House for Duty Associate Priest

Overview

We are seeking someone who:

• has vision and enthusiasm to support our two small rural parishes

working together towards union;

• is able to lead us in both traditional and contemporary worship and

to be a thought-provoking preacher;

• will continue to develop the close relationship with our church

primary school;

• will engage with all elements of our community and enable and

support our pastoral care.

We can offer:

• a warm welcome to our friendly and vibrant communities in the

beautiful South Downs National Park;

• supportive and committed laity working together who have an

established profile within the two villages;

• active Deanery Chapter support and close relations

with wider cluster churches;

• a pleasant modern rectory with office/meeting room in a central but

peaceful setting in the heart of the Meon Valley.

Introduction

The Bishop of Portsmouth is looking to appoint an Associate Priest (House for Duty) to the parishes of West Meon and Warnford.  This rural United Benefice is located in the South Downs National Park, near Petersfield. 

The vicarage is located in West Meon and is a modern four bedroom property with ample room for meetings and study space, as well as family living accommodation.

For more information about who we are, what we are seeking to achieve and what we can offer to our new Associate Priest please read the attached Parish Profile.    

Closing date for applications: 15 November 2019

Interviews will be held on 4th and 5th December 2019

Main Responsibilities

• To have primary pastoral responsibility for our two small rural parishes
• To work alongside a full time stipendiary incumbent in the newly-formed benefice of Upper Meon
• To continue to develop the close relationship with our church primary school
• To take an active part in parish life, so that the reputation and presence of the church in our communities is enhanced.

The Ideal Candidate

Someone who  

• is comfortable leading both traditional and more contemporary forms of service.
• is able to work with us to develop new ways of drawing people in our communities into the life of the church.
• has a real gift for preaching, who will challenge us with new ideas and help us relate Christ's teaching to the challenges of contemporary life.
• will be both a leader and a collaborative team member, able to motivate others and nurture and value their talents.
• can think strategically and is able to develop a vision, together with us, of how we could fulfil the church's mission more effectively.

For more information about this application process, please use this link

About us

Our diocese is made up of 11,000 or so worshippers in 139 Church of England parishes across south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.  It is led by our Bishop, and includes clergy, Readers, retired clergy, chaplains, paid staff and thousands of volunteers who work in our parishes.

Our diocese is also divided into seven deaneries, each of which co-ordinates the mission and ministry of parishes in their area.

For more information about the diocese please see our website:  www.portsmouth.anglican.org

We have a framework to envision our diocese in the future - and it can be summed up in just three words:

live | pray | serve will be our guide for the future, as we seek to equip people to live as disciples of Christ; to pray, individually and together as worshipping communities; and to serve our local neighbourhoods and society together.

To achieve this, we will encourage and support our parishes, chaplaincies and church schools as they aim to:

• make disciples of Christ;
• grow our churches;
• equip people for lifelong learning; and
• promote the transformation of society.

These four strands embrace all the work covered by our central diocesan teams, but are also picked up through engagement with individual worshippers and in local parishes, communities, chaplaincies, and schools.