This is a text-only version of an article first published on Friday, 13 November 2015. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
HUSBAND and wife team, Philip and Hannah Hobday (right), are relishing the opportunity to share the role of Vicar of St Peter's Church in Earley, Berkshire.
The Revds Hannah and Philip Hobday.
Bill Watts.
The couple admit that while they are still unpacking their boxes at the new vicarage, they feel they are settling in well to their job share.
The role allows them to serve their parish while taking care of their three children aged five, three and one, and gives Philip ample opportunity to study for his PhD. Philip, who was previously a university chaplain, spotted the job advert while flicking through the Church Times.
"We were struck by the parish profile.
We felt it was a really honest document about what the church was like and what it might need. "The couple had talked about the idea of job sharing at some point in the future, and talked to the Archdeacon of Berkshire, the Ven.
Olivia Graham, about the idea.
"It's good, it works really well for us at this stage of our family life and ministries.
It's a great parish and shows that there is life in the Church of England.
There are some extraordinary people doing some great things, unseen and unrecognised. "Hannah added: "I grew up in Tilehurst so it's really coming home for me.
It's close to my parents which is nice.
We are still sorting the house out but we feel really settled.
The church and school are next door and our eldest child is at the school.
I love the children coming over to the church for assemblies and the chances I get to go to the school.
" She said that working together means the two of them bring their different strengths to the role.
"It's nice to have a ministry that feels evenly balanced.
One Sunday Philip runs the service and the next I do it.
It seems to go down really well. "