Open Day - Rural Parishes

Introduction

Can you see yourself at the heart of village communities, sharing our York Diocesan vision of Living Christ’s Story, and building up the people of your parishes in mission and ministry?

In the beautiful Archdeaconry of York we have three rural vacancies which we would like to share with you during our Rural Benefices Open Day. Come and pray with us, and discern whether God is calling you to join us.

Buckrose Carrs Benefice is a group of 6 parishes between the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds, along the A64. The vacancy has previously been advertised as a House for Duty Post but it is hoped that this can be offered as a full time post.

Garrowby Hill Benefice is a group of 5 parishes 15 miles east of York and is a half-stipend post. Their worship includes formal sacramental and informal family worship,   enabling people to find a home to nurture their Christian faith.

Rural Ainsty Benefice is a single parish covering five churches and offers a half-stipend post to the west of York. They are a flock seeking a shepherd and excited to explore God’s plans for His Kingdom among their communities.

The Open Day will include a tour of the three benefices, stopping at each to share their hospitality, meet key people and hear their future plans. Accommodation will be provided on the evening of Wednesday 15th October. 

The Diocese of York

The Diocese of York, led and guided by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, takes in much of North and East Yorkshire. As the largest diocese in England, geographically, the area is very diverse, featuring a multitude of needs and opportunities. This includes the bustling urban centres of York, Hull and Middlesbrough, the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors National Park, and the incomparable Yorkshire Coast; as well as areas of deprivation in some of our urban and smaller rural and coastal communities.

Our mission and ministry relies on thousands of people - lay and ordained, volunteer and paid. Our diocesan teams provide a wide range of support services to our mission and ministry, including lifelong learning for ministry, the care of church buildings, and safeguarding. Together, we are striving to be a people who are ‘Living Christ’s Story’. We want to be a simpler, bolder, humbler church which in its diversity reflects the communities it serves. We are bringing renewed focus and fresh energy to achieving our aims:

• Becoming more like Christ
• Reaching those we currently don't
• Growing in discipleship, influence and numbers
• Transforming our finances and structures

Our approach is aligned with a commitment to the best of our parochial inheritance and to the poorest communities, and to the financial realities we face.

Under current immigration rules, it is not generally possible for us to appoint clergy who are not already eligible to work in the UK. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure.

For further information and to book your place please contact Acting Archdeacon Liz Hassall, via her PA at gill.baldwin@yorkdiocese.org or phone 07949 863557

Closing date for booking a place : Midnight on Sunday 5^th October 2025