Earley is a thriving and diverse community close to the University of Reading. You would be supported by a strong and capable PCC, Lay Ministry team and many able lay people. We are an active church catering for a wide range of parishioners and providing a broad range of activities.
Closing date for Applications: Sunday 21st May 2023
Interviews: Wednesday 14th June 2023
All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.
A Message from Reading Deanery
Reading Deanery is very excited about the opportunity to welcome the next Vicar of Earley St Peter’s. The parish plays an important role in the life of our deanery, and this vacancy is a fantastic opportunity to recruit someone with energy and passion for parish ministry. Working with a strong team of lay leaders, this role will suit someone who is passionate about building community through strong relationships and helping the local church to be at the heart of their local community. The single ‘campus’ of church, hall and church school, provides a really strong base from which to minister with and to this community. The tradition of the church, in the centre ground of the Church of England, will suit someone who is energised by liturgy and choral music and wants to see it at the heart of their ministry. I have been very encouraged by the church’s commitment to children and young people’s ministry, which over the last few years has resulted in a change to the profile of the congregation. I completely endorse their desire for this important ministry to continue. The new vicar will want to continue this work and bring fresh vision and energy to a church that is in good heart and wants to continue to grow. This is an exciting role for someone who wants to flourish in urban ministry, in a diverse setting with a church sensing God’s call to engage more and more with the context in which they find themselves.
Reverend Mike Smith, Area Dean
Mission and Outreach
Leadership and working collaboratively
Worship and preaching
Pastoral Care
Stewardship and benefice organisation
We will look to our new vicar to continue to develop our vision of an outward-looking church for all, moving forward together with Christ.
This means:
• leading mature and thoughtful all-age worship
• preaching in a way which clearly connects the Gospel with people’s daily lives
• engaging with and providing pastoral support to people of all ages and backgrounds
• identifying and helping us respond to opportunities for mission
• empowering and managing the volunteer team, sharing leadership generously
In addition we are looking for someone who will:
• cherish the liturgical and musical tradition of St Peter’s and also work creatively to develop additional forms of worship
• work closely with the Church School, doing regular assemblies and sitting on the Governing Body
• build links with individuals and community organisations whose involvement with the Church is limited
• organise resources effectively to meet a large number of demands All of this should be underpinned by a strong personal faith, a deep prayer life and a passion for learning and development.