A rare opportunity has arisen to appoint a part time Priest in Charge for the Chatsworth villages in the glorious Peak District National Park.

We are looking for an outstanding and innovative leader to come and work with us to further the mission in our individual local contexts and to explore ways of engaging further with the visitors to Chatsworth House and wider home estate.

You will find an eclectic and friendly mix of people and supportive PCCs who are looking for someone to share our passion for the delights of the Book of Common Prayer - yet we are also open to other types of worship.

You will need to be pastorally gifted, inclusive and a discreet listener.

We will offer you a desirable 4 bedroomed house within Edensor Village, access to a wide range of benefits associated with the Chatsworth Estate along with outstanding schools, and of course the beauty of the National Park.

This is an exciting and challenging time for the Diocese of Derby. The Church of England is renewing its calling to be centred on Christ Jesus and shaped by Him. In the Diocese of Derby, we echo that call, as we re-articulate a vision for the next 7 years:

Vision: The Kingdom of God: Good News for All

Mission: To proclaim afresh in this generation the good news of the Kingdom

Values: Generous Faith - Courageous Hope – Life-Giving Love

Aims: Transformed Lives: Growing Church, Building Community

Interventions: Equipping people - Shaping structures – Sustaining resources for Mission

Within our new Archdeaconries, parishes and benefices in each deanery are engaging in Mission Action Planning towards a more sustainable future. We are looking to appoint a leader in mission who can work collaboratively across these rural churches, the Chatsworth Estate and within the deanery. The new Priest in Charge will be someone who can lead transformational change and work to enable village churches to thrive, serving and reaching out to their local communities and to visitors.

These parishes have remained strong through the last couple of years and are ready for new possibilities. Ministry in these parishes enjoys the support of the Cavendish Family and is shaped by the very prominent place that Chatsworth House plays in the surrounding villages. Core Sunday worship is traditional, committed to the use of the Book of Common Prayer, and attracts an eclectic congregation. However, there is opportunity for creativity and exploration of other forms of worship and church life building on the outreach that already exists with residents, employees and the many visitors the villages attract.

The parishes welcome thousands of tourists and many walkers, cyclists, horse- riders. It is a stopping point on the Peak Pilgrimage Trail, and there is considerable scope to further develop both visitor and tourist ministry, and Spirituality. They host traditional well-dressing ceremonies, engage with the local estate farmers, support the popular Edensor Day with involvement from Pilsely school and are desirable venues for visiting choirs, concert performances and lectures. Over the years they have also built up a considerable wedding ministry. In a new phase of ministry there is a desire to build on all these strengths and develop further a vision for contextual, local ministry.

Parishes across the Peak Deanery are facing significant missional transition with opportunity to reconsider shaping of ministry and resource that is fruitful and sustainable. We are looking to appoint a gospel hearted, compassionate and persistent pastoral enabling leader to build up the ministry across these parishes and support them in the exploration of partnerships and collaboration with neighbouring parishes. This is an ideal post for someone who is passionate about rural ministry, able work collaboratively within and beyond these parishes, to equip, shape and resource growing church and building community that God’s Kingdom may come.

We are praying for a leader who is –

• A leader in mission, committed to spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God and has a heart for the growth of our churches and across the Chatsworth Estate.
• An enabling, collaborative, innovative leader, empowering others to minister;
• Someone who values education and is keen to foster relationships with our own church school in Pilsley and schools in the wider Deanery.
• Outward facing and willing to work with us in the ministry of Tourism and explore the opportunities within the Chatsworth Estate and our sacred spaces, building on the use of social media in this outreach.
• Compassionate and energetic, able to provide pastoral care to those who live in the parishes.
• Someone who can build worship connections with our neighbours in the deanery and maintain wider diocesan relationships with organisations like the Padley Centre in Derby.
• Comfortable with and values the tradition to be committed to The Book of Common Prayer and be able to use this in a friendly and approachable way but is willing to explore wider worship styles and common worship as appropriate.

This post is part-time (3 days + Sundays).

For further information and to apply, please see:

https://derby.anglican.org/en/about-us/vacancies.html