The Earl of Powis as Patron, together with the Bishop of Hereford and the parishes, wishes to appoint a prayerful, mission-focused priest as Vicar of the Clun Valley Benefice.

Thank you for your interest in the post of Vicar of the Clun Valley Benefice. We pray that, as you read the Profile, you will be excited by what you read and that God will guide you in discerning whether you are being called to apply for the role.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 4th October 2023. Visits for shortlisted candidates will be on Thursday 19th October 2023, and interviews on Friday 20th October 2023.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the post and the churches, please contact the Archdeacon of Ludlow, The Ven Fiona Gibson, via Fiona.Gibson@hereford.anglican.org or 01588 673571.

• Preaching, teaching, and nurturing the faith of the congregations
• Leading worship and prayer in a variety of styles across the benefice
• Involvement in the village schools
• Promoting pastoral ministry to all ages in the churches and communities
• Identifying, encouraging, and developing gifts for ministry among the laity in the parishes
• Leading and collaborating with the Churchwardens, the PCCs and church communities in discerning, setting, and implementing a vision for mission and growth in the parishes

We are praying for a new Vicar who:

• is prayerful and has a developed and maintained spiritual life
• is an inspirational Bible preacher and teacher
• is positive about rural ministry, recognising that our village churches are churches for the whole community
• has, if possible, an understanding of rural affairs and farming life
• will bring enthusiasm for and skill in bringing families into the heart of our churches
• can demonstrate a commitment to numerical and spiritual growth
• is able to handle conflict constructively
• has strong leadership qualities, can delegate efficiently, and be flexible
• has good IT skills and also recognises the importance of personal contact with parishioners
• has a good sense of humour and is approachable
• will take time to give attention to their own needs, allowing the personal, family and spiritual aspects of their own life to flourish alongside the demands of ministry
• is a confident driver and navigator on poor narrow roads in all weathers.

We are ready to welcome a new vicar!
The Clun Valley Benefice has five parishes, with six open churches. We eagerly await a new vicar to work with us and lead us to do God's work in this beautiful area of South Shropshire.

We are rural communities, a mix of farming families and others who have chosen to come to the valley for work or to retire.

In our six churches there is

● A warm ambience
● A desire to work as a team across all six churches
● Active involvement by many church members in the wider community
● Dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers
● A history of using our church buildings for community events such as concerts and exhibitions
● A strong meaningful relationship with the Methodist Church in Clun
● Weekly worship enhanced by our five regular organists who are happy to travel to play in other churches in the benefice
● A mid-week benefice service in Clun
● Open the Book in Clunbury, Clun and Newcastle Schools
● Bible study and prayer group in Clun and Hopesay
● A willingness to explore a range of worship styles
● Refreshments and hospitality in most churches.

We will
● pray for you and offer help and support to fulfil your calling
● welcome you into the benefice family and love, support and care for you
● be flexible and willing to respond positively to change
● work alongside you to further God's work in this valley and beyond
● always be there with a cuppa and friendly face