Semi-Rural Ministry on the Wirral

We are seeking a part-time priest-in-charge offering Sunday duties plus three days per week for this small benefice (population 2,600) in an attractive part of the Wirral. Overall, the church tradition is fairly central, although the incoming priest-in-charge will be someone who can relate well to a breadth of traditions. There is a desire to reach out to younger generations, building on good existing children’s work and strong links with the church school. An SSM Associate Minister serves in the parish. A good modern vicarage is provided in the village and there is a 40% stipend.

We are looking for a mission-minded new priest-in-charge who:

• is a disciple of Jesus Christ, a person of faith and prayer, loving God and neighbour, having the fruit of the Spirit and filled with an infectious and life transforming faith;
• has an inspirational and flexible approach to worship, making use of and
• can develop the gifts and talents in the congregation;
• can relate effectively to different generations and build up a ministry to all;
• can understand, interpret and teach the Word of God in formal and informal settings;
• will enhance and develop the leadership team with organisational and communication skills;
• will be forward thinking and to inspire and enthuse us to reach out and increase the size and make-up of our congregation;
• is community-minded and will minister in a way which is visible and accessible to people;
• will contribute to the life of the Church of England Primary School and help the church to develop further the working relationships with the school and with local youth organisations

The Archdeacon of Chester, The Venerable Michael Gilbertson is available for a conversation should you wish. Tel: 01928 718834 ext 253 or Email: michael.gilbertson@chester.anglican.org

Applications should by preference be made to the Archdeacon of Chester USING THE DIOCESAN APPLICATION FORM available on the website Priest-in-Charge of Willaston - Diocese of Chester (anglican.org)

Closing date for applications: 30 September 2022

Interviews: 19 October 2022

The Diocese of Chester is in the province of York in the Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion. For more information about our life, ministry and work please visit our website www.chester.anglican.org We are linked with the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and the Dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Diocese covers an area of 1025 square miles, approximately the old Victorian County of Chester, including parts which subsequently became absorbed into Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The Rivers Mersey and Tame approximately delineate the boundary with Liverpool and Manchester. There are areas of dense urban population, mainly in the north, stretching from Birkenhead to East Manchester. There are prosperous suburban regions of West and South Wirral, Chester and south of Manchester, with a mainly rural heartland, bounded by the Derbyshire Pennines and the Welsh Border. The overall population is around 1.6 million.

The Diocesan Bishop is Mark Tanner, Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty and the Bishop of Stockport is Samuel Corley.

The Cathedral for the Diocese is in Chester.

The Diocese is divided into two archdeaconries: Chester covering the western half and Macclesfield the eastern, each with nine deaneries. There are 273 parishes, about 100 of which can be described as rural. Compared with many dioceses, there are few teams, and few multi-parish benefices. There are approximately 231 stipendiary clergy. The ministry of Readers and Pastoral Workers is important, with over 400 licensed. The role of self-supporting ministers is increasing, with over 80 in post at present.

Roughly speaking, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield covers that part of the diocese to the east of the M6, plus the area around Crewe and Nantwich. The Archdeaconry of Chester covers the rest of the diocese to the west of the M6. Each archdeaconry has a broad mix of urban and rural parishes. The Archdeacon of Chester lives in Chester, and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield lives in Congleton. Both now work from Church House, Daresbury.