VACANCY LIST - FEBRUARY 2005

 

 

 

CANON RESIDENTIARY

 

Winchester            Winchester Cathedral – Canon Residentiary

 

The Bishop of Winchester seeks to appoint a Canon Residentiary to be Canon Pastor and Missioner.  He/She will have a lead role in the Chapter’s pastoral care to congregations, staff and the many hundred of volunteers who constitute the Cathedral Community.  Education, ministry development, pastoral care for visitors and library matters are also within the portfolio.

 

The priest appointed will work in close partnership with Chapter colleagues in continuing the evolution of the Cathedral so that it delivers an effective and sustainable Mission and Ministry alive to the needs of a changing world.   He/She will play a full part in the preaching ministry of the Cathedral and its worship; and in sharing the responsibility for its governance.

 

Please apply for a detailed Job Description and Application form from:

 

The Receiver General’s Secretary, The Cathedral Office, No 1 The Close, Winchester, SO23 9LS.   Tel: 01962 857207  or email: recgensec@winchester-cathedral.org.uk

 

The closing date for completed applications is 25 February 2005.

 

Short-listing will be on 28 February 2005.   Interviews will be held on Thursday 10 March 2005.

 

 

INCUMBENCIES

 

London         The Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, Palmers Green, Episcopal Area of Edmonton – Vicar

 

Local Community

Palmers Green is a residential suburb in North London with a population of approximately 13,000. About 77% of the population are white, 10% Asian or Asian British and 8% black or black British. There is a substantial population of Greek or Turkish ethnic origins. Approximately 60% of the population is Christian; the next largest group is Muslim (about 12%).

 

The Parish is dissected by the A105 (Green Lanes) and bounded by the A406 (N. Circular Road), and the A111. There are good transport links to central London (bus, train and tube).

 

Pattern of Worship

Sunday         :         Eucharists at 8.00 and 10.00 a.m.  Evening Prayer at 6.30p.m

Weekdays:     Daily Eucharist at varied times.

 

Electoral Roll and Communicants

There are 211 on the electoral roll. The average number of Sunday communicants is 100.

 

Church Organisations

Mothers’ Union Branch, Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Group, Social Club, St. John’s Players, Bible Reading Fellowship, Joint Youth Group with St. Paul’s Church, Winchmore Hill. Rainbows, Brownies and Guides and a Sponsored Scout Group.

 

Bible Study

Achieved through Quiet Days, Lent Courses, Pilgrimages, Emmaus Courses, Small Groups, News Letters and Teaching Sermons.

 

Lay Ministry

Members of the congregation regularly lead intercessions and read lessons. There are teams of Altar Servers and those Licensed to administer the Chalice. A Pastoral Care team has recently been commissioned. 

 

Mission

The PCC has adopted a Mission Action Plan covering the following areas: Social/Welcome, Buildings, Money, Pastoral Care, Communications, Young People/Families, Education/Nurture, Church Governance, Development and Outreach.

 

Links with other Churches

We share a youth worker (provided by Time for God, a gap year organisation) with St. Paul’s Church Winchmore Hill. We are a founding member of the Uniting Churches of Palmers Green

 

Buildings

St. John’s Church is a grade two listed building. The adjacent Vicarage is a Victorian house situated in its own garden with six bedrooms, two reception rooms, a study, a breakfast room and a small garage. Beyond the vicarage stand the Church Halls. A Youth Centre, for which planning permission has been granted, is to be built on the church site. It will be funded from the sale of a secondary hall, which is about half a mile from the church. St. Johns also owns a house divided into two flats which are let at market value rents.

 

Schools

There is no dedicated church school but our clergy visit in other local schools.

 

 

Resources

The Stewardship Scheme has 118 members of which 108 use Gift Aid their donations.

St John’s Halls make a substantial contribution to funds, as do the adjacent flats owned by the Church.

 

Communication

A weekly newssheet is distributed on Sundays.

Two hundred copies of the Parish Magazine (edited by a parishioner) are published monthly.

 

Church tradition

Worship is centred on the Eucharist using Common Worship. Full vestments are worn. There is a monthly Parade Service, Children’s Eucharist and a new Youth Service. All 10.00 a.m. Eucharists make full use of music and the choir, which is managed by the Director of Music, makes an important contribution to our worship.

 

Other Information

Care of our children’s spiritual needs forms an important aspect of our services.  We have regular special services for young people and an active Sunday School.

 

There are opportunities for the development and coordination of our care for children as well as for the senior groups within our congregation.

 

Attributes of the next Vicar

 

We hope that our next Vicar will continue the excellent work of our present Vicar.

 

The person appointed will be open catholic but sensitive to the fact that significant numbers within the congregation have come from different traditions. 

 

As a leader, the next Vicar will be a good administrator and organiser, able to work well with others, acknowledging that there is a balance to be struck between recognising the need to lead and the need to inspire others to contribute their energies and abilities. 

