Interim Priest in Charge (3yrs) – Christ Church Heworth, York

We are an Evangelical Church, rooted in the Scriptures, led by the Holy Spirt. Is God calling you to be the Interim next Priest in Charge, here at Christ Church Heworth?

We are based on the outskirts of the beautiful medieval city of York and have just celebrated 60 years since the church was dedicated on 20 March 1964. Our hope is to see the Kingdom of God grow in our communities through Worship, Prayer, Lifestyle and Outreach.

The five best things about Christ Church are:

• It’s PEOPLE – A gifted and talented group of people who regularly worship together. We lead and run groups from our Babies and Toddlers to Senior Friends and from our Monday Coffee Shop to a Fellowship group.
• Our BUILDING – We are blessed with a modern building with flexible space, including a main hall, teaching rooms and kitchen; good car parking and a Hut in the grounds. Our good internet access and PA system enables projection of services, which can be seen by all.
• The warmth of our WELCOME is commented upon by visitors, explorers and those new to the area.
• Our PASTORAL CARING for the church family and reaching out to our community. From providing meals for those who have been ill, to lifts to church or doctors; home Communion to those in need of prayer. Ensuring needs are met spiritually, physically or mentally.
• Being THE HUB for the community. The church building is in use most weekdays and evenings by all ages; from Playgroup, uniformed organisations, Gardening and Slimming Clubs, as well as Senior Friends and Coffee Shop run by the church.

We are not without our challenges:

• A lack of young people and families within the church family, despite the connections we have within the community and opportunities through the local primary school. Young people are the future of Christ Church and we want to see God’s love shared and our church family grow.
• We are keen to know God’s vision for us as a community, and feel the need to explore this through a stronger emphasis on the many and varied forms of prayer and learning.
• The need to heal divisions  and hurt within the church family that have arisen over a difficult period of disunity. We trust in God and are willing to learn, build and bind together to be one body in Christ in this place once again.

We are looking for a priest who is:

• Spirit lead and prayerful. We pray that the person who is appointed will lead and guide us to explore what is God’s vision for this place.
• A biblically based preacher and teacher of the word. To challenge and uplift us to grow in discipleship on our Christian journey.
• Compassionate and nurturing. A servant-hearted and approachable person, who can nurture the gifts and talents of all God’s people and reconcile and heal the congregation.
• An active listener, with discernment, who shows respect, empathy and friendship to all. Able to use effective forms of communication appropriate whatever age or situation.
• One who works with and encourages others to further God’s kingdom in this place and with other churches and denominations.

Please read our Parish Profile to find out more.

The Diocese of York

The Diocese of York, led and guided by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, takes in much of North and East Yorkshire. As the largest diocese in England, geographically, the area is very diverse, featuring a multitude of needs and opportunities. This includes the bustling urban centres of York, Hull and Middlesbrough, the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors National Park, and the incomparable Yorkshire Coast; as well as areas of deprivation in some of our urban and smaller rural and coastal communities.

Our mission and ministry relies on thousands of people – lay and ordained, volunteer and paid. Our diocesan teams provide a wide range of support services to our mission and ministry, including lifelong learning for ministry, the care of church buildings, and safeguarding. Together, we are striving to be a people who are ‘Living Christ’s Story’. We want to be a simpler, bolder, humbler church which in its diversity reflects the communities it serves. We are bringing renewed focus and fresh energy to achieving our aims:

• Becoming more like Christ
• Reaching those we currently don’t
• Growing in discipleship, influence and numbers
• Transforming our finances and structures

Our approach is aligned with a commitment to the best of our parochial inheritance and to the poorest communities, and to the financial realities we face.

Under current immigration rules, it is not generally possible for us to appoint clergy who are not already eligible to work in the UK.

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Sunday 26th May, 2024

Interviews: Monday 17th June, 2024