Vacancies - March 2003

Incumbencies	Bath and Wells	Trull with Angersleigh
	Bradford	The Parish Church of St. John the Divine Menston with Woodhead
	Canterbury	St. Mark, Ramsgate
	Coventry	The Parish of St.John the Divine, Willenhall
	Derby	Clifton, Norbury and Snelston
	Lichfield	St. Thomas’ Church, Kidsgrove
		Church of the Epiphany, Oxley, Woverhampton
	Oxford	Shires’ Edge Benefice
		Benefice of Lower Windrush
	St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich	The Box River Benefice
		The Benefice of Horringer, Westley, Whepstead and Brockley
	Worcester	Benefice of Broadway with Wickhamford
Priest-in-Charge	Coventry	St. Mark’s Bilton
	London	Trinity St. Michael, Harrow
Team Ministry	Bath and Wells	Langport Area Team Ministry
	Coventry	St. Catherine’s, Stoke Aldermoor, Caludon Team Parish
	Derby	Team Rector of Buxton
	Ely	Papworth Team Ministry
Curacies	Chichester	Peacehaven and Telscombe Cliffs
	Guildford	Parish of Addlestone
Combined Posts	Bath and Wells	Diocesan Ecumenical Officer and Priest-in-Charge of the United Benefice of East Harptree with West Harptree and Hinton Blewett
Part Time Posts	Bath and Wells	Half-Time Senior Assistant Priest in the United Benefice of Christ Church, Nailsea and St. Quiricus and St. Julietta, Tickenham
House for Duty	Bradford	Holy Trinity, Cowling
	Southwell	Kneesall with Laxton and Wellow

A Rector is sought for this United Benefice on the outskirts of Taunton. Trull is a community of 2,000 (ER 212; church membership 183); Angersleigh is a rural parish (Pop42; ER 40; church membership 25). There are two Readers, a full-time Youth Worker, parish office and flourishing church school.

Benefice profile and application form from: Philip Nokes, The Old Deanery, Wells, Somerset BA5 2UG Tel: 10749 670777 Fax: 01749 674240 Email: philip.nokes@bathwells.anglican.org Closing date for applications 28^th April Interviews 14^th – 15^th May.

Bradford The Parish Church of St John the Divine Menston with Woodhead - Vicar

Menston is an attractive village in the Wharfe Valley about 7 miles north of Bradford. There are excellent rail links with Bradford, Leeds and Ilkley; the market town of Otley is only 2 miles way. St John’s, built in 1871, is an attractive, well maintained Victorian building.

Situated approximately 200 yards from the church, the Vicarage is a comfortable, modern, four bedroom detached family home with a manageable garden. The Electoral Roll currently stands at 179 with approximately 92% living within the parish.

8 am Holy Communion (BCP) 10 am Parish Eucharist (Common Worship Order 1)
4/6.30 pm Sung Evening Prayer (BCP) 2nd Sunday 10.30 am Eucharist (CW)

The church’s tradition of worship is centred round the sacraments of baptism and Eucharist. The Sacrament is reserved. It is customary for the president to wear alb and stole.

Journey into Faith (JiF) is being introduced as a process of formation for the Christian life and ministry for all the congregation. Work with children is seen as a priority. Young mums in the congregation run the Little Hands toddler group and a further two toddler groups are hosted in the Parish Room. Junior Church for the under 11s operates during the 10am Sunday service with the children joining in for the Eucharist. Menston is a pilot parish for Communion before Confirmation and a number of children have been prepared. The 11-14 year olds join Lazers for a monthly discussion based on the days Bible readings.

Recognising that the future of the church lies in encouraging young people and their families to become committed we would welcome an incumbent who can make this a priority. In order to inspire us to take the next steps in our faith journeys we will need a good communicator with a strong biblical faith. He/she will be able to keep our sights firmly on the work we do for God in the world.

Please enquire further from: The Ven Guy Wilkinson, 14 Park Cliffe Road, Bradford BD2 4NS Email: guy@gwilkinson.org.uk Closing date for applications: 28^th March 2003

The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Church Pastoral Aid Trust invite applications for the above post.

St. Mark’s is a mainly residential parish of 7,000 inhabitants in 2,300 homes on the outskirts of Ramsgate. The congregation (ER 137) has grown in recent years, necessitating two morning services. There is one Lay Reader and a strong children’s ministry.

· A person who will encourage the congregation and motivate them into greater commitment to Christ and to the life of the Church.

· A person who is keen to encourage ministries to all age groups in the church.

Accommodation is a four-bedroomed detached house with garden and garage, centrally located in the parish, approximately 400 metres from the church.

Enquiries with SAE (A4 – 44p) to: Marion Powell, CPAS Patronage, Athena Drive, Tachbrook Park, Warwick, CV34 6NG Closing date for applications 14^th April 2003

Coventry The Parish of St. John the Divine, Willenhall, Coventry - Vicar

Willenhall is an Urban Priority Area on the south-east edge of the city of Coventry with a population of around 8000. It is essentially a residential area with a mix of traditional long-staying families of several generations, coupled with newer style family groups.

There are four Primary Schools within the area, one of which is St. John the Divine Voluntary Controlled school.

* Someone who will help us to develop our community links and who will take an active part themselves in community initiatives.

