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Full-Time Associate Rector Ellesmere Port Parish
Vacancy Reference cofe/TP/26522/9415
Introduction
Full-Time Associate Rector
Ellesmere Port Parish
We are seeking an Associate Rector for this very large urban parish of open evangelical tradition. St Thomas Ellesmere Port and St Lawrence Stoak are two vibrant churches with extensive and growing community links. You would be part of a hugely gifted and supportive team, lay and ordained. There are enormous missional opportunities.
As Associate Rector, you will work in partnership with the Rector and other clergy in leading the church, preaching and teaching regularly across congregations. You will also work with both Church of England schools (one primary, one secondary) in the parish, and with other primary schools to further God’s Kingdom. There will be opportunities to take on responsibility for particular ministry areas within the church, based on your gifts, in conversation with the Rector. You would be a point of contact for pastoral care, providing support, counsel, and visiting those in need.
We are seeking a mission-focused priest who:
- Feels a strong sense of call to the parish of Ellesmere Port.
- Has a deep devotion to Christ.
- Will lead alongside our Rector in all areas of parish ministry.
- Is a team player, collaborator and communicator who can work effectively. and harmoniously with the Rector, fellow clergy, staff, and lay leaders.
- Is a strategic thinker who is comfortable with navigating change, setting plans, managing projects, and delegating responsibilities effectively, while practising good self-care and workload management.
- Is an inspirational evangelical preacher who can deliver services with enthusiasm and can relate them to our lives.
- Has a desire to reach out beyond the church walls and share the good news of Jesus in creative ways.
- Will foster a good safeguarding culture in the parish, to ensure that the church is a safe space for everyone.
A good, modern house is provided for the Associate Rector.
· Closing date for applications: 7 December 2025
· Interviews: 13 January 2026
You are very welcome to contact the Rector, the Revd Rachel Newell, for an informal conversation on 07594 277453 or rev.r.newell@gmail.com
Please complete the application form below, or via the Diocesan website, and return it to the Archdeacon of Chester.
The Ven Dr Michael Gilbertson, Archdeacon of Chester michael.gilbertson@chester.anglican.org
Associate Rector | Chester Diocese
Safeguarding
- The Diocese of Chester is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
- An Enhanced DBS Disclosure will be required for the successful candidate.
- Applicants are required to submit relevant training certificates with their applications. They will not be shortlisted unless they can provide an assurance of up-to-date safeguarding training and a valid DBS check for their current post.
Diversity
- We will particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
About us:
The Diocese of Chester is in the province of York in the Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion. For more information about our life, ministry and work please visit our website www.chester.anglican.org We are linked with the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and the Dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Diocese covers an area of 1025 square miles, approximately the old Victorian County of Chester, including parts which subsequently became absorbed into Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The Rivers Mersey and Tame approximately delineate the boundary with Liverpool and Manchester. There are areas of dense urban population, mainly in the north, stretching from Birkenhead to East Manchester. There are prosperous suburban regions of West and South Wirral, Chester and south of Manchester, with a mainly rural heartland, bounded by the Derbyshire Pennines and the Welsh Border. The overall population is around 1.6 million.
The Diocesan Bishop is Mark Tanner, Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty and the Bishop of Stockport is Samuel Corley.
The Cathedral for the Diocese is in Chester.
The Diocese is divided into two archdeaconries:
Chester covering the western half and Macclesfield the eastern, each with nine deaneries. There are 273 parishes, about 100 of which can be described as rural. Compared with many dioceses, there are few teams, and few multi-parish benefices. There are approximately 231 stipendiary clergy. The ministry of Readers and Pastoral Workers is important, with over 400 licensed. The role of self-supporting ministers is increasing, with over 80 in post at present.
Roughly speaking, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield covers that part of the diocese to the east of the M6, plus the area around Crewe and Nantwich. The Archdeaconry of Chester covers the rest of the diocese to the west of the M6. Each archdeaconry has a broad mix of urban and rural parishes. The Archdeacon of Chester lives in Chester, and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield lives in Congleton. Both now work from Church House, Daresbury.
