Priest in Charge Eastchurch w Leysdown & Harty Benefice and West Sheppey Benefice

Introduction

We are looking to appoint a Priest-in-Charge to offer oversight and ministry in the two Benefices of West Sheppey and Eastchurch w Leysdown & Harty who will bring pastoral gifts to serve the churches, leadership gifts to inspire and oversee a new ministry team of three full-time priests and other lay ministers and the missional skills to develop new missional opportunities across the benefice and beyond.  

This is an exciting time for ministry and mission on the Isle of Sheppey. The Isle of Sheppey Group Ministry consists of the Benefice of West Sheppey and the Benefice of Eastchurch w Leysdown & Harty on the eastern half of the island. Currently, both benefices are vacant. The Benefice of Eastchurch w Leysdown & Harty became vacant January 2020 and West Sheppey in October 2024.  

The post of Priest-in-Charge of both benefices and this demonstrates the commitment and hope for more collaborative oversight and working across the Island. Two other new Associate Priest full-time appointments are being recruited with the expectation that in time this team will serve together across the whole Island. The new Priest-in-Charge will be working with the two PCCs to discern appropriate organisational structure of ministry.  

Closing date: 22nd March 2026

Interviews: 23rd April 2026

If you would like more information or an informal discussion with the Archdeacon of Maidstone, please email archdeacon.maidstone@diocant.org