Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich
Serving Suffolk's Communities

Build a greater sense of being a united Benefice and share our resources
Serve our local communities and use the buildings better
Forge better community links
Recognise that everyone has a part to play in local ministry

We are rural parishes who work hard to live as a Christian community in our worship, pastoral and social lives. We try to be relevant to our wider communities whilst still living the Gospel, and although we don’t think ‘posteriors on pews’ is a measure of success, numbers in church for special services reflect our growing success in others ways of being church. The Benefice in its present form was created in 1989 and 2007 saw us celebrate our 18th birthday with a big party. It took some years to get used to working together, but as we enter ‘maturity’ we are truly proud of our Benefice family. Our seven medieval buildings are valuable community assets, and we celebrate the rich diversity of our Christian, historical and rural heritage, with each parish contributing something special and unique.

Recent highlights have been the ordination of our Deacon (OLM), the commissioning of six elders, a growing Mothers’ Union, and the development of school and community links.

What we are looking for in a new incumbent

Spiritual leader who values both word and sacrament
Energetic person who will enthusiastically engage all parishioners and invest in the local community
Clear vision and collaborative style of leadership
Willing to lead us as we continue to move forward
Encourage the strong Lay Ministry and support training
Flexible in patterns of worship, enjoy and support diversity
Open policy on baptism and consideration of remarriage
Draw in non-regulars by support for baptism, weddings and funerals
Strong in pastoral care and willing to support others in pastoral work
Build on the links with the schools and work to provide better for our teens and young families
Develop Deanery links and work with other ministers across the Deanery
A man or woman who would value family life in a rural environment
Someone with gifts and talents to enhance the life of the Benefice

What you will find in North Hartismere

Parishes work well together as a united Benefice, and support each other in true Christian fellowship. There are regular, well attended Benefice services and events
We have a strong local ministry team, with the whole Church involved in collaborative ministry, and with a range of skills to provide different forms of worship such as healing services
Our church traditions are varied, but generally central and moderately evangelical, and we remain faithful to the Bible as the Word of God
There is a regular pattern of worship which aims to provide something for everyone
There is a growing prayer ministry, with a prayer chain, strong prayer groups, and quarterly prayer evenings
We have brought forward twenty-six Confirmation candidates in the last four years
We are a friendly welcoming Church, involved in the wider community, and united in bringing the Good News to everyone
For some of the villages the church is the only focal point, which brings together the wider community for social activities
We are outward-looking with a strong tradition of charitable giving
We have strong, growing links with the two village primary schools which is nurturing the next generation of Church
Our Mothers’ Union has twenty members who are highly committed and very active
The Benefice choir performs on special occasions, and we have enthusiastic bellringers based at the eight-bell tower in Palgrave, with six bells at Oakley and other (less safe) bells elsewhere
We maintain seven architecturally and historically interesting buildings in good order. Thanks to our eleven committed churchwardens all the churches are open
There is an excellent Parish News magazine with a circulation of 700 per month
We have good fundraisers and supportive local communities with able volunteers, at both parish and benefice level
We have a Benefice Advisory Group, which is an informal group with a strategic role across the benefice, representing all parishes and organising social and other events and an annual Benefice Day and report
We pay 100% of our parish share each year

Our commitment to you

We are open to new ideas and challenges
We offer you our support and participation in worship, welcome and service
We will respect your needs, and provide space for clear thinking and contemplation
We will pray for you and your work, and continue to pray for the growth of our Benefice

APPLICATIONS
An application form is available from :
The Venerable Geoffrey Arrand, Archdeacon of Suffolk
Glebe House
Ashfield cum Thorpe
Stowmarket
Suffolk IP14 6LX
Tel : 01728 685 497
archdeacon.geoffrey@stedmundsbury.anglican.org
Closing Date 30th April