Rector

Ellesmere Port Parish

Full Time

An exciting, strategic opportunity in a key parish in the Diocese of Chester

We are seeking an incumbent for this very large parish of open evangelical tradition, covering much of the substantial town of Ellesmere Port. There are two very active churches and a well-established staff team, including a full-time associate rector. This is a very supportive parish, keen to foster the well-being of its clergy. You would be joining a gifted, committed, and collaborative team. There is a Church of England Academy at secondary level, and a Church of England (Aided) Primary School. A well-appointed rectory is provided next to St Thomas’s Church.

The PCC has discerned a vision for developing mission and ministry through planting worshipping communities, growing small groups, upgrading the church building at St Thomas’s, and supporting the Church overseas.

Our new rector will be someone who:

• is an inspirational, evangelical preacher who can deliver services with enthusiasm and can relate them to our lives.
• is a good listener and communicator who can engage with our diverse community/congregation.
• can help us grow our numbers, particularly among young families and young people.
• will bring dynamism and fresh ideas across the parish.
• will encourage the congregation to live out their faith in everyday life, Monday to Saturday, not just on a Sunday.
• will foster a good safeguarding culture in the parish to ensure that church is a safe space for everyone.

Closing date for applications: 8 January

Interviews: 2 February

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

Applications by preference to be sent to the above address

Rector for Ellesmere Port - Diocese of 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.