 

We seek a person of prayer and humanity and we expect the next Vicar to be pastorally effective with people of every age group.

 

We hope that the next Vicar will appreciate and enhance the friendly atmosphere at St. John’s, maintain our strong musical tradition, and develop our ministry to the young and to the retired.

 

Since St. John’s is a partner in a Local Ecumenical Project, we expect the next Vicar to be sympathetic to ecumenism.  The person appointed should also be interested in interfaith work, since we have a significant Muslim community in Palmers Green and are currently building their own mosque.

 

For further details please contact:  The Revd Peter Jackson,  The Vicarage, 1 The Green, London  N14 7EG.  Email: Peterjejackson@aol.com

 

 

Peterborough          Heyford with Stowe and Flore with Brockhall – Rector

 

Christ Church, Oxford seeks a forward-looking Rector for the above parishes in the diocese of Peterborough.

 

This  United Benefice serves a population over 3,000 people in four attractive rural parishes close to the M1 and Northampton.   The five interesting church buildings are in good order, well-maintained, appreciated locally, and expected major works limited to the already-financed re-ordering of one church.. The congregations share benefice activities and work closely ecumenically.  Churchmanship is not extreme.  Vestments are worn.  There are All-Age services, BCP, CW, Alpha courses, Bible studies and Youth organisations. Three retired clergy share in ministry as do a licensed Reader and a licensed Parish Evangelist. Consultations for a formal Group Ministry with 2 neighbouring benefices are under way. 

 

The new Rector will be

·       Committed to reaching out

·       An inspiring Team builder and trainer

·       An articulate preacher, teacher and encourager with a sense of humour

·       Sensitive to varieties of age, churchmanship and worship

·       Understanding of rural concerns

·       Welcomed in the two primary schools (one CofE controlled)

 

Benefice Profile and application forms fromthe Sub-Dean, Christ Church, Oxford OX1 1DP (tel.01865-276278, fax.01865-276277, e-mail: nicholas.coulton@chch.ox.ac.uk).

 

Closing date for applications 6^th April 2005

Interviews 27^th and 28th  April 2005

Enhanced CRB disclosure required.

 

 

Rochester              St Peter’s Pembury – Vicar

 

Ready, willing and able to help growth in this Church?

 

Do you have imaginative ideas to reach our to the community of this Village?

Do you have inspiration and an ability to engage with and encourage young people?

Are you an inspiring preacher and prayerful, leading others to deepen their faith?

Do you want to lead a eucharistically centred broad based church?

 

If you answered YES to these, apply to be Vicar of St Peter’s, Pembury

 

This village community of 6,000 adjoins Tunbridge Wells and is in easy reach of the M25, with a nearby mainline train service to London.    The two churches of the parish are in good order, well appreciated locally, and with a variety of worship.   With an electoral roll of 167 from a wide cross-section of community, they want to grow younger,   There are an NSM priest, a Reader and Pastoral Assistants to work with you.

 

Parish Profile and application form from the patron Christ Church, Oxford.

Contact the Sub-Dean, Christ Church, Oxford.   OX1 1DP

 (tel.01865-276278, fax.01865-276277, e-mail: nicholas.coulton@chch.ox.ac.uk).

 

Closing date for applications  2^nd March 2005

Interviews 26^th and 27^th April 2005.  Enhanced CRB disclosure required.

 

 

Rochester              St Paul’s Church, Northumberland Heath, Erith – Vicar

 

The Church Pastoral Aid Society Patronage Trust invites applications for the above post.

 

St Paul’s is an Evangelical church with a committed fellowship and a variety of styles of worship.  There are three Readers, four Pastoral Assistants and a part-time Office Administrator.

 

We are looking for someone who:

 

·   Is an enthusiastic leader

·   Has an infectious love of God and His Word

·   Is committed to pastoral care of both the congregation and parish

·   Is able to lead within the context of every member ministry

·   Will encourage work among young people in bringing them to faith

·   Has a warm heart, listening ear and a loving, prayerful concern for all

 

The vicarage is modern and spacious and there are grammar and C of E Schools in the area.

 

For further details please contact:  Marion Powell, CPAS Patronage, Athena Drive, Tachbrook Park, Warwick   CV34 6NG.  Email: patronage@cpas.org.uk

 

Closing dates for applications – 3 March 2005.   Interview – 11 May 2005.

This post is subject to enhanced disclosure from the CRB.

 

 

TEAM MINISTRY

 

Carlisle        Eden, Gelt and Irthing Team Ministry – Team Rector

                  Re-advertisement

 

Could you lead this major benefice into a new and lively future?    A team of ministers serve nine churches, each with its own sense of community and local identity.    They cluster around the pleasant growing market town of Brampton where the Rector lives, which has a ‘best thousand’ church and excellent health and education provision, and is strategically placed between the Eden Valley and Hadrian’s Wall just outside Carlisle.  The churches are looking for a team leader with

 

·   Experience of multi-church benefices and collaborative ministry

·   Strong leadership, communication and people skills

·   Administrative and organisational ability

·   A vision to build on their growing young people’s work and all age worship

·   Deep roots in prayer (and a sense of humour!)

