The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Stottesdon
Rector of the Stottesdon Benefice (0.5)
Vacancy Reference cofe/TP/58797/7768
Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Office Holder
Salary/Stipend:
Location:
Stottesdon
Closing Date:
22/09/2025
Vacancy Category:
Clergy: Incumbent / Priest in Charge
Business Unit:
Diocese of Hereford
Organizational Unit:
Diocesan Established Post
Introduction
We are praying for a mission-focused and prayerful priest to come and be the next Rector of Stottesdon, Farlow, Cleeton St Mary, Silvington, Sidbury and Middleton Scriven.
We strive to reflect the Diocesan vision – ‘proclaiming Christ, growing Disciples’ – in our Benefice mission, which, in broad terms, is to ensure that an active Christian presence is visible, welcoming and supportive in the diverse communities we serve.
The priorities and challenges for our churches are far from unique: we aspire to develop numerically and spiritually - whilst working on resources and funds to secure that growth, and to sustain the heritage estate of listed buildings entrusted to us by the nation.
Although experience tells us that none of this will be easy, we believe that appropriate leadership and a good dollop of optimism would make the task much more feasible!
There is also the possibility, if applicants are interested, of combining the parish role with the additional responsibility of Rural Church Missioner (RCM) alongside parish duties, which would make the post a full-time one.
If an applicant wished to take the combined role option, the expectation would be that they would give approximately two days per week to RCM duties and the rest of the week (including all Sundays) within the Benefice - including an uninterrupted rest period of 36 hours. The parishes have embraced this reality with good grace and a determination to work more collaboratively among themselves and with their new Rector.
The role of RCM is a new one and is very much an opportunity to work together with the Archdeacon, Rural Dean and others to discern how best to support rural parishes. This role was identified as part of the Vision and Strategy for Church Growth 2024-2030 of the Diocese of Hereford. You can find the full strategy here https://www.hereford.anglican.org/about-us/our-vision/
Is God calling you to be the person who leads us forward in the next stages of our life as a Benefice?
The parishes, the post, and the person
You will find full details of all of these in the profile. We hope you will enjoy reading it and finding out more about us and the person we are seeking as Rector. In summary, though, we are praying for a rector who has the gifts, experience, and calling to:
- provide spiritual and practical leadership to parish congregations and wider communities
- build capacity by guiding, leading, and developing parish officers and lay leaders
- work alongside and closely support leaders in our two Primary Schools
- explore spiritual and numerical growth through community engagement
- identify and provide or facilitate pastoral care and support
If you are also interested in the Rural Church Missioner additional responsibility, these are the key aspects of the role description:
- work up an outline, prioritised maintenance plan for Benefice buildings
- review and co-ordinate Benefice-wide sustainability/organisation improvements
- formulate missional, financial and pastoral plans for churches across the Deanery
- train others in missional worship and events and develop a team
- line manage the Deanery Co-ordinator
The new rector would be actively supported by our volunteers and their helpers:
+ MINISTRY: we have a recently commissioned Lay Local Worship Leader and two Wardens who are developing worship-leading skills through the current vacancy. A small group of retired clergy from nearby towns have supported the delivery of a modified pattern of Sunday services – and they seem likely to be available as we move forward.
+ ORGANISATION: managing vacancy clergy cover, and this recruitment, has challenged the PCCs to work more collaboratively and several new Officer-volunteers have come forward to support this very welcome development. A facilitated ‘core team’, drawn from each PCC, was formed to drive the Parish Profile process.
+ PCCs members have grown, through the Vacancy Consultation process, in their appreciation and understanding of the shared financial and existential challenges facing the Benefice as an entity.
The ability to travel independently and quickly around a large geographic area on country roads is essential. Full, clean, driving licence and access to own car is desirable.
Thank you for your interest in this post, and please know that we are praying for you as you prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to serve Christ among and alongside us.
PLEASE INDICATE IN YOUR APPLICATION WHETHER YOU ARE APPLYING SOLELY FOR THE 0.5 STANDALONE PARISH ROLE, OR ARE INTERESTED IN COMBINING IT WITH THE RCM ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Practical details
Closing date for applications is Monday 22nd September 2025
Parish Visits will be on Monday 13th October 2025
Interviews will be on Tuesday 14th October 2025
If you have any questions, or would like to have an informal conversation about the post, please contact the Archdeacon of Ludlow, The Ven Dr Fiona Gibson - Fiona.Gibson@hereford.anglican.org or 01588 673571.
This post requires Enhanced DBS clearance.
