Vicar, The Moorlands Benefice

Introduction

Is God calling you to be the next Vicar of the Moorlands Benefice?

Are you a community‑minded priest with a heart for rural ministry? The Moorlands Benefice is seeking a part‑time incumbent (0.2 stipend) to serve the vibrant village communities of Danby, Castleton, Commondale, Westerdale and Moorsholm set amidst the treasured landscape of the North York Moors National Park.

Nestled across the upper Esk Valley, our benefice is characterised by strong village identities, resilient rural life, and warm hospitality. Community is at the heart of everything here: from agricultural heritage and cherished local traditions to community‑led projects for vulnerable neighbours. The Moorlands is a place where people look after one another. Church life is woven deeply into this fabric.

We worship across five historic churches, two of which are Festival Churches, embracing both Holy Communion and Messy Church. Our realistic and manageable pattern of one Sunday service, rotating between churches, reflects both our geography and our collaborative ethos. Sunday average attendance is around 25–30, with people travelling well across the parishes. Our parishes are ably service by our dedicated lay and ordained team include a Deacon, a Reader, an Authorised Lay Minister, churchwardens and volunteers.

There is also a realistic expectation of what a 0.2 stipend role means (a Sunday service and a day a week, either spread across a number of days or all on one, as mutually agreed between priest and parishes).  

We can offer: 

• A ministry team ready to support, collaborate and grow
• Excellent relationships with two primary schools
• A thriving community scene, including village halls, sports clubs, music and arts events
• Strong ecumenical partnerships, especially with our Methodist neighbours
• Church buildings in good repair, many with modern facilities
• A stunning rural setting 

We are praying for a priest who is:

• A warm, confident communicator with a sense of humour
• A natural enabler, able to inspire and equip others
• Ecumenically open and community‑focused
• Comfortable in rural settings and traditions
• Imaginative about how we can use our buildings
• Able to help us prioritise, plan and grow in Living Christ’s Story

Come and discover the Moorlands Benefice—where faith, community and landscape come together in a remarkable place of ministry.

About Us

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

Informal enquiries are welcome:

The Archdeacon of Cleveland, Amanda Bloor | adcl@yorkdiocese.org | 01642 706095
 The Bishop of Whitby, Barry Hill | bishopofwhitby@yorkdiocese.org | 01642 593 273

The Diocese of York is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.  Find out more here:  Safeguarding in the Diocese of York

Appointment is subject to pre-appointment checks including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure. Under current immigration rules, it is not possible for us to appoint clergy who are not already eligible to work in the UK.

Closing date for applications: Thurs 9 Apr, midday

Interview date: Wed 29 Apr