We are a flock whose homes are scattered across several hamlets and villages, but we are very much united in worship, ministry and mission. We seek a shepherd for this flock who will enable us to grow: someone who will nurture, enthuse and encourage us as we journey together. We have a lot to offer and invite you to take a closer look. We are excited to discover God’s plans for His Kingdom amongst our communities and we hope you will find God’s calling here.
Rural Ainsty is a single parish covering five churches within a beautiful rural area of North Yorkshire just outside the city of York. In such an environment, it is easy to believe that God has a purpose for each one of us. The villages of Bickerton, Catterton, Bilton, Healaugh, Hessay, Moor Monkton and Wighill are rural farming communities, but with easy access to Harrogate and Leeds, as well as York itself by good road and rail networks.
One parish, with a single PCC since 2016, the Churchwardens and congregations have grown stronger spiritually and practically through living together as one worshipping community. This makes better use of resources and allows more focus for clergy on their diaconal and priestly vocations, including their close collaboration with Methodist partners and across our deanery. Aware of our spiritual heritage in the ancient Saxon buildings, we are embracing our traditional values but exploring and offering a wide range of styles and means of worship, including online, to suit the different parts of our communities.
We have a lot to offer, with:
* A Leadership Team, with 4 Churchwardens who meet regularly and work effectively as a team, bringing different ministerial gifts and knowledge.
* A united PCC, a retired vicar with PTO, an Authorised Lay Multiply Leader, with another in training and a dedicated lay team.
* A pattern of different styles of worship and music to meet the needs of all generations.
* Our work with other parishes in the deanery to meet the needs of young people in rural communities; Messy Church, Holiday Clubs and The Bridge Project.
* Support for our congregations and communities with social events, foodbank collections, senior ministry.
* Live productions of The Nativity and The Passion in stable yard setting.
* A social media presence on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
As we build our reverence for worship, for scripture, for prayer and our respect for people and places, we look for someone to come and journey with us who will enable us to grow, who will illuminate, enthuse and encourage us that together we may be set alight with the love of God.
We are seeking a priest who:
* Will support our work to reach out to young families.
* Will help us nurture new disciples by engaging with the new housing areas and the communities we do not serve effectively at the moment.
* Will help us to be more visible in our communities and improve the communication of our mission and ministry.
* Will nurture and grow our existing church communities, respecting our traditions and encouraging a wide variety of worship styles, to suit all.
* Will support working ecumenically where appropriate.
* Will grow the confidence of the laity in ministry, evangelism, discipleship, involvement in the leading of worship, and in living out our faith in our daily lives.
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.
If you would like to have an informal conversation about this post, please contact the Archdeacon of York, Ven Sam Rushton 01904 758241.
Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure.
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 9th February 2025.
Interviews on Tuesday afternoon 26th – Wednesday 27th February.
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