Archdeacons' Visitations 2023

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

Lichfield Wednesday 7 June 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. Christ Church, Gentleshaw WS15 4NG
Penkridge Thursday 22 June 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Nicholas', Codsall WV8 1EH
Rugeley Wednesday 21 June 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Mary the Virgin, Colton WS15 3JW
Tamworth Thursday 15 June 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Editha's, Tamworth B79 7DA

Archdeacon of Salop

Ellesmere and Oswestry Monday 12 June 2023 6.30 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St John the Baptist, Whittington SY11 4DF
Wem and Whitchurch and Hodnet Thursday 8 June 2023 6.30 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. Christ Church, Little Drayton  TF9 1LT
Telford and Edgmond and Shifnal Wednesday 7 June 2023 6.30 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Nicholas, Newport TF10 7AY
Shrewsbury and Wrekin Tuesday 20 June 2023 6.30 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Lucia's Upton Magna SY4 4TZ

Archdeacon of Stoke-upon-Trent

Alstonefield, Cheadle and Leek Tuesday 11 July 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Andrew's, Weston Coyney ST3 6HB
Eccleshall, Stafford and Stone Tuesday 20 June 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Mary's, Stafford ST16 2AR
Newcastle and Stoke-on-Trent Thursday 6 July 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Andrew's, The Westlands, Newcastle ST5 3RE
Tutbury and Uttoxeter Monday 19 June 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Mary the Virgin, Uttoxeter ST14 8AW

Archdeacon of Walsall

Walsall Tuesday 6 June 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. All Saints, Bloxwich WS3 2HR
Trysull Monday 5 June 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Michael's Church, Tettenhall WV6 9AJ
Wulfrun/Wolverhampton Tuesday 27 June 2023 (nb amended date) 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Mary's Church, Bushbury WV10 8JP
Wednesbury/West Brom Thursday 1 June 2023 6.45 for paperwork; 7.30pm for service. St Francis' Church, Wednesbury WS10 0HJ

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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