We are looking for a talented priest who will inspire and revitalise the ministry of the Parish within our team and wider community.

There are six primary schools within the Parish including the two Voluntary Aided CofE schools linked to our two churches. Woolston has seen some major changes over the last sixty years with new houses, schools, shops, doctors’ surgeries and churches. It is a pleasant, residential area that has one of the highest socio-economic profiles in the diocese. It is easily accessed from Junction 21 on the M6 or by local bus services from Warrington and Manchester.

Traditionally part of Lancashire, the Parish of Birchwood and Woolston is now within the Unitary Authority of Warrington.

Woolston has seen some major changes over the last sixty years with new houses, schools, shops, doctors’ surgeries and churches. It is a pleasant, residential area that has one of the highest socio-economic profiles in the diocese. It is easily accessed from Junction 21 on the M6 or by local bus services from Warrington and Manchester.

Short Listing: Tuesday 7th February 2023

Interview Dates: Tuesday 28th February 2023

For more information please contact the Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington the Ven Simon Fisher on: simon.fisher@liverpool.anglican.org.uk

The Warrington East team consists of three parishes, Birchwood & Woolston, Padgate (Christchurch) and Cinnamon Brow (the Church of the Resurrection). The post-holder will be principally responsible for the parish of Birchwood and Woolston, which is a single parish but serves two distinct districts on the eastern edge of the town of Warrington.

Woolston - The Church of the Ascension: Was designed by George Pace and opened in 1970. It is situated on a village green owned by the church and is built to a modern design, giving flexibility in its use.

Birchwood - The Church of the Transfiguration: Built in 1978 The Worship Centre is part of a complex of buildings that includes the church, school and a community space

There are 80 on the electoral roll.

The Vicarage was extended in the early 1970s, and stands in its own grounds. On the first floor it has four bedrooms and a family bathroom, there is a large garden and has a detached garage

Our Team Partners:

Christ Church, Padgate: Christ Church, Padgate is a thriving worshipping community with, we believe, a strong sense of service to others. Christ Church was consecrated in 1838. The interior was reordered in the 1960’s by the distinguished church architect George Pace.

The Church of the Resurrection, Cinnamon Brow: This is a unique church in the heart of Blackbrook and Cinnamon Brow. Dedicated in 1989 it is the only church in the UK that is owned equally by the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church.

As well as your local responsibilities, as a leader in the Diocese of Liverpool you will be expected to:-

• Constantly advocate diocesan strategy
• Sign people up to the Rule of Life
• Nurture existing leaders and identify new ones
• Identify and commission teams
• Build and lead a leadership team
• Create a positive culture of accountability
• Establish connections between worshipping communities
• Attend to financial health of your worshipping communities

Our ideal candidate will

• embody a life shaped by regular prayer and study of Scripture
• teach and proclaim the Christian faith in Birchwood and Woolston
• encourage and embed a culture of serious discipleship and evangelism
• develop and use the gifts of lay and clergy leaders

Being part of the Clergy Team in Liverpool Diocese

For many years we have been working to achieve growth in our diocese. We have used different ways to express this but the aim and direction of travel has remained the same – consistent with the whole of the Church of England. Bishop Paul has articulated a vision for this growth by saying

“We are asking God for a bigger church so we can make a bigger difference”; said another way, “We long to see more people knowing Jesus and more justice in the world.”

To achieve this vision we are working to develop:

• 100 new congregations
• 1000 new leaders
• 10,000 new disciples

Further, we are asking every worshipping Christian in our diocese to:

1. Sign up to the Bishop of Liverpool’s rule of life which will encourage and support us to Pray, Read, Learn, Tell, Serve, Give, #RuleOfLife www.ruleoflife.org.uk
   
2. Bring 1 person into the regular worshipping and serving life of the church #BringOneFriend www.liverpool,anglican.org/BringOneFriend
   
3. Do 10 acts of service or find 10 new points of connection beyond the walls of the church #DoTenThings www.liverpool,anglican.org/DoTenThings