Rector

Rector Parish of Milton St Mary Magdalene, Milton, St Peter’s, Ashley and St John the Baptist Bashley With the natural coastline of Barton-on-Sea and bordered by the New Forest, the busy, friendly town of New Milton is superbly located, a mixture of rural and urban with a population around 28,000. The main church building and community hall is in the town of New Milton, the smaller church of St Peter’s in the nearby village of Ashley and a partially used chapel within the New Forest, St John the Baptist, Bashley. With committed but ageing congregations, it has been recognised that to grow the church within the area a more creative approach is needed. The congregation recognises this need and, working closely with the Diocese, have put together an innovative plan. Working closely with the resource church St Swithun’s, Bournemouth, the new rector will spend 6 months working within St Swithun’s to raise a team who will eventually relocate back to the benefice of Milton; supporting, growing and developing the existing and valued tradition of the current congregation, combined with planting new initiatives to reach out to a younger demographic. The Diocese is providing financial resources to enable this to happen. We are praying for and seeking someone: Who demonstrates a deep and growing faith. Who can balance the pastoral needs of the current congregation and build extra resources from within St Swithun’s. Someone who has a passion to see a younger generation come to faith, engaging in the local community at all levels. Who is creative in their approach. Who is a team leader, able to work with the existing PCC and raise up lay and ordained leadership for the future. We believe God is calling us to be more visible as a worshipping community and to be active in sharing God’s love with all. An Urban and rural Parish next to the New Forest.

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