Vacancies

Vacancies2024-04-23T12:44:54+01:00

Priest in Charge (0.5) St Chad, Bradford

September 10th, 2024|

St Chad’s is a traditional Anglican Catholic inner city parish with a predominantly Asian Muslim population, and (according to Church Urban Fund statistics) is one of the top 1% most deprived in England.  Nearly 90% of the population are of global majority heritage and nearly 40% of adults have no qualifications.  The rates of pensioner poverty are also amongst the highest in the Diocese of Leeds.
The Diocese of Leeds is committed to retaining an engaged presence in such challenging contexts.  We are also committed to ensuring that a flourishing, viable and welcoming ecclesial presence in the Catholic tradition of the Anglican church continues in the Bradford Episcopal Area. St Chad’s is one of two parishes in the city of Bradford that have passed a resolution of the Bishops and Priest (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure of 2014.
A ministry of some 47 years from a previous vicar ended in 2016, after which the church has had Interim Ministry.  The objectives for the Interim Ministry included assessing whether the future of St Chad’s lay more in being a centre of Catholic worship and mission within the Diocese of Leeds, or in focusing on its immediate parish context in outreach and service.  Some growth was seen from the former, supported by improvements to the parish website, and 90% of those on the electoral roll now live outside the parish.   However, the PCC has also retained a commitment to the latter.
Our vision as the Diocese is about confident clergy equipping confident Christians to live and tell the good news of Jesus Christ so that churches grow and communities are transformed.  For this post, we are seeking a priest with a joyful and confident faith which can inspire church growth, both spiritually and numerically.   We are also seeking someone who is able to lead this congregation with love and sensitivity through challenging times, navigate St Chad’s distinctive liturgical practices with skilful reverence, and manage required changes well.
Thanks to a generous three year grant from the Additional Curates Society (ACS), we are able to make a 0.5 stipend appointment of a priest-in-charge (three days a week plus Sundays) for an initial three years.  This timescale offers a helpful impetus to continue progressing the main emphases of the Interim Ministry, namely:
  • Providing further evidence that the church can flourish, with growth and sustainability;
  • Agreeing and implementing changes needed to develop and establish St Chad’s as a Catholic centre of worship and mission within the Diocese;
  • Contributing to thinking about the best provision within the city of Bradford for worship and pastoral provision with Extended Episcopal Oversight for Anglicans who are not persuaded by the Church of England’s decision to ordain women – including any possible pastoral reorganisation which might support this;
  • Helping the parish to play an appropriately full part in the life of the deanery, wider Episcopal Area and Diocese, in particular working with the neighbouring parish of Girlington, Heaton and Manningham in reaching out to the local community, not least through schools.
In view of the time-limited funding, an appropriate monitoring process will be put in place, with a review point at the end of two years at the latest, so consideration can be given to what should happen when ACS’s current generous grant ends (for example there is a possibility of the grant being extended).
The closing date for applications is 17 November 2024 with interviews planed for 29 November 2024.

For an informal conversation or further details contact:

The Bishop of Beverley
Email: office@seeofbeverley.org.uk

Or

Archdeacon Andy Jolley
Email: andy.jolley@leeds.anglican.org

General information about the post can be found in the Role Description and Person Specification here.

All enquiries concerning the parishes listed below should be directed to the Bishop of Beverley’s Office unless otherwise indicated.
All appointments are of a parish priest unless otherwise stated. Details of the terms of the appointment are usually available with the parish details.

Priest in Charge of Cowpen St Benedict

June 18th, 2024|

The Bishop of Newcastle wishes to appoint a full-time priest to the Benefice of Cowpen St Benedict in Blyth.

Might God be calling you to be part of re-igniting faith in Cowpen?

This post is a new partnership between the Additional Curates Society and Newcastle Diocese, initially for three years, to revitalise the Christian community in the Cowpen estate which forms part of the town of Blyth. The community is set within the historic context of Northumberland’s Christian and industrial heritage, yet they are focussed on contemporary challenges including deprivation and social inclusion with opportunities in the role the church still plays at times of celebration, grief and change.

The people of St Benedict’s are praying for an energetic, courageous priest, willing to engage with people and communicate the Gospel to different ages groups in ways that brings the Word alive in their daily lives. The PCC have asked for extended episcopal care from the Bishop of Beverley. The church building is modern and well placed, with a great community garden space. Whilst the post is initially for three years there is a strong commitment from the diocese and ACS to support mission and ministry in the parish and build on work begun in this initial three-year period. There are also growing relationships with neighbouring parishes across the town.

This is an opportunity for an energetic, entrepreneurial priest to build something from the ground up and see innovative ideas turn into concrete action – to discern where God is already at work and to join in and work with the Spirit to share faith and be part of building the Kingdom in Blyth.

The Bishop of Beverley writes: Thank you for your willingness to consider Cowpen St Benedict as the next phase in your priestly ministry. This is a role with enormous potential for both the priest and people of the parish.  The Diocese of Newcastle, in partnership with the Additional Curates Society, is committed to supporting mission and renewal in Cowpen and will provide all appropriate support, as will I as in my capacity as Bishop of Beverley. Do be in touch if you would like a conversation with me as you pray about your future ministry

Closing Date: 26 July 2024

For an informal conversation or further details contact:

The Bishop of Beverley
Email: office@seeofbeverley.org.uk

Or

The Archdeacon of Northumberland
Tel 0191 270 4157 • 07469 950198
Email: northumberland@newcastle.anglican.org

More information of the Diocese of Newcastle Website

All enquiries concerning the parishes listed below should be directed to the Bishop of Beverley’s Office unless otherwise indicated.
All appointments are of a parish priest unless otherwise stated. Details of the terms of the appointment are usually available with the parish details.

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