 

If this could be God’s call to you for the next phase of your ministry, we would like to hear from you soon!

 

For further details  or a preliminary discussion of the post, please contact   The Archdeacon of Carlisle, Dr David Thomson, 2 The Abbey, Carlisle.   CA3 8TZ.   Telephone 01228 523026.  Email:  archdeacon.north@carlislediocese.org,uk

 

Closing date for applications 1^st April .  Short listing 11^th April.  Interviews 20^th/21^st April.   Enhanced CRB disclosure required.

 

 

Manchester            Christ Church Bacup and St John the Evangelist, Bacup, Bacup & Stacksteads Team Ministry – Team Vicar

 

 

The churches of Christ Church, Bacup and St John the Evangelist, Bacup form the Rossendale Bacup and Stacksteads Team Ministry along with Holy Trinity, Tunstead and St Saviour, Bacup.    We are looking for a Team Vicar to take responsibility for Christ Church and St John the Evangelist and to work alongside the Team Rector who is based at Saviour and Holy Trinity.   A commitment to working in a team is essential.

 

Bacup is one of several small communities which makes up Rossendale, set in the midst of the West Pennine Moors.

 

Christ Church is open evangelical in its tradition.  There is a strong family atmosphere within the Church, with several fellowship groups meeting regularly.    Church members are actively encouraged to use their gifts to develop practical ministries within the Church through periodic consideration of their use and talents.    The Church has one Ordained Local Minister, the Revd Derek Allen, one Licensed Reader, and a Pastoral Assistant.   There has been particularly close relationship with the previous minister and two other Baptist Ministers in Bacup who have met in a weekly support group.   The Churches are also actively involved in the ‘Rossendale Prayer Network’ and ‘Vision’, which is a monthly youth event for all the Churches in the valley.

 

St John the Evangelist, Bacup has a Catholic tradition and has passed Resolutions A & B.   Vestments are worn at Holy Communion.    The congregation is made up mostly of elderly people.    The Church publishes a magazine every two months which is delivered to all the households in the parish; this is seen as the church’s main organ of mission within the parish.    There is one licensed Reader in the Parish.

 

The next Team Vicar will be:-

 

An open evangelical who is also in sympathy with the more Catholic worship of St John’s.

 

·   Who will be committed to working with the Rector in building the four churches within the Team into an effective missionary and evangelical presences within the wider community.

·   Who will lead and motivate members to reach out into the community in obedience to the command to make disciples of all.

·   Who will encourage individual and corporate spiritual development and growth, through Cell Groups and any other means.

·   Who will build links with young families and youth – especially through the local schools and parent and toddler groups.

·   Who is imaginative and creative in their approach to Mission and Outreach within the team – including Alpha.

·   Who will strengthen and build on the existing good relationships with Day Schools and the Uniformed Organisations.

·   Who is also to open up Scripture in the teaching of the church and helping people to apply biblical principles to their every day lives.

·   Who is committed to developing and providing support and guidance for OLM and Reader Ministry within the churches.

 

For further details please contact:    Marilyn Rebeiro (PA to the Bishop of Bolton), Bishop’s Lodge, Bolton Road, Bury.   BL8 4JN   Telephone: 01204 882955 Fax 01204 882988.   Email:  BishopofBolton@ukgateway.net

 

 

St Edmundsbury & Ipswich              Wilford Peninsula Team Ministry – Team Rector

 

 

The Wilford Peninsula Team Ministry was set up in the year 2000 and is a benefice of seventeen parishes in which there are 18 church buildings.  It is a well-defined geographical area bounded by the Deben, the Alde and Ore rivers and the North Sea.

 

From the beginning it was envisaged that each stipendiary Priest within the Team would have his or her own geographical area with full pastoral responsibility for that area within the Team.   At present these areas are as follows :

 

1. Orford, Sudbourne, Chillesford, Butley and Iken.  It is this cluster of parishes for which the Team Rector has particular responsibility.

 

2. Eyke, Bromeswell, Tunstall and Wantisden
3. Rendlesham (old and new)
4. Hollesley, Boyton, Sutton, Shottisham, Ramsholt, Alderton and Bawdsey

 

It is for this cluster of parishes for which the Team Rector has particular responsibility.

 

There is quite some distance between the villages; for example: Eyke to Orford is 9 miles, Iken to Bawdsey is about 15 miles.

 

Whilst the Team Rector and the Team Vicars have specific areas of geographical responsibility they support and cooperate with each other in many ways.  They meet together each week for the Eucharist and then for a business meeting.  They share each others joys and sorrows, prayer and good humour and collaboration under-girds their work together. 

