These are exciting times for our parishes! You can expect a ministry full of opportunity and innovative leadership as our two parishes unite as a new plurality. Both churches are thriving and there is scope for new areas of ministry to emerge.
This is a unique opportunity to live in the lovely city of York and to lead and to make your mark as you grow two churches in the east of the city; St Paul’s in Heslington and St Hilda’s Tang Hall.
Both parishes are engaged in the diocesan ‘Revitalise” programme - an accompanied two-year missional journey towards growth with forty ministry units in the Diocese of York, supported by the Growing Healthy Churches Team. Both churches recognise the need for inclusive and positive leadership and the development of mature active participation in the mission of God.
Does this sound like a role where you can flourish and inspire this new developing partnership?
We are eager move forward in mission and ministry with our new priest:
* Both St Paul’s and St Hilda’s have a wide range of people to support and lead ministry including LLMs (Lay Readers), retired clergy, a university chaplain and a Methodist local preacher.
* Both churches have competent PCC secretaries, booking secretaries, lay chairs, churchwardens / stewards and efficient treasurers.
* The local CofE secondary school, Archbishop Holgate’s, is ready to welcome active involvement with the new incumbent
* Both churches have an international congregation due to our links with the university and the local communities.
* Music is an important part of worship at both churches with a singing group, and several good musicians.
* A monthly ‘Messy Church’ runs at Heslington and a new ‘Lego Church’ is growing in Tang Hall
* Much thought has been given to priorities and strategy and we have begun to implement some of this.
* Joyful. Prayerful. Hopeful.
* Empathetic – to the differences, strengths and opportunities as we continue growing together as a plurality
* Aspirational – recognise and develop many opportunities with vision and enthusiasm to take us further in our relationship with God.
* Innovative – suggest and develop new forms of being church and to recognise the new model being developed here as well as nurturing the Local Ecumenical Partnership at Heslington.
* Collaborative – encourage and nurture people’s gifts and talents, supporting lay ministries
* Purposeful – develop a vision for the future and the development of mature active participation in the mission of God.
* Inclusive – enthusiastic to celebrate the varied ministries; maintaining a place where people feel they belong.
* Relevant – able to connect through ministry with students and or young people and to make Living Christ’s Story relevant to our diverse communities.
* Challenging – providing thoughtful, thought-provoking and biblical teaching.
The post is being advertised as a 3 year interim post to explore whether the plurality will flourish in mission and partnership in the longer term.
The Diocese of York
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 October 2025
Interviews: Wednesday 12th November