Chaplain / Minister (Crookwell Shared Placement) Part-time | 50% Uniting Crookwell & Taralga, NSW & 50% Crookwell Uniting Church At Uniting, we take real steps to make the world a better place. Our work spans aged care, community services, chaplaincy and social justice, guided by our purpose: to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice. We are seeking a compassionate and community-centred Chaplain–Minister for the Crookwell Shared Placement, serving half-time with Crookwell Uniting Church as Minister and half-time providing spiritual and pastoral care within Uniting Crookwell and Uniting Taralga residential aged care communities. This role offers a meaningful opportunity to nurture faith and connection across both church life and aged care, within the welcoming rural community of beautiful Crookwell and the surrounding region. About the role In this shared ministry and chaplaincy role, you will support the spiritual life and mission of the Crookwell congregation while also offering pastoral presence and care to residents, families and staff within Uniting’s aged care communities. Your work will include: Serving as Minister for Crookwell Uniting Church (half-time), supporting worship, pastoral life and community connection Providing chaplaincy and spiritual care across Uniting Crookwell and Uniting Taralga residential aged care centres Leading or contributing to worship services, prayer and pastoral gatherings in both church and aged care settings Offering compassionate pastoral support to people experiencing grief, illness, transition or loneliness Building the life of the congregation through meaningful events, gatherings and initiatives that bring people together and support the wider Crookwell community Identifying opportunities for the church to serve and connect with the local community, strengthening relationships across Crookwell and surrounding rural areas Creating a welcoming and respectful environment for people of all faiths, cultures and life experiences About the Crookwell faith community Crookwell Uniting Church is a small but active congregation located on the main street of the rural farming town of Crookwell. The church community values warm hospitality, inclusion and connection, welcoming people of all ages and stages of life. Being centrally located, the church is visible and engaged in community life and regularly participates in local events such as Christmas and Easter gatherings. The congregation has a strong desire to continue growing its presence through community-focused activities, events and initiatives that support and bring together the people of Crookwell and the surrounding districts. The placement also includes ministry to Jerrara Uniting Church, a small rural congregation approximately 30 minutes from town. Services are held there once a month, including a well-loved community Christmas Eve service that brings together local families and visitors for worship and fellowship. The Crookwell congregation embraces both traditional worship and creative ways of engaging people in faith, including supporting youth-focused activities in the region. Lay preachers and church members actively assist with worship and pastoral life. The church is also connected to the community through practical partnerships and initiatives, including supporting local school exam facilities, welcoming volunteer groups who contribute to community projects, and working alongside other local organisations. The congregation values new ideas, creativity and collaboration, and is open to initiatives that help sustain the church’s presence and deepen its connection to the local community for years to come. About you You are a thoughtful and grounded faith leader who values presence, listening and community connection. You will bring: Ordination or recognised standing within the Uniting Church in Australia, or the ability to minister within the Uniting Church context; Experience in pastoral care, ministry or chaplaincy, ideally within community or aged care settings; A strong faith-based practice grounded in compassion and inclusion; The ability to lead worship and provide spiritual guidance while welcoming people of all religions and cultural backgrounds. A collaborative approach and a genuine passion for community-centred ministry. Why join Uniting? At Uniting, chaplaincy and pastoral practice are central to our mission. You will be part of a values-driven organisation committed to compassion, inclusion and social justice, and to supporting the spiritual wellbeing of the communities we serve. Our values guide everything we do: Compassionate, Respectful, Imaginative and Bold. If you feel called to serve both church and community through pastoral leadership and spiritual care, we would love to hear from you. For information regarding this position, please get in touch with Paul Jabez, Chaplaincy and Pastoral Practice Lead, via email at pjabez@uniting.org For recruitment process enquiries, please get in touch with Louise Massie at mmassie@uniting.org