* Someone who will encourage us to explore new patterns of ministry and worship whilst respecting our liberal-catholic tradition.

* Someone who will enjoy the challenge of working in an Urban Priority area which has its problems but where the vast majority of people are very nice to know.

* Someone who will help us grow in faith and discover how to attract others to see how much they are missing.

Built in the 1950s, the church was designed by Sir Basil Spence. The building and fabric are well maintained and the finances are in a good state.

Common Worship is used for the majority of services. There are 80 members on the Electoral Roll. The main Sunday service of Holy Communion attracts 50 people on average. A midweek Communion service and coffee morning has proved to be popular.

The church is well respected in the community as is evidenced by the number of church funerals.

We hold a monthly Prayer Breakfast and ‘Skylight’ – a group for study and discussion.

An Associate Minister, Revd. David Tilley, allocates a small percentage of his time to work in the parish but also has a full time Diocesan role.

Regular social events at the church are popular, however, the Hagard Community Centre and Willenhall Education and Training Centre (WETEC) provide the bulk of social and further educational resources for the community.

The four bedroomed vicarage, built in the 1950s and situated next to the church, has been extensively improved over the years.

The Bishop of Derby wishes to appoint a priest to a post of strategic significance.

Clifton Norbury and Snelston are three pleasant villages bordering the River Dove, and close to Ashbourne on the Derbyshire-Staffordshire border. The total population of the benefice is 1,391. The church tradition is central and a sizeable minority in each parish would prefer a male incumbent.

The incumbent is chaplain to St Oswald's community hospital in Ashbourne. The church schools at Clifton and Norbury serve the primary children of the three villages.

The next priest will include within his responsibilities the co-ordination of the church's involvement in the County/City Emergency Plan, a role which involves inter action with the public authorities, the servicing of networks and the training of peers.

The presentation was suspended pending the recently completed purchase of a very attractive modern house to serve as the Vicarage.

Clifton has a population of 433 adults and approximately 50 children. The residents of the newly built housing estate now outnumber the "old villagers".

Snelston with its population of 149 is an Estate village in a conservation area with 9 farms , several cottages and privately owned homes but no housing estate.

The Parish of Norbury and Roston has a population of 220 over the age of 18. It is a scattered rural community although Roston has a small village gathering.

Full details and profile from The Archdeacon of Derby, Church House, Full Street, Derby DE1 3DR tel: 01332 382233 e-mail: archderby@talk21.com

The Martyrs Memorial and Church of England Trust invite applications for the above post.

The parish (pop. 8000) is in North Staffordshire close to the Cheshire border. St. Thomas’ is a conservative evangelical, family orientated church (ER 102) with a strong preaching tradition, a wide range of forms of worship and an interim Lay Leadership Team responsible for Cell Groups, Mission, Youth and Children’s Ministries, Music and Worship.

· with a ministry based on expository preaching, relevant to people’s needs, to teach, train and equip them for existing and new areas of ministry.

· with a vision for growth in the Church and outreach ministry in the community.

Enquiries with SAE (A4 - 54p) to: Marion Powell, CPAS Patronage, Athena Drive, Tachbrook Park, Warwick, CV34 6NG Closing date for applications 14^th April 2003.

As from 1^st January 2003 the above named parish has a vacancy for a new parish priest! We are seeking someone whom we perceive to be the best person for the job - someone who is our modern Catholic persuasion and who, along with ourselves, lays great emphasis upon both the Word and Sacraments, who will maintain and develop the tradition and richness of the Liturgy and who will uphold our strong musical traditions. Alongside the more formal services, our church uses a less formal, Family Eucharist several times a year on special occasions such as Mothering Sunday and Harvest. There is a great sense of ‘family’ and ‘belonging’ and we believe it essential that our new incumbent should actively encourage, develop and participate in this loving, caring and sharing atmosphere. We would therefore be looking for our new Incumbent to be the kind of person who relates easily to families.

Members of the Epiphany indulge in many and varied activities, so we can guarantee that you won’t be bored! We have a strong involvement in the local ecumenical activity - regular services as well as Bible study groups during Lent. To say nothing of the shared social activities!

We have strong links with our local schools and would expect our new Incumbent to maintain these. Members of the congregation have links with the local Adult Training Centre for the handicapped and monthly services are held in the local nursing home for the elderly.

We have church hall on site - not only is this used for church activities such as Sunday School, but it is used regularly each week by various groups, including dance classes, karate lessons and a newly formed aerobics class. This is in addition to church associate groups such as Brownies and Guides.

So, could you be the person to take the Epiphany forward? We are looking for a man or woman who has experience in the kind of parish to be encountered at Oxley. Someone who will encourage active participation in all aspects of church life among the laity. Ideally we would want someone to view his or her appointment as a long-term incumbency, thereby maintaining stability in the parish.

For more information about the Church of the Epiphany, Oxley in Wolverhampton, please ask for our Parish Profile from: The Archdeacon’s Office, 10, Paradise Lane, Pelsall, Walsall, West Midlands WS3 4NH Tel: 01922 445353 Closing date for applications 11^th April 2003

The Shires Edge Benefice consists of five Rural Parishes just to the North of Banbury in Oxfordshire and borders of Warwickshire and Northamptonshire. The villages are all fairly small (200 to 800) with a total population of 2,500. There is an attractive four-bedroomed vicarage in Cropredy with a good church primary school and GP surgery in the same village. Transport links (Rail: Chiltern line and Road: M40) to London and the Midlands are excellent.

