Job Listing: Associate Rector

Reports to: Rector of St. James Parish

Status: Ordained Episcopal priest in good standing

Position Open: Until Filled

Summary

St James Parish is seeking a second full-time Associate Rector. Established in 1729, St. James is a healthy and vibrant parish with a campus that encompasses a full city block in the historic district of downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. The congregation numbers about 1200 individuals with approximately 325 in attendance on Sundays during the program year. The campus wonderfully includes the St. James Day School, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2022.

Established in 1832, Mount Lebanon Chapel sits on six acres of land within New Hanover County Park Airlie Gardens, near the Intracoastal Waterway and Wrightsville Beach, NC. This Chapel is also owned and fully supported by the St. James parish family, and holds two Sunday morning worship services during the warmer months - generally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend as well as other special events/uses throughout the year.

St James has a tradition of beautiful and engaging worship, strong collaboration between clergy and lay leadership, a deep commitment to Christian formation for all ages, and a tangible ministry of outreach and presence to the greater community. We appreciate sharing in the ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. While St. James values and honors our history, we are equally open to new opportunities for growth and learning. This fall will embark on a five-year endeavor to honor and celebrate our 300th anniversary in 2029. Importantly, we strive to make our faith in Jesus Christ relevant to the lives of our parish families and our broader community.

We are seeking an Associate Rector who will collaborate with and support the broad ministries of three full-time clergy (including this position) as well as staff and lay leaders. The Associate Rector will share in liturgical leadership, pastoral care and teaching of the parish.

We are seeking a person who:

• Has a passionate commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to form disciples of all ages.
• Cares deeply about parish ministry with a heart for pastoral care.
• Is a strong preacher and communicator.
• Places a high value on the ministry of lay leadership.
• Is a creative self-starter with organizational skills.
• Has tolerance and sensitivity to diverse theological views.
• Is welcoming, approachable, good-humored and can relate to a wide range of people.

Candidates of varied skills and ministry experience will be considered, though a passion and skills for pastoral care are especially desired. Other roles and responsibilities will be determined by the Rector—based on current needs of the parish and with consideration given to the candidate’s gifts for ministry.

St James Parish will offer a competitive salary (commensurate with experience), health insurance and full participation in the Church Pension Fund.

Wilmington is located in southeastern North Carolina between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. The Wilmington area offers temperate weather, an exceptional quality of life, good school districts, a strong arts scene, a diverse economy, excellent medical care, and all ancillary benefits of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and Cape Fear Community College.

To apply: email a cover letter, OTM profile, references, and three sermons (audio or video links) to the Reverend C. Phillip Craig, Jr. - Rector ([email protected]).

If you have questions or wish to have a conversation about the parish or position, please use the Rector’s email address.

The application period is open until the position is filled.

St. James Parish does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation,

marital status, or other legally protected characteristic or status.