Vicar, Forest Edge Benefice

The Patrons and the Bishop of Winchester wish to appoint:
Vicar The Benefice of New Forest Edge Churches, Christchurch Deanery. (The churches of Bransgore, Burley, Hinton Admiral, Sopley and Thorney Hill)

The New Forest Edge Churches are a recently created (2023) benefice of five churches dotted in and around the edge of the stunning New Forest National Park. The benefice comprises of St Mary’s Bransgore, St John’s Burley, St. Michael’s Hinton, St Michael’s Sopley and All Saints Thorney Hill and holds together real diversity of buildings and worship styles. At the heart of our benefice is a desire to proclaim Christ faithfully and clearly.

We are committed to grounding all that we do in God’s word.

Our Vision: we want to serve our local communities with the good news of Jesus Christ who came to give his life as a ransom for many. To see our congregations across the benefice thriving and growing in Christian maturity and witness. Our prayer is that God will be glorified as each church responds to the needs and opportunities of its local context.

We are looking for a priest who will:

• seek to follow the model given us by Jesus Christ of active ministry and time out for reflection and prayer in quiet days and retreats
• be an enthusiastic preacher and worshipper, able to lead services across the diversity of traditions
• be collaborative, encouraging others in their gifts and talents
• be pastorally sensitive
• exhibit and proactively encourage discipleship of church members, in the giving of their time, talents and money
• bring good organisational skills
• be enthusiastic about being involved in the wider aspects of community life

For an informal conversation contact:
The Rt Revd Rhiannon King, Bishop of Southampton:

Closing date:
29 January 2026
Interviews:
24-25 February 2026

Application pack available at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./