St James' Church Islington

The Office of Church Warden

Churchwardens are important members of the Church's spiritual community.
They will normally be in church for the main Sunday Parish Mass and for major festivals.

The Churchwardens are officially the “Bishop’s Officers” in the Parish and have a number of responsibilities laid down by canon law and custom.

Churchwardens are responsible to the Bishop for the performance of the clergy in the carrying out of their duties and responsible for representing the laity.
They should promote "good order and decency" in the Church and promote "peace and unity" in the parish.

They are also responsible for managing any interregnum when a priest retires or moves to another parish creating a vacancy and have responsibility for Church property, health and safety and accounting for the collections at services.

There are two Church Wardens at St James’, who are elected by the congregation at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (on or before 30 April each year) and admitted to office by the Bishop. They normally serve no more than six periods of office.
A Churchwarden must be baptised, be on the Church Electoral Roll, be a communicant, aged 21 or over and cannot be disqualified for any reason (e.g. by reason of certain criminal convictions).

The Parochial Church Council

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is made up of 12 members elected annually by the congregation at the Annual Parish Council Meeting. In addition, Ex-Officio members are: the Clergy, the Churchwardens and the parish's two Deanery Synod representatives (who are elected independently every three years).

The role of the PCC is -

to consult with the clergy on matters of general concern and importance in the parish
to co-operate with the clergy in promoting the pastoral, social and ecumenical mission of the Church in the parish.

This includes:

Development of and monitoring progress on actions within the Parish Mission Action Plan

Taking decisions affecting the PCC's finances

Maintenance and repair of church fabric (including other properties such as the church hall), including responsibilities under health and safety, disabled access and other legislation affecting the occupation of premises

Work with Children and Young Persons - including drawing up and reviewing Child Protection Guidelines

Developing and reviewing the Liturgy in use from time to time

to discuss matters of religious or public interest
to make known and put into effect any provisions made by and to give feedback and advice to the Diocesan Synod and the Deanery Synod
to be consulted about the appointment of a new incumbent. The PCC can make a statement about the "conditions, traditions and needs" of the parish and two members of the PCC will interview prospective candidates

PCC Meetings

The PCC at St James' meets nine times a year. Meetings are chaired by the Vicar or in his/her absence by the lay vice chair. Two weeks prior to each meeting there is a meeting of the PCC Standing Committee made up of the clergy, the lay vice chair, the churchwardens and the PCC secretary at which the agenda of the next meeting is drawn up.

Every member of the PCC can suggest items for inclusion. The Standing Committee can transact business between PCC meetings if required.

Contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org

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The Office of Church Warden Churchwardens are important members of the Church's spiritual community. They will normally be in church for the main Sunday Parish Mass and for major festivals. The Churchwardens are officially the “Bishop’s Officers” in the Parish and have a number of responsibilities laid down by canon law and custom. Churchwardens are responsible to the Bishop for the performance of the clergy in the carrying out of their duties and responsible for representing the laity. They should promote "good order and decency" in the Church and promote "peace and unity" in the parish. They are also responsible for managing any interregnum when a priest retires or moves to another parish creating a vacancy and have responsibility for Church property, health and safety and accounting for the collections at services. There are two Church Wardens at St James’, who are elected by the congregation at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (on or before 30 April each year) and admitted to office by the Bishop. They normally serve no more than six periods of office. A Churchwarden must be baptised, be on the Church Electoral Roll, be a communicant, aged 21 or over and cannot be disqualified for any reason (e.g. by reason of certain criminal convictions). The Parochial Church Council The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is made up of 12 members elected annually by the congregation at the Annual Parish Council Meeting. In addition, Ex-Officio members are: the Clergy, the Churchwardens and the parish's two Deanery Synod representatives (who are elected independently every three years). The role of the PCC is - to consult with the clergy on matters of general concern and importance in the parish to co-operate with the clergy in promoting the pastoral, social and ecumenical mission of the Church in the parish. This includes: Development of and monitoring progress on actions within the Parish Mission Action Plan Taking decisions affecting the PCC's finances Maintenance and repair of church fabric (including other properties such as the church hall), including responsibilities under health and safety, disabled access and other legislation affecting the occupation of premises Work with Children and Young Persons - including drawing up and reviewing Child Protection Guidelines Developing and reviewing the Liturgy in use from time to time to discuss matters of religious or public interest to make known and put into effect any provisions made by and to give feedback and advice to the Diocesan Synod and the Deanery Synod to be consulted about the appointment of a new incumbent. The PCC can make a statement about the "conditions, traditions and needs" of the parish and two members of the PCC will interview prospective candidates PCC Meetings The PCC at St James' meets nine times a year. Meetings are chaired by the Vicar or in his/her absence by the lay vice chair. Two weeks prior to each meeting there is a meeting of the PCC Standing Committee made up of the clergy, the lay vice chair, the churchwardens and the PCC secretary at which the agenda of the next meeting is drawn up. Every member of the PCC can suggest items for inclusion. The Standing Committee can transact business between PCC meetings if required. Contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org Return to top
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