Churchwardens

Churchwardens are vital to the health and wellbeing of our church communities. It is an important and at times demanding role and we hope that you will find the content informative.

If you can’t find the information you are looking for please contact your area office.

Ramsbury office 
Sherborne office 

Winter Hints for churches from Eccesiastical Insurance Group
Black and white and colour leaflets are available from the resources box on the left of the page.

Contents:

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Registry
Archdeacons Visitations 
Churchwarden Annual Mailing 
Annual Churchwarden Conferences 
Training Opportunities 
Care For Your Church Building 
Safeguarding 
Share 
Vacancies 
Looking after your Buildings and Contents 
Health & Safety 
Funding 
Useful Links 

Registry

The Registry section of the website contains information about the legal aspects of holding the post of churchwarden.

Responsibilities of a Churchwarden
Information for new Churchwardens 

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Archdeacons Visitations

Churchwardens are admitted annually at a service held at various churches throughout the Diocese. Times and venues of the services are advertised from February for the services that are usually held in May and June of each year.  Please contact your area office for details.

All churchwardens are expected to attend a service and are required to be admitted by 31 July. Churchwardens unable to attend a service in their own area are very welcome to attend a service out of their area.

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Churchwarden Annual Mailing

Churchwardens are asked to provide a number of documents each year. Copies can be downloaded from the resources box on the left of this page from February of each year.

• Churchwarden Declaration 
• Mission Statistics
• Inventory
• Archdeacons' Articles of Enquiry

Upon completion all forms should be returned to your area office.

Ramsbury office 
Sherborne office 

Two copies of your annual report and accounts should be passed to your deanery treasurer annually. Information about what should be included in these reports can be found here.

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Annual Churchwarden Conferences

Churchwarden conferences are offered annually to all churchwardens, new or in post for a number of years. The aim is to give an opportunity to pass on information relative to your role but also provide a place to meet other churchwardens and swap experiences.

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Training Opportunities

The area regularly runs a number of other courses or days that may be of interest, these may be aimed at those who have responsibility for the church building, those wanting more ideas about Mission or perhaps offer a quiet day for reflection. For full details of the courses currently on offer, please see your area office page.

Ramsbury office 
Sherborne office 

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Care For Your Church Building

• For help and advice about any changes that you may be considering in your church please contact either the DAC or your area office.
• Approved architects listing – see DAC pages
• Quinquennial Inspections – for information speak to your area office

Ramsbury office 
Sherborne office 

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Safeguarding

For any enquiries regarding safeguarding issues please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.

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Share

If you have specific questions about your parish share, you are welcome to contact your Deanery Treasurer or your Archdeacon through your area office.

Ramsbury office 
Sherborne office 

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Vacancies

What to do if your vicar leaves? For this and any other question regarding a parish vacancy, please contact your area office for advice. Download the Vacancy Information Pack from the resources box to the left of the page.

Ramsbury office 
Sherborne office 

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Looking after your Buildings and Contents

• The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)
• The Church Buildings Council: www.churchcare.co.uk 
• Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings run 'Faith in Maintenance' training courses for those responsible for church buildings. www.spabfim.org.uk, 020 7456 0913, info@spabfim.org.uk 
• National Association of Fine Arts Society : www.nadfas.org.uk 
• English Heritage: www.english-heritage.org.uk 
• National Church Trust : www.nationalchurchestrust.org 
• Ride and Stride –the annual appeal to raise funds for the Historic Churches Trust. Contact your area Historic Churches Trust secretary for contact details of the local organiser. See funding below.
• Churches Conservation Trust: www.visitchurches.org 

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Health & Safety

• See the DAC Health and Safety page
• Ecclesiastical Insurance: Andrew Dawson Tel: www.ecclesiastical.com 
• The Health & Safety Executive: www.hse.gov.uk 

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Funding

• See the Stewardship Fundraising page
• Financial resources from the Accounts department here.
• The Aldhelm Mission Fund: grants for new mission initiatives in the Diocese of Salisbury – Stephen Dawson:
  01722 411922, stephen.dawson@salisbury.anglican.org
• The Erskine Muton Trust Fund: grants to Anglican churches in Dorset for church buildings – Trust Officer:
  01722 438650, pastoral@salisbury.anglican.org 
• Dorset Historic Churches Trust – P Moule:
  01935 872447, pandfmoule@yahoo.co.uk 
• Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust – the Revd Morris Munns:
  01722 328686, morrismunns@aol.com 
• Charities Information Bureau South and West – For help with information advice, support and training on funding. www.cibwilts.org.uk.
  01380 729279, enquiries@cib.org.uk 

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Useful Links

• The Diocesan Registry: Churchwardens page 
• The Church of England: www.cofe.anglican.org 
• Charity Commission: www.charity-commission.gov.uk 
• Parish Resources: www.parishresources.org.uk 

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