Vicar of St Ives, Cambridgeshire

Introduction

Vicar of St Ives, Cambridgeshire

We are a modern, inclusive church in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, within a beautiful market town, 15 miles north of Cambridge. Our congregation spans all ages, with a good number of young people and children, and it is growing! We have excellent links with schools, the Town Council & local organisations. We run a foodbank that serves St Ives and the surrounding villages and a beer festival that funds a range of ministries. We have a modernised vicarage, conveniently located for church, schools and local amenities, but separate enough to afford privacy and space. We have a beautiful building, and funds to start a major reordering. 

Image CaptionWe expect our new incumbent to demonstrate these core qualities: 

• Dedicated to leading worship in our Anglo Catholic tradition – committed to the sacramental life of the church.  
• Committed to safeguarding – vigilant about ensuring that safeguarding is fully embedded in all our activities.  
• A great listener  – able to listen deeply, ensuring people feel heard, understood and valued.
• Engaging and inclusive – warm, visible and approachable. Demonstrating a genuine ability to engage confidently and effectively with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Collaborative - able to balance leadership and vision with a collegial approach to team ministry.
• Energy & drive – able to lead us forward as we undertake bold and transformational projects such as re-ordering. Happy to embrace different ideas and approaches, even where these sometimes fail.    

We expect to support you by:

• Support of 3 highly capable LLMs and willing retired clergy colleagues
• Governance experience from a capable PCC & active lay officers
• Strong links into the local community
• a congregation that loves to worship and to learn

Applications and Further Details

• Download the Benefice Profile, Application Form and Equality Monitoring Form below.
• Please note that applications must be submitted by email to archdeacon.handw@elydiocese.org 
• Closing Date: 9am on 15 May 2026
• Interviews: Wednesday 3 June 2026
• Full details at https://www. elydiocese.org/about/vacancies
• Informal enquiries Ven Richard Harlow, Archdeacon of Huntingdon & Wisbech, Telephone 07415 757527

Safer Recruitment in the Diocese of Ely

The Diocese of Ely is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees to undertake safeguarding checks and training relevant to their role and to adhere to the Church of England’s safeguarding policies and procedures . Therefore, this position is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service).

Our Diocese

The Diocese of Ely stretches from Cambridge to Peterborough and out towards the coastal areas of West Norfolk. It houses 3/4 million people, which will rise to 1 million in the next 15 years. 

This area buzzes with energy from the academic, business and medical excellence of Cambridge University to the rich agricultural areas of Huntingdon, Fenland and Norfolk. 

Despite the presence of a world leading university, Cambridgeshire is not all affluent. Towns and cities have pockets of poverty and low attainment. Rural areas can be isolated and vulnerable. The churches are strong in some places, but there is work to be done. 

The Diocese of Ely is a good place to live and work: stable finances, good housing, inclusive and warm hearted senior colleagues, coupled with a rich diversity of benefices in all traditions make this a place that clergy stay once they have discovered us. We have over 110 incumbent status clergy, with a strong Diocesan team, and a real emphasis on lay development and training. We have no plans to reduce clergy numbers. 

As we await the enthronement of our new Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Sarah Clark, we remain in good heart with sound leadership and finances. Our Mission Strategy, Ely 2025, devolves much decision making to the parishes, benefices and deaneries, so that clergy are able to innovate, take risks and build alliances for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the good of our communities. We welcome applications from clergy who are prepared to work collaboratively and faithfully. We will enable you to flourish and grow in ministry, whilst maintaining a sensible work life balance

A Diverse and Inclusive Workforce  

The Diocese of Ely is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.