A vacancy is a significant time. It is an opportunity to think prayerfully about the next chapter in the life of the benefice, and we want to support you as you explore who God might be calling to join you for that next chapter.
Appointing a priest incumbent is amongst the most significant decisions that any benefice makes. It is a task shared between parishes, patrons, archdeacons and bishops, with assistance from diocesan support services and, above all, from God. Early on in your vacancy, the archdeacon and/or bishop will meet with your benefice at a Pre-Section 11 meeting. At that meeting you will receive a document outlining the process, the support available, and the dates relevant for your vacancy. As part of the process, you will be pulling together a Benefice Profile that will help candidates see what ministry in your benefice and our diocese might look like for them and whether they might be called to your benefice.
The Benefice Profile has three sections:
- Diocesan and deanery statements - these will be supplied to you to make life easier. The diocesan statement can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.
- Benefice statement - a clear and simple statement of what is distincitve about this clergy role, in this particular benefice. The Deanery and Parish Development Adviser can help facilitate the discernment of this part of the profile.
- Benefice context - this contains some details about your context and signposts to places like A Church Near You or your parish or community websites that might have useful information.
Who to contact
Your archdeacon will be in touch to advise on the specifics of your vacancy and there will be support from the Area and Lay Dean, as well as the Deanery and Parish Development Advisers.
Bath Archdeaconry
Archdeacon of Bath - Charlie Peer
Deanery and Parish Development Adviser - Claire Horton
Taunton Archdeaconry
Archdeacon of Taunton - Simon Hill
Deanery and Parish Development Adviser - Rob Walrond
Wells Archdeaconry
Archdeacon of Wells - Anne Gell
Deanery and Parish Development Adviser - Caroline Bruce
Prayer
Beloved God,
You have welcomed each one of us in Jesus and called us to be his body in this place.
We give you thanks for all that has been and all that will be.
We ask for your guidance as we work together in this time of vacancy:
Guidance to be a light in our community;
guidance to love and encourage one another;
and guidance to draw to us the person that is right for us and our community.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Resources to help you through the parish vacancy process
Diocesan Statement for Bath Archdeaconry
Diocesan Statement for Taunton Archdeaconry
Diocesan Statement for Wells Archdeaconry
Guidance on writing role descriptions
Vacancy Claim Form (for service fee and travel during a vacancy)