 

They believe that this system works well and that the individual parishes benefit from knowing which Priest has particular responsibility for them.

 

The clergy and people of the parishes recognise and value the diversity of churchmanship and theological perspectives which the Team embraces. 

 

The Parish Share and expenses of ministry are paid on a formula agreed by the parishes.  17 PCC Treasurers meet once a year and usually come to agreement remarkably quickly aided by a glass of wine!

 

In addition to the four stipendiary posts, there is a ministry team made up of retired clergy, ordained local ministers, 4 Readers, a Lay Pastor and a host of Lay Elders.  This group has grown in number and in spiritual maturity over the last four years.  Under the title of “Grand Team” it meets monthly for worship, teaching and business.

 

The Wilford Peninsula Team has no written constitution at this stage, since the clergy and people together believe that the Team and its philosophy are in a state of evolution.

 

There are challenges which the Team in the Wilford Peninsula faces as a whole.  Among these are the redevelopment of former RAF bases, a marked increase in tourism, increasing number of houses being bought as second homes with the consequent lack of affordable housing for local people.  There is also a decline in agriculture, the major employer.

 

However, everyone is optimistic about the future.  Steady growth is taking place within the churches and the Team awaits someone who will share their broadminded optimism and laughter and who is committed to serve God and his people.

 

For full Benefice Profile and application form is available from:    

The Venerable Geoffrey Arrand , The Archdeacon of Suffolk, Glebe House, The Street, Ashfield cum Thorpe, Stowmarket, Suffolk.   IP14 6LX    Telephone 01728 685497  Email archdeacon.Geoffrey@stedmundsbury.anglican.org

 

Closing dates for applications: 30^th March 2005.  Interviews to be held on Saturday 30^th April 2005 at 12.30pm

 

 

Truro           Redruth with Lanner and Trelaigh – Team Rector

 

The benefice of Redruth comprises a fascinating area of rugged beauty, a mix of town and country built on the wealth of mining tin and copper, but with the demise of mining it is now a place of special needs.    Cornwall has received £200 million of Objective One money and Redruth is to benefit from an extensive regeneration programme.    The parish of Redruth has 3 churches:  St Andrews, St Euny and St Andrews, Pencoys; which together with the parishes of Lanner and Treleigh form the Redruth Team.

 

The Team Rector will lead and build on a team which includes

 

v    A Team Vicar, shared with the neighbouring parish of Tuckingmill (Camborne)

v    A new stipendiary Team Vicar, to be appointed by the Team Rector

v    Three Readers

v    Five trained and commissioned Local Worship Leaders

v    Six trained and commissioned Local Pastoral Ministers

v    And four retired (but very active) clergy.

 

The Truro Diocesan Board of Patronage is looking for a priest

 

v    With proven spiritual leadership and vision

v    Able to challenge and encourage the ministerial team and the people of the parishes

v    Alive to mission and with a pastoral heart for all ages

v    Sympathetic to the ministry of women.

 

The total population of the benefice as a whole is 16,153.

Electoral Roll/Average attendances figures are:  St Andrews 80/55, St Euny 38/40, St Andrews Pencoys 32/17, Lanner 24/25, Treleigh 54/30.   Congregations are middle aged and elderly in the main.

 

The benefice is basically Liberal Catholic.   At St Andrews Redruth, the main focus is on the Eucharist, with emphasis on liturgical ceremony.   However, the DCC would be willing to have non-Eucharistic services on a regular basis.   The four other churches consider themselves to be middle-of-the-road and already have non-Eucharistic services.

 

CRB enhanced disclosure is required for this post.

 

Further details and an application form from:  The Bishop of St Germans, Diocesan House, Kenwyn, Truro  TR1 1JQ.   Telephone 01872 274351.  Email: info@truro.anglican.org

 

Closing date for applications: Friday 11 March 2005.  Interviews 14^th and 15^th April 2005.

 

 

PRIEST IN CHARGE POSTS

 

Carlisle            Barton, Pooley Bridge and Martindale – Priest –in-Charge and

                       Diocesan Pastoral Secretary

 

This rural benefice is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty at the head of Ullswater, which the delightful vicarage overlooks, yet within easy reach of the busy market town of Penrith and the M6.

