Archdeacons' Visitations 2024

Every year, within the 42 dioceses of the Church of England, the archdeacons' 'visitations' take place. In the Diocese of Lichfield these are held in deanery groupings within each of the four archdeaconries - Lichfield, Salop, Stoke-upon-Trent and Walsall - following the annual election of churchwardens by the end of May.

Formally, the visitations were a court where all clergy and churchwardens were cited to attend. More recently the format has changed so they take the form of a service, the key part of which is the official admittance of churchwardens as office holders of the diocesan bishop. During the service, the archdeacon also delivers a sermon called the 'archdeacons charge', the aim of which is to offer advice, encouragement and support to parishes in general and churchwardens in particular.

It is expected that those standing for election or re-election as Wardens undertake an enhanced DBS check to work with adults and children.  This is because the role of Church warden is considered to contain leadership and management duties that will likely bring them into contact with children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all churchwardens must confirm that they have a valid DBS certificate to be admitted to their post at.a Visitation, by including the number of the certificate on the churchwardens declaration form. Please note that if you are not able to provide the DBS certificate number at the Visitation you will not be admitted to office.

Church Wardens are invited to attend at the earlier time to complete paperwork, before the service at the later time.

Deaneries Date Time Venue Postcode

Archdeacon of Lichfield

Penkridge Monday 3 June 2024 6.30 for 7.30pm St Mary the Virgin and St Chad, Brewood ST19 9BT
Tamworth Tuesday 11 June 2024 6.30 for 7.30pm St Peter's Church and Community Centre, Glascote Heath B77 2HH
Lichfield Thursday 13 June 2024 6.30 for 7.30pm St Michael's Church, Lichfield WS13 6ED
Rugeley Wednesday 19 June 2024 6.30 for 7.30pm St John the Baptist Church, Armitage WS15 4BA

Archdeacon of Salop

Ellesmere and Oswestry Monday 10 June 2024 6:00pm for 7.00pm  All Saints, Baschurch SY4 2GD
Telford and Edgmond and Shifnal Tuesday 18 June 2024 6:00pm for 7.00pm  All Saints, Wellington TF1 1DG
Wem and Whitchurch and Hodnet Tuesday 25 June 2024 6:00pm for 7.00pm  St Alkmunds, Whitchurch SY13 1LB
Shrewsbury and Wrekin Wednesday 26 June 2024 6:00pm for 7.00pm  Holy Trinity, Leaton SY4 3AP

Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent

Alstonefield, Cheadle and Leek Monday 10 June 2024 6.45pm for 7.30pm St Edward the Confessor, Leek ST13 6AB
Tutbury and Uttoxeter Tuesday 18 June 2024 6.45pm for 7.30pm St Modwen, Burton DE14 1HA
Eccleshall, Stafford and Stone Monday 24 June 2024 6.45pm for 7.30pm Christ Church, Stone ST25 8ED
Newcastle and Stoke-on-Trent Tuesday 25 June 2024 6.45pm for 7.30pm St Stephen, Bentilee ST2 0ET

Archdeacon of Walsall

All Deaneries Wednesday 19 June 2024 6.00pm for 7.30pm Lichfield Cathedral WS13 7LD

 


Church officers' training

Video and resources from the latest Church Officers' Training Day


2022 Church wardens' training

A day's online training and updates were presented on zoom for churchwardens in October 2022. Much of it was recorded for the benefit of those unable to attend or wanting to check:

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