our ministries, you can access more info below and get in touch with our office or the leader of each ministry.
Basic Awareness online safeguarding training is required for all roles within the Church
Basic Awareness generally takes less than 1hour to complete online
Foundations online safeguarding training is required for those directly working with children or vulnerable adults.
Foundations online training generally takes around 1.5 hours to complete.
DBS
All volunteers that teach, train, instruct, cares for or supervises children or provides advice/guidance on physical, emotional or educational well-being to children will be required to have an enhanced DBS check in place.
It is rarer for us to check the DBS of those volunteering with adults as the eligibility is only for those who provide health care, personal care, social work, assisting with cash, bills or shopping, assistance with affairs (e.g. under a Lasting Power of Attorney) or transportation, but that does include giving lifts to medical appointments, so some pastoral visitors or homegroup leaders are required to have an enhanced DBS check.
All volunteers are required to complete an application form with references and a confidential self-declaration form if they have not already done so previously.
You’ll also receive a written agreement for volunteers & the code of safer working practice.
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Bethany Babes
Meeting during term times, from 10-11.30am, for babies, toddlers and their parents/carers - a social activity for parents as well as children.
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & Foundations (1.5hr) online training -
Friday Night Club
Friday Night Club (FNC) is a missional activity evening for 7–11-year-olds for both children of church members and those with no connection, yet.
Role descriptionSafeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & Foundations (1.5hr) online training -
Sunday evening youth cell (Fusion)
For secondary school age children, Fusion meets at 6:30 -8pm at either SMOB or St Andrew’s Goldsworth Park.
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & Foundations (1.5hr) online training -
Sunday morning youth & children’s groups
Adventurers & Explorers is for primary school age children and Pathfinders is for secondary school age children.
Explorers & Pathfinders role descriptions
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & Foundations (1.5hr) online training -
Audio visual team
This team facilitate worship in our services by ensuring that all audio is clearly relayed to the congregation and viewers of the live stream, ensuring that songs, liturgy, sermon slides, video and any other visual content are displayed on musicians’ and main screens.
Audio helper role description, Projection helper role description & Projection set up role description
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) online training -
CAMEO
CAMEO is a place for over 50s to meet on the first and third Thursday of each month from 10.30am to midday for occasional meals, day’s out, crafts, games, talks, music, and much more.
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & Foundations (1.5hr) online training -
Finance team
The finance team support the ministry at St Mary of Bethany, ensuring the giving of the church family and friends is budgeted and directed to the correct places.
Counting team role description
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & online training -
House group leader
Our small groups are where a big church becomes small. They offer the chance to study the Bible and pray together in a setting where you can get to know people well.
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr), Foundations (1.5hr) & Raising awareness of domestic abuse (1hr) online training -
Intercessor
The Intercessor leads the prayers during our Sunday services. They prepare the relating prayers in advance of the service and lead the congregation in prayer from the dais
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) -
Reader
The reader’s responsibility is to clearly read the passage related to the preacher’s sermon, during the service, making sure to announce the book, chapter and verse plus page number in the pew bible
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) -
Pastoral care team
The principal object of the role is to stand alongside those in need, befriending and listening and, where appropriate, advising or offering practical help. The overall level of involvement of each volunteer is agreed with the Pastoral Care lead who provides oversight and support. The role is wide ranging, and allocation of cases will be agreed individually with each volunteer.
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr), Foundations (1.5hr) & Raising awareness of domestic abuse (1hr) online training -
PCC
The PCC is a team made up of members of clergy and lay members of the church. Together they are responsible for the overall wellbeing, practical as well as spiritual, of their church, the church members, and the church buildings. The PCC also has a duty to promote the mission of the church within the wider community.
To join the PCC please speak to Mark, Ruth or a Churchwarden.
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr), Foundations (1.5hr) & Raising awareness of domestic abuse (1hr) online training -
Preaching team
This important role is key to helping the congregation engage with the living God through biblical exposition and life-related application.
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr), Foundations (1.5hr) & Raising awareness of domestic abuse (1hr) online training -
Service leading
To lead the service involves effectively planning and provide services with the preacher and musicians tailored for the particular congregation present
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & Foundations (1.5hr) online training -
Steward
Stewards are primarily responsible for safety, good order and comfort before, during and after each of the main Sunday services. Assisting the welcome team to ensure every visitor has a warm welcome
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & Foundations (1.5hr) online training -
Talk Easy
Talk Easy is a group that meet at 1pm on Thursdays to practice English speaking
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) -
Verger
Vergers play a key role in supporting life-event services such as weddings and funerals, assisting with practical arrangements and ensuring smooth proceedings. They help prepare the church, welcome guests, and support the clergy during the service.
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) online training -
Welcomer
Our welcomers are the friendly face to greet people as they join us for our services!
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) online training -
Worship team (musician)
We’d love for some more singers and instrumentalists to support our services!
Safeguarding training required:
Basic Awareness (1hr) & Foundations (1.5hr) online training