Post Overview
This is a house-for-duty Associate Priest post in rural South Oxfordshire. Set between the Thames and the Chilterns, the Benefice of Benson with Ewelme is made up of four parishes (five churches) including the historic St Mary’s, Ewelme. The Associate Priest (Sunday plus two days, or equivalent) will live in a beautiful new four-bedroom parsonage in Ewelme, and help lead the development of ministry and mission principally in Ewelme village.
Main Responsibilities
We are looking for someone with deep faith in Jesus Christ, a strong personal prayer life, and a heart for rural mission, who will
Help develop and deliver new service patterns in Ewelme village, especially focused on leading young families to Christ
Offer a pastoral presence within Ewelme village and across the Benefice
Join in the liturgical life of the four parishes, sharing in Sunday services and occasional offices with the Rector
Serve as a foundation governor at Ewelme CofE (VA) Primary School, and offer acts of worship for the school.
All four parishes are administered through the Rector’s office, and it is envisaged that this post should entail minimal administration. Parochial expenses are reimbursed in full.
The Ideal Candidate
We seek someone who is eager to work with children and young families, loves liturgy “done well” and feels comfortable in a moderately central-to-catholic environment; who enjoys the BCP as well as modern and informal patterns of worship, who values preaching and teaching. We are praying for someone who is at home in the rhythms (and complexities) of rural life, entrepreneurial in evangelism and gentle in spirit.
About us
For more information about the parishes, the Parsonage, and the job role, please look at the Benefice profile. For an informal discussion, please contact the churchwardens of Ewelme in the first instance - Sally Fehr 01491 824822 or Associate Archdeacon Jane Haslam at Jane.Haslam@oxford.anglican.org