Could you be the next vicar of this market town, where the church is at the centre and the community wants their vicar to be a visible sign of God’s presence among them?

• St Mary’s Clitheroe is a civic, landmark building in the centre of the market town of Clitheroe with a strong musical and eucharistic tradition
• Clitheroe is a vibrant, energetic and growing market town with a strong sense of community and excellent shops (including Booth’s!)
• The benefice includes three other beautiful churches in good order, serving the community of Low Moor and the villages of Chatburn and Downham
• There is in post a wonderful stipendiary colleague who has oversight of two of the four churches, and active retired clergy
• There is able lay leadership across the four parishes with good administrative support
• The Parishes have strong links with local schools, including Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and a Church School at Chatburn
• The parishes meet their parish share in full

We are looking for a priest who will:

• Seek to develop the potential of the people, buildings and resources of our churches so that we grow as “healthy churches transforming our community”
• Help us to make disciples, be witnesses, grow leaders and inspire children and young people for Jesus Christ, within the Diocese of Blackburn’s Vision 2026
• Develop and strengthen the ministry to young people both in schools and in church organisations.
• Enjoy, appreciate and work with the variety of worship offered by four different parishes within one Benefice, from contemporary to Book of Common Prayer

The priest we are praying for is:

• Someone who communicates the Gospel clearly and accessibly and helps the congregation to live it.
• Someone who will rejoice in the Eucharistic and choral traditions of the Parishes and will enjoy leading both traditional and more informal forms of worship.
• A “Heart in Heaven and feet on the ground” person who is approachable and a good listener and who will have a strong ministry of presence across the communities

For information about Blackburn diocese please follow this link https://jobs.churchofengland.org/blackburn/vision-2026/

For information on making an application through Pathways please follow this link

https://jobs.churchofengland.org/HELP/candidate-faq/

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Area Dean, Jonathan Carmyllie (Email: j.carmyllie@btinternet.com, Telephone 01254 824679)

Closing date for applications: Thursday 2nd March 12 noon

Interview date: Friday 24th March