Priest-in-Charge of Cheriton with Newington

Overview

Are you comfortable with traditional models of church and yet able to explore new ways and help others embrace them? The parishes of the Cheriton with Newington Benefice wish to evolve as effective churches in today's world, with new housing developments and established communities, and are looking for the priest to help them do that.

Closing date: 28 August 2020

Interviews:  17 September 2020 

Any queries to the Archdeacon of Ashford’s PA, Louise Mills: louise.mills@archdeacashford.org

Introduction

“AN OPEN CHURCH – OPEN TO ALL”

The Cheriton Benefice is seeking a “people’s person” who will be able to continue to build on what our Benefice has achieved over the last year.

Someone who can encourage us and lead us forward by working together with us, to further our commitment in expanding our mission within our local communities delivering our part of the diocesan strategy “Changed lives, changing lives”

Our Benefice consists of three parishes with three church schools.

St Nicholas, a small ancient church set in a rural village at the centre of a larger country parish area adjacent to the Channel Tunnel.

St Martin’s, a 1000 year old church on the outskirts of Cheriton set in a developing suburban area reaching down to the sea at Sandgate and Hythe.

All Souls Church, set in the centre of Cheriton in an urban area.

We are looking for someone who will respect the diversity of our churches but hold together all we have in common.

Are you the caring person who has the vision to help us on our journey of faith and to share our message of love, hope and tolerance for all?

Main Responsibilities

• To help the parishes take their vision forward
• To encourage the development of pastoral care for communities
• To explore ministry in the housing developments around Cheriton
• To play support our church and community schools
• To take a lead in ministry collaboratively
• To engage in the diocesan strategy, 'Changed Lives > Changing Lives'

The Ideal Candidate

We need someone who will encourage us in our pastoral care for our communities. Someone who is a team builder. We are not looking for radical changes but to build on what we have achieved so far with our groups. Someone who will empower us in our vision, to work alongside us as we continue our inclusive journey, to support and help care for us and to be a presence amongst the community
Good communication skills are needed and working with us, a good sense of humour!

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

About us

Founded in 597 by St Augustine, Canterbury Diocese is the oldest diocese in England and has a special place in the life of the national and worldwide Church. With its iconic Cathedral it forms a focal point for the life of the whole Anglican Communion, offering a spiritual home and place of pilgrimage for people from every nation and walk of life.

The County of Kent is renowned as the ‘Garden of England’ and this rural heart is core to our identity - yet the communities we serve are very diverse. Situated in East Kent, our Diocese stretches from Maidstone to Thanet, from the Isle of Sheppey to the Romney Marsh. We have 350 miles of coastline with historic ports and seaside resorts, alongside rural communities, market towns and commuter-belt urban developments. Affluent areas often sit alongside pockets of major deprivation, offering an exciting and challenging mission context.

At the heart of all we do is a vision of transformation for ourselves and our communities: no one can encounter God and remain unchanged. In the Diocese of Canterbury, we want to increasingly become a Christian community transformed through encounter with Christ, growing and overflowing to transform and bless the families, homes and communities we serve in East Kent: Changed Lives, Changing Lives.