Rector Designate, Blackthorn Chase Benefice (Associate Minister, Buckingham Benefice), Archdeaconry of Buckingham

Overview

The Blackthorn Chase Benefice will be a new rural benefice in beautiful North Buckinghamshire. The Benefice is being created from five villages (Beachampton, Nash, Thornborough, Thornton, and Whaddon) forming four parishes east of Buckingham town. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone seeking the exciting challenge of building and developing the new Blackthorn Chase Benefice.

Introduction

Our new name was chosen to reflect our local area (the Whaddon Chase) and the local blackthorn hedges which have attributes reflecting our values as a benefice:

Support – blackthorn makes good walking sticks

Hope and life – the flowers symbolise the arrival of spring

Fruitfulness – providing nourishment for growth

Spreading roots – a foundation for growth

Reflecting these values each church has a vision to:

• be a place of support for all ages and backgrounds
• be signs of hope and life in our villages by providing practical witness of God’s love
• be fruitful by encouraging a deepening of individuals’ personal faith
• spreading roots to enable our worshipping communities to grow

We will work with our new Rector (Designate) to develop and implement our vision.

Main Responsibilities

Our new Rector (Designate) will:

• help us to establish the identity of our new Benefice, by building on existing structures and facilitating growth

• take a full part in the activities and social events in the village communities, becoming a valued and respected member of those communities
• develop our engagement with our two schools
• encourage the development of lay and pastoral ministry within the Benefice

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for some-one who will

• have a deep personal faith, grounded in prayer and knowledge of the Bible
• be an encouraging, enthusiastic, and inspirational leader for the four churches
• be collaborative, compassionate and empathetic, with a heart for pastoral care
• be approachable, down to earth and with a sense of humour
• be creative and not afraid to explore new mission ideas
• enjoy living in a rural setting

About us

Each village has a strong community spirit. The church communities have a willingness to work together to make the new Blackthorn Chase Benefice something special in God’s kingdom. Because the formalities of establishing the Blackthorn Chase Benefice have not yet been completed, this post is being advertised as Associate Minister (Buckingham Benefice) and Rector Designate (Blackthorn Chase Benefice).

Closing date for applications: Monday 16th December 2019

Interviews: Wednesday 22nd January 2020

Enhanced DBS Disclosure required.