The Benefice was created five years ago and the present incumbent has done a good job in bringing the parishes together whilst honouring the differences between them. There is an OLM (ordained 2000) and she and the incumbent have also encouraged a team of some twenty lay people who help with, and lead, services. Churchmanship is not an issue though the parish representatives would be unhappy with ‘extremes’.

The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher OBE, Bishop of Dorchester, Arran House, Sandy Lane, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1PB Tel: 01865 375541 Fax: 01865 379890

Oxford Rector : Benefice of Lower Windrush

The Benefice consists of the four rural parishes of Northmoor, Standlake, Stanton Harcourt and Yelford, 10 miles east of Oxford and 5 miles from Witney.

All the villages are within five miles' drive from the Rectory at Stanton Harcourt. Private transport for inter-village travel would be essential. There are bus services connecting the villages (except Yelford) with Oxford and to some extent, Witney. The total population of the villages of approximately 3,200 is a composite of rural/commuter residents.

The Rectory in Stanton Harcourt is a modern 4 bedroom detached house in good condition set in a large garden. There are 2 C C-of-E Primary schools; the 3 state comprehensive secondary schools within commuting distance of Eynsham and Witney are served by school buses; and there are also a large number of independent schools within the area.. Health and leisure facilities are within in easy commuting distance.

The Benefice was formed in 1976, and churchmanship can largely be described as "middle of the road". Whilst the villages have minor variations of tradition and practice between the parishes, they work together, supporting each other in all spheres of church activity. The 8 churchwardens meet together with the Rector twice a year. The present incumbent is assisted by 3 Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers), a Lay Pastoral Minister and others help in serving at Holy Communion, informal services and Sunday School.

The vision for the future is for a priest who will give spiritual support and leadership to complement the lay leaders and the wholehearted involvement of the congregation, and respect the fabric and continuity of the villages. The Benefice's most pressing need is to attract young people into its Churches.

Applications to be received no later than Monday 31^st March 2003 Interviews will take place on Tuesday 6^th May 2003.

The Box River benefice comprises the parishes of Boxford, Edwardstone, Groton, Little Waldingfield and Newton Green. It is situated in the valley of the river Box and the surrounding beautiful countryside on the edge of the Dedham Vale some 15 miles from Ipswich, 6 from Sudbury and about 17 from Bury St Edmunds. The largest village of the benefice is Boxford where there are shops and a school. It is on the bus route for Sudbury, Hadleigh and Ipswich. Each of the other villages has its own particular charm and individuality. The liveliness of the area is reflected in the substantial Box River News which is published monthly and distributed free to residents of the benefice.

The benefice is blessed with very fine churches all of which are grade 1 listed apart from Newton which is 2* and the nave of which is in the care of the Church’s Conservation Trust. The churches are well-cared for and there are plans already being drawn up for improving the facilities at Groton and Edwardstone. Boxford boasts a fine 14c wooden north porch which is of national significance.

The Benefice was formed under a pastoral scheme in May 2002 following a period in which the parishes had been together in an informal arrangement. Previously Boxford had been a parish on its own and Newton Green had been part of a different benefice. It has been a learning experience for all concerned and there is a desire to develop a sense of benefice while not destroying the individuality and identity of each of the villages.

· A person of faith and prayer who is able to lead a team of ministers and lay people by enabling, encouraging and developing their gifts and ministries in a collaborative way.

· A preacher who can teach the faith from a biblical basis but will also inspire and challenge, and who can relate the faith and the Gospel to where people are.

· Someone who takes seriously and values differing forms, traditions and styles of worship, so that worship not only supports the spirituality of the existing congregations but is accessible and welcoming to newcomers, especially young people and families.

· Someone who has the skill to relate well to people across the age range and who will give outreach into the community a high priority

· Someone who has the skills and the confidence to minister in and manage a multi-parish benefice, acknowledging the individuality of the villages but drawing them together in the Box River Benefice.

Full Benefice profile and application form from: The Ven John Cox, 42 Corsbie Close, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3SU Tel and fax 01284 766796 Email: archdeacon.john@stedmundsbury.anglican.org

St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich The Benefice of Horringer, Westley, Whepstead and Brockley - Rector

The parishes were brought together under two pastoral re-arrangements which first brought Westley together with Horringer and later added Brockley and Whepstead. The situation has now been confirmed by a Scheme under the Pastoral Measure and with suspension lifted the priest is the beneficed Rector. Considerable effort has been made to ensure that the individual identity of each village is valued while helping them to appreciate the value of drawing together as a benefice.

The villages are situated to the west and south of Bury St Edmunds, the cathedral town of the Diocese and for Westley and Horringer in particular there is easy access to the A14. The total population of the villages is about 1800 people with Horringer as the largest village with 776 adults. Its 11c church by the village green is situated close to the entrance to Ickworth Park – until recently the home of the Marquis of Bristol and now a National Trust property with the east wing of the main house converted into a hotel.

