Our two parishes serve the town of Sandwich and village of Worth on the east Kent coast have a combined and growing population of about 8,000. On the retirement of our previous Rector, we are ready to build on the ministry we currently exercise and revitalise it for today's society.

Sandwich provides a local hub for Worth and the other rural villages in the area. There are good transport links into Kent, London and the Continent.

We will actively support your development of:

• A revitalised pastoral outreach
• The depth and quality of our worship
• Enlightened Christian education in our churches, communities and schools
• Sustainable and generous stewardship of creation in our churches and neighbourhoods
• Open engagement with our church neighbours, the deanery and diocese.

Your personal catholic commitment affirms the ministry of all, projects your faith and is an enabling collaborative leadership of open-minded vision and imagination.

Application Closing Date: 27^th April 2023

Benefice Visit & Interviews: 23^rd & 24^th May 2023

Any queries initially to the Archdeacon of Ashford’s PA, Louise Mills: louise.mills@archdeacashford.org or 01233 712649.

We will support - and want to be supported by - someone who exhibits most of these characteristics:

1. A strong personal catholic faith with a commitment to deepen their own theological understanding in their journey of life and prayer.
2. Affirms the ministry of all - lay and ordained, male and female.
3. Projects their faith both informally and formally, including preaching.
4. Has collaborative leadership skills, is an enabler and encourager who has the ability to set and articulate their vision and is able to position and develop people according to their gifts and qualities.
5. A commitment to the parishes, the town and village, all our church neighbours, the deanery, the diocese and wider church.
6. A warm personality with a good sense of humour, accessible and approachable with the ability to relate and interact with young and old alike and who sees and brings out the best in all people whatever their circumstances.
7. Imagination, an open mind, flexibility and adaptability, and has the courage to act, lead and inspire.