The Fellows of Christ Church, Oxford, the Bishop of Reading and the Benefice of Easthampstead are looking to appoint a:

Rector - Easthampstead Benefice, Bracknell Deanery, Berkshire.

We are a parish rooted in sacramental worship, with a liberal and inclusive approach to social issues and theology. We have embraced a mixed-economy approach across several worship congregations and three locations (one an LEP), serving one of the largest parishes in the Church of England, covering the southern half of the flourishing town of Bracknell.

We are praying for a Rector of prayer, energy and discernment, who is ambitious for the growth of God’s kingdom, has the ability to enthuse others and can shape and develop a vision by involving everyone.
For more information please see our Parish Profile, Person Specification and Role Description which are linked below.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact:
The Ven Stephen Pullin, email: archdeacon.berkshire@oxford.anglican.org
Tel: 07435 798846

All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.
Closing date for applications: Mon 3 April 2023
Interview Day: Tuesday 25 April 2023.

There are areas of ministry we do well:

• eucharistic worship and a strong choral tradition
• a confident and inclusive welcome
• pastoral care
• ministry to children up to 11 and to schools.

We are grateful for the benefits the parish enjoys:
• a benefice with two full-time stipendiary priests when at full strength
• an excellent Parish Administrator and team of dedicated volunteers
• an accomplished Director of music and choir
• a beautiful and well-cared-for church building
• a large Parish Centre as well as a refreshment/fellowship room adjacent to the church
• a spacious modern Rectory
• a churchyard which provides an ecological oasis.

But we are aware of challenges too and these we are keen to tackle. We are looking for an incumbent who can help us to achieve these aims.
• we want to re-energize growth, deepen discipleship and grow new disciples through reaching out to people in new ways which complement our existing worship
• in particular, we recognize that we need to develop our mission to young people.
• we want to be a church which in its facilities and its people is an asset to the community. We seek opportunities to engage with the community and support those in need.
• we recognize the need to review our parish structures and develop our activities to meet changing needs.

We thank you for reading this and showing an interest in our parish. This is a strong church family serving a thriving parish and we seek to build on this. We have gone through a period of prayer and discernment in thinking about our future, about what we are called to be in this time and how best to serve God. We seek to appoint a Rector who shares our vision and commitment. We need someone of discernment, who is ambitious for the growth of God’s kingdom, with energy and the ability to enthuse others; someone who can help shape and develop a vision by involving everyone. The parish is busy, with a wide variety of activities. We are fortunate in having a volunteer workforce of some 40 people whose input is essential to the running of the parish. Our next Rector needs to be a highly organized line manager.

Together as a Diocese we are engaged on a journey towards a Common Vision of what it means to be a Christ-like Church, and what we are therefore called to do together. Under the leadership of Bishop Steven, we are guided on this journey by the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-11) which shows us that to be more Christ-like means becoming more contemplative, compassionate and courageous.

We are also seeking to understand where God wants us to focus our energies and will be exploring six potential focus areas over the coming year:

• To make a bigger difference in the world and serve the poor
• To share our faith with adults, children and young people and grow the church in every place; rural, urban and suburban
• To plant new churches and congregations everywhere we can
• To serve every school in our community
• To put the discipleship of all at the heart of our common life and set God’s people free.