The new role of Mission Priest/Associate Vicar for Cottingley and Holy Trinity Bingley is focussed on re-energising the mission of the churches in the two parishes and helping them to take on the challenges of re-energising and growing the existing congregations and planting new ones. There is no shortage of opportunities, and the new priest will need to prayerfully discern which ones to explore and develop.
For the past two years, the two parishes have been working together more closely and building links to become more united. The Priest in Charge at Cottingley will become Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity Bingley when the current vicar retires at the end of November, thus taking the next step in deepening the unity and shared mission of the two benefices. The new Mission Priest will therefore have a supportive colleague who is keen to explore opportunities for mission in the parishes.
Cottingley is a 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. St Michael’s has seen significant growth in recent years, and there is real potential for still more. The congregation has thought through what it means to be ‘Jesus Shaped’ and Spirit-led at all levels of its life, worship and ministry. The church and the Community Centre are at the heart of the community of Cottingley. The Centre is therefore central to the church’s engagement with the community, and the Priest in Charge chairs the Trustees.
The Parish of Holy Trinity Bingley has a population of over 7,000 people and two churches, Holy Trinity and St Wilfrid’s. The parish is also home to Trinity All Saints Primary School, with which there is an excellent relationship. The parish has been faithfully served by the present incumbent for over 30 years.
In the longer term, 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. Such a parish could include Cottingley and Holy Trinity Bingley, as well as the parish of All Saints Bingley and the Bishop’s Mission Order and LEP in the village of Eldwick. All the churches that became involved would be expected to work together more coherently and share resources to enhance missional opportunities in the area. This role is therefore a step towards that vision.
For an informal conversation about this role please contact Archdeacon Andy Jolley
Application is via Pathways. Closing date for applications is Sunday 24th Nov with interviews on Tuesday 10th December.