Vacancy - Is God Calling you to Cottingley?
Vacancy - Interim Priest in Charge of St Michael and All Angels Cottingley and Associate Priest of Holy Trinity Bingley
Cottingley is an important single church parish of around 5,500 people. St Michael’s Cottingley brings together a lively and growing congregation which is committed to following Jesus, and a strong engagement with the local community, particularly since 2008 through the adjoining purpose-built Cottingley Community Centre.
The role is also linked with the neighbouring Parish of Holy Trinity Bingley, which has a population of over 7,000 people and two churches, Holy Trinity and St Wilfrid’s. The post-holder will also be licenced as Interim Associate Vicar of this parish. We want to move towards an eventual single Parish of Bingley, learning from similar arrangements already in place in the nearby towns of Baildon and Keighley
There are five particular priorities for the incoming interim priest in charge / associate vicar:
To provide leadership which enables numerical church growth, sustaining and developing a ‘mixed ecology’ of a range of forms of church and worship to grow a wider diversity of ages and a more balanced gender mix in the congregations. In particular, this will involve developing and implementing a sustainable strategy for effective ministry and styles of worship to reach out to both men and women, and also to families, young people and children in order to grow young people as Christians.
To build stronger, more confident lay ministry from the congregations, both in depth and numbers. This will include developing pathways for greater discipleship and increased lay leadership, and encouraging individuals to develop in their faith and use their gifts and talents. The incoming post-holder will therefore need excellent teaching, team building and team leadership skills.
To help the churches connect fruitfully with their local communities, and especially with those who experience loneliness, isolation, mental ill-health and material need. This will involve developing active and visible relationships within the communities in creative ways, both personally as an individual and also through the congregations, and to contribute with others to a vision for the parishes, and more widely for the place of the churches in Bingley and Cottingley. At Cottingley, this will include engaging strategically as a key Trustee (ideally Chair) of the Community Centre, building on the strong links between the Centre and the Church (see below).
To develop good working relationships between the parishes of Cottingley and Holy Trinity Bingley particularly, but also with All Saints Bingley and the Eldwick Church, and explore possible future pastoral reorganisation to ensure the Church of England has the best possible relationships with the town.
To help ensure the continued sustainability, both financially and in community impact, of the Cottingley Community Centre, taking a leading role with the trustees, staff and volunteers in the governance, management and development.
For an informal chat about this role please be in touch with the Archdeacon, Ven Dr Andy Jolley or on 07973 458403
Closing date for applications is 5th Jan with interviews on 20th January 2023
Application form and information pack available on the Church of England Pathways Website
Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this post
