How can I help during the Vacancy?Archdeacon’s Guide to the Vacancy Process 3 Archdeacon’s Newsletter YouFrom may bethe thinking Archdeacons that this information of Dorking is not for andyou. ThisSurrey is, however, a for the Parish of time when the prayers, efforts and reflections of all the church is important. Chiddingfold Prayers PleaseThere isbe a timefaithful for everything, in praying and a forseason the for churchevery activity during under thethe heavens:time of a timevacancy. to Pleasebe born remember and a time to the die, churchwardens,a time to plant and a timearea to deanuproot, anda time vacancy to kill and aleadership time to May 2018 heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time Dear Friends team;to mourn those and aworking time to dance, on thea time parish to scatter profile stones andand a timeall whoto gather have them, additional a time responsibilityto embrace and during a time tothis refrain time. from Pleaseembracing, also a time pray to search that andGod a timewill to call give theup, aright persontime to to keep be and your a time new to throwincumbent away, a time and to fortear wisdomand a time into mend,discerning a time to this. be silent I write to you ahead of the Revd Sarah Brough’s resignation as Rector of and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Chiddingfold on 15 July 2018 Efforts Ecclesiastes 3 ThereIn the will life ofbe a parishincreasing there is no responsibility doubt that a time onof vacancy many isduring a major event.this time of vacancy. Firstly, I wish to add my voice to those of many in expressing sincere thanks It isIt canhelpful be a timeif people when parishioners continue feel with a sense their of bereavementduties as -much and that as ‘loss’ possible. needs to beIf you to Sarah for outstanding service to the parish of Chiddingfold over the past findtaken that seriously, you have but it cansome also bespare a time timeof ’growth’ on your- for new hands, talents andthen gifting it may to emerge, be worth a 15 years. She has been a strong leader during this time and has exercised time when the parish can seek God’s leading and guidance for the next ‘chapter’ of its life of the pastoral care of God’s people with love and true dedication. I am so askingworship your and witness,churchwardens and a time for rootednesswhether inthere steady isprayer. anything A vacancy additional can also be athat time you mightwhen be our able Diocesan to doVision to ‘Transformingsupport them Church during Transforming