Rector for the Benefice of Somersham, Pidley, Woodhurst & Old Hurst, St Ives, Cambridgeshire.
A rural community with roots planted in hospitality and servanthood.
Serving God by serving others.
St John the Baptist
The role of Rector of the benefice of Somersham, Pidley, Woodhurst and Old Hurst is an opportunity to lead 4 rural churches with a desire to grow.
Building on faithful ministry, you will work with a team of loyal and resourceful paid and volunteer staff.
You will find villages that value the role of the church and actively work alongside church members.
What are we good at?
Safeguarding
* we have a reliable and approachable Safeguarding Officer for the whole Benefice
* We have a strong ranking on the Diocesan Safeguarding Dashboard
Hospitality
* All churches provide refreshments alongside main services.
* We hold many events which welcome and partner with our local community.
Worship/Study
* There is a regular pattern of services held in each church in the Benefice supported by our ministry team as well as local, retired clergy.
* There are well-attended special services at Christmas, Easter, Harvest and Remembrance Sunday.
* We hold several special services including a remembering service, crib service, Easter dawn outdoor service and services for the local schools.
* There is a benefice-wide home group that meets fortnightly on Tuesday Evenings.
Children’s Ministry
* We have a funded part-time children’s worker
* Ecumenical Open the Book teams visit the primary school every six weeks
* An explorers’ group which meets weekly in the primary school
* Holiday clubs for about 30 children are organised to coincide with school holidays.
* A thriving Toddlers’ group (Little Acorns) operates weekly during term time.
* A well-attended messy church service is held monthly
* We work with our local Baptist church to deliver a youth club for older children
People
* We have an enthusiastic ministry team of LLMs, Authorised Ministers and committed churchwardens
* We have a pool of willing volunteers
Where we need your help
* We need to do more to attract younger worshippers.
* Our church buildings are beautiful but costly and time consuming to maintain. We need help to reimagine sustainability.
* We need a sharper focus on net zero carbon goals and to think of practical ways in which this objective can be achieved.
We seek a priest, who is:
* a pastoral leader, able to communicate sensitively and effectively with all ages
* a visible presence in all four villages in the Benefice, embracing the life of our communities and be responsive in times of need
* Enthusiastic - with the vision, inspiration and new ideas to guide us in growing our faith, helping us develop our outreach in the Benefice.
* Experienced - with the leadership skills and confidence to empower, support and manage volunteers and paid workers to use their talents, enthusiasm and skills for God’s work in the life of our churches and communities
* Able to make teaching about our faith accessible and meaningful to all
* Happy to develop a variety of worship styles and music to suit the diverse needs of our existing and new congregation across the benefice
* Inclusive, outgoing, cheerful and hopeful.
Our diocese and deanery offers:
* excellent, spacious modern rectory in quiet street
* friendly supportive chapter colleagues
* well funded CMD and support for clergy and their families
* generous and pastoral senior leadership
(The Rectory in Somersham)