Oswaldtwistle - unforgettable name, unrivalled opportunity!

Are you a mission-hearted priest with courage to pray, ambition to serve and love for people?

Oswaldtwistle is a small former cotton town, adjacent to Accrington in Lancashire, with a village atmosphere and a strong sense of community.

Our appointing Bishop Jill Duff writes:

‘Oswaldtwistle derives its names from “Oswald” and “Twistle”. Twistle is old English meaning “meeting of brooks”. My hope and prayer for this season is that our town may be a place of meeting Jesus, out thirst-quenching water of life. King Oswald passed through this area in the 7^th Century giving the area its title “Oswald’s Twistle. He was a missionary king of great courage who loved his people. I am praying for a mission-hearted priest, with courage to pray and serve with ambition and love the people of Oswaldtwistle.’

We are one Church in three worship centres, Immanuel, All Saints’ and St. Paul’s, joined together to form the Parish of Oswaldtwistle in 2017, with one PCC. Our church buildings are distinct, each with committed congregations and with facilities that suit different activities and different worship styles.

We serve a settled community with a proud history, where there is big potential for growth. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a team of committed people who are prepared to get stuck in. We are looking forward to welcoming a new vicar with the energy and experience to guide us into a new phase of regrowth.

The Bishop of Lancaster and our parish are looking to appoint a priest who:

• feels a genuine call to love and serve the parish and people of Oswaldtwistle,
• is willing to honour and grow each of our churches in their respective style and tradition, and to have a heart for each,
• honours tradition, but who is not afraid to do things differently
• is resilient, self-caring and able to manage and maintain a healthy work life balance,
• will be a visible presence in the community, encouraging an outward facing culture of discipleship throughout the congregations,
• can develop and grow links with people of all ages in the wider community,
• values and builds relationships with schools and youth organisations.

We offer a strong leadership team with a self-supporting priest, two licensed lay ministers, one authorised local minister and a pastoral team. We are also hoping to appoint a full-time Families and Children’s Worker.

For an informal conversation about the post, please contact the Area Dean: Revd Canon David Arnold (david.arnold@blackburn.anglican.org)

For information about Blackburn diocese please follow this link https://jobs.churchofengland.org/blackburn/vision-2026/

For information on making an application through Pathways please follow this link https://jobs.churchofengland.org/HELP/candidate-faq/

Closing date for applications: 12 noon, Monday 24th July 2023

Interview date: Friday 18th August 2023