 

The priest-in-charge will have responsibility for three parishes who are growing in faith and work closely together.   They are looking for a man of God with

 

·       Sincere belief, wisdom and scriptural knowledge

·       Ability to relate to the whole variety of residents and visitors

·       Enthusiasm for outreach to younger adults and children

·       Committed to collaborative ministry

·       Willingness to work within the diverse traditions of the churches

·       Empathy with a rural community

 

     As Pastoral Secretary the appointee will work an average of 1½ days a week from both home and an office in Church House, Carlisle, servicing the Diocesan and Archdeaconry Pastoral Committees so that their decisions in connection with pastoral schemes are properly and sensitively carried out.  The Secretary will need to be

 

·       Comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders

·       An effective administrator

·       Able to work with standard IT systems

 

 For  further details or a preliminary discussion of the post, please contact the Archdeacon of Carlisle, Dr David Thomson, 2 The Abbey, Carlisle, CA3 8TZ.   Telephone 01228 523926   Email:  archdeacon.north@carlislediocesan.org.uk

 

Closing date 12^th March.   Interviews 18^th/19^th April.

Enhanced CRB disclosure required.

Martindale PCC has passed Resolution B under the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1994.

 

 

Lichfield                St Gregory, Wednesfield – Priest in Charge

 

We wish to appoint a Priest-in-Charge to our diverse and challenging parish at the northern edge of the City of Wolverhampton.    We are looking for a person with vision for growth, who will work within our small but committed team to spread the good news of God’s love for everyone.   We would welcome someone experienced in growing ministry to children, and who has a strong pastoral approach.

 

Our tradition is Modern Catholic, affirming the Ministry of Women priests.  Our parish share is paid in full.   We can offer a spacious Vicarage with large gardens and private access to the church.   We are easy to get to, and there are many local amenities within easy walking distance.   We are four miles from the city centre, and only two miles from junction 1 of the M54.    If you would like to work with us to God’s purpose, we would love to meet you.

 

For further information please contact:  The Archdeacon of Walsall’s PA:  Mrs Mary Guilfoyle, 10 Paradise Lane, Pelsall, Walsall, WS3 4NH.    Telephone 01922 445353

Email:  mary.guilfoyle@ lichfield.anglican.org

 

Monmouth             Raglan Group of Parishes – Priest in Charge

 

We are looking for someone special to be

Priest-in-Charge of the

Raglan Group of Parishes

(Raglan, Llandenny and Bryngwyn)

 

Our beautiful rural parishes are situated near the border with England in the county of Monmouthshire. We are truly blessed to live here.  We have a church school and people with a passion for growth.

 

We are looking for a priest who

• is a catholic with an evangelical heart, or an evangelical

with a sacramental heart.

• will encourage collaborative ministry, develop the gifts of God’s people and foster vocations.
• will be a pastor, teacher and encourager.
• will be at home with formal and informal worship.
• will be an able and inspiring leader who is ‘mission minded’ and able to manage change.
• will engage with the Deanery plan in a radical approach to ministry.
• will have had experience in growing a church.

 

Parish Profile and Application Forms available from

The Bishop of Monmouth, Bishopstow, Stow Hill Newport NP20 4EA

Appointment subject to a Certificate of Enhanced Disclosure

 

Closing date: 11^th March 2005     Interviews: 11^th April 2005

 

 

St Albans          United Benefice of St Mary’s, Northchurch and St  Bartholomew’s, Wigginton – Priest in Charge (to become Team Rector)   

 

Joint Patrons: The Bishop of St. Albans and the Duchy of Cornwall

Populations:   Northchurch 4800      Wigginton 1416          

Electoral Rolls:         Northchurch 200        Wigginton 100

 

Berkhamsted is a small, prosperous commuter town, sitting in a sharp valley in the Chilterns, just over 25 miles to the north-west of London.  The parish of Northchurch occupies the north end of the valley.  Post war council housing caused Berkhamsted and Northchurch to join physically but to many Northchurch remains a village in its own right.  The village of Wigginton, in an area of an area of outstanding natural beauty, borders Buckinghamshire and is on high land above the town.  Berkhamsted has a wide range of schools, shops and amenities and there is a rich cultural life, including music, film, sports, art and local history.  Road and rail links with London are excellent.  There is a wide variety of educational, leisure and recreation opportunities in each parish, and nearby.

 

The journey between the two churches is a straightforward 10-minute drive.  St. Mary's Northchurch is the original church in the area, although its Saxon origins have been hidden by the subsequent medieval building.  It occupies a central place within the village, surrounded as it is by its churchyard, school, Tudor almshouses and Rectory.  The church is in good repair, with a favourable Quinquennial report in 2003. St Mary's has eight bells in its tower and a colourful display of Victorian stained glass. Well appointed Parish Rooms are nearby.  St. Bartholomew's church, Wigginton, is a beautiful, 13th Century, small village church, with flint and clunch stone facings.  The church is situated in the centre of the village, and seats approximately 120.  It is in very good order and is looked after by many with great care.   The Church Room, with all facilities, was built in 1973 and adjoins the church.

