Priest-in-Charge

All Saints, Saughall

Sundays plus 3 days

House plus 40% stipend

We are seeking a priest-in-charge for this semi-rural parish of open evangelical tradition, population around 3,000, just north of the historic city of Chester. This is an active church with good community links and strong local ecumenical relationships. There is a Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School. A well-appointed vicarage is provided in the centre of the village.

Our new minister will be someone who can work with us and lead us all in worship, fellowship, ministry, outreach and growth to the glory of God and his son Jesus Christ and to the extension of the Kingdom of God. This includes:

• Leading our church through prayer, teaching and worship, enabling God’s people to be better disciples of Christ;

• Presiding at Holy Communion, baptisms, weddings, and funerals, walking alongside people in their joy and in their grief;

• Being committed to the mission and practices of the Church of England, working with others to build up the church through recognising where God is at work in the world and in the lives of others;

• Encouraging the congregation in living out our faith in everyday life, Monday to Saturday and not just on a Sunday;

• Providing leadership on safeguarding and encouraging all to contribute toward creating a safer church;

• Contributing to the Church of England Primary School and helping the church to develop further the working relationships with the school and with local youth organisations;

• Having a heart for the village community and being a recognised, respected, involved and accessible member of the community.

Closing date for applications: 25 October

Interviews: 29 November

Prospective applicants are welcome to discuss the post with the archdeacon:

The Ven Dr Michael Gilbertson

Archdeacon of Chester

01928 718834 ext 253
07921 040154

michael.gilbertson@chester.anglican.org

Please note: The Diocese of Chester will not interview any candidates for posts if they cannot provide an assurance of a valid DBS and up to date safeguarding training.

The Diocese of Chester is in the province of York in the Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion. For more information about our life, ministry and work please visit our website www.chester.anglican.org We are linked with the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and the Dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Diocese covers an area of 1025 square miles, approximately the old Victorian County of Chester, including parts which subsequently became absorbed into Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The Rivers Mersey and Tame approximately delineate the boundary with Liverpool and Manchester. There are areas of dense urban population, mainly in the north, stretching from Birkenhead to East Manchester. There are prosperous suburban regions of West and South Wirral, Chester and south of Manchester, with a mainly rural heartland, bounded by the Derbyshire Pennines and the Welsh Border. The overall population is around 1.6 million.

The Diocesan Bishop is Mark Tanner, Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty and the Bishop of Stockport is Samuel Corley.

The Cathedral for the Diocese is in Chester.

The Diocese is divided into two archdeaconries: Chester covering the western half and Macclesfield the eastern, each with nine deaneries. There are 273 parishes, about 100 of which can be described as rural. Compared with many dioceses, there are few teams, and few multi-parish benefices. There are approximately 231 stipendiary clergy. The ministry of Readers and Pastoral Workers is important, with over 400 licensed. The role of self-supporting ministers is increasing, with over 80 in post at present.

Roughly speaking, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield covers that part of the diocese to the east of the M6, plus the area around Crewe and Nantwich. The Archdeaconry of Chester covers the rest of the diocese to the west of the M6. Each archdeaconry has a broad mix of urban and rural parishes. The Archdeacon of Chester lives in Chester, and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield lives in Congleton. Both now work from Church House, Daresbury.