Rector of Windmill United Benefice

Introduction

The Bishop of Southwark with The Crown wishes to appoint a

Rector of Windmill United Benefice

The new incumbent will continue to nurture and develop the Windmill United Benefice, comprising three rural parishes of St Bartholomew Burstow, St John the Baptist Outwood and St Mary the Virgin Horne in the Deanery of Tandridge, that work together as a United Benefice whilst maintaining their individual identity and traditions.

We look for someone who will guide and support the Windmill United Benefice to implement our mission action plan and vision statement through actions:

“Seven whole days not one in seven”

Inspiring people through worship and word to live out God’s love in their daily lives.

The Windmill United Benefice lies in Surrey towards the southern boundary of the Deanery of Tandridge in a rural location with a farming community, some National Trust owned tenant farms, cottages and woodland and mainly privately owned houses. The local community comprises retired people, medium distance commuters and those who work close to and from home. The populations of Burstow c.4,100, Horne c.1,600 and Outwood c.800  are mostly scattered with some relatively densely populated areas in Burstow and Horne “detached”.

The Benefice churches are broadly “middle of the road” Anglican in worship and outlook. Music features strongly, with a robed choir helping to lead our Common Worship services of Morning Worship and Holy Communion, and a band-led Family service.

We are looking for someone who will help us to …

• becoming more mission focused. 
• recognising individual talents and developing them for roles within the ministry of the Church. 
• reach out to younger adults than those generally represented in our congregations so that we form a truly all-age worshipping community. 
• improving visibility, outreach, and invitation to everyone in our communities. 
• meeting pastoral needs in our communities. 
• continuing to strengthen bonds within our Benefice, while preserving the identities of our three individual churches. 
• act as the Bishop of Southwark’s Rural Officer

You will be someone…

• with an appetite for rural life, who is committed to sharing God’s love in our communities and demonstrate that rural ministry can thrive. 
• who is enthusiastic and has an understanding and appreciation of how music is used in a variety of ways to support and enhance worship. 
• who will motivate our ‘journey in faith’. 
• who will bring a visible and compassionate presence in our villages. 
• with desire and skills to draw young people, with a willingness to provide input to local schools and uniformed organisations such as 1^st Burstow Scouts. 
• with fresh eyes to lead and challenge us to be the congregations that newcomers wish to join. 
• with an inclusive approach, welcoming all, to bring people together. 
• who is an inspiring and enabling leader; warm and approachable, compassionate, and encouraging.

The three Windmill Benefice churches are involved closely with local community events such as organising and supporting a monthly community lunch, a Come and Meet Each Other (CAMEO) group, liaising with Smallfield Surgery as Practice Health Champions, supporting a monthly fresh expressions Café Church, connecting with the Royal British Legion Outwood, participating in and promoting Eco Church, social and fundraising events such as plant sales, a barn dance, organ recitals and Christmas events.

For an informal conversation with the Archdeacon, please contact her PA by emailing Kathleen.bailey@southwark.anglican.org

Closing Date: Sunday 7 April 2024 (midnight)

Parish Visit and interviews: Tuesday 30 April 2024

We have a policy in Southwark Diocese that to be appointed to an incumbent status post, a priest must have served a title post in an Anglican church in the British Isles. We aim to be a diverse and truly representative Diocese, and particularly welcome applications from women and people of UKME heritage.

This post is subject to DBS enhanced disclosure.