We invite applications from priests with an enthusiasm for rural ministry, who want to see the church making a real difference in an area of distinct social need in this parish on the Lincolnshire/Norfolk border.
This 0.5 post is the equivalent of Sundays plus 3 other days per week. The diocese has agreed to a 2 year interim post, to cover the transition to a new pattern of deployment that will be part of the diocesan vision for Resourcing a Sustainable Church. The post holder would be expected to help the parish work towards this vision and take an active part in discussions and decision making about how this is implemented within the deanery.
There is scope, (but no requirement as such) for adding into this post the additional responsibility of becoming the Deanery Lay Training Officer – if this is you, we would like you to have a heart for the nurturing of lay vocations and experience and enjoyment of facilitating Adult Education.
For further information or an informal conversation about this post please contact:
The Ven Justine Allain Chapman (Archdeacon of Boston) – archdeacon.boston@lincoln.snglican.org
Tel - 01522 504039
or Rev’d Canon Rosamund Seal (Rural Dean of Elloe East) – rosamund.seal@btinternet.com
Tel – 01406 424989
This post represents an opportunity to join the deanery of Elloe East at a time of renewed optimism and hope for the future and to help contribute to shaping the future of both the benefice and the deanery as part of the diocesan vision for Resourcing a Sustainable Church. St Matthew’s Sutton Bridge has traditionally been part of the Central Anglican tradition, but it has also experienced and enjoyed a less formal and more evangelical form of worship in recent years. Though the parish would like someone who is comfortable with using Common Worship liturgies, churchmanship is far less important to them than getting the right priest with the right gifts for the job.
There are significant challenges here. Some families have lived here for generations, some older people have retired here because of the relatively low cost of housing. There is a lot of social housing, a high number of single parent families, a significant number of migrant workers who work in the food processing industries and significantly low aspirations among many of its young people.
This is a post for a mission-focused parish priest, with a heart for the community, and an opportunity to make a real difference and has considerable scope for development.
We are looking for a person of prayer who will:
For more information about this application process, please use this link
What we can offer:
We will support our new priest by:
Full expenses of office will be reimbursed. It is expected that the priest will take their time off as well as their annual pro rata holiday entitlement. The importance of study leave, Spiritual Direction and an annual retreat is recognised. They will be encouraged to use this provision to enhance their ministry and our own.
Closing Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Parish Visit: Yet to be confirmed
Interview Date: Sutton Bridge, Wednesday, January 20, 2021