This post is one of four for which we are offering a 2-day Experience Programme on Thursday 7th - Friday 8th March 2019. The event invites you to come and view the rural vacancies we are currently offering, with a view to applying for one or more of them; interviews for which all take place in May.

Please download the attached advert, which has appeared in The Church Times, the itinerary for the days and the application form. Applications for the Experience Programme close at mid-day on Thursday 28th February.

Welcome to the benefices of Pockington Wold and Londesborough Wold, which are situated in the beautiful rural setting of The Yorkshire Wolds; attracting tourists for walking and cycling, the history and access to the east coast resorts. Pocklington, a large market town with independent shops and boutiques, an Arts Centre and renowned gardens at Burnby Hall, offers something for everyone. The surrounding villages are served by local shops, village halls and pubs, and are traditional farming communities. The community is increasing in size with areas of new housing development.

The large flexible space within Pocklington church lends its self to offer hospitality and use by various groups and for a variety of regular events, concerts and festivals. Further development and facilities are planned. Elsewhere, the church communities are an active part of village life and the upkeep and future development of the church buildings to provide toilets and flexible meeting space are linked to local events and introductions of new styles of worship. The churches try to capitalise on the tourist opportunities in the area and churches are open for visitors.

Members of the churches attended the Diocesan programme of LYCIG (Leading Your Church into Growth) in September 2016, and would love to develop this further.

We offer our priest:

• Support – dedicated support of a large ministry team and pastoral care team, all assisted by two paid part time administrators.

• Enthusiasm – enthusiastic hard working people seeking to grow an active Christian presence at the heart of our communities.

• Openness – to change, new ideas and ways of working.

• Friendliness – a friendly, appreciative and supportive environment.

• Community – good links with local schools and groups including two local Church of England schools.

• To promote the Diocesan Vision of Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples, prayerfully working to deepen the five marks of growth in the parishes of the benefice.

• To be a person of vision and enthusiasm, helping us to develop and realise our vision for the future, as churches at the heart of our communities.

• To lead us in reaching out to young families within our benefice, whilst ministering to the spiritual needs of all in the community.

• To be a person of energy, looking to build fellowship, encourage spiritual growth and deepen discipleship.

• To be a good communicator, with an ear to listen and a heart to love.

We seek a Priest who:

• Has a calling for a rural type of ministry with a large town church at the centre.

• Can guide us through renewal and reform of the group of churches; to enable us to work better together while valuing our diversity.

• Has enthusiasm, to help us grow in numbers, especially reaching out to families and younger people.

• Is willing to be a visual presence in the community, developing our links with local schools, charities and churches.

• Shows leadership and encourages it in others, to capitalise on our potential.

• Has good communication skills with all ages and backgrounds; listens, loves, and has a sense of humour.

For more information about this application process, please use this link

Deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 31st March 2019

Interviews are scheduled for Friday 17th May 2019

Full details about this opportunity can be found in the attached documents.

For an informal conversation please contact The Bishop of Selby by email at bishopofselby@yorkdiocese.org or Tel: 01757 429 982

The Diocese of York is a family of 607 churches and 125 schools in 470 parishes, which extends from Middlesbrough on the River Tees to Hull on the River Humber, and from the east coast of Yorkshire about as far west as the A1 road.

Led and guided by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, our vision is to be a family of Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples. We are currently working through a Diocesan Strategy that focuses on:

• Reaching those we currently don't
• Moving to Growth
• Achieving sustainable finances

Find out more about us at our microsite: https://jobs.churchofengland.org/dioceseofyork/

Our official website can be found here: http://dioceseofyork.org.uk/

Unfortunately it is not always straightforward for clergy from overseas to be appointed to posts in the Church of England. The policy of the UK Border Agency is that normally the organisation making an appointment has been able to prove that it is impossible to appoint a person who is a national of a European Economic Area country, before a visa giving permission to work will be issued to a person who comes from elsewhere.

(ExperienceRuralMinistry)