Vicar, St John the Divine, Sandylands, Morecambe

Main Responsibilities

St John the Divine, Sandylands, Morecambe

The Parish of John the Divine Sandylands is situated between Morecambe’s west end the ancient village of Heysham and often referred to as "The Church in the Garden by the Sea”.

The parish has a population of 5.5k parishioners and located in the north-west of Blackburn Diocese, situated on the edge of Morecambe Bay with easy access to the M6 giving excellent links to major towns and cities in the North West, as well as to the Lake District, the Trough of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales.

Lancaster and Morecambe Deanery contains a wonderful variety of contexts and missional opportunities. There is a huge variety of experience, of context, and style of ministry, but we share a commitment to work well together and honour one another.

Bishop Jill writes: “St John’s is a joyful family, keen to reach out down the generations, to continue to draw the community to the horizon of heaven.”

The Ideal Candidate

The Bishop of Lancaster and Parish Representatives would like to appoint a Vicar of St John’s who will:

• show spiritual and pastoral maturity in leading worship and serving our community
• be committed to encouraging and developing our vision for a healthy and growing church which includes all ages and members of the community
• enjoy and promote a variety of worship styles, whist acknowledging that the Eucharist has a central place within our life as a parish
• possess good communication skills with both children and adults
• be willing to work with lay leaders and the parish to help us consolidate the achievements and good aspects of the past but also to inspire and assist us to move forwards and grow in faith, service and love especially in our outreach mission.
• regard working with our children and young people and schools as a priority: who will listen to and encourage them as they share their worship with the congregation during the services
• lead by example, and bring out the best in other people in the service of God; and who will encourage church members to use their various gifts to become further involved in the Church and activities in the Parish

About us

Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 1^st November

For an informal conversation about the post, please contact the Archdeacon of Lancaster: Ven David Picken (david.picken@blackburn.anglican.org)

Interviews will be held on 14^th November 2022.

For more information about Blackburn diocese: https://jobs.churchofengland.org/blackburn/vision-2026/

For more information about the Pathways application process https://jobs.churchofengland.org/clergycandidatesfaq/