Finding a New Rector

Finding a new Rector.

We thought it might be helpful to explain how the Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) of Trinity Sissinghurst and St Mary’s Frittenden are going about finding a new Rector to replace Rev Pete Deaves who left Sissinghurst in mid-October, and what you can do to help. 

All churches have a patron, who historically donated land or gave money to build a Church and they have a role in appointing a vicar. Patrons were the local Lord of the manor, monastery or university college. In the old days patrons probably gave no thought to the wishes of the people who actually went to the church. Nowadays it is different and our patron is a specialist organisation, the Church Pastoral Aid Society, (CPAS). The CPAS is patron to 700 churches and is very experienced in helping churches to find clergy to meet the particular needs of parishes. Their input to the appointment of Pete was extremely supportive and helpful, and the PCCs are looking forward to working with them again.

The first stage of the process was to have a meeting with CPAS which we have already held.

The next stage is for the PCCs to draw up what is called a Parish Profile. This is a document often around 20+ pages, which explains to prospective applicants what sort of Churches we are, what our values are, what challenges we face and what are our aspirations. A new vicar is not only looking for a new job, but also potentially moving to a new area and moving house as well, so it’s a very big step, both for them and any family they may have. The profile has to include information on the Rectory, the area, the schools and practicalities like, local transport links and shops.

We want the profile to reflect not just the views of the few people involved in writing it, and the congregations of the two churches, but also the views of the wider village community. The new Rector is not just the Rector for the people who go to Church he or she will be the Rector for everyone in the two villages. 

So, whether you are a regular church goer or not, we would love you to take a few minutes and answer these questions;

·         What sort of person do you think we should be looking for? 

·         What qualities should they have?

·         What should they be good at?

You can send your response to newrector@sissinghurstchurch.org.uk, or give your responses, ideally in writing to John Griffiths our Churchwarden or Liz Macfarlane our PCC Secretary, preferably by 15th December.

It is hoped that we will have a final version of the profile very early in the new year. Once that has been agreed, the PCC needs to meet to formally agree the profile and to decide whether to advertise the post in the Church Times, the main place for such jobs to be viewed.

The post will be advertised around February, with interviews potentially being held in the Spring. The interview panel will be chaired by a member of CPAS and will include representatives from both churches as well as a representative of the Bishop. If a decision were to be made then, checks need to be made before the appointment is announced and the appointee usually needs to give 3 months’ notice, so in that scenario, someone might come to us in July/ August.

However, there are a lot more vacant posts than there are new vicars coming out of training or wanting to move, so it may well be that a second round of advertising is needed if we don’t get any suitable applicants first time around.

But rest assured both Churches are determined that the profile for Sissinghurst and Frittenden Churches truly reflect the churches and wonderful villages that we live in, so hopefully we will be inundated with applicants!

Finally, and perhaps most importantly all through this process both Churches will be praying that God guides us to write the profile that leads the right man or woman to apply for the post and for the panel, in prayer and thoughtfulness to make the right choice.

So, if you would like to join us in that prayer, here is a prayer that you could use.

Gracious God, we bring before you the life of our church in Sissinghurst and Frittenden and ask for your guidance as we look to the future. Be with all those charged with the responsibility of finding a new Rector and guide them to the one you have chosen. May they be a wise and gentle shepherd of your people: ready to serve with joy, to build us up in faith, and to lead us by example in loving obedience to your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen