Your journey of discernment continues.
Step away from what you know
and allow us to journey with you
as your conversation with God keeps going.
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All highest and glorious God, cast your light into the darkness of my heart.
Grant me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity, profound humility, with wisdom and perception,
O Lord, so that I may always and everywhere
seek to know and do what is truly your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Discovering God's call in the noise of the world isn't easy;
but don't think it'll be any easier on a tiny Island in the Irish Sea.
As you listen to the call of God, the Diocese of Sodor and Man invites you to come and live among us, in the place where St German first sought to preach the Gospel almost 1600 years ago! even before Augustine arrived at Canterbury.
A place ravaged by the Vikings, bought and sold by the wealthy throughout history; a land now fiercely independent and free.
Come and listen
to your own call
through service, reflection
and encounter.
Find time to focus on God's purpose
for your life
as you discover that your path ahead
is like none you've walked before.
The Church in the Island has strong Celtic influence, but for almost 200 years from the mid-12th century was part of the Norwegian church, today it is in the Province of York.
The cathedral church of St German (Cathedral Isle of Man) is the mother church of the Diocese of Sodor and Man (a diocese that today only includes the Isle of Man), but originally included the 'Sudreys' or the southern Isles of the Archdiocese of Nidaros and Trondheim, which we know as the western Isles of Scotland.
Today the diocese is the smallest in the Church of England and serves a population of about 85,000. The Island is a self-governing Crown dependency – governed by Tynwald not Westminster. Tynwald is the world’s oldest continuous parliament beginning in about 979AD? The Island is not part of the European Union, and even prints its own stamps and currency.
Famous for TT races, cats with no tails and even wild wallabies, the Island has its own language, Manx-Gaelic and has a strong national identity. All this and yet we are only an hours flights from London.
Your year will be based in the Western, Southern or Eastern Partnership. Our Mission Partnerships are made up of a number of parishes, each with its own council and each with its own character and emphasis on mission and ministry.
The Western Mission Partnership has 8 churches grouped into two parishes. These include the Island's Cathedral in Peel, and the government chapel of St John's.
The Southern Mission Partnership has 10 churches grouped into three parishes. This group is home to some of the smallest and most ancient buildings; some with physical foundations going back over 1500 years.
The Eastern Mission Partnership includes Douglas/Onchan and is home to half the Island's population. It has a mix of church traditions and social contexts ranging from the financial heartland of the Isle of Man to large social housing schemes.
Our Bishop, Peter, is working hard to ensure the diocese remains a good, faithful and sustainable servant of the Island community. Our diocesan priorities in Mission are:
- Partnership in Mission
- Sustainability of ourselves and our resourcing
- Inhabiting the Gospels creating disciples immersed in their faith
The Island is pioneering new kinds of ministry with the focus for the present being the town centre in Douglas and the rural areas of the Northern Mission Partnership.
The Isle of Man was in the first tranche of Church of England ministerial interns. Your year in the Isle of Man will give you time and space to explore, alongside room to experiment and discern.
A period in a desert place?
… A task to complete?
… An opportunity to grow?
This is a diverse community with growing ecumenical partnerships, deep rural villages and urban towns. The Isle of Man is a place where you can help us create and shape our mission as you consider God's call.
The year runs from September to July.
Following an induction programme you'll spend the remaining part of the year engaging with real life on our Island.
The induction, run with the help of our partners, will give you a welcome to Island life, practical skills and resources to get you started right away and a chance to make new friends from day one. This will include induction to the Diocese, the Mission Partnerships, the Parish and all things Anglican as well as an introduction to our ecumenical partners.
Your time might be focused on a specific area, or might simply be more general as you get an insight into the working of Parish life as a potential ordained minister in the Church of England.
Your year will use the ministry division selection criteria as a foundation. Whilst we recognize that not all interns will go on to be ordained, these criteria provide a basis on which to consider carefully God's vision and purpose for your life ahead.
Throughout the year you'll be guided by a supervisor who will work with you in a process of theological reflection on your practice.
Alongside parish life, you are invited to enrol as a student on the Diocesan Certificate in Christian Studies course. We hope this provides a basis for further academic development alongside practical experience.
Our Partners
As such a small Diocese, we cannot do all of this alone.
Here is an example of a partner organization who will be here for you during the year.
Scripture Union Ministries Trust (SUMT)
SUMT has been going for well over 20 years and has a strong leadership team and a raft of fantastic volunteers.
SUMT connects with local churches, primary and secondary schools and has a 'gap year' programme for emerging leaders offering training opportunities for young people focusing on youth work from introductory level through to degree level.
SUMT will partner to deliver the induction programme including First Aid, COSHH, Safeguarding, team skills, schools work, personal development and leadership training.
SUMT Is based in a 'community house' – Malmore – on the South coast of the Island and will offer a welcome retreat and a group of other young people all exploring Christian ministry.
Accommodation and Finance
We estimate you will need around £65 per week to cover things like clothing, contribution towards evening meals, your mobile phone bills, toiletries, travel, 'time out' and personal travel.
We recognize that giving a year of your life is priceless, so wherever possible we will seek to help you with these costs.
Alongside the housing with heat and light provided, we offer a daily lunch at the Deanery and a monthly grant of £230 to contribute towards your personal expenses. This is made possible thanks to sponsors on the Isle of Man who are committed to investing in your future alongside funding from the Church of England Ministry Experience Scheme.
If what you've read makes you want to find out more, then do get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!
But before you call or email, take a few moments to pray and reflect:
- Are you willing to commit to a pattern of bible study, prayer and reflection 'in season and out off-season'?
- Will you be able to be part of a team even when the going gets tough?
- Are you willing to share fully in a period of group accountability for your life?
- Are you willing to be a responsible member of a team, and can you be responsible for others?
- Are you willing to enter into part of your faith journey that comes with no guarantees as you continue to search out where God is leading you?
If you can say 'yes' – Contact:
The Very Revd. Nigel Godfrey
T:01624 844 830
E:dean@cathedral.im
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