Rector for the Benefice of Whittlesey, Pondersbridge & Coates, Peterborough in Ely

The role of Rector of the benefice of Whittlesey, Pondersbridge and Coates is an opportunity to lead 4 diverse but interconnected churches with a desire to grow in mission and grace. We serve 18,000 people in this fenland town and surrounding communities within 4 miles of Peterborough. Our population is growing younger as new housing brings new people to enrich our fenland communities. Our churches have been a benefice for decades and are held in high regard in this community. Recent leadership has taken us into a season of growth and transformation. Though we still face the challenges of buildings that need adapting and finding a strategy that enables all to flourish in diversity.

Our Missional challenges and opportunities:

• Continuing to grow younger and more diverse - We have grown younger over the last few years. We want to maintain this momentum: growing our ministry to baptism families, enlarging Alpha, developing local teams and leaders. Our town is growing fast, and we want to attract and engage new and existing residents.
• Growing Missional Disciples - We see disciples growing in many different ways: through bible studies in Lent & Advent, LYCIG (leading your church into growth), a weekly bible study group, prayer triplets, mid-week services, Men’s ministry, Community breakfast, Women’s breakfast, Worship Wednesdays.
• Rebuilding a sense of team - We hope that our next incumbent will continue to grow the diversity of mission and worship that is needed to share the gospel with the whole of our community.
• Renewing buildings for mission - We have big plans for developing 3 of our 4 church buildings and renewing our hall.

We are looking for these qualities in our next incumbent:

• Skills: Team Builder and enabler of others, Leader of missional engagement with the community, Pastorally Sensitive, Able to train a curate.
• Character: Spiritual Depth, Energy and Enthusiasm, Hospitable faith, A good sense of humour.

Our diocese and deanery offers:

• Friendly supportive chapter colleagues
• Well funded CMD and support for clergy and their families

Informal enquiries are welcomed, please contact the Ven Richard Harlow, Archdeacon of Huntingdon & Wisbech, or 07415 757527.

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. Despite the presence of a world leading university, Cambridgeshire is not all affluent. Towns and cities have pockets of poverty and low attainment. Rural areas can be isolated and vulnerable. These parishes contain some of the more economically deprived wards in Cambridgeshire, yet they are full of loyal, innovative people with deep roots in these communities. There is work to be done here, and there are good people to share it with.

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 120 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. We look forward to welcoming our new Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Sarah Clark, in summer 2026; in the meantime we look to continue the steady growth of our worshipping communities in recent years.

Our Mission Strategy 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.

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).

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.