All the villages have their own distinctive character and attractions. Each has its own medieval church although Westley’s is now a ruin and has been replaced by a more modern church built in 1835 with distinctive Roman cement rendering, the first church to be built of Roman cement.

The church congregations recognise the significant place the church has in the life of the village communities and the church benefits from considerable good-will from villagers. Although numbers attending church are above the national average, the PCCs are not complacent, being particularly aware of the need to attract families and young people. Worship across the benefice reflects both the desire for traditional worship and the concern that there should also be worship that is more accessible and in a more modern idiom.

In these early years in the life of the new benefice the parishes were well-served by an able, caring priest. But it is recognised that situations are constantly changing and the next priest will need to be someone who has the vision for new possibilities not only in the life of the benefice but also in the lives of individuals, and is someone who has the ability to help those possibilities happen.

The post of Rector offers an exciting opportunity for someone with an understanding of rural life and ministry, who relates well to people and has the ability to develop a collaborative team of ministers. A living personal faith is essential – a sense of humour highly desirable.

Full Benefice profile and application form from: The Ven John Cox, 42 Corsbie Close, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3SU Tel and fax 01284 766796 Email: archdeacon.john@stedmundsbury.anglican.org

The Patrons, Christ Church, Oxford & Peache Trust seek to appoint a man or woman as incumbent of this Cotswold/Vale of Evesham benefice who will:

· Show holiness, wisdom, emotional toughness, warmth and friendliness of personality

The Rev. Kenneth Habershon, Trucker’s Ghyll, Horsham Rd. Handcross, West Sussex, RH17 6DT. Tel: 01444 400274 Closing date: 25^th March. Interviews: 8^th April

St. Mark’s Bilton (pop nearly 20,000) is based around an old village centre which by virtue of development is now part of the Borough of Rugby. The congregation is lively and energetic with over 200 people in church on an average Sunday.

The living has been recently suspended while the Deanery Pastoral Committee takes an overall look at patterns of ministry within the town of Rugby. It is expected that the suspension will be lifted as soon as the review is complete.

We are a very busy church. We want our new minister to help us to sharpen our vision and to focus on what is most important for growth.

We have many occasional offices and hope that our new minister will help us discover how we can make the best of these as opportunities for mission.

Our parish contains a new housing development which will eventually contain 1200 houses. We hope the new minister will help us to see how we may best serve this community and perhaps explore what new ways of being church might be right for this estate.

We are concerned to find ways of attracting children and young families into St. Mark’s while not neglecting the existing members of our congregation.

We believe that our lay leadership is strong. Our new minister will need to be a leader who is keen to work in partnership with the wide range of capable lay people, bringing out our individual gifts, developing the Ministry Leadership Team, and other groups, to enrich the Christian life and outreach of St Mark’s.

Our congregation and community cover a very wide range of ages and backgrounds. Our new minister will need to be able to sustain and nurture our existing members. He/she will need to appreciate the need to continue to support the existing members of the congregation.

We have a strong choral tradition. The new minister will need to be sympathetic to, and understand this tradition, while appreciating the newer music which some of the congregation would like to include in worship.

We ask our new minister to help us to keep God at the centre of our busy lives, making space for quiet reflection and supporting our healing ministry.

We feel excited about what the future might hold. You will need to share our excitement and enthusiasm.

Further details from The Archdeacon of Coventry, Church House, Palmerston Road, Coventry CV5 6FJ. Tel. 024 7671 0500 Fax 024 7671 0550

Trinity St Michael Harrow (TSM) is an Open Evangelical parish, located in the outer London suburb of Harrow, about fourteen miles from central London and consists of two parishes combined into one. The parish approximately coincides with the local authority wards of Wealdstone and Marlborough. Together these have a (1998) population of just over 20,000 people. Overall, the population of the parish is very mixed in terms of social groups, income, lifestyle and ethnicity.

Holy Trinity (usually known as HT) serves the South and West part of the Parish. It is a town centre church, located on the semi-pedestrianised Wealdstone High Street. Wealdstone was largely developed around 1880-1914 and Holy Trinity itself was built in 1881. The adjoining church hall and meeting rooms were built in 1968, and the layout of the church building itself was also rearranged in 1975 with the congregation facing south. This included separating the Church Centre that opens directly onto the High Street.

St Michael and All Angels Church serves a pleasant residential area in the North and East part of the Parish. Most of the houses were built in the 1930s although there are some more recent blocks of flats. The church is no longer the hub of the community in this part of the Parish, people tending to centre on

the neighbouring shopping areas. The Church Hall (Wykeham Hall was built as a dual purpose Hall/Church in 1935. The building of the church was delayed by the war and was consecrated in 1958 and contains a magnificent Hans Fiebush mural.

Wealdstone Town Centre largely serves the local population and people working nearby. There are around 160 shops, including a Budgens supermarket, Woolworth, Iceland, Boots, McDonalds, an ‘In-Shops’ indoor market, a variety of smaller privately-owned shops and a Wesley Owen Christian bookshop. The town centre has seen better days and there is a regeneration programme in which the church actively participates. Within a few minutes walk of HT there is a Post Office, library, the Crown Court, Harrow Civic Centre, several areas of light industry and the major Kodak works. There is substantial employment within the parish – some 7,900 people are employed here, with large numbers commuting in daily. At lunchtimes local employees often pass Holy Trinity church to use the shops in Wealdstone. However, many people living in Wealdstone also commute to central London and elsewhere. Close to HT is Harrow and Wealdstone railway station, which is the terminus of the Bakerloo tube line and is served by Silverlink services to Euston, Watford and Milton Keynes.

