St Martin’s Trustees as Patrons together with the Bishop seek a Vicar for this parish (population 12,200) whose residents reflect a range of faiths and ethnicities, straddling the A34 and M6 three miles north of Birmingham city centre. Within its borders are three schools, two care homes, a large shopping centre and the Alexander Stadium – key venue for last year’s Commonwealth Games.

The church is committed to the wider community, and works collaboratively with neighbouring parishes. The congregation (Electoral Roll 107) has a strong history of sharing in Christian learning and nurture, with members sharing in a mission team, a pastoral team and local police chaplaincy. Worship is in the liberal Catholic tradition, incorporating a range of liturgical material and a variety of non-eucharistic services. An active Youth Club in touch with 70 young people draws in 25 per week.

We look for a priest ready and able to build further the church’s spiritual growth and continue development of Christian outreach and service The new Vicar will have as colleagues three Readers, a Children and Families Missioner, an administrator and a Curate in her first post (currently on maternity leave). St John’s is one of five parishes in the diocese involved in a new Missioner pilot project for churches in the Catholic tradition, funded by the Church Commissioners.

To view the Parish Profile please click here

A Diocesan Profile for this post should be read prior to submitting an application, this is available from the HR Officer, Chris Booth who can be emailed on ChrisB@cofebirmingham.com

Informal enquires are welcomed by the Archdeacon of Birmingham, the Venerable Jenny Tomlinson (jennyt@cofebirmingham.com and 07769 200507)

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 31st October 2023

Interviews on Tuesday 14th November 2023

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, particularly those
under-represented including persons of Global Majority Heritage.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment. All appointments to roles undertaking regulated activity are subject to pre-appointment checks, including a references and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.

The Bishop of Birmingham, looks for priests to serve as incumbents who have the capacity to grow local church in spiritual depth, in numbers, in confident witness, and in serious engagement with their community. Central to this is the task of identifying, encouraging and endorsing the ministry of others and entrusting them with real responsibility in the work of mission and outreach.

The priest appointed to this role must have been ordained in the Church of England or a church in communion with it and must have exercised at least three years ordained ministry. Those applying to be considered must have the right to work in the UK as this vacancy has does not yet qualify to sponsor a visa. The priest appointed will be an office holder under Common Tenure, and the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations will apply.

It is important that the priest appointed plays a full part in the life of the deanery, particularly Chapter and Synod, and in the wider programmes of the Diocese. Opportunities for ecumenical collaboration should also be pursued, and good relationships sought with other faith communities.