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Download the current Newcastle Diocesan Handbook for Clergy here. This issue revised in 2014 is consistent with the latest clergy terms and conditions of service. The Diocesan Handbook for Parishes, with more parochial-related matters, can be found below. For any items to be added, removed or corrected in either handbook, please contact the Bishop's Chaplain. 2. CLERGY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL Academic work: further 3. WIDER MINISTERIAL MATTERS 4. CHURCH BUILDINGS Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) Go to the DAC pages for information on:
Other advice:
Download a booklet (with an extraordinary Preface by the Dean of the Arches) 5. REFERENCE MATERIAL/DOWNLOADS Canons of the Church of England The Diocesan Handbook for ParishesACADEMIC WORK: further There is in the Diocese a tradition of encouraging ministers lay and ordained to pursue further theological and related studies at appropriate times in their ministry, and sometimes a modest amount of financial support can be provided. Academic work of this sort is increasingly costly. Further funding will always be necessary, and sources of funding must be clearly identifiable and available before such courses commence. ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING (APCM) RESOURCES You can download all necessary documents, notices, forms and information from the Parish Resources - www.parishresources.org.uk/pccs/apcms BISHOPS' MISSION ORDERS This is a new opportunity in the Church of England created by the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 and the Code of Practice with it. CHARITIES ACT 1993 and the PCC: a guide to the SORP 2005 revisions Provides essential and up-to-date guidance for all PCCs in the preparation and scrutiny of their annual financial statements and reports. (Available as a large download from here) CHURCH BUILDINGS: useful websites Churchcare CLERICAL COVER / EXCHANGE An incumbent/priest in charge should never leave his/her parish (even for a few days) without arranging emergency pastoral cover with a neighbouring cleric. The churchwardens and Area Dean should be informed of the arrangement. CONFIRMATION
Where numbers of confirmation candidates are low, every effort should be made to arrange for combined services with neighboring parishes. Adult and young confirmation candidates should receive careful preparation, as a good grounding for on-going discipleship. If a parish priest considers a candidate under the age of ten to be suitable for confirmation, they should make a request (giving their reasons for such) to the Bishop. For information relating to collections taken at Confirmation services click here. DBS (formerly CRB) APPLICATIONS: for disclosures Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly Criminal Records Bureau or CRB) applications for all volunteers in parishes in Newcastle Diocese are administered through Church House. Contact the DBS administrator by email or call 0191 270 4100. All licensed Clergy, Church Army Officers and Readers must have DBS disclosures, and these are administered through Bishop's House. Note that the former Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has also been merged into the Disclosure and Barring Service. ECUMENICAL MATTERS Contact the Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, the Revd Judith Grieve on 01670 519 861/ 07419 821 266 or church_point@hotmail.com A range of useful information and links can be found on the Ecumenism page on this website. EXPENSES: Parochial Working A range of CofE documents can be found here. HEALING: Ministry of Christian Healing is God meeting you at your point of need (Bishop Morris Maddocks) Christ is our Healer and through his Holy Spirit the Church offers this ministry in his name. Christs healing is offered through: the Holy Communion, Healing Services, individual ministry with healing prayer. All these may include the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, confession and forgiveness. HOUSING The following links will take you to the latest 'Houses Handbook' and 'House Vacancy Accommodation Guide for Parishes'. MARRIAGE OF FOREIGN NATIONALS With effect from 2nd March 2015, the Immigration Act 2014 stipulates that where one or both of the parties to an intended marriage is a non-European economic Area (EEA) national the parties will each have to obtain a superintendent registrars certificate (SRC) to authorise the marriage (unless an Archbishops special licence has been granted). It will cease to be lawful for the marriage of a non-EEA national to be solemnized after the publication of banns of matrimony or on the authority of a common licence. This replaces the provisions implemented in 2011: download the guidance issued by the Church of England's Legal Office in December 2014. The UK Borders Agency has also issued guidance which can be found here. It includes the advice: "If a member of the clergy feels that they are being pressurised to perform a marriage they are not content with by either the couple or a third party facilitator they should inform UKBA of this but should also consider informing the police." MARRIAGE IN CHURCH AFTER DIVORCE Advice to clergy from the House of Bishops and a leaflet for enquirers can be found here. The decision whether or not to conduct such a marriage rests with the officiating minister, but the Bishop is available to offer advice if it is requested. Advice should be sought by following the process outlined in para 4.7 of the House of Bishops' Advice above. So that accurate records can be kept, a quarterly return should be made to the Diocesan Bishop indicating the number of further marriages conducted and the number of applications refused. MINISTERIAL DEVELOPMENT REVIEW One of the ways in which the Bishop exercises care for the clergy who work with him under licence, is through a process designed to provide: Every two years the Bishop will ask each of the clergy and other supporting ministers to initiate the process by using a Reviewer to work with in this way. After personal reflection, consultation with others and a review interview, a report (hopefully mutually agreed) will be forwarded to the Bishop which highlights ministerial objectives for the next three years and what learning and development opportunities will enable them to be met. The Reviewee and the CMD Adviser can then work together is accessing what will contribute most to this. For more details see elsewhere. PASTORAL COUNSELLING NETWORK A confidential Counselling Service can be accessed by clergy, clergy husbands, clergy wives and their families in Newcastle Diocese. Counselling offers people a safe space in which to reflect, without rush, on issues that are concerning them. This will involve working with a professionally trained counsellor over a number of sessions in complete privacy. The Network Counsellors are able to include the religious and spiritual dimension in the counselling process if the client wishes. If you would like to speak to someone, or to make a referral, contact: WHO PERSONAL SUPPORT If you feel you need to talk to someone various options are open: RETIRED CLERGY: Ministry and Pastoral Care Retired Clergy need to obtain from the Bishop a Permission to Officiate in the Diocese (PTO) if they wish to exercise their ordained ministry. Retired Clergy are a valuable resource to the Diocese in their willingness to offer priestly ministry in their home and neighbouring parishes.
The payments for agreed services conducted by retired former stipendiary clergy except for services in the parish where they reside are: Sunday and Weekday Services Fees last updated: 5 February 2019 Download further information from Parish Fees page. SABBATICAL GUIDANCE NOTES The purpose of a Sabbatical for those in stipendiary ministry is: An opportunity for this should be possible for a three month period in every ten years of ministry. Some funding is available to support it and information of other possible sources of funding can be provided. WORK CONSULTANCY The Work Consultancy Scheme offers regular, confidential peer support in the day to day work of ministry. It is available to all in licensed ministry in the diocese, ordained and lay. Work Consultancy has the following specific aims: VACANCY IN A PARISH The Area Dean is in overall charge of a parish during a vacancy, but there will be a number of extra duties for Churchwardens. These include maintaining services, pastoral care, covering emergencies and the security of the vicarage. " What to do in a Vacancy - leaflet for Area Deans and Churchwardens |
