Rector (0.2 Stipend plus House – 2 days per week plus Sunday)
The Patrons (this turn the Lord Chancellor) seeks to appoint a Rector for the benefice of Sturry and Westbere.
One of the oldest Single Congregation Local Ecumenical Partnerships, Sturry is a substantial village on the edge of the City of Canterbury. As well as the village of Sturry, the benefice contains Fordwich, the smallest town in England, in which there is a redundant church in the care of CCT; the small village of Westbere; and the former mining community of Hersden. Worship life is concentrated in the church of St Nicholas, Sturry, with occasional services in Westbere and very occasional services in Fordwich.
After a period of some instability and the well-received ministry of interim clergy, there is excitement in the parishes for a new season of ministry. There is a small but very supportive and enthusiastic team of lay people and plenty of opportunity for mission and outreach, not least in areas of new-build housing within the benefice.
As part of both the Deanery of Canterbury and the Methodist Circuit, there are clergy and lay colleagues around who provide active support. Junior Kings, the prep school for The King’s School Canterbury, is adjacent to the church and the Rectory in Sturry, and the school uses the church frequently. The chaplaincy team at Kings have been active in taking services during the vacancy.
The PCC (known as the ECC (Ecumenical Church Council) as it is both a Methodist church and a Parish Church) is beginning consultation on the future of Westbere Church. In Hersden, there are a number of public buildings (a Miner’s Welfare centre, a former Methodist Church now a community centre, and a Catholic Church) that present potential missional opportunities in that part of the parish.
The Rectory is in a residential area of Sturry, close to the railway station (direct trains to London and connections to fast services from Canterbury West and Ashford International).
This is essentially a House for Duty post, with a stipend equivalent to 0.2 of the incumbent’s stipend. Missional opportunity, a warm welcome and a real job to do awaits the right candidate.
Closing Date: 14 December 2025
Interview Date: 12 January 2026
View this vacancy on Pathways for more information and to see their Parish Profile.
For an informal conversation about this vacancy please contact the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Venerable Dr Will Adam, via Mrs Caroline Hemington (chemington@diocant.org, 01227 473597).