 

The initial aim of the new United Benefice is to retain separate PCCs and finances, harnessing the strong spirit of self-sufficiency to welcome and support the incoming Rector. Neighbouring teams of clergy, and a good number of NSMs and retired priests in the Deanery, should assist in this respect. Opportunities for mutual outreach and fellowship will be developed as the United Benefice begins to settle down.  The existing ministerial team includes a Parochial Assistance Minister / Reader, a youth worker (shared between Northchurch and St. Peters/All Saints Berkhamsted), a Verger and Parish Secretary at Northchurch, and another Reader at Wigginton.   Both parishes are in good heart financially.

 

The liturgical tradition of St Mary's is "middle of the road" and a reputation of inclusive welcome has been gained and is maintained with care.   Surplice and stole are worn by the celebrant at Holy Communion, and the parish has no vestments; choir robes are owned but not currently used.  Services include BCP and Common Worship as well as a monthly Family Service.  St Mary's contributes fully to the events organised by the Association of Berkhamsted Churches.  Links are maintained on several fronts with near-neighbours at Northchurch Baptist Church.

 

Wigginton has a slightly "higher than middle" churchmanship, and uses Common Worship for worship.  Vestments are worn for Holy Communion and Sung Eucharist services, surplice scarf and hood for other services.  The choir robe for all services.  The Sacrament is reserved.  The church is often used as the venue for concerts and exhibitions. There is a Baptist Chapel in the village and the relationship is very friendly.

 

Considering the profile of a new incumbent, Northchurch and Wigginton are looking for:

         *        someone with a good rapport with people, preaching and teaching abilities, an ability to counsel and give strong yet sensitive pastoral support

         *        an experienced priest, with enthusiasm and energy

         *        a person of spiritual maturity, with a deep faith, able to be a strong leader, and with a sense of humour

         *        someone with a real interest in school and other youth matters

         *        someone with an appreciation of music would be an advantage

         *        a willingness to work in partnership with the Ministerial team & the PCCs and to delegate to officers or working groups as appropriate, developing good lines                  of communication between the Reader, Wardens, the P.C.C. and others

         *        noting St Mary's description of its worship as "middle of the road", and St. Bartholomew's as  a "slightly higher than middle", flexibility to ensure the existing                  styles of worship continue to flourish

In that spirit, male and female candidates are equally welcome.

 

The future priorities for  the parishes are:

         *        To sustain and develop the spiritual and pastoral needs of both churches through teaching, fellowship and outreach.

         *        To encourage group work in prayer and general religious education.

         *        To span the age range involved in pastoral work, from baptisms, Sunday School through to the numerous elderly residents, some of whom are housebound.

         *        To continue to provide enthusiastic work with young people, and to bring younger people into the church through school links

         *        To involve the growing number of young families and children even more fully into the worship and social life of the church

         *        To encourage more lay involvement in services - this could include developing the healing ministry

         *        To maintain and develop strategies for giving.

 

The Rectory is a fine 1950s-built five-bedroom property, accessed easily from the main road but nicely secluded. It is centrally heated and has recently been re-glazed to a good standard. With gardens on all sides, it makes an ideal venue for the Northchurch Parish Fete in July.

 

Appointment to this position is subject to satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Criminal Records Bureau.

 

For more details contact:

The Ven. Helen Cunliffe, 6 Sopwell Lane, St. Albans.  AL1 1RR

fax: 01727 848311   email: archdstalbans@stalbans.anglican.org

 

Closing date for applications: Monday 4th April, 2005

Interviews: Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th April, 2005

 

 

St Edmundsbury & Ipswich          Grundisburgh with Boulge, Burgh and Hasketon Priest in Charge

 

The Community

 

The Benefice is situated in a very pleasant rural area surrounded by farmland and with easy access, by car or bus to all amenities, senior schools and mainline rail.  There are 3 shops and a Post Office in Grundisburgh.  The attractive market town of Woodbridge, 3 miles or so, and the larger town of Ipswich, 7 miles away, offer a broad selection of stores and shops.  There is a wide variety of housing, from 16^th Century cottages and houses to modern properties including some older and one new, housing association/trust developments, providing lower cost housing.  There are a further 12 houses planned by the Rural Housing Trust.  Grundisburgh has a Primary School and the Benefice offers a vibrant community life.

 

The villages in the benefice have their own distinctive features, off the beaten track and in a very beautiful corner of Suffolk surrounded by farmland and many footpaths, yet near enough to the larger centres of Woodbridge and Ipswich.

 

The Church Buildings

 

All of the Church buildings are historic and are in good repair, with the Quinquennial Inspection of May 2003 not indicating any major repairs to be required.  A history of each church, with pictures, can be found on the internet under www.suffolkchurches.co.uk

 

Churchmanship

 

Neither High nor Low Church.  Common Worship and the Book of Common Prayer are both used in all four parishes.  Lay people read lessons, compose and lead intercessions and assist with the chalice in all four parishes.

 

Family Services are of a more relaxed ambience with participation by the children and are held in three of the parishes where they are appropriate. The parish of Burgh has a very strong Sunday School established over many years, it is very popular and children come from the surrounding area to attend.

