CPAS as Patron of St Nicholas Elmdon and the Bishop of Birmingham as Patron of St Mary’s Hobs Moat seek a new incumbent for the two parishes, to be held in plurality.

St Mary’s Hobs Moat and St Nicholas Elmdon are two neighbouring suburban parishes complementing each other within the town of Solihull, forming part of the West Midlands conurbation.

Both churches want very much to grow and to deepen their engagement with the local community. The two congregations value their distinct traditions - St. Nicholas is evangelical and robes are rarely worn there, whilst at St. Mary’s the Eucharist is central and worship is more catholic in style.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a lively faith, bringing passion and energy to their work.
• Cares deeply about people and demonstrates this with their time and attention.
• Brings together Bible-based teaching with practical social action.
• Is outward looking, seeking to bring the Good News of Jesus to our community.
• Help to foster both churches in their ministries of welcome and hospitality.
• Is interested in and committed to reaching people of all ages, particularly children, youth and families.
• Is a team worker who will support, encourage, and develop the existing lay involvement in leadership of services, preaching and discipleship.
• Will value the breadth of our traditions and adapt to many different contexts.

St. Mary’s enjoys a strategic location beside a key bus route, local shops and amenities – and with a large campus of well used buildings.

St. Nicholas’ is a Georgian building that has been extended to offer good facilities and flexible space. It’s situated at the highest point in Solihull at the centre of a large and popular park. The new incumbent will live in the modern Elmdon vicarage which has a recently refitted kitchen and enclosed garden.

The shared missional context includes relatively new estates and former council housing, proximity to Birmingham Airport and the National Exhibition Centre and, between the parishes, Jaguar Land-Rover, employing many local people. Both parishes have good links with local schools.

The Archdeacon of Birmingham, Jenny Tomlinson jennyT@cofebirmingham.com welcomes informal enquiries about this role.

A Diocesan Profile for this post should be read prior to submitting an application, this is available from the HR Support Officer, Chris Booth who can be emailed on ChrisB@cofebirmingham.com

For more information including Parish Profiles and to apply please click here

(Please do not apply through the Pathways Portal, please apply using the link above.)

Closing date: Midnight 16 October

Visits and interviews: 8 and 9 November

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, particularly those
under-represented including persons of Global Majority Heritage.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment. All appointments to roles undertaking regulated activity are subject to pre-appointment checks, including a references and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.

The Bishop, the Rt Revd David Urquhart, looks for priests to serve as incumbents who have the capacity to grow local church in spiritual depth, in numbers, in confident witness, and in serious engagement with their community. Central to this is the task of identifying, encouraging and endorsing the ministry of others and entrusting them with real responsibility in the work of mission and outreach.

The priest appointed to this role must have been ordained in the Church of England or a church in communion with it and must have exercised at least three years ordained ministry. Those applying to be considered must have the right to work in the UK as this vacancy has does not yet qualify to sponsor a visa. The priest appointed will be an office holder under Common Tenure, and the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations will apply.

It is important that the priest appointed plays a full part in the life of the deanery, particularly Chapter and Synod, and in the wider programmes of the Diocese. Opportunities for ecumenical collaboration should also be pursued, and good relationships sought with other faith communities.