The people of the United Benefice of Lower Swale, in the Diocese of Leeds, extend a warm welcome to whoever is called upon by God to serve amongst them. The community is in the Vale of York, set between the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors, near the County town of Northallerton. We are looking forward to welcoming a House for Duty Priest to support the Rector in the ministry of the Benefice, sharing and inspiring their future plans for developing the Christian ministry and mission.

The closing date is Sunday 14^th March 2021

The shortlisting meeting will be held on Monday 22nd March 2021

The Interviews will be held on Wednesday 14th April 2021 (due to the current lockdown please be aware that the interviews may be held via Zoom)

If the interviews are held via Zoom an in-person visit ahead of the interview, in compliance with current COVID regulations, will hopefully be possible.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Revd. Jenni Lane by telephone 01609 631122 or by email jenni.lane@leeds.anglican.org

We are seeking a House for Duty Priest with a clear understanding of the ever-changing needs of the Church in the 21st Century; someone who will commit to our United Benefice and work alongside our Rector to grow and develop the Benefice now and in the future. This will involve:-

• Working alongside the Rector to develop strategies to maintain and increase our congregations
• Taking an active role in promoting the Christian faith within our local schools
• Being involved in the life of the community as a visible face of the Church
• Working with the Rector and our Ministry Team to widen and strengthen the links between the Church and the communities it serves within the Benefice
• Supporting and developing the ongoing work with children, young people and their families
• Supporting the Rector in addressing the pastoral needs of our United Benefice
• Working with the Rector and Treasurers to promote financial stability and sustainable growth
• Working alongside the Rector in developing and sustaining the Baptism and Confirmation programme within the Benefice
• Working alongside the Rector in developing and sustaining the calendar of Marriage Services within the Benefice, meeting with couples and taking services, as required

We are seeking someone with an outgoing and friendly personality who will embrace the life of our rural communities and who will demonstrate:-

• The ability to promote accessible inclusive worship and social cohesion across the whole United Benefice and the wider community
• Good communication and listening skills
• Empathy for, and an understanding of, rural ministry
• Energy and enthusiasm for multi-parish ministry
• Good inter-personal skills
• Experience in developing Christian faith and working with children and families
• A good team player
• An ability to teach and nurture in a way that is understandable to people of all ages

The Diocese of Leeds comprises five Episcopal Areas, each coterminous with an Archdeaconry. This is now one of the largest dioceses in the country and its creation is unprecedented in the history of the Church of England. It covers an area of around 2,425 square miles, and a population of around 2,642,400 people.

The three former dioceses were created in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to cater for massive population changes brought about by industrialisation and, later, mass immigration. The diocese comprises major cities (Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield), large industrial and post-industrial towns (Halifax, Huddersfield, Dewsbury), a spa town (Harrogate), market towns (Skipton, Ripon, Richmond and Wetherby), and deeply rural areas (the Dales). The whole of life is here, along with all the richness, diversity and complexities of a changing world.

The Diocesan Bishop (The Rt Rev’d Nick Baines) is assisted by five Area Bishops (Bradford, Huddersfield, Kirkstall, Wakefield and Ripon) and five archdeacons (Bradford, Halifax, Leeds, Pontefract, Richmond & Craven). The Bishop of Ripon is the Rt Rev’d Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.

Our vision as the Diocese is about confident clergy equipping confident Christians to live and tell the good news of Jesus Christ. For all of our appointments we are seeking clergy who have a joyful and confident faith which has inspired a track record of church growth, both numerically and spiritually.