RECTOR OF STALHAM AND SMALLBURGH

Overview

Thank you for your interest in this post, as together we seek to discern who God may be calling to serve as Rector of the Stalham and Smallburgh benefices, to be held in plurality. These notes are intended to supplement the information given in the Benefice Profile, adding a slightly wider perspective and with some further information.

Introduction

Our two Benefices were entirely separate until 2015, when the retirement of the Rector of Smallburgh led to the Rector of Stalham accepting the vacant incumbency, the Benefices to be held in plurality. They lie in the north-east of Norfolk, at the top of the Broads, a short distance from the sea at Happisburgh and with easy access to Norwich. Between them the two Benefices extend roughly seven miles east to west and five miles north to south. The populations of the six parishes are not large: only Stalham and Sutton have more than a thousand inhabitants.

The other parishes each have around 300 inhabitants. Both Benefices have separate and distinctive identities, reflecting their histories as well as their geographical and demographic characteristics. The Smallburgh Benefice comprises the three village parishes of Dilham, Honing with Crostwight, and Smallburgh, set in an agricultural landscape, while the Stalham Benefice, centred on the small but growing town of Stalham, includes the two nearby village parishes of Ingham and Sutton; the two villages of East Ruston and Brunstead are also included within the Stalham Parish

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a new rector, following the recent retirement of the previous incumbent, to provide us with the help and leadership that will allow our Benefices to thrive.

We want someone with enthusiasm for bringing the gospel message alive, sharing the good news within our communities and enabling the members of our churches to feel empowered to share their faith in Christ.

 We need someone who understands the challenges of rural ministry, the joys that this can bring and the sense of community that can be established through parish life.

In return we will do our best to support and encourage our rector in the joint venture of refreshing the church’s role and meaning in this part of Norfolk, anchoring God in our community

About us

Diocese and Deanery

Under the leadership of the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, a vision is emerging for the Diocese – Transformed by Christ: Prayerfully, Pastorally and Prophetically. Work is currently underway on the strategies that will help us live out and deliver this vision.

Bishop Graham has written an Ethos and Culture Statement, available on the diocesan website - https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/app/uploads/2020/12/Our-Life-Together-2021.pdf - which gives details of our structures and the character of the Diocese.

The Stalham and Smallburgh benefices fall within the Archdeaconry of Norfolk, and so under the care of the Bishop of Thetford (The Rt Revd Dr Alan Winton) and the Archdeacon of Norfolk (The Venerable Steven Betts). The benefice is in the St Benet at Waxham and Tunstead deanery whose Rural Dean is The Revd Canon Catherine Dobson, Rector of the Coastal Group of Parishes. There are 7 posts of incumbent status in the Deanery, along with 2 Assistant Curates, 1 Self-Supporting Clergy, 7 Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) and a number of PTO clergy and Authorised Worship Assistants. Attendance at Deanery Synod and Chapter is an expectation, and all diocesan clergy are encouraged to give some part of their time and energies to the wider life of the Diocese.