 

Assessment of Benefice Strengths

 

• Congregations are proportionately larger than the national average
• Unity within the benefice
• Regular services in each church
• Informal benefice meetings with representatives from each parish
• Lay participation
• Some youth work
• Finance handled by laity
• Active PCCs not always chaired by incumbent

 

Assessment of Benefice Weaknesses

 

• Not enough youth work
• Not enough outreach
• Complacency
• No regular Bible Study or Prayer Group in any of the parishes
• No nurture group or follow up for those who are confirmed
• Generous in charitable giving but very little specifically for overseas

 

What the Benefice is looking for in the new Incumbent

 

A committed Christian who, with clear vision and spirituality, will be a spiritual mentor, pastor, and enabler in nurturing growth and deepening spirituality.  A person who will be aware of the individual worshipping communities, with different needs and traditions, including the use of the Book of Common Prayer, valuing variety in worship and being prepared to nurture accessible worship for young people and families.

 

Be a visible person in the daily life of the benefice, take an active part in the community and work collaboratively to strengthen the quality of pastoral care provided for everyone living in the four parishes.

 

A full Benefice Profile and application form may be obtained from the Archdeacon of Ipswich, 99 Valley Road, Ipswich IP1  4NF.  Tel: 01473 250333

Email: archdeacon.terry@stedmundsbury.anglican.org

 

Closing date for applications: 14^th March 2005

Interviews to be held: 2 April 2005

 

 

Salisbury               Benefice of Monkton Farleigh, South Wraxall and Winsley Priest-in-Charge

 

Population –Winsley 1900,. South Wraxall 320, Monkton Farleigh 350

Electoral Roll – Winsley 122, South Wraxall  89, Monkton Farleigh 27

 

The villages within the Benefice, comprising the parishes of Monkton Farleigh, South Wraxall and Winsley, form part of the Diocese of Salisbury and yet are located within a 7-8ml radius of the City of Bath and are therefore within easy access of it’s varied cultural, educational and sporting facilities (incl. the Bath University modern sports complex) as well as those of Bradford on Avon, home of The Wiltshire Music Centre.

 

The Benefice is part of the Bradford on Avon Deanery and there is a growing desire to strengthen contact and participation with other Churches

both within the Benefice and the Deanery, particularly those in the Bradford Group, and also other non -Anglican churches in the area.

 

The Priest in Charge is supported in his work within the Benefice by an NSM, two Lay Readers of post-retirement age, (a third Lay Reader is in training), 4 Lay Pastoral Assistants (Winsley) and a youth worker (Winsley) as well as by Lay participation within each Parish particularly in Sunday School and Youth work. There is a part-time Administrator and the office computer has recently been up – graded.

 

The vision and mission of each of the parishes are focussed on growth through the building up of the spiritual knowledge and experience of existing church members which will in turn strengthen our programmes of outreach to both old and young within our communities  - recognising that families and young adults, in particular, are the future witnesses for the Gospel within the Benefice and beyond. We are seeking a new Priest in Charge who, with God’s guidance, will energetically lead and direct such a work within our communities and also identify, train and co-ordinate appropriate Lay participants.

 

The Rectory, located in Winsley, is adjacent to St Nicholas Church with direct access to the Church through the Churchyard. The house was built in 1983 and provides good family accommodation with four bedrooms one of which has an en suite shower, a bathroom, a lounge, a dining room, a good sized kitchen with separate utility area  and a study/ administration office. There is a pleasant, manageable garden and a separate double garage. The nearest primary school ,Winsley School (C of E) is a short walk from the Rectory while St Laurence School (C of E secondary) is c 1 ½ miles away in Bradford on Avon. There are two independent day schools in Bath and also three independent boarding/day schools each with a differing Christian foundation.

 

What are we looking for in our new priest? Our new Priest will be someone who:-

 

§   Will provide Bible teaching as a guide to practical daily Christian living

§   Will give spiritual guidance to those searching for faith in today’s world

§   Will encourage Bible study and prayer individually, collectively and in groups

§   Attracts young people and enjoys working with them

§   Is comfortable in churches which give a spiritual home to Christians of all

ages with diverse views

§   Will lead and co-ordinate pastoral care within the Benefice

§   Will encourage our pastoral team and the laity to use their gifts/skills for

God’s work in the parishes

§   Is a ‘team person’ able to work with clergy, readers and laity within the Benefice and with the clergy team within the Deanery

It would be an advantage for the Priest to have first hand experience of working with young people.

 

For further details please contact: The Archdeacon of Wilts, Southbroom House,

                                    London Rd, Devizes SN10 1LT  (01380-729808)

                                                              

Closing date for applications: Friday 18 March 2005

 

 

CHAPLAINCY

 

Manchester            The Chaplaincy, Manchester Airport – Senior Chaplain

 

Manchester Airport is the third largest airport in the UK, with an ecumenical Chaplaincy that has been established for 25 years.    The Chaplaincy is a company limited by guarantee and a Registered Charity.   The Board of The Chaplaincy wish to appoint a Senior Chaplain on the retirement of the present incumbent. 

