Roche and St Dennis are two quintessentially Cornish village parishes in the heart of Cornwall’s ‘clay country’.

We are seeking a faith-filled, inspiring and friendly priest who will help our two churches grow and work together as our parishes become a new benefice; someone who can enable us to connect further with our communities, especially the young, through our worship, activities and buildings, and who can help up to play our part in the wider deanery plan.

If you would relish the opportunity to be involved in village life, you will help us to be creative, embracing the new whilst also honouring our traditions, and you have the gifts to give a pastoral lead whilst identifying and raising up others in ministry, we invite you to explore this opportunity.

This part-time post attracts 0.5 stipend and a house.
The pattern of ministry comprises 3 days per week plus Sunday duties.

The parishes of Roche and St Dennis have been part of an informal cluster for several years and are moving towards becoming a new benefice. Therefore, we want to work with our new priest to:

• Ensure both church parishes work seamlessly together and function as a single entity.
• Promote Christian faith throughout the community, by having the churches involved in those communities. This may be through music, charities, publications, events, bell ringing and other activities.
• Work with all groups within our communities including other churches, schools, bands, choirs, families and businesses.
• Support worship in the community with a range of services; Holy Communion, Service of the Word, services for special festivals and events (e.g. Remembrance, Easter, Carol service) and to explore other culturally relevant services or ways of worshipping and growing. E.g. Online services and learning groups (Bible classes, Lent groups, Advent groups etc.)
• Help us explore how our church buildings can be more open, accessible and of use in and for the communities
• Support the further implementation of the St Austell Deanery Plan in the western area.

• approachable, friendly and outgoing with the ability to relate easily to a wide range of people;
• willingness to be part of the whole community of the parishes;
• welcoming, inclusive and caring;
• inspiring, challenging and able to embrace change and help us to do the same.

Roche and St Dennis are parishes in the central area of Cornwall. Both parishes have their origins in the China Clay industry and agriculture, and have expanded through the years to accommodate and support these activities. They are both quintessential Cornish working villages. Today, with modern techniques and technology, the major two industries are no longer the main employers they once were and the parishes now play a large part in the support of all manner of industries in the local area and beyond. The future of our villages has changed and our churches need to change to accommodate this.

The two parish churches are appreciated within our communities as village assets, where the traditional ceremonies of baptism, marriage and funerals are conducted and the festivals of Easter and Christmas are celebrated.

Closing date: Tuesday 30^th May 12noon

Parish Visiting Day: 21^st June

Interviews: 22^nd June

For an informal chat about the benefice:

Archdeacon of Bodmin, The Ven Kelly Betteridge, Email: kelly.betteridge@truro.anglican.org

Rural Dean, Revd Howard Flint, Email: vicar@staustellparish.uk