Interim Priest in Charge of St John's Margate and All Saints, Westbrook
The Bishop of Dover seeks to appoint an Interim Priest in Charge for the parishes of St John, Margate and All Saints, Westbrook. These are adjacent parishes and, whilst not formally a united benefice, have worked together for a number of years. This post is offered under the terms of Regulation 29 of the Clergy Terms of Service Regulations and is initially for three years with the possibility of renewal. Funding to support this post from the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Fund and the Lowest Income Communities Fund is in place for five years.
This is an exciting post and part of a wider project of renewal and revitalisation in Margate. The Diocese of Canterbury has benefitted from a multi-million pound investment from SMMIF to support the ministry of the churches in Margate, which is one of the more deprived coastal communities in the country. The Margate project is led by the Reverend Mark Nelson, who is Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity Margate. The Interim Priest in Charge of St John’s and All Saints’ will need to develop a productive and constructive relationship with Mark and other colleagues. Some pastoral reorganisation is likely and the Interim Priest in Charge will play a key role, with others, in shaping future ministry across the town.
Margate is a bustling and exciting place to be. Formerly a major holiday destination it has seen a revival of tourism in recent years alongside a burgeoning artistic scene and a number of individuals and families making the town their home, not least since the Covid pandemic. It has great beaches and a direct train to London via the HS1 line. It is also a place of considerable poverty. St John’s Parish Church is one of the historic churches of the Isle of Thanet and has an important ministry to the town and its institutions. The church traditions of All Saints’ and St John’s are Eucharistic, with All Saints having a distinct Catholic tradition and St John’s one that is more central and choral. The other churches in the revitalisation project, Holy Trinity and St Paul’s Cliftonville, have an evangelical tradition.
This is a very important appointment and is an opportunity for a priest who wishes to make a difference. You will be working with colleagues from across the ecclesiastical spectrum and with dedicated and optimistic lay people. If you would like to talk to the Archdeacon of Canterbury about the post please contact Caroline Hemington (chemington@diocant.org) to arrange a time.
Closing Date: 18 May 2025
Interview Date: 6 June 2025