Ways to help - Being a Churchwarden
BEING A CHURCH WARDEN Churchwardens Churchwardens are elected annually at the Annual Their first responsibility is to the Bishop, usually via the Archdeacon. They, with the parish priest, are generally responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the parish. Churchwardens are vital to the health and wellbeing of our church communities. It is an important role. Churchwardens represent the Congregation in cooperating with the incumbent, they together encourage the parishioners in their faith. They shall also maintain order and decency in the church and churchyard, especially during the services. Churchwardens should:
1 They should attend services regularly, and normally arrive in good time to support the welcome group, be present for any refreshments, and assist in tidying up after services. The way in which churchwardens exercise their role at Hampton in Arden is by:- 1. Meetings / Trusteeships They are ex officio members of the PCC (the trustees of the parish), and may be appointed to the PCC Standing Committee. The standing committee is usually The vicar church wardens PCC secretary and treasurer. They can make decin s on behalf of the PCC should the need arise. They should meet regularly with the incumbent.
• the parish’s end of year accounts, and other returns are submitted promptly. In the absence of a PCC Treasurer, the churchwardens must fulfil the role of Treasurer together.
3 • all valuable items are securely kept • the Archdeacon and the DAC are consulted about any repairs or alteration to the church, or any acquisitions or disposals of contents, and that a Faculty is obtained before any work is begun. 7. Liturgy and Worship In the absence of the parish priest they are responsible, with the Area Dean, for ensuring that there is someone to conduct services, and that liturgy and the life of the parish continues as far as possible as with the previous incumbent. If there is no one available they should conduct any service, as far as possible themselves. They must check that all visiting clergy hold the Bishop’s licence or Permission to Officiate. They should ensure that the service register and other registers are properly filled in. They are responsible for ensuring that people are properly welcomed to the church and to services, and that sidespeople are appointed. They are responsible for good order in the church and churchyard or the equivalent. In the event of a service being disrupted or a disturbance in church they should call the police, and, if necessary, may arrest a person, or escort them off the premises. At the end of their period of office churchwardens should handover their keys to their successors, and the inventory, which should then be checked and signed. Churchwardens are not expected to do everything above themselves, but to make sure that there are other people available to carry out the various tasks. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE
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