The Rt Revd Dr of House, 5 Vicar Street , , NR18 0PL Tel: 01953 528010 [email protected] www.dioceseofnorwich.org

January 2021

Priest-in-Charge of the prospective Gunton, Hopton and Corton benefice Gunton, Corton, Hopton

Dear colleague,

Thank you for your interest in this post, as together we seek to discern who God may be calling to serve as the next Priest-in-Charge of the prospective Gunton, Hopton and Corton benefice. These notes are intended to supplement the information given in the Parish Profile, adding a slightly wider perspective with some further information.

The Parishes and this job These two benefices have begun working together since the departure of their incumbents, but part of the challenge for the person appointed will be to deepen the friendship and collaboration between the three parishes, whilst recognising the need for each church to retain its own identity and particular vocation.

There are opportunities to serve and reach out to both the resident population, as well as the many visitors to this part of .

Central to the role of all our clergy is the need to encourage and nurture the vocation of the lay members of our churches, recognising that ministry and mission belong to all God’s people. In part, this is a theological imperative, but it is also driven by the need to rethink and refocus ministry in a period that is challenging for the church as it is for every other voluntary organisation and business.

The Diocese is at an interesting and exciting point with a new vision emerging under a still relatively new diocesan bishop.

The Lothingland deanery is one of the larger deaneries in the diocese, and has a reputation for being supportive, with a willingness for churches to support one another.

Continued overleaf

We would love to hear from you if you feel that God might be calling you to this new role.

Diocese and Deanery Under the leadership of the Bishop of , the Rt Revd , a vision is emerging for the Diocese – Transformed by Christ: Prayerfully, Pastorally and Prophetically. Work is currently underway on the strategies that will help us live out and deliver this vision.

Bishop Graham has written an Ethos and Culture Statement, available on the diocesan website - https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/app/uploads/2020/12/Our-Life-Together-2021.pdf - which gives details of our structures and the character of the Diocese.

The benefice of Gunton, Corton and Hopton falls within the Archdeaconry of Norfolk, and so under the care of the (The Rt Revd Dr Alan Winton) and the of Norfolk (The Venerable ). The benefice is in the Lothingland Deanery whose Joint Rural Deans are The Revd Michael Asquith, Rector of the St Margaret benefice, and The Revd Mandy Bishop, Rector of the Kessingland benefice. There are 9 incumbents, 1 Team Vicar, 1 OLM and 8 LLMs (Readers) in the Deanery, along with a number of PTO clergy and LLMs, and Authorised Worship Assistants.

Attendance at Deanery Synod and is an expectation, and all diocesan clergy are encouraged to give some part of their time and energies to the wider life of the Diocese.

Housing The house is in Gunton and is described in the Parish Profile. Questions about the house should be directed to the .

Patronage The Patrons are the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) (Gunton) and The and The Dean and Chapter of Norwich (Corton and Hopton)

Enquiries, Applications and Interviews An application form can be downloaded from the diocesan website:- https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/about/vacancies/ and should be sent to the Bishop’s PA, Graham Cossey at Herfast House, 5 Vicar Street, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0PL, and email [email protected].

The form, after we have removed the confidential declarations for safeguarding and other purposes (Section 7 to the end), will be forwarded to the Patron(s) if appropriate.

The closing date for applications is 9th February, with interviews to be held on 25th February.

Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd Registered Office: Diocesan House, 109 Dereham Road, Easton, Norwich NR9 5ES Company no: 88175 Charity no: 249318 Tel: 01603 880853 www.dioceseofnorwich.org

Any priest wanting an informal discussion before deciding whether to apply is welcome to be in touch by telephone or e-mail with me or with The Archdeacon of Norfolk, the Venerable Steven Betts (01603 559199, [email protected])

With best wishes

Yours faithfully,

The Rt Revd Dr Alan Winton Bishop of Thetford

Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd Registered Office: Diocesan House, 109 Dereham Road, Easton, Norwich NR9 5ES Company no: 88175 Charity no: 249318 Tel: 01603 880853 www.dioceseofnorwich.org