Housing within the parish is varied, including some substantial family homes, but also many small terraced houses and flats. Most is privately owned or rented from private landlords, although there is some rented council housing as well. Wealdstone and Harrow Weald is an area that has longstanding residents.

Kodak Works and The Crown Court, both in Headstone Drive, are close to Holy Trinity with the Windsor & Newton factory slightly further north. There are also a number of small industrial units situated close to the railway but there is no industry in the St Michael’s side of the parish. The High Street, Wealdstone is a local shopping centre with a variety of shops and stores with Holy Trinity at the centre, and there is a small parade of shops with a pub/restaurant close to St Michael’s.

Holy Trinity congregation (electoral roll of 126) predominantly living outside the parish, is very mixed and varies from week to week with a stable regular core and a large number of less frequent attendees. 62% are female and 38% male. There are a large number of families with small children and teenagers, some single people and couples in their twenties and thirties, and a number of couples in their late forties and fifties. There are also a number of older people, some of whom have been at the church for a long time. There is a wide variety of nationalities including Sri Lankan, African Caribbean, Portu-guese, African and Malaysian. There is a core of middle class, well educated professional people.

St Michael’s (electoral roll of 98) has a well established congregation, about half of whom are now retired. In recent years the congregation has grown with an increasing number of young families. About two thirds live within the Parish, and about two thirds are female. Although there has been an improvement in the ethnic mix in recent years, it is still not fully representative of the community, with some African Caribbean members but only a small number of people from the Asian sub-continent.

At Holy Trinity: 10am Holy Communion every Sunday [attendance - 85 adults and 40 young people] using Common Worship Order 1 and seasonal service booklets. Music accompaniment is by various groups from piano and violins to a full band of keyboard, guitars, drums and wind instruments together with singing groups. There is no Director of Music and the organ is not normally used for Sunday worship although there are competent organists in the congregation. Song books are Songs of Fellowship but the songs and hymns are also displayed on the overhead projector during the first part of service. NIV Bibles are provided in the pews. The President has not normally robed at this service. Lay members, who are licensed, help with the distribution of the elements and also with Prayer Ministry which takes place every Sunday during the Communion. Sunday Groups for all ages of young people up to 18 take place during this service in the rooms upstairs and there is a crèche for babies and toddlers under 3 yrs. The young people rejoin the service at the peace. Refreshments are served in the Church Centre after the service at which time a number of young people play football or other games in the hall and rooms upstairs.

At St Michael's: 8 a.m. said Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month (Common Worship Order One). [attendance -12]. 9am Morning Prayer [6] 10 a.m. Main service:- All Age Service on the first Sunday of the month [75 adults + 20 children]. Holy Communion [75 adults + 20 children] (Common Worship Order One) on all other Sundays with Prayer Ministry, Children’s Groups and Crèche; seasonal Service Booklets are prepared and used. The songbook is Mission Praise Combined, which is supplemented by songs on Overhead Projector. There is a singers group and music is provided by Keyboard and Organ, with a musician playing Flute or Saxophone. There are copies of The Good News Bible in the pews which is normally used for readings. The President either wears cassock and surplice or cassock-alb and stole, and Lay Members (who have been licensed by the Bishop) assist with the distribution of both elements. There is a Fellowship area at the rear of the church where refreshments are served after all main services.

The two congregations work very well together in a number of different areas, such as Under Ones, Bereavement Visiting and English Classes and there is a very good relationship between them. There are a number of initiatives which are carried out as a parish, often in conjunction with Churches Together, which seek to reach out to the community.

Wealdstone Active Community, (WAC) is a community organisation that provides a voice for local people and organisations in the regeneration of the Wealdstone area. It provides important inputs to the Borough of Harrow’s ‘Wealdstone Action Plan’ and undertakes a series of community events to support the area’s re-generation. TSM has supported WAC since its foundation and has provided the base for several WAC activities (like the annual ‘Blooming Wealdstone’ event and the very successful 2002 Golden Jubilee Street Party). Involvement in WAC is part of the parish’s wider outreach community involvement, showing the church’s commitment to the well being of the community in which we are located. It also helps to build up good relationships with our neighbouring traders.

The former parishes of Holy Trinity Wealdstone and St. Michael and All Angels Harrow Weald were united voluntarily by a Pastoral Measure in 1983, following consultation over a three year period. The Parish contains two Parish Churches with a Vicar responsible for the Parish and an Associate Vicar responsible for one of the Churches (currently St Michael’s). >From time to time there has been a Curate in Training assigned to the parish. Following consideration of the mission of the parish and of the next stage in our mutual development and growth, we requested and the Bishop has agreed to suspend Presentation to the Benefice so that we can explore moving to another structure (Team Ministry, Group Ministry or separate Parishes) in the next 3-5 years.

Clergy:- There is currently an Associate Vicar and a Stipendiary Curate, (who is presently seeking an incumbency). There are two retired Clergy, who worship in the parish and are available to preside on an occasional basis.

