Rector of Hinderwell, Roxby and Staithes with Lythe, Ugthorpe and Sandsend (The Mulgrave Benefice)

Introduction

Is God calling you to be the new Rector of Hinderwell, Roxby and Staithes with Lythe, Ugthorpe and Sandsend (The Mulgrave Benefice)?

We are three parishes located in a beautiful part of the world where moors meet beach and sea with some of the most picturesque villages in the UK. This moment is an important juncture in our mission, as we seek to welcome new people into our churches and grow younger. While we have good links with our local schools, we feel the lack of children in our churches. This role offers a seedbed rich for mission and ministry and space to discern how God is calling. We are young at heart and open to new ideas; we are seeking someone with creativity, energy and drive to enthuse and support the Mulgrave Benefice to work more closely together and better serve our communities.

Our six churches and villages each have their own distinct identities with some wonderful traditions such as Plough Sunday at Lythe, a sunrise service on the beach at Sandsend on Easter morning, a Rogation service at Roxby and a Crib service at Hinderwell on Christmas eve. Our churches are also important community hubs hosting art exhibitions and concerts, coffee clubs and craft days.

St Oswalds enjoys an excellent relationship with their local Church of England primary school who tell us that the children love being part of their traditions. Importantly, they also love learning about the Christian faith in a way that feels alive and connected to their own lives; a faith that is about relationships, kindness and belonging. 

While we are keen to preserve some of our traditions, we are forward thinking in our approach and willing to experiment. We’re exploring ways of working more closely together with a joint PCC and simpler administration; our energies could be better invested in new and family-orientated church engagement with our local communities. 

Each church has volunteers and active helpers and across the benefice we are supported by two self-supporting ministers, an authorised lay minister and churchwardens who are comfortable taking services of the word. We have a monthly parish magazine with both church and village news.

This is an attractive post with huge potential. With God’s leading, our team of lay and ordained leaders has a desire to reach beyond the walls of the church buildings. We are looking for someone who can help us: 

• Drive and build commitment to mission
• Develop strong leadership skills and allow others to develop theirs
• Build communications with people of all ages
• Be creative and innovative
• Develop and plan our vision for the future
• Work collaboratively
• Inspire young people and families to come to church
• Have an open baptism and marriage policy
• Be a visible presence in the community

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

About Us

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

Informal enquiries are welcome:
The Bishop of Whitby, Barry Hill | bishopofwhitby@yorkdiocese.org | 01642 593 273

The Diocese of York is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.  Find out more here:  Safeguarding in the Diocese of York

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

Closing date for applications: Thurs 12 February, midday

Interview date: Mon 9 March