Priest-in-Charge of Tranmere St Paul and St Luke (Interim)

Introduction

We are seeking an interim Priest in Charge to minister to this committed urban parish of Anglo-Catholic tradition, located in the heart of a community in Birkenhead, who will enable ministry among a significant South Indian community in the area. It is a parish of some economic disadvantage, with a strong sense of identity and a history of appreciating the church’s ministry.  A well-appointed Vicarage is provided.

The parish is seeking someone who will:

• Maintain our Anglo-Catholic tradition and help us to grow spiritually.

• Enable the new parts of our congregation to flourish, connecting with South Indian community groups.

• Use their experience of enabling churches, chaplaincies, or schools to engage missionally with diaspora communities.

• Be theologically open and encourage a lively and questioning faith.

• Help and lead us in growing our outreach in our community, using the links already in place with our community and with our primary schools.

• Play a wider role in the diocese, supporting the work of the Racial Justice Officer

• Foster a good safeguarding culture within the parish.

Closing date for applications:    1 December   

Interviews:                                     16 December 

Prospective applicants are welcome to discuss the post with The Bishop of Birkenhead via:

Jennifer Kohn: PA to Bishop of Birkenhead

E: jennifer.kohn@chester.anglican.org

T: 01244 350864

We would positively welcome applicants who have lived experience of working with the South Indian community.

 Please note: The Diocese of Chester will not interview any candidates for posts if they cannot provide an assurance of a valid DBS and up to date safeguarding training.

The Diocese of Chester is in the province of York in the Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion. For more information about our life, ministry and work please visit our website www.chester.anglican.org We are linked with the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands and the Dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Diocese covers an area of 1025 square miles, approximately the old Victorian County of Chester, including parts which subsequently became absorbed into Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The Rivers Mersey and Tame approximately delineate the boundary with Liverpool and Manchester. There are areas of dense urban population, mainly in the north, stretching from Birkenhead to East Manchester. There are prosperous suburban regions of West and South Wirral, Chester and south of Manchester, with a mainly rural heartland, bounded by the Derbyshire Pennines and the Welsh Border. The overall population is around 1.6 million.

The Diocesan Bishop is Mark Tanner, Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty and the Bishop of Stockport is Samuel Corley.

The Cathedral for the Diocese is in Chester.

The Diocese is divided into two archdeaconries: Chester covering the western half and Macclesfield the eastern, each with nine deaneries. There are 273 parishes, about 100 of which can be described as rural. Compared with many dioceses, there are few teams, and few multi-parish benefices. There are approximately 231 stipendiary clergy. The ministry of Readers and Pastoral Workers is important, with over 400 licensed. The role of self-supporting ministers is increasing, with over 80 in post at present.

Roughly speaking, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield covers that part of the diocese to the east of the M6, plus the area around Crewe and Nantwich. The Archdeaconry of Chester covers the rest of the diocese to the west of the M6. Each archdeaconry has a broad mix of urban and rural parishes. The Archdeacon of Chester lives in Chester, and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield lives in Congleton. Both now work from Church House, Daresbury.