Readers:- There is one Reader licensed to the Parish who has served at St. Michael's and who is currently training for ordination after which she will return to the Parish as a Non-stipendiary Curate.

There are strong lay leadership teams, appointed by the PCC, which share the oversight of each Church: an Elders Group at Holy Trinity which meets fortnightly with a monthly Prayer Breakfast on Saturday morning and a Leadership Team at St. Michael’s also meeting fortnightly. Four churchwardens are elected at the APCM, two from each Church. They are normally Elders and Leadership Team members.

Lay leadership at HT in terms of service leading and preaching has diminished slightly over the last few years. However there is strong lay involvement in reading, prayer ministry, sidepersons and elders (past and present) who help at most services.

¨ a strong and inspiring faith which is rooted in prayer and who is able to share his/her personal relationship with God in all its ups and downs.

¨ good pastoring skills and is able to encourage and enable those gifts in others in the fellowships

¨ a strong Biblical teacher and preacher who can make it relevant to everyday issues.

¨ able to help members of the congregation identify their gifts and to develop and structure these in lay ministry.

¨ able to lead the staff team and lay leadership of the Parish in a collaborative manner.

¨ is open to the Holy Spirit in all aspects of Church life including public worship.

¨ will work with the Associate Vicar within the existing structure, delegating responsibility for one Parish Church to him/her.

¨ will explore, and be prepared to implement collaboratively, a different parish structure over the next 3 to 5 years.

¨ will work with our Ecumenical partners in Churches Together to further our joint mission to the community.

In recognition of our increasingly post-Christendom context we are looking for a leader who is able and equipped, not just for the historic role of pastor/teacher to a stable flock, but for the emerging roles of missionary to a lost society and church builder for the growth of the kingdom of God.

We do not want to stipulate any particular age or marital status, but he/she should be able to relate and minister to a congregation which is diverse in age, culture and ethnicity.

The PCC are happy for the clergy to be involved with ministry based outside the parish for up to one day per week.

This is an abbreviated person of a longer parish profile, which is available in PDF format. Please contact Nikki Nelson PA to the Bishop of Willesden, 173 Willesden Lane, London NW6 7YN (bishopwillesden.pa@btinternet.com) for details. Applications can be made on the common CofE form. Closing date for applications: 30^th April 2003

We are looking for a Team Rector who is an experienced pastor with a youthful outlook for its eight rural parishes surrounding the central community of Langport with Huish Episcopi

The successful applicant will be someone who is able to relax, share leadership, be open to the gifts of others and who will be well supported by an enthusiastic team of clergy and laity.

Parish profile and application form from: Philip Nokes, The Old Deanery, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2UG Tel: 01749 670777 Fax: 01749 674240 Email: philip.nokes@bathwells.anglican.org Closing date for application is 22^nd April 2003 Interview will be held on 8^th – 9^th May 2003.

Coventry St. Catherine’s, Stoke Aldermoor, Caludon Team Parish - Team Vicar

The post of Team Vicar at St Catherine’s represents an exciting challenge to someone eager to use their creative skills as a minister in a UPA setting. The district served by St. Catherine’s incorporates the small urban Council estate of Stoke Aldermoor and includes a well-established area of private pre-war housing. The estate is 2 miles from Coventry City Centre in a south-easterly direction. St. Catherine’s is one of four districts in the Team Parish of Caludon.

The small but dedicated congregation (10-15) that worships at St Catherine’s regularly, seeks to be a vibrant Christian presence on the estate and to play a leading role in building community in the locality. This has been focused particularly in working with parents and pre-school children and with older people. There is a desire also to increase our work with children through Aldermoor Farm Primary School and with young people on the estate. The pattern of partnership working with professional and voluntary agencies (e.g. Sure Start, Coventry City Council, Social Services, Area Co-ordination) in order to secure external funding (e.g. Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund) to support joint initiatives has proved very successful. Support, often more than financial, has also come form private sources such as Barclays Bank and Peugeot.

The tradition at St Catherine’s is central and there is familiarity with both formal and informal worship styles. There is a strong desire for the gifts and skills of all who attend to be valued and developed in worship and ministry. Encouragement is also sought for growth in faith, biblical understanding, prayer and spirituality. A new minister who will work sympathetically and with pastoral skill is awaited eagerly and will be welcomed warmly.

Over the next few years significant decisions will need to be taken about developing the buildings in such a way that they continue to be maintainable by the small congregation. This could involve major planning and fund-raising. The aim is to offer a high quality facility not only for the congregation but also for community use. The person appointed will need to be a skilled and imaginative manager of people, buildings and resources.

The Team Vicar at St Catherine’s will enjoy the benefits of being part of a supportive and lively Team. As well as praying together and co-operating in everyday issues of mission and ministry, we dedicate time and commitment to study, reflection and leisure. We look forward to welcoming a new colleague.

A spacious four bedroomed vicarage is located next to the church. It has a large garden and a garage.

