Rector of the Benefice of Guisborough

Introduction

Is God calling you to be the new Rector of Guisborough?

We are an energetic, welcoming and vibrant community, serving a beautiful market town on the edge of the North York Moors, close to both the coast and to Middlesbrough. Considered to be a focal point for the local community and for baptisms, weddings and funerals, we enjoy excellent relationships with people of all ages who we have nurtured through our church/schools programme, regular concerts and more. We are a place of strong community, lively faith and many missional opportunities.  

This is a rare opportunity to lead and serve a single church unit which is deeply missional, has a superb, newly refurbished building, has a team (of 7) licensed/authorised lay and ordained ministers as well as many faithful volunteers, and is in good heart.

We are now seeking a priest who will “lead us into the next chapter of deepening and energising our Christian faith, enabling us to share Christ’s story through the many opportunities we have.”

Guisborough is expanding with a current population of 18,000 and St Nicholas is the only Anglican church in town. Our warm and welcoming regular congregation of over 100 people from a range of backgrounds and Christian traditions, reflects the socio-economic mix of Guisborough. This gives strength and breath to our mission, underpinned by our common desire to share faith in a way which is accessible and relevant; we are open to new ways and ideas.

Our services follow Common Worship with a robed choir each Sunday and lay-led readings and intercessions. Music plays a vital part of our worship, with a blend of traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs, led by the choir, which includes several enthusiastic young choristers. We have a music group joining the organ and piano in leading worship once a month.

Our Church/Schools partnership scheme works with all our primary schools and offers music tuition, School Choir Festivals and a Choir Scholarship Programme for children. We also host a week-long open door event for schools, Mini Music sessions for pre-schoolers, Messy Church, a youth club, care home ministry and are Dementia Friendly. Our extensive programme of concerts and events, hosted in our newly refurbished and flexible building, helps fund our outreach.  We are ably supported by our team of seven licensed/authorised lay and ordained ministers, churchwardens and band of volunteers.

St Nicholas is part of a collaborative and supportive Deanery, who join the parishes of the wider Diocese in seeking to invite all who live, study, work or play in our parishes to know the joy of Living Christ’s Story.

Please download the full profile for more information and, if this might be how God is calling 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 Archdeacon of Cleveland, Amanda Bloor | adcl@yorkdiocese.org | 01642 706095
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 26 Feb, midday

Interview date: Thurs 19 Mar