Priest in Charge of Toxteth St Bede with St Clement (0.5) and Priest in Charge of Wavertree St Bridget and St Thomas (0.5)

Introduction

Interim Priest in Charge of 2 parishes: Toxteth St Bede with St Clement & Wavertree St Bridget with St Thomas

Overview

We are looking for a pastorally wise and strategic priest who can work across these 2 vibrant parishes for an interim (3 yrs) period, helping them to build on current community links and helping them as they bridge into their proposed new future as part of a single larger parish (Hope Parish Liverpool) within the diocesan strategy of being Fit for Mission. 

Both parishes worship in the low church/evangelical tradition, one from an inclusive and one from a more conservative perspective. The two parishes are situated either side of the vibrant multi-cultural axis of Lodge Lane in the Toxteth area of Liverpool. We would love to hear from someone who feels God is calling you to work within an urban/inner city area like this, and who is committed to fostering unity in diversity. 

As well as your local responsibility in this area you will also be a leader in the Diocese of Liverpool. As such you will have clear expectations placed on you by your bishop and senior clergy colleagues; we are striving, especially through Fit for Mission, to foster a culture of high accountability and high support. We are looking for a person who encourages and inspires lay leadership, who can discern vision, and who will love these local communities and congregations, helping the churches grown in numbers, in spiritual depth, and in working for justice. 

Post Introduction

This post combines the two 0.5 roles of Priest in Charge of two distinct, but adjacent, parishes. Together they serve 3 church buildings (St Bridget, St Bede, and St Clement), but 2 congregations (St Bede and St Clement are a single congregation, currently exploring alternative futures for one of the buildings).  

The post is currently offered as a 3 year interim role, pending pastoral reorganisation. This is because both parishes, with others in the Deanery, are currently engaged in the Fit for Mission process, exploring becoming a Single Larger Parish with several team clergy and central support services. It is envisaged that the post holder might ultimately be named as a future Team Vicar within the scheme; these two churches would not necessarily be held together in a future pattern of ministry, so discerning the shape of any future post is part of the interim nature of this role. 

Liverpool is a vibrant city, with world-class cultural, transport, sporting and educational facilities. These churches lie within a densely populated, diverse and popular area of the city, just a mile or so from the city centre, either side of the vibrant multi-cultural axis of Lodge Lane. Smithdown Road runs along one boundary, offering Asda and Aldi supermakerts and many independent shops and restaurants. The parishes include several schools, community facilities, and are undergoing quite rapid demographic change. Green spaces nearby include Sefton Park, which in summer hosts many music and cultural events, and Wavertree Aquatic Centre provides excellent sporting and leisure facilities. 

Main responsibilities 

Within this context you will be particularly responsible for: 

• Developing vision for deeper links with the local community
• Embracing and facilitating change as the parishes transition within FfM
• Helping the churches develop sustainable plans for using their buildings for mission

Closing Date: 5th May

Interview Dates: 28th May

For more information please contact: Ven Dr Miranda Threlfall-Holmes Archdeacon of  Liverpool

Email: miranda.threlfall-holmes@liverpool.anglican.org

We are continuing our work to actively increase the diversity of those working in the diocese and in pursuit of that we are using anonymous shortlisting. 

Being part of the Clergy Team in Liverpool Diocese. 

For many years we have been working to achieve growth in our diocese. We have used different ways to express this but the aim and direction of travel has remained the same:  

“We are asking God for a bigger church so we can make a bigger difference”; said another way: “We long to see more people knowing Jesus and more justice in the world.”  

To achieve this vision we are rolling out a diocesan strategic transformation project called ‘Fit for Mission’ which is an ambitious, growth-orientated and locally delivered change programme to enable mission and ministry to flourish in the Diocese of Liverpool. All clergy in the Diocese are expected to align themselves fully with this vision and work to its fullest possible implementation.  

We have 4 mission priorities which are foundational to this vision:  

(i)  introducing people to Jesus;  

(ii)  deepening discipleship;  

(iii)  developing Christian leaders, and  

(iv)  working for justice.  

We are determined to make these priorities real in our life and ministry that includes:  

• a commitment to working in teams rather than in isolation, 
• a major investment in lay leadership, 
• a radical re-structuring of our parishes and 
• a releasing of clergy to enable them to focus much more fully on their gifts and vocational call.