For further information and a parish profile please contact the Team Rector, Revd Julian Francis, Stoke Rectory, 365A Walsgrave Road, Coventry CV2 4BG. Tel 024 7663 5731. Email: stoke.st.michael@fish.co.uk

Buxton is an attractive town in north Derbyshire. The Pavilion Gardens, Opera House and annual arts and music festival draw thousands of tourists every year, who also use the town as a base to explore the Peak District National Park. Tourism, retail and leisure sectors are major employers, together with local quarries, light industrial businesses and farming. Local people also commute to Stockport, Manchester and Sheffield. There are a number of primary and two secondary schools. The University of Derby will be opening a major new campus for a wide range of vocational courses in the former Devonshire Royal Hospital in 2003, bringing an influx of new students to the town. There are two small hospitals.

Six churches form the team: St Anne’s, St John’s the Baptist & St Mary’s in the town centre, plus churches at Burbage, King Sterndale and Harpur Hill. There are 223 people on the electoral role, and up to 20 weddings, 50 baptisms and 70 funerals in recent years. The tradition is mostly central. Marriage of divorced people is at the discretion of the clergy. Children may be prepared to receive communion before confirmation. The team was created in 1974 and has a current allocation of a team rector and a team vicar. There are four active retired clergy, six readers and a licensed lay worker. Buxton has been a training parish for stipendiary deacons in recent years. There is a covenant with Buxton Methodist Church. The rectory is a modern house in a popular residential area.

The PCC seek a priest with a proven record of leadership and building within the team and ecumenically, keen to be a visible community figure, flexible in respect to styles of worship, an able communicator and with a heart for young and older alike.

The post is to be advertised in March/April 2003. Further information may be obtained from The Archdeacon of Chesterfield, The Old Vicarage, Baslow, Derbyshire DE45 1RY. 01246 583928. Email davidcgarnett@yahoo.co.uk

Closing date for Applications: 11 April 2003 Interviews: 16 May 2003

The Papworth Team Ministry is a team of rural parishes in West Cambridgeshire some 12 miles from Cambridge. We are a warm and energetic team committed to our vision and to developing strong, lively and sustainable Christian communities through our collaborative mission and ministry. We seek a Team Vicar from the autumn of this year to join our expanding Ministry Leadership Team, and to be the principal pastor for the villages of Bourn, Kingston, Caxton and Longstowe.

The Team is thirteen separate legal parishes in a single benefice; some aspects of Christian life are village focused, much crosses boundaries. The core ministry team includes three stipendiary posts, three Readers, one reader-in-training, a part-time administrator and a part-time youth worker. But we are planning to expand that core to develop a Ministry Leadership Team that will empower other lay people. The Team Council is the Benefice Council.

The Team Vicar will live in Bourn Rectory, a four bedroom detached house, with a study in a building next to the house. S/he is offered a seven-year licence as held by the Team Rector and the other Team Vicar. Expenses of office are paid in full.

· The Team is involved with the Cambridge Theological Federation in the training of ordinands

· Be able to minister through a broad range of traditions, irrespective of own preferred tradition

· Is relaxed and will follow local traditions regarding robes (we have a great variety here from none to chasuble)

We don’t expect everyone to have everything in full measure – but offer a supportive and encouraging environment for someone to exercise his or her gifts to the full.

Further details and Time Scales

Further details include a fuller Team Profile, details of our proposed Strategy, parish profiles of the four parishes in Team South, financial information, a description of Bourn Rectory, short biographies of ministerial colleagues, and information about the interview process.

Write or email for further details from the Team Rector: Revd Jeremy Pemberton Elsworth Rectory The Drift Elsworth Cambridge CB3 8JN 01954 267722 jeremy.pemberton@ely.anglican.org

The deadline for applications is 28^th April, and short-listed candidates are invited to interviews on the 6^th and 7^th May.

WANTED! Assistant Curate!

To serve in the town settings of Peacehaven and Telscombe Cliffs. (based at The Church of the Ascension, Peacehaven)

We are looking for a priest (male or female) with some previous experience of both ‘life’ and ministry. Ideally, you might be a person who has your Bishop’s approval to convert from non-stipendiary to stipendiary. We have identified that there is a hunger for ‘spirituality’ among those with whom we have had some contact through our normal day-to-day work.

If such a challenge excites you, please get in touch with the Vicar: The Revd. David Hider, Peacehaven Vicarage, 41, Bramber Avenue, Peacehaven, East Sussex BN10 8HR Tel: 01273 583149

We are looking for an Associate Vicar who is ready for a challenge to take special responsibility for St. Augustine’s (catholic tradition), , in a parish with two churches which offer a range of services serving a socially-mixed town of 17,000 in north-west Surrey. To be fully part of the team for the whole parish and to share in developing our overall strategy. Suitable for someone ready to move from NSM or as a further Curacy.

Please contact the Vicar and Rural Dean: Revd. Richard Hay, 140, Church Road, Addlestone, KT15 1SJ Tel: 01932 842879 Email: randmhay@compuserve.com

Bath & Wells Diocesan Ecumenical Officer and Priest-in-Charge of the United Benefice of East Harptree withWest Harptree and Hinton Blewett

This is a dual appointment of half time Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, and Priest in Charge of three lovely villages between Wells and Bristol. A thriving United Parish with lively lay leadership and supportive congregations committed to working together. Church sharing agreement with Roman Catholics. Attractive vicarage. We seek a priest who loves God, cares for people and thinks ecumenically.

