The Benefice of Lower Wharfedale comprises three parishes in ten villages, situated in the valley of the River Wharfe between Leeds and Harrogate. These rural communities are looking for a Rector to who will provide confident priestly leadership, model prayerfulness, encourage discipleship, grow lay ministries and be a sign of grace and blessing throughout the benefice. The new incumbent will supported by lay ministers and active retired clergy, and there is an excellent modern rectory.

For an informal conversation please do contact the Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven, the Venerable Jonathan Gough, via his PA, Mrs Chloe Drummond, Email: chloe.drummond@leeds.anglican.org

Closing Date: 21st June

Shortlisting Date: 3rd July

Interview Date: 17th July

The Benefice requires a rector to provide confident priestly leadership, model prayerfulness, encourage discipleship, grow lay ministries and be a sign of grace and blessing in the communities whilst remaining true to our six shared values; leadership, faith, compassion, commitment, community and vision. Whilst all parishes share these values, each is unique and has differing needs. We therefore require a priest who will live among the people and has the ability to adapt to these differing needs and who will engage in and care about rural and social matters. It is essential that the new rector is sociable, confident in initiating conversations and keen to participate in the life of all villages. The parishes seek a priest who will inspire the faithful, develop their discipleship and pilgrimage, and strengthen them as Christians, getting to know the communities and their visitors with imagination and creativity. The new incumbent is required to encourage and develop lay leadership. You will be supported by committed and very capable Wardens and Readers, retired clergy, and an administrator.

The benefice is part of the very active and supportive Harrogate deanery in the Ripon Episcopal Area. The Diocese of Leeds is committed to your on-going training, development and well-being. A full driving licence is essential.

• Experience of working in clergy and lay teams
• Ability to work to a Safeguarding Policy
• Engagement with and pastoral support for people of all ages; particularly a experience of developing ministry to draw others into missing age gaps
• Love of the sacramental and a commitment to the Eucharist
• An effective communicator, teacher and preacher
• Proven ability and motivation to work both within and beyond church structures
• Experience of working with schools and school-age children
• Ability to establish a rapport with a wide range of people – Christians and non-Christians – in a variety of contexts
• Ability to initiate and manage change
• Willingness to deliver worship styles across all Anglican traditions

The Diocese of Leeds was formed at Easter 2014. It is one of the largest dioceses in the country covering an area of around 2,425 square miles, and a growing population of around 2,642,400 people. The diocese comprises five Episcopal areas, each served by a suffragan (area) bishop. Each Episcopal Area is coterminous with an Archdeaconry.

The Diocesan Vision, informed by the values of ‘loving, living, learning’ is: ‘confident Christians, growing churches, transforming communities and so helping share the Good News of Jesus Christ across our Diocese’. This Vision is embedded into the Diocesan Strategy and Goals and expressed in meaningful ways across the episcopal areas.

The Diocese is a blend of urban and rural in all their diversity. This includes the major cities of Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield; the large industrial and post-industrial towns of Halifax, Huddersfield and Dewsbury; the market towns of Harrogate, Skipton, Ripon (classed as a small city), Richmond and Wetherby; and the deeply rural area of the Yorkshire Dales. It covers several civic and parliamentary boundaries.

The Diocese is unique in having three cathedrals; Bradford, Ripon and Wakefield. The Deans of the Cathedrals work together and continue to look to fresh ways of sharing ideas and engaging in projects of mutual interest.