Full-time Incumbent St Paul's, Hooton

Introduction

We are seeking a full-time incumbent for this thriving parish of central tradition on the beautiful Wirral peninsula. There are excellent links with the church primary school, and in the community more widely. The remarkable church building and the modern parish centre make an outstanding base for mission. A good modern vicarage is provided.

We are seeking a vicar who:

• will build on our strengths, help us to grow in faith and service, and lead us forward with vision and renewed energy. 
• has a deep, genuine and compelling faith in Jesus and is as comfortable visiting the elderly and housebound as they are welcoming young families, nurturing faith through baptism and beyond. 
• is Christ centred, scripture based and spirit led, someone with a strong, living faith, who can inspire and guide us as we grow in discipleship and mission within our local communities. Someone who will encourage the congregation to live out their Christian faith in daily life, Monday to Saturday, not just on a Sunday.
• is keen to explore new outreach opportunities, helping to ensure that those who may not otherwise have the chance to worship feel welcomed and valued within our community.
• is as comfortable engaging with pre-school children in our Parent/Carer Toddler Group as they are sharing fellowship with the retired and elderly at our monthly drop-in lunches. Someone who delights in encouraging faith, inspiring and enabling lay leadership, and nurturing and expanding our close links with local schools. 
• will foster a strong safeguarding culture in the parish.
• is enthusiastic and inspiring, and will lead St Paul’s forward with faith and imagination, while honouring the traditions that many of our older congregation hold dear.
•  

You will find us to be a supportive, creative and outward-looking congregation. Could God be calling you to join us?

Closing date:            17 May

Interviews:                12 June

Read our parish profile below or at https://www.chesterdiocese.org/vacancies 

For an informal conversation, please contact:
The Ven Dr Michael Gilbertson, Archdeacon of Chester
michael.gilbertson@chester.anglican.org 

Safeguarding

• The Diocese of Chester is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• An Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.
• Applicants are required to submit relevant training certificates with their applications. They will not be shortlisted unless they can provide an assurance of up-to-date safeguarding training and a valid DBS check for their current post.

 Diversity 

• We will welcome applications from underrepresented groups. 
• The Diocese of Chester is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

  And, where appropriate, including all clergy posts:

  An Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.

  Applications should by preference be made to the USING THE DIOCESAN APPLICATION FORM available below or on the website:   www.chesterdiocese.org/vacancies-1/incumbent-h

  About us:

  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.