Vicar of the Staughtons & Hail Weston (0.6 fte), nr St Neots, Cambridgeshire

Vicar of The Staughtons and Hail Weston, Cambs

Inspiring delightful villages on the Cambridgeshire/Bedfordshire border with the hope and joy of the Gospel.

We seek a new vicar for this established benefice; someone who can build on strong foundations. This will be a part time (3 days per week, plus Sunday duties) position.

Youth Summer Camp on Grafton water. We seek a priest who will help us to engage, grow and deepen in our mission, with their vision of mission in rural spaces, and outreach to the communities, young families, children and young people in which we live and serve.

We are three quite small rural parishes who are increasingly working together, sharing worship and social activities. We are strongly supported by the local community and continue to pay our Parish Share but need help in increasing consistent attendance of regular church services.

We wish to welcome a priest who will be able to build on what we are already doing and help us in our outreach to those who so clearly value what we have to offer but have not yet made the step into personal discipleship and fellowship.

We look forward to welcoming our new diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Sarah Clark, who will be joining the diocese in June or July 2026.

Responsibilities

• Engage, grow and deepen mission in rural spaces, outreach to communities, young families, children and young people.
• Help increase consistent attendance of regular church services.
• Lead the youth summer camp on Grafton water.
• Build on strong foundations within the benefice and support parish communities.

We hope you will:

• Be led by the Spirit
• Want to engage with rural life
• Be outgoing and friendly
• Especially engage younger families
• Balance traditional with new expressions of church
• Be committed to including all
• Be able to delegate and still hold accountable

We can offer you:

• Strong ministry team
• Engaged and active PCCs and officers
• Generous and committed givers
• Superb accommodation, close to the local school
• A glorious place to live and serve

Spacious modernised vicarage, with plenty (but not too much) garden.

Applications close on 27 July 2026. Interviews will be scheduled on or around 27 August 2026. Full details at

Safer Recruitment in the Diocese of Ely

The Diocese of Ely is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees to undertake safeguarding checks and training relevant to their role and to adhere to the Church of England's safeguarding policies and procedures. Therefore, this position is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service).

Our Diocese

The Diocese of Ely stretches from Cambridge to Peterborough and out towards the coastal areas of West Norfolk. It houses 3/4 million people, which will rise to 1 million in the next 15 years.

This area buzzes with energy from the academic, business and medical excellence of Cambridge University to the rich agricultural areas of Huntingdon, Fenland and Norfolk and the diverse, growing city of Peterborough.

Ely Cathedral from the River Ouse. Despite the presence of a world leading university, Cambridgeshire is not all affluent. Towns and cities have pockets of poverty and low attainment. Some rural areas can be isolated and vulnerable, but this village is thriving and well connected.

The Diocese of Ely is a good place to live and work: stable finances, good housing, inclusive and warm hearted senior colleagues, coupled with a rich diversity of benefices in all traditions make this a place that clergy stay once they have discovered us. We have over 110 incumbent status clergy, with a strong Diocesan team, and a real emphasis on lay development and training. We have no plans to reduce clergy numbers.

With the arrival of our new Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Sarah Clark, the diocese remains on a steady course. Our Mission Strategy, Ely 2025, devolves much decision making to the parishes, benefices and deaneries, so that clergy are able to innovate, take risks and build alliances for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the good of our communities. We welcome applications from clergy who are prepared to work collaboratively and faithfully. We will enable you to flourish and grow in ministry, whilst maintaining a sensible work life balance.

A Diverse and Inclusive Workforce

The Diocese of Ely is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.

Little Staughton church, Bedfordshire (just)