Semi-Rural Ministry in Cheshire

St Paul’s Helsby and St Luke’s Dunham-on-the-Hill

We are seeking a full-time incumbent for this busy benefice of central tradition. The two villages are between Chester and Frodsham, with excellent transport links. This is an important and exciting missional opportunity. There are strong community links and a desire to reach out to younger generations, including work with Helsby High School. A good, spacious vicarage is provided.

In particular, we are seeking someone who is:

• A good spiritual leader and communicator – able to work with the full age range;
• Experienced in pastoral care and in leading worship;
• Capable of enabling parishioners to develop their skills and talents to their full potential for the overall benefit of the Church in both parishes;
• Capable of further developing the Lay Ministry within our churches;
• Able to delegate tasks as appropriate – to allow more time for Pastoral Care, Mission and Planning;
• Able to maintain and build on the links with other churches in the area;
• Capable of maintaining a visible presence within, and engaging with, all the communities (settled and traveller) of both parishes.
• Able to encourage the congregations in living out their faith in everyday life;
• Able to provide leadership on safeguarding and encourage all to contribute toward creating a safer church.

In recent years, the post was linked with a small diocesan role which is no longer available. In recognition of the missional importance of the post, the diocese and parishes have agreed to bring the incumbency back up to a full-time role. The parishes are working to an agreed plan to get back to sustaining a full parish share over the next three years. For that reason, the post will in the first instance be designated as a three-year interim role under Section 29 of the Ecclesiastical (Terms of Service) Regulations. After three years, the post is renewable for up to a further three years, and if all goes well, will in due course be made into a permanent post.

Closing date for applications: 15 January

Interviews: 7 February

Prospective applicants are welcome to discuss the post with the archdeacon:

The Ven Dr Michael Gilbertson

Archdeacon of Chester

01928 718834 ext 253
07921 040154

michael.gilbertson@chester.anglican.org

CHESTER

Applications should by preference be made to the Archdeacon of Chester USING THE DIOCESAN APPLICATION FORM available on the website

Incumbent for Helsby and Dunham-on-the-Hill - Diocese of Chester (anglican.org)

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.