The following content displays a map of the jobs location - St Mary's Rectory, 7 Oak Street, Feltwell, Norfolk
Rector (designate) for The Wissey Valley and Grimshoe Benefices, West Norfolk
Vacancy Reference cofe/TP/73579/7789
Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Office Holder
Contract Details:
Common Tenure
Salary/Stipend:
National Stipend level
Location:
St Mary's Rectory, 7 Oak Street, Feltwell, Norfolk
Closing Date:
09/01/2025
Vacancy Category:
Clergy
Business Unit:
Diocese of Ely
Organizational Unit:
Diocesan Established Post
Introduction
Priest in charge (Rector designate) for Wissey Valley
& Grimshoe benefices
– leading change, inspiring hope.
(Baptism at St James, Hockwold) Come and join us as Rector (designate) in our two benefices! You will find a capable ministry team, excellent rectory, warm-hearted churches and supportive village communities that value and frequent our beautiful buildings.
We are vibrant, inclusive churches that are deeply embedded in the life of their communities, with a sustainable future and growing, diverse congregations. Our Benefices in South West Norfolk include twelve parishes in the Deanery of Fincham and Feltwell, covering an area approx. 10 miles by 15 miles.
Whilst this may seem like a large geographical area, these are small villages with big plans! There are areas of new development in several of the villages, a real opportunity for outreach and growth of the worshipping communities to offer a new incumbent. We are a diverse group of parishes and are therefore able to offer a broad band of churchmanship, something to suit all. The twelve offer a rich tapestry of opportunities to engage with their communities.
Our ministry team includes 13 ordained (SSM), licensed or authorised ministers with diverse skills and vocations, served by 2 administrators. We have strong relationships with local schools and parish councils. We operate a food pantry from one of our churches, and warm hubs in others. As a group of churches we plan to support each other and work collaboratively, sharing resources and ideas to strengthen our collective mission.
(Pure Floyd concert, Methwold)
We seek an inspiring priest, who is:
- Capable of leading a large team, delegating tasks and working collaboratively,
- Community orientated, visible and approachable
- Open to new ideas, forward thinking and supportive of different worship styles
- Inclusive and respectful
- Empathic and warm hearted (with a sense of humour).
(the Rectory in Feltwell)
- Download the Benefice Profile and Application Form below.
- Please note that Application Forms and the Equality Monitoring Form must be submitted by email to archdeacon.handw@elydiocese.org
- Closing Date: Midday Thursday 9 January 2025
- Interviews Tuesday 11 February & Wednesday 12 February 2025
- Full details at https://www. elydiocese.org/about/vacancies
- Informal enquiries Ven Richard Harlow, Archdeacon of Huntingdon & Wisbech, Telephone 07415 757527
Safer Recruitment in the Diocese of Ely
The Diocese of Ely is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees to undertake safeguarding checks and training relevant to their role and to adhere to the Church of England’s safeguarding policies and procedures . Therefore, this position is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service).
Our Diocese
The Diocese of Ely stretches from Cambridge to Peterborough and out towards the coastal and inland areas of West Norfolk. It houses 3/4 million people, which will rise to 1 million in the next 15 years.
This area buzzes with energy from the academic, business and medical excellence of Cambridge University to the rich agricultural areas of Huntingdon, Fenland and Norfolk.
(Ely Cathedral from the River Ouse)
Despite the presence of a world leading university, Cambridgeshire and our parishes in West Norfolk are not all affluent. Towns and villages have pockets of poverty and low attainment. Rural areas can be especially isolated and have lower than average wages. The churches are strong in some places, but there is much work to be done.
The Diocese of Ely is a good place to live and work: stable finances, good housing, inclusive and warm hearted bishops, coupled with a rich diversity of benefices in all traditions make this a place that clergy stay once they have discovered us. We have just over 100 incumbent status clergy, with a strong Diocesan team, and a real emphasis on lay development and training. We have no plans to reduce clergy numbers.
The Diocesan Bishop has moved on, but the diocese remains on a steady course, as it seeks our next Diocesan. Our Mission Strategy, Ely 2025, devolves much decision making to the parishes, benefices and deaneries, so that clergy are able to innovate, take risks and build alliances for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the good of our communities. We welcome applications from clergy who are prepared to work collaboratively and faithfully. We will enable you to flourish and grow in ministry, whilst maintaining a sensible work life balance.
A Diverse and Inclusive Workforce
The Diocese of Ely is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.
COME AND JOIN US.
(West Dereham Church, with its rare round tower)
