Rural Dean, Fincham and Feltwell Deanery, Norfolk, Diocese of Ely - House for Duty post

Vacancy Reference cofe/TP/73579/8752

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Number of Positions:

Contract Type:

Office Holder

Contract Details:

Common Tenure

Salary/Stipend:

House for duty terms

Working Hours:

2 days per week plus Sunday

Location:

Watlington, Norfolk

Closing Date:

03/09/2025

Vacancy Category:

Clergy: House for Duty

Business Unit:

Diocese of Ely

Organizational Unit:

Diocesan Established Post

Introduction

Rural Dean (HfD)

Fincham & Feltwell Deanery, West Norfolk, Diocese of Ely

are you an experienced priest with a generous spirit who understands rural ministry?
are you looking for part time work with real responsibility and yet flexibility and autonomy?
are you willing to locate to a beautiful part of the country near the coast yet only 100 mins train ride from London?

(Baptism at St James, Hockwold)

The Deanery of Fincham & Feltwell covers those parts of West Norfolk that sit within the Diocese of Ely (Ely is only 20 mins drive away). The Deanery contains the market town of Downham market (pop. 9000) with 30 parishes/villages surrounding it. The total population is 38,000 and roughly 380 of these are on our electoral rolls.

The Deanery is served by 4 full time stipendiary clergy, with support from 3 self supporting ministers, 8 licensed lay ministers and 8 clergy with PTO, alongside churchwardens, authorised lay ministers and administrators. Your role will be to support all these leaders and unite them in the common purpose of renewing the church and growing younger disciples.

The role of Rural Dean specifically involves:

Being pastor to the clergy and LLMs in the Deanery
Leading Deanery Synod alongside the experienced Lay Chair
Supporting and leading parishes in vacancy
Liaising with the Bishop and Archdeacon so that diocesan strategy works to the benefit of growth in these rural areas
Innovating, leading change, addressing problems with the soft skills of prayer, encouragement, challenge and example.

The role is not all plain sailing! We have some PCCs with almost no officers, 2 churches being rebuilt after catastrophic fires, small congregations and significant financial challenges, as well as the priority to grow younger and more diverse. Yet we also have lots of opportunities: great relationships with local schools (many Church schools), some churches that have grown significantly, and a willingness to work together that has been carefully nurtured by former Rural Deans and Lay Chairs.

The Deanery of Fincham & Feltwell

We seek an experienced priest, who is:

Able to lead amidst diversity without taking sides,
Capable of delegating tasks and working collaboratively,
Kind, gentle and wise,
Open to new ideas, forward thinking and supportive of difference,
Inclusive and respectful, yet clear and principled.

Terms:

The House that accompanies this role is in the beautiful village of Watlington, which is near Downham Market and has its own train station. Alternatively a housing allowance (currently £10,500) may be paid. Expenses of office will be provided.

The Post will be held under Common Tenure Terms.

Initial appointment is for 5 years.

Are you interested?

Phone Ven Richard Harlow, Archdeacon of Huntingdon & Wisbech, Telephone 07415 757527 for an informal conversation/expression of interest
Download Application Form below.
Please note that Application Forms and the Equality Monitoring Form must be submitted by email to archdeacon.handw@elydiocese.org
Applications are welcome at any time
Further details at https://www. elydiocese.org/about/vacancies

Safer Recruitment in the Diocese of Ely

The Diocese of Ely is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees to undertake safeguarding checks and training relevant to their role and to adhere to the Church of England’s safeguarding policies and procedures . Therefore, this position is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service).

Our Diocese

The Diocese of Ely stretches from Cambridge to Peterborough and out towards the coastal and inland areas of West Norfolk. It houses 3/4 million people, which will rise to 1 million in the next 15 years.

This area buzzes with energy from the academic, business and medical excellence of Cambridge University to the rich agricultural areas of Huntingdon, Fenland and Norfolk.

(Ely Cathedral from the River Ouse)

Despite the presence of a world leading university, Cambridgeshire and our parishes in West Norfolk are not all affluent. Towns and villages have pockets of poverty and low attainment. Rural areas can be especially isolated and have lower than average wages. The churches are strong in some places, but there is much work to be done.

The Diocese of Ely is a good place to live and work: stable finances, good housing, inclusive and warm hearted senior leaders, coupled with a rich diversity of benefices in all traditions make this a place that clergy stay once they have discovered us. We have just over 100 incumbent status clergy, with a strong Diocesan team, and a real emphasis on lay development and training. We have no plans to reduce clergy numbers.

The Diocesan Bishop has moved on, but the diocese remains on a steady course, as it seeks our next Diocesan. Our Mission Strategy, Ely 2025, devolves much decision making to the parishes, benefices and deaneries, so that clergy are able to innovate, take risks and build alliances for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the good of our communities. We welcome applications from clergy who are prepared to work collaboratively and faithfully. We will enable you to flourish and grow in ministry, whilst maintaining a sensible work life balance.

A Diverse and Inclusive Workforce 

The Diocese of Ely is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.

COME AND JOIN US.

(West Dereham Church, with its rare round tower)

Attached documents:

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