Following a period of interim ministry we are now seeking a gifted priest in charge who will walk with us, encourage and enable us to grow and serve God in the Hambleden Valley and beyond.

The Parishes of Hambleden (with Frieth and Skirmett), Fawley, Fingest, Medmenham and Turville have been a united Benefice for over 50 years. The benefice was suspended in 2020 to allow the appointment of an interim Priest-in-charge following a vacancy and the intention of the Archdeaconry is to lift the suspension of the Benefice in the near future.

• To help the benefice deliver its mission statement; ‘ To see our lives and communities transformed by the love of God’.
  
• To collaborate with, support and encourage our House for Duty Associate Priest in fulfilling her role and to work with her to agree a Ministerial Working Agreement that identifies honest and realistic expectations for both.
  
• To act as ex officio Governor of Frieth CEC Primary School, to share in leading collective worship, and to provide pastoral and practical support to the school community.
  
• To walk with congregations, encourage and enable them to grow and serve God in the valley and beyond.
  
• To balance the needs of individual churches whilst bringing the group together.
  
• To lead and manage the Director of Music and group administrator and have regular communication to ensure relevant communication is shared.
  
• To continue the twice monthly zoom meetings with churchwardens to support them and for them to support you.
  
• To act as Managing editor of Group Magazine, to include liaising with editor and signing it off before it goes to press.
  
• To act as Trustee for charities managed by the PCCs and including the Medmenham Church Cottages charity.
  
• To build on the success of thriving, supportive communities that are committed to nurturing a connection with God in the valley and beyond

We pray our new Priest- in-Charge will be:

• An assured person of deep faith who will lead us, teach us, encourage us in prayer and study of the scriptures, who is in touch with the realities of contemporary life and able to preach the Gospel creatively in this context.

• A person that loves people and has an authentic desire to bring out the best in them, who can identify and nurture talents in others, and enable them to release these gifts into the community.

• A person who is open to and familiar with different styles of worship, from BCP, Common worship, traditional sung Eucharist as well as more informal liturgies, and who will support Lay-Led initiatives.

• A person who lives out Christ’s example in our communities – who would enjoy getting to know all our villages, and to embrace their individuality; and a person who would want to engage and understand the people who live here, whether they are people of faith or none, who would not feel daunted when this requires travelling along narrow lanes, sometimes in the dark!

• A person who could nurture links with schools and encourage families and young people.

We can offer:

A warm welcome to whoever God sends to be our new priest.

A diverse group of parishes with a committed blend of friendly Lay people and Clergy who are keen to be supportive to our new Priest-in-Charge.

A beautiful setting in the heart of the Hambleden valley amongst the Chiltern countryside but near to Marlow and Henley on Thames.

A wonderful large family home with views across the Hambleden Valley.

A role that has ample room to develop a shared vision with the parishes.

For an informal discussion please contact the Archdeacon of Buckingham, telephone 01865 208266 or email the Archdeacons Office via heather.harris@oxford.anglican.org

Closing date: 22nd June 2023
Interviews: 10th/11th July 2023

Enhanced DBS Disclosure required