Priest-in-Charge, Hay River, NT, The Diocese of The Arctic

The Bishop of The Arctic is seeking applications for the position of Priest-in-Charge in Hay River, NT. This is a full-time position. As a diocesan-assisted parish through the Clergy Support Grant structure, this appointment will be for an initial term of three years (renewable).

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is a Christ-centred, evangelical parish in Hay River, Northwest Territories. We are a community rooted in Scripture, committed to the clear proclamation of the Gospel, and actively engaged in the life of our town.
Life in the North shapes who we are. Relationships matter deeply here. Presence matters. Faithfulness over time matters. We are seeking a priest who will join us in this kind of ministry—grounded in God’s Word and lived out in everyday life.

Our Parish: Hay River
Hay River is a small northern town on the south shore of Great Slave Lake. It serves as a regional hub for transportation, services, and commerce in the Northwest Territories.
Our community is marked by:

• Strong personal relationships and community interdependence
• A mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures
• Seasonal rhythms that shape daily life
• Both resilience and real social challenges, including poverty and isolation

Ministry here is not anonymous.
It is visible, relational, and woven into the fabric of the town.

Our Congregation
St. Andrew’s is a committed and active Anglican church within the Diocese of the Arctic. While modest in size, we are engaged and outward-looking.

Our common life includes:

• Weekly worship using the Book of Common Prayer and the Book of Alternative Services
• A strong emphasis on Scripture reading and preaching
• Lay involvement in worship and leadership
• A welcoming and relational parish culture

We value authenticity, consistency, and meaningful connection over scale or programming.

Our Identity and Mission
St. Andrew’s identifies as an evangelical Anglican parish.

We are shaped by:

• The authority and trustworthiness of Scripture
• The centrality of Jesus Christ and His Gospel
• A commitment to discipleship and spiritual growth
• A calling to serve and engage our community

We believe the church exists not only for itself, but for the sake of the world.
Our desire is to be a parish that is:

• Rooted in God’s Word
• Alive in faith
• Active in mission
• Present in our community

Our Ministries
Community Outreach
Our Daily Bread Food Program
A regular outreach providing meals, support, and connection for those in need. This ministry is a key expression of our commitment to serve the wider community.

Georgina’s Place Thrift Shop
A well-established ministry meeting practical needs while building relationships across the town.

These ministries are not simply programs—they are points of ongoing presence and relationship.

Youth Ministry
Youth are a vital part of our parish life. We are committed to creating a space where young people can:

• Hear and understand the Gospel
• Build meaningful relationships
• Grow in confidence and identity in Christ

Our youth gatherings combine:

• Biblical teaching
• Interactive activities and games
• Opportunities for discussion and connection
  We are seeking to deepen and expand this ministry as a key area of growth.

Children’s Ministry
We value the spiritual formation of children and see this as an essential part of the church’s life.

Our children’s ministry focuses on:

• Teaching the story of Scripture in an engaging and accessible way
• Helping children understand who God is and how He loves them
• Creating a safe, welcoming environment for families

We desire to continue strengthening this ministry as we invest in the next generation.

Pastoral Care
Pastoral ministry at St. Andrew’s is deeply relational. This includes:

• Visiting the sick and elderly
• Supporting individuals and families in times of crisis
• Walking alongside people in everyday life

In a small community, this kind of presence is central to faithful ministry.

The Diocese and our Deanery
Our diocese operates as a co-op, with about 16 clergy to serve 49 communities. This means

• Staying connected with diocesan clergy for support
• Occasional visits to support lay leaders in other communities in our region
• Opportunities to help plan teaching or encouraging events to bless others

Challenges and Opportunities
We live and minister in a context that includes:

• Economic uncertainty
• Social challenges such as isolation, poverty, and addictions
• The need for sustained volunteer engagement

At the same time, these realities create significant opportunities:

• To be a visible and trusted presence in the community
• To offer hope and stability
• To build deep, long-term relationships

Faithful ministry here makes a real and lasting impact.

What We Are Seeking in a Priest
We are seeking a priest who will lead St. Andrew’s in a way that reflects our evangelical identity and mission focus.

Biblical Teaching and Preaching
The priest will be a faithful preacher of God’s Word, able to:

• Teach Scripture clearly and faithfully
• Apply the Gospel to everyday life
• Help the congregation grow in understanding and maturity

Mission and Evangelism
We are looking for a leader who:

• Has a heart for outreach and evangelism
• Encourages the congregation to live out their faith
• Sees everyday relationships as opportunities for witness

Pastoral Care and Discipleship
The priest will:

• Provide compassionate pastoral care
• Invest in the spiritual growth of individuals and families
• Be present and engaged in the life of the community

Leadership and Collaboration
The priest will:

• Work closely with diocesan leaders, wardens, vestry, and volunteers
• Encourage shared ministry and participation
• Provide clear and steady leadership

Engagement with Youth and Children
A priority for our parish is continued growth in youth and children’s ministry.
We are seeking a priest who:

• Values and prioritizes ministry to young people
• Is willing to be personally engaged in these areas
• Encourages and equips others to serve

Personal Qualities
We are seeking a priest who demonstrates:

• A Living Faith in Christ
• Grounded in prayer, Scripture, and ongoing spiritual growth.
• A Heart for Mission
• A desire to see lives transformed by the Gospel.
• Relational Strength
• The ability to connect with people across the community.
• Integrity and Humility
• A leader who serves faithfully and leads by example.
• Resilience
• An ability to live and minister well within the realities of northern life.

Working Conditions:
The Diocese maintains a “block schedule” for clergy. A “block” is a morning, afternoon, or evening. This full-time position requires an average of 11 blocks per week. Clergy are responsible to arrange their schedule each week to see that they take blocks of home or self-care time to make up for any blocks worked outside of their normal schedule.

An office is provided in the church building. The rectory, a comfortable 4-bedroom family home, is on the lot adjacent to the church.

There is no public transit in Hay River, a personal vehicle and license will be required for pastoral visiting and attending community events, as well as occasional visits to other communities.

Compensation & Benefits:
Compensation for Arctic clergy is governed by the provisions set by the Executive Committee of the Diocese in accordance with the Council of The North. All amounts below are subject to annual review by the Executive Committee.

The current base stipend is $3,580/month, with a location allowance of $440/month, plus a Length of Service amount calculated from the date of the cleric’s ordination to the diaconate.

It should be noted that Hay River is located in a “Zone A Prescribed Zone” for federal taxation purposes. After the first 6 months of residency, the Archdeacon (and their spouse, if applicable) would qualify for the federal Northern Residents Deduction and the Northern Residents Travel Deduction. This is a valuable benefit that covers up to $10,000 per year of income tax per household.

This position includes enrolment in the General Synod Pension Plan of the Anglican Church of Canada with a 12.5% employer contribution and a 5% employee contribution. Benefits include Health, Vision, and Dental benefits, Long-Term Disability plan, Group Life Insurance Benefits, Employee and Family Assistance Plan, and participation in the Continuing Education Plan.

Housing and utilities are provided by the parish, including property tax, insurance, electricity, heating oil, pellets, water, and waste removal.

6 weeks of paid vacation are provided per year, along with a Vacation Travel Allowance per diocesan policies for the cleric, their spouse, and up to 3 children, currently valued at $1,257 per eligible family member after the first year of service. 1 week of paid study leave is provided, along with participation in the Continuing Education Plan of the Anglican Church of Canada.