A new team ministry in semi-rural North Essex
We have a great opportunity for two full-time, stipendiary ordained ministers to join us in north Essex. You will help shape a new and ambitious team ministry in a beautiful rural and coastal area of the Witham Deanery. Working alongside two Team Vicars already in post, lay and ordained leaders and deanery colleagues, you will bring imagination, pastoral depth and a heart for mission in a multi-parish rural context.
The roles
Team Rector Designate
We are seeking a sensitive, adaptable and dynamic leader who will inspire growth, foster collaboration and engage deeply with the diverse communities of this new 18-parish benefice
You will lead and encourage others in discipleship, vocation and ministry, valuing the gifts and experience of all
You will have particular responsibility for the Heathland Parishes of Tiptree with Tolleshunt Knights and Great Braxted, Inworth, Layer Breton with Birch, Layer Marney and Messing
Team Vicar Designate
We are looking for a pioneering, missional priest with energy for growing the church numerically and spiritually (especially among families and young people, of course!) and connecting with people of all ages across the wider community
You will have particular responsibility for the Beacon Parishes of Wickham Bishops with Little Braxted, Great Totham, Little Totham and Goldhanger
What we offer
We offer
supportive and experienced lay and ordained colleagues within the team and wider deanery
spacious housing in an attractive part of Essex close to the Blackwater Estuary
easy access by rail from Witham into London and East Anglia
the support and resources of the Colchester Area Team and wider diocese
“Rural ministry offers a deep connection with close-knit local communities and the surrounding countryside. It provides an opportunity for community life, getting to know people and sharing in family milestones across generations, which is an honour and a pleasure. Also being that trusted source of comfort for parishioners and the farming community, while joining in with village events and school activities. Part of rural ministry is about getting to know the seasonal rhythms of daily life in each community, while caring for historic and beautiful churches.” Revd Andrew Vince, Associate Priest and Assistant Agricultural Chaplain
"It is good to part of the Witham Deanery with a very supportive Ministry Team. The recently extended boundaries incorporating the additional parishes are now beginning to effectively work together and allowing the varied communities to benefit from sharing experiences and resources.
Selected applicants for these two vacancies will benefit greatly from a variety of opportunities available in a beautiful part of North East Essex." Clive, churchwarden at St Luke’s, Tiptree
“Arriving in November 2025, I have been warmly welcomed by colleagues, churches and communities across the Blackwater Benefice. It’s great to be part of a friendly and supportive team and to minister alongside the faithful and dedicated volunteers who provide such generous prayerful and practical support in our parishes. I have enjoyed getting to know people in the villages where there is a good sense of community and plenty of opportunities to walk alongside people in their daily lives. There is lots of potential to build on existing relationships between our churches as well as with schools, businesses and community groups. It is exciting to see where God is already at work in these churches and communities, with small signs of growth and sparks of inspiration popping up, often when I least expect them and in the most surprising and unexpected ways and places.” Revd Jo Wood, Team Vicar Designate - the Waterside Parishes
This area of North East Essex offers a particularly attractive balance of countryside, coast, village life and convenience. It has the feel of rural Essex, with open farmland, estuary views, nature reserves and winding lanes, while still being within easy reach of larger towns, shopping, schools, leisure facilities and London connections.
Beautiful surroundings and outdoor life
One of the greatest strengths of the area is its landscape. Around Tiptree there are quiet footpaths, country lanes, woodland pockets and open fields, while the Blackwater Estuary brings wide skies, salt marsh, creeks and big waterside views. It is an excellent place for walking, cycling, birdwatching and simply getting outdoors, with routes around Tollesbury, Goldhanger, Heybridge Basin, Maldon and the estuary offering varied scenery and plenty of wildlife.
Pretty villages and local character
The surrounding villages are a major part of the area’s charm. Places such as Tollesbury, Goldhanger, Great Totham, Wickham Bishops, and Layer de la Haye offer historic buildings, village greens, churches, pubs, local shops and a strong sense of community. Tiptree itself is well known for its village feel, everyday amenities and its famous jam-making heritage, giving the area a distinctive identity.
Well connected
The location is also very practical. Colchester offers major shopping, restaurants, cultural attractions, the university, the hospital and excellent leisure options. Maldon provides historic riverside character, Hythe Quay, independent shops and access to the Blackwater waterfront. Chelmsford adds further shopping, business, nightlife, schools and rail services. Together, these towns mean residents can enjoy peaceful village and estuary living without feeling cut off.
Although the area feels rural, it benefits from convenient access to nearby railway stations such as Kelvedon, Witham, Colchester and Chelmsford, with regular services towards London. This makes the area a strong choice for people who want countryside and coastal living while still keeping London within easy and quick reach for work, days out or onward travel.
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