Brafferton with Pilmoor, Myton-on-Swale and Thormanby are a group of three parishes that sit on the border of the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray in the beautiful county of North Yorkshire, just a short distance from both the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North York Moors National Park. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty dotted with many beautiful market towns such as Thirsk, Northallerton, Boroughbridge, Harrogate and many more.

For the past 20 years Brafferton Benefice has been linked with a larger neighbouring benefice of 6 churches under one full time priest-in-charge. Recent local reorganisation has formed this new House for Duty post for our parish. A move which has been warmly welcomed by all 3 parishes of the Brafferton Benefice. This is a new chapter for us to explore what God is looking to do in our benefice and there is a real excitement about possibilities for ministry and growth over the years that lie ahead.

We seek a priest who will:

• Grow faith across all ages through prayer and the study of God’s word
• Care for our parishioners, becoming an integral part of the community
• Lead our worship and help define and deliver a new pattern of worship which is sustainable and welcoming to the communities our churches aim to reach, especially those who are younger and unused to church
• Support the core values of our CE school: kindness, inclusivity, community.
• Support our churches in our journey toward being a more integrated benefice, helping us to see where resources might be shared but community distinctiveness retained
• Support and encourage the development of our church buildings in order to make them suitable for the aim of growing the church family
• Be a visible, pastoral presence in the villages and ensuring the provision of welcoming occasional offices to help build local relationships with congregations and with those who do not yet come to church

We offer:

• Three places - one vision
• Strong and can do community support in time, finance, advice, practical skills and hard work from many people who love and value our churches
• A church school enthusiastic to grow stronger connections with the community
• Well maintained church buildings
• Opportunities for outreach through the social media links, clubs and events that take place in our villages and church buildings
• A very special place to make your home
• The warmest of welcomes.

The Diocese of York

The Diocese of York, led and guided by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, takes in much of North and East Yorkshire. As the largest diocese in England, geographically, the area is very diverse, featuring a multitude of needs and opportunities. This includes the bustling urban centres of York, Hull and Middlesbrough, the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors National Park, and the incomparable Yorkshire Coast; as well as areas of deprivation in some of our urban and smaller rural and coastal communities.

Our mission and ministry relies on thousands of people - lay and ordained, volunteer and paid. Our diocesan teams provide a wide range of support services to our mission and ministry, including lifelong learning for ministry, the care of church buildings, and safeguarding. Together, we are striving to be a people who are ‘Living Christ’s Story’. We want to be a simpler, bolder, humbler church which in its diversity reflects the communities it serves. We are bringing renewed focus and fresh energy to achieving our aims:

• Becoming more like Christ
• Reaching those we currently don't
• Growing in discipleship, influence and numbers
• Transforming our finances and structures

Our approach is aligned with a commitment to the best of our parochial inheritance and to the poorest communities, and to the financial realities we face.

Under current immigration rules, it is not generally possible for us to appoint clergy who are not already eligible to work in the UK.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about this post, please contact the Bishop of Selby, the Rt Revd John Thomson tel: 01757 429982, or the Archdeacon of York, Ven Sam Rushton 01904 758241

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Sunday 8^th October, 2023

Interviews: Friday 3^rd November