VICAR for the Benefice of Leyburn and Bellerby

ROLE DESCRIPTION

VICAR

For the Benefice of Leyburn and Bellerby The Context:

The busy market town of Leyburn is at the heart of Wensleydale and provides resources and services for the local area. It is served by the church of St Matthew. The church is very much embedded in and shapes the culture of the local community. The Christian community in this place plays a significant role in social and civic engagement, contemporary social issues, supporting the wider farming community through the Auction Mart Chaplaincy and in promoting the Gospel. There is an excellent ministry to schools, tourism and walkers as well as the local population.

The benefice includes the adjacent village of Bellerby, which is a small tight knit rural community with a strong sense of purpose, collaborating around the church.

The PCCs, Patrons and Bishop are looking for an experienced parish priest who will continue the excellent ministry and mission of the church. We seek somebody with confident priestly leadership and who will work collaboratively with clergy colleagues, ecumenical partners and will form wider partnerships and connections in order to promote ministry and mission and who will take an active role in shaping Wensley Deanery.

Serving the Yorkshire Dales National Park and close to Catterick Garrison, this stunning benefice is within very easy access to Ripon, Harrogate, Darlington, Leeds and York.

You will be supported by a strong team of Churchwardens, Readers, Lay Worship Leaders and active church members. The young Diocese of Leeds is committed to your on-going training, development and wellbeing. We would want you to be disciplined about your wellbeing and balancing work, home life, recreation and retreats. A full driving licence is essential.

Archdeacon’s Signature: Date:

To be reviewed by the Bishop and Archdeacon respectively at 6 months and 12 months under the Diocesan Resources for Changing Post Scheme. Annual review thereafter under the Diocesan Ministerial Development Review Scheme.

1) Details of the post

Title: Vicar Benefice: Leyburn (pop 2,750) and Bellerby (387) Oversight: The Bishop of Leeds, delegated to the Area Bishop of Ripon Archdeaconry: Richmond & Craven Deanery: Wensley

2) Role

The Priest will need to be an experienced and confident individual who is

A VISIONARY – to build on the foundations and help us to see God’s plans for the future a spiritual person who seeks God one who helps us hear God one who teaches us where God is at work among us A TEAM BUILDER & ENCOURAGER – so that every member of our congregation may be given the opportunity to use their gifts to serve God compassionate, caring, humble and inclusive a confident but also collaborative leader a delegator – so that the new priest does not burn out a listener – so that those who have been damaged by past events may feel their voice is heard. a spirit-filled, joyful, kind and loving pastor with an infectious faith A BRIDGE-BUILDER – someone who is visible and accepted in the non-church going communities, so that we can provide support to the town and farming communities willing to understand the local community an encourager of our ecumenical partnership with other Christian churches. a friend to those who are unwilling to engage with church life a good communicator of the gospel someone committed to strengthening the links we have with our schools Someone to bring their experience, enthusiasm and knowledge to help us develop our Mission Action Plan

3) Key Contacts:

2 Readers 3 Lay Worship Leaders 4 Churchwardens and 2 PCCs Area Dean Deanery Chapter Director of Ministry & Mission Bishop’s Officer for Parish Evangelism CME Officers, Lay Training Officers and Diocesan Parish Resource Officers Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven The Bishop of Ripon & the Bishop of Leeds

4) Role Context

Patrons: Lord Bolton, Churchwardens: Bob Mathews (Leyburn), Caroline Sewart (Leyburn), Dr Chris Wheatley (Bellerby) Mrs Hilda Price (Bellerby)

Lay Ministers: Bob Mathews, Jeremy Burchill, Carol Monk, Sylvia Schofield, Alison Hunt Churchyards: Bellerby (Closed) Population: Leyburn (pop 2,750) and Bellerby (387) Average Sunday Attendance: Leyburn 40 and Bellerby 15 Total Share: Leyburn £10,253 and Bellerby £10,245 Both shares paid in full every year Expenses: Will be reimbursed in full. Church Tradition: Middle of road with no history of fixed churchmanship. 4) Looking Forward As Renewal & Reform and Setting God’s People Free have highlighted, the National Church is facing interesting and challenging times. In response to this, the Diocese of Leeds and the Ripon Episcopal Area are looking imaginatively and creatively how best deploy clergy and develop lay ministries to ensure continued effective Christian presence and witness. The Wensley Deanery has been at the vanguard of discussions in this Area. Because Leyburn is strategically placed within the Deanery and Episcopal Area it is essential that the new incumbent has the leadership skills, confidence, openness and willingness to engage in Deanery discussions and strategic thinking, planning and implementation of new models of church.

5) Continuing Ministerial Development The new vicar will be required to participate in the following training:- • New Incumbent’s training day (CME) • Germinate (Arthur Rank) Rural Ministry Course. (This is going through some major changes and it maybe that alternative rural multi-church training will take place regionally) • Leading Your Church into Growth (LYCIG) residential • Presence and Engagement with other Faiths • Commit to area and diocesan study days, deanery synods, clergy chapter and CMD.

6) Health and Wellbeing The health and wellbeing of our clergy is a priority for the Diocese of Leeds. It is therefore essential that the new incumbent is able to manage their time to ensure they: 1. Have a regular day off per week and every effort should be made to ensure this includes the preceding evening. If days off are compromised for whatsoever reason, days off in lieu should be taken. 2. Pay attention to their spiritual wellbeing, including daily prayer and Bible reading, reading/learning in general, quiet days and an annual retreat. This may include an annual deanery retreat. 3. Build collegial and friendship relationships across the deanery, Episcopal Area and Dioceses. 4. Advise the Area Dean or Archdeacon or Area Bishop as early as possible if stress or anxiety is of concern. 5. Have a spiritual director and work place mentor. The Archdeacon’s Office is able to provide a directory of spiritual directors and mentors should this be required.