Application form and details available from: Philip Nokes, Diocesan Office, The Old Deanery, Wells, BA5 2UG Tel: 01749 670777 Email: philip.nokes@bathwells.anglican.org Closing date for applications 16^th May; Interview 12^th and 13^th June 2003 Licensing: 3^rd November 2003

Bath and Wells Half-Time Senior Assistant Priest in the United Benefice of Christ Church, Nailsea and St. Quiricus and St. Julietta, Tickenham

The vacancy is for a 0.5 Senior Assistant Priest, to be appointed from June 2003 at half the point 5 incremental Assistant Clergy Stipend, to be Licensed for up to 5 years, and occupying an excellent 4-5 bedroomed modern house.

This Benefice is one of three parishes covering parts of the friendly and thriving Bristol commuter-belt town of Nailsea (total pop over 21,000), linked with the adjoining parish of the village of Tickenham (pop. 960). Christ Church has an Electoral Roll of around 200, representing a worshiping membership spread throughout Nailsea. Tickenham has an Electoral Roll of approx. 150.

The centre of Bristol is only 20 minutes away, the M5 provides easy access in all directions (apart from Summer Saturdays!), we have an active Railway Station n the main line to London, as well as the Midlands and South West, and the town is a friendly and attractive centre.

The Person and The Role

We are looking for someone to be a colleague of the Rector, Alastair Wheeler, and Revd. Chris Argles, Training Curate (being Priested June 03); and to work collaboratively with a Staff Team of four Readers and a half-time Co-ordinator /Administrator.

They will have particular responsibility for the leadership and pastoral care of the Parish of Tickenham, whilst sharing in ministry in the two parishes of the Benefice.

The Diocese of Bath and Wells defines “Half Time” as ‘modules of time that are equivalent to three full days ministry including the conduct of worship’ – i.e. Sundays plus units = 2 “days”. NB. The precise details of how the new role will work are genuinely negotiable in the light of the experience, interests and skills of the person appointed, and how they fit in to the needs of the Benefice.

We are looking for someone with personal warmth and openness, spiritual maturity, enthusiasm and ideas, and a sense of humour. They will contribute to the life of the Benefice from their own Christian experiences and spiritual journey, and be able to work in the slightly different setting of the two parishes. Theologically we hope for someone who links an open and growing faith which is Biblically based, with concern for the issues and problems of 21^st Century living.

They will be able to lead Worship sensitively, using a wide variety of texts from Common Worship, as well as monthly Family Services, monthly contemplative prayer, etc. In both churches the worship is slowly developing and evolving, trying to square the circle of using the enthusiastic small church choirs of both churches whilst also exploring new ways of “being church” in the 21^st Century!

It is essential that the person is able to drive, and has the use of a car to exercise their ministry. Computer literacy at least to a level of being able to use e-mail, word processors, data bases etc. is highly desirable.

The Archdeacon of Bath comments that the responsibility and experience to be gained from this role within a collaborative team and dual church structure will provide an excellent experience of ministry for the individual appointed, and would give the opportunity to develop their own personal and ministry skills for a significant future ministry role.

For a detailed information pack and application form please contact: Louise Maby, Co-ordinator, 8, Cleeve Place, Nailsea, Bristol BS48 2UF Tel: 01275 859210 Web Site: www.tickenhamchurch.org.uk Closing date for applications 28^th April Interviews 8^th and 9^th May.

A new opportunity exists for the creation of a House-for-Duty post in this urban village of 2,000 people. The community is close-knit and in good heart with some new housing development. The congregation if 20 people is undertaking a feasibility study, assisted by English Heritage, for the development of the church building. There are good relationships with the local Methodist Church and the Junior School. With the proceeds of the sale of the present vicarage a new three bedroomed house will be purchased in the village. The tradition is central with a weekly Eucharist on Sundays. Both BCP and Common Worship are used.

Cowling is just to the north of Keighley, on a main road into Lancashire and on the edge of the Yorkshire dales National Park.

For further details and the parish profile contact: The Ven Malcolm Grundy, Woodlands, Netherghyll Lane, Cononley, Keighley, W Yorks BD20 8PB. 01525 635113 malcolm@adcraven.u-net.com

We are looking for a non-stipendiary Priest in Charge to provide ministry to these pleasant rural communities in central Nottinghamshire with a combined population of 1058 and Electoral Roll of 60. A stunning reordering during 2002 at Kneesall has created a nave community centre; Laxton is a uniquely historic village retaining a mediaeval open field system. Newark Deanery arranges its benefices in informal clusters to provide support and cover. The comfortable vicarage is at Kneesall on the A616 and in reach of Nottingham, Sheffield, Mansfield (M1), Lincoln, Newark (A1 and GNER to London/York etc) and the cathedral town of Southwell.

The diocese has considerable experience of House for Duty Priest in Charge posts, with about ten such appointments in place at any one time. A carefully prepared and agreed Working Agreement is drawn up before appointment which brings together the gifts and availability of the priest and the needs and aspirations of the parishes.

Enquiries about this vacancy or House for Duty opportunities in general should be addressed to The Venerable Nigel Peyton, Archdeacon of Newark at Dunham House, Westgate, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0JL. Tel 01636 814490 Fax 815882 Email archdeacon-newark@southwell.anglican.org