Full-Time Incumbent of St Chad’s, Handforth
St Chad’s is the local Anglican parish church of Handforth, Cheshire. We are a Christian fellowship whose vision is to “Know Christ and make Him known” in our community. We are a diverse group of people from all ages, cultures and backgrounds.
We hope as a church family that you will read our parish profile and feel excited at the prospect of becoming part of our caring congregation. We are praying that the Lord will bring the right person to minister to us and that they can feel happy and fulfilled in God’s work. We will be welcoming and supportive as you begin this new chapter in your ministry, as well as a new chapter in ours. We are a happy, enthusiastic and loving church seeking a minister who will come and walk alongside us.
As a Church, we have a vision:
- To grow our work with children and young families.
- To develop our community work.
- To secure our financial position going forward.
- To grow our church family, ensuring new people joining the church, including international members, are made to feel welcome and integrated into the church family and find a place to serve and grow.
- To lead people to Our Lord by proclaiming His Word.
We are praying for a vicar who:
- Is prayerful and Spirit led, continuing our traditions of the teaching of God’s word, aiming the teaching towards a multi-generational and multi-cultural congregation.
- Has plenty of energy and enthusiasm to encourage old and young alike within our church to take an active and full part in church life.
- Will help us to grow our church by engaging in the community, seeking to encourage people of all ages to become part of our church family.
- Is keen to participate in village life and our community as it expands to build support for within and outside St Chad’s.
- Will be an active supporter of Hope Central and ensure it remains part of our church and community.
- Will consider how we can move forward as a church and develop our worship and mission.
- Is approachable and compassionate and has the patience to help and support everyone who comes to them.
- Will help us strengthen our finances so that we can continue to maintain our buildings and secure our future.
- Can inspire our congregation to live out their faith in everyday life.
- Has a demonstrable commitment to fostering a strong and effective safeguarding culture in the parish.
Might this be you?
Accommodation is currently offered in the vicarage: 36 Sagars Road, Handforth, Wilmslow, SK9 2TA.
There are however plans to develop the site on which the house sits and to provide a new vicarage. Depending on the needs of the family, it is possible that other accommodation can be made available in the parish while those works are undertaken.
There are good local amenities, and excellent schools and transport links.
The Patronage of the parish is held by the Rector of Cheadle, currently, The Reverend George Crowder. George is leading the appointment process, in collaboration with the Bishop of Stockport, the parish representatives and the Rural Dean of Cheadle.
For a conversation about the appointment process, please be in touch with the Reverend George Crowder, by email in the first instance: patron@cheadle.org.uk
For a conversation about the parish and diocese, please feel free to be in touch with The Bishop of Stockport, The Right Reverend Sam Corley, again by email in the first instance: bpstockport@chester.anglican.org.
Please apply for the post using the form designed specifically for this post and attached below.
Completed forms should be returned to the Patron: patron@cheadle.org.uk, and also copied to The Bishop of Stockport: bpstockport@chester.anglican.org.
Closing date: Sunday 20th July 2025
Shortlisting: Wednesday 13th August 2025
Interviews: Friday 29th August 2025
The Patron and the Diocese of Chester will not shortlist any candidate for posts if they cannot provide an assurance of a valid DBS and up to date safeguarding training.