A message from our Archdeacons
Congratulations on your election and welcome to the role, whether this is your first year as churchwarden or you have been re-elected. Thank you for being willing to serve God’s church in this way. Over the next few weeks, you and your fellow Churchwardens, whether re-elected or new to the role will formally take up office in the Visitations taking place across the Archdeaconries. Details are on the Archdeacons Visitations webpage.
In order to be admitted as a Churchwarden, you must have a valid (within three years) DBS certificate before you are admitted to the office of Churchwarden. Details at lichfield.anglican.org/warden-dbs. It is not too late to apply now if you have not already done so: sometimes the turnaround can be under a week, though it can take considerably longer.
Archdeacons Megan, Nick, Sue, Liz
Churchwarden’s training is changing.
Instead of single day, we’re introducing a programme of focussed training events specific to churchwardens across the year, so that you can choose to attend what is most helpful to you. Look out for the full details which will be published on the website and announced in the Bulletin.
Topics will include: introduction to the role, safeguarding, dealing with conflict, managing buildings, navigating the faculty system, supporting your incumbent, churchyards, eco issues.
If there are things you particularly would like included in the programme, please contact your archdeacon’s office.
Safeguarding
- All churchwardens must have a valid (within three years) DBS certificate before they are admitted to the office of Churchwarden. Details at lichfield.anglican.org/warden-dbs
- All churchwardens need to complete online basic and foundation modules through safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/ and, if the parish is in vacancy, the leadership module.
- If you’ve questions contact Sarah.Fullard@lichfield.anglican.org (Diocesan Safeguarding Training Officer)
- You will wish to be aware that there is a Parish Safeguarding Officer’s conference on 20 September, all day at Telford Minster. Churchwardens who perform the role of PSO are also invited. If you are in that category, please send your email address to angela.bruno@lichfield.anglican.org, Database Manager. Invitations imminent.
On its way – a New and improved Faculty system
The redevelopment of the Online Faculty System (OFS) is near completion, and its much-anticipated launch should take place later this year. This will greatly assist those who need to apply for faculties. It includes an improved dashboard and interface which will allow people to see how cases are moved forward and the next step in the process. There is also improved file management allocation which allows the most updated versions of files to be seen to prevent long lists of similar files to trawl though.
For those new to the joys of applying for faculties and who need to use the OFS for the first time (prior to the launch of the redeveloped version), some helpful videos on how to navigate the system can be seen halfway down this Diocese of York webpage https://dioceseofyork.org.uk/support/for-churches/church-buildings/faculty-permissions/
Parish resources
There is a wealth of resources on all kinds of subjects of interest to wardens and the good running of parishes on the national Parish Resources website - https://parishresources.org.uk/
Church Building fund
To help budget for the costs of Quinquennial or Electrical Inspections on building, parishes are invited to contribute up to £200 per annum per church, with the Diocese adding a bonus 10% (higher contributions may be made but will not qualify for a bonus) - maximum of £20. A similar scheme (Interior Decoration Scheme) allows parishes to save towards the costs of interior decoration of the benefice clergy house for when a new incumbent arrives. For more information email finance@lichfield.anglican.org
Charity Commission registration
If your PCC’s income is over £100,000, even for just one year (eg with a legacy or grant), it is mandatory to register with the Charity Commission. Please let us know via finance@lichfield.anglican.org as we can help with the registration process.
Contactless
- The use of giving by card in churches is increasing year on year. For those moving to contactless or wanting to upgrade their machine, the diocese is offering a grant of up to £300 towards the purchase.
- You don’t necessarily need Wi-Fi in the church. https://lichfield.anglican.org/about-us/finance/financecontactless/
Has your church completed its Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) this year?
One of the first steps each church can take is to towards reaching the commitment to reach Net Carbon Zero by 2030 is to enter their church’s energy data annually into the EFT to measure your church’s carbon footprint: (https://www.churchofengland.org/about/policy-and-thinking/our-views/environment-and-climate-change/about-our-environment/energy-footprint-tool).
- If you have not already done so, please enter your church’s information by 30 June 2025 at https://parishreturns.churchofengland.org/. Contact Richard.Barrett@lichfield.anglican.org if you need assistance.
Keep in touch
There are a few means for wardens to keep in touch. The Communications Team looks after the following:
- The Bulletin is the first and foremost essential for every warden, Reader and member of clergy and very useful to treasurers, administrators and PCC members.
If you don’t already get it, sign up at http://eepurl.com/Gwn4P. There will be a confirmatory email from Mailchimp that you need to click on to confirm your subscription - Social Media: we have a number of social media channels that can be of help and encouragement:
- Our Facebook Page (facebook.com/LichfieldCofE) acts as a noticeboard of information from the diocese as does our Instagram account
- Our Facebook Group mirrors that and also has space for parishes to share their news too
- There are some specialist Facebook groups hosted by the diocese relating to aspects of parish life and mission, but of most use to wardens, administrators and PCC Secretaries is the Gifts of Administration group
- Diocesan Website, lichfield.anglican.org – a mine (or minefield?!) of information. Mostly organised in subjects by the teams that work with a given aspect of parish life and mission – find contacts and resources. Always evolving and adding, and your feedback is appreciated – email the Communications team
Media contact: If you receive an enquiry from the media, especially national, please contact the Director of Communications, Arun Kataria or Creative Media Producer, Simon Jones for support and advice before making a response. Afterwards is too late!
- Arun Kataria: 07930 826182, email: arun.kataria@lichfield.anglican.org
- Simon Jones: 07973 625665 simon.jones@lichfield.anglican.org.
Get your church noticed On the subject of media, this is an invaluable book that can help parishes to tell positive stories of faith in the media. Again, always good to work with the Communications Team as above. Get Your Church Noticed
Parish contact place audits: A church officer in your parish will have received a link to update parish officers details on the diocesan database. If not, please contact angela.bruno@lichfield.anglican.org