 

This is an exciting and challenging role, which will be seen to take the Chaplaincy into the next phase of its service to this over-expanding airport.   The Board encourages applications from ordained clergy and authorised ministers who have wide-ranging and relevant practical and pastoral experience.

 

Applicants should have a broad experience of ministry within an industrial, economic, community environment.   You should be able to demonstrate managerial abilities to oversee and develop the work of the expanding Team, and to work creatively with the Board.

 

Closing date for the receipt of applications is 24 March 2005

 

For further details contact: The Chaplaincy, Manchester Airport, Manchester M90 1QX

Telephone 0161 489 2838

 

 

HOUSE FOR DUTY

 

Lincoln                 The Parishes of Caythorpe, Fulbeck and Carlton Scroop With Normanton

 

An experienced and committed priest is sought, to serve with a local ministry team.

 

These four attractive ‘Cliff’ villages are within easy reach of Grantham (London 75 minutes).  Accommodation is provided in the rectory at Caythorpe.

 

For further details and application forms from:  

 

Catherine Hartley, 243 Barrowby Road, Grantham.  Lincs.   NG31 8NP

 

 

Newcastle              Parishes of Shilbottle and Chevington, Northumberland

 

We are looking for a Priest to serve on a House for Duty basis within a small ministry team in east Northumberland. 

 

The parish of Chevington comprises several small communities, Hadston, Red Row, South Broomhill, which lie to the south of Amble and immediately inland from Druridge Bay and a new Country Park.  It has now been brought together with Shilbottle to the north.  In line with general policy within the diocese, the intention is that Shilbottle and Chevington will be worked together and that a ministry team, already beginning to develop with good lay support and the growth of Reader ministry, will share responsibility for ministry across the whole area.  There is a stipendiary Priest in Shilbottle, and the hope is that a Priest can be found to serve on a House for Duty basis, living in the Vicarage in Hadston, but being willing to give time within the team as a whole. There may also be the possibility of some part-time paid chaplaincy work.

 

The Vicarage is a good modern, four bedroom house.

 

The total population is around 4,500.  The communities are now in the course of considerable transition.  The mining roots are still evident in the local culture, whilst at the same time, there are increasing numbers who travel to work in Tyneside each day.  Encouraging this trend is housing development in both Shilbottle and Hadston.  Hadston is also adjacent to beautiful Druridge Bay, and a new Country Park extends from the village itself to the coastline.

 

To the north of Chevington lie Warkworth (4 miles),Alnmouth (8 miles) and Alnwick (11 miles), and to the west lies the Coquet Valley which is very much the gateway to the Cheviot Hills.

 

St John the Divine, Chevington stands in the Catholic tradition, whilst St James, Shilbottle is more middle of the road. Sunday attendances at Shilbottle are around 40 with 25-30 at Chevington.  Both churches are very much the churches of their local communities and attract much larger numbers for occasional offices, baptisms, funerals etc.

 

The terms of reference for House for Duty position in Newcastle Diocese are expressed in a working agreement between parish, diocese and priest.  The normal expectation of the person concerned is a time commitment of two days a week in addition to Sunday.  More precise details, for example in relation to pastoral visiting, any particular areas of expertise, for instance in training lay people for ministry, and such things as holiday entitlements, are worked out in relation to each specific place and set out in the agreement.  The parish is responsible for the Council Tax and Water Rate, and will reimburse working expenses up to an agreed amount which is subject to annual review.

 

If further details are required, or you wish to arrange a visit please do not hesitate to contact either:

 

The Ven. Bob Langley, Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, 4 Acomb Close, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2YH  Tel: 01670 503810  Fax 01670 503469  Email kca85@dial.pipex.com

 

Or: The Rev Mike Dixon, The Vicarage, Shilbottle, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2XR  Tel: 01665 575 800  Email  mdixon@fish.co.uk

 

 

York                     Sigglesthorne and Bewholme

 

A united benefice of three East Riding of Yorkshire rural parishes is being reduced to two – Sigglesthorne and Bewholme, with a total population of 921 and now seek a house-for-duty priest.  There is also within the benefice a retired priest who helps in both churches.   The vicarage -  a pleasant 1960’s house is  in Sigglesthorne, which is the larger of the two villages but in which the church life is very weak.    A priest with a smile, coming to share the life of Christ, would be much appreciated locally.

 

Enquiries to:   The Bishop of Hull, Hullen House, Woodfield Lane, Hessle, East Yorkshire.  HU13 0ES.  Telephone 01482 649019  Email richard@bishop.karoo.co.uk