Priest in Charge of The Benefices of Settle Holy Ascension; and Giggleswick and Rathmell with Wigglesworth

Overview

We look forward to receiving applications for this exciting and vital post in this beautiful part of the Ripon Episcopal Area where the engaged and enthusiastic congregations are wanting to grow and reach out to their welcoming communities.

The closing date is Monday 15th July 2019

The shortlisting meeting will be held on Tuesday 23rd July 2019

Interviews will be held on Thursday 1st August 2019

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Rt. Revd. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon, Tel: 01765 601094 or email her PA Mrs Judith Richardson, judith.richardson@leeds.anglican.org

Introduction

The Benefice requires someone who will

• share with the Bishop both in the cure of souls and in responsibility, under God, for transforming lives, congregations and communities in these Benefices with reference to any current priorities established by the Bishop.
• be the Priest-in-Charge of these Benefices, having regard to the calling and responsibilities of the clergy as described in the Canons, the Ordinal, the Code of Professional Conduct for the Clergy and other relevant legislation.
• collaborate within the deanery in mission and ministry and, through the deanery plan, in such reshaping of ministry as resources and opportunities may require.
• develop the ministry of the laity, through training, delegation, encouragement and support so that they have greater involvement in the mission and ministry of these Benefices.
• ensure that a high standard of worship, preaching and pastoral care is provided so that people are more able to live and grow as disciples of Christ.
• seek ecumenical cooperation wherever possible.
• gain a good working understanding of the Diocese and the support it provides.
• encourage Christian stewardship of people's time, money and abilities so that the ministry of the church is strengthened and enabled.
• maintain a distinctively Christian witness, to make new positive links and develop the existing links with community and external organisations based in the Beneficese, so that full use is made of opportunities for outreach and service to the community.
• continue the work already being done in the Benefices to develop further ways of working together.
• continue giving the Benefices and people a renewed vision of what it means locally to proclaim and model the Kingdom of God, given the distinctive qualities of the three Parishes.
• develop further the mission of the Church in our three parishes.
• be a strong leader, well organised, able to listen sympathetically and to delegate when necessary.
• have the ability to engage with children and young people and to continue expanding our work with local schools.
• increase the awareness of the role of the Church in the community by being a visible presence and engaging actively with people.
• be aware of and approach positively the challenges of rural ministry.
• have a sound knowledge of Christian theology and a strong focus on preaching the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a Priest in Charge who is able to demonstrate leadership experience and proven competency in the following areas: 

• a team leader able to listen sympathetically to the concerns of others.  A willingness to delegate and share ministry
• working collaboratively to form a vision and develop the mission of the Church in the three parishes
• awareness of the role of the Church in the community by being a visible presence and engaging actively with people
• developing further our ecumenical links
• able to embrace a range of worship patterns and lead services with reverence and joy
• developing imaginative  and creative ways of drawing people into church

Who is able to demonstrate good judgment in the following areas:

• change management; building on what is already in place and sensitivity in introducing new ideas
• excellent and proven communication skills, not least in preaching and teaching
• skilful application of Scripture to daily life.
• able to prioritise tasks both for themselves and others
• working with others to realise the full potential and flexibility of the church buildings, and to improve the facilities offered

And someone who is:

• committed to their own ministerial and personal development and able to model an appropriate pattern of work and rest 
• puts prayer at the centre of their own life and that of the church
• cheerful and enthusiastic with a sense of humour

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

About us

The Anglican Diocese of Leeds comprises five Episcopal Areas, each coterminous with an Archdeaconry.  This is now one of the largest dioceses in the country, and its creation is unprecedented in the history of the Church of England.  It covers an area of around 2,425 square miles, and a population of around 2,642,400 people.

The three former dioceses were created in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to cater for massive population changes brought about by industrialisation and, later, mass immigration. The diocese comprises major cities (Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield), large industrial and post-industrial towns (Halifax, Huddersfield, Dewsbury), market towns (Harrogate, Skipton, Ripon, Richmond and Wetherby), and deeply rural areas (the Dales). The whole of life is here, along with all the richness, diversity and complexities of a changing world.

The Diocesan Bishop (The Rt Rev’d Nick Baines) is assisted by five Area Bishops (Bradford, Huddersfield, Kirkstall, Wakefield and Ripon), and five archdeacons (Bradford, Halifax, Leeds, Pontefract, Richmond & Craven).  The Bishop of Ripon is the Rt Rev’d Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.

Our vision as the Diocese is about confident clergy equipping confident Christians to live and tell the good news of Jesus Christ.  For all of our appointments we are seeking clergy who have a joyful and confident faith which has inspired a track record of church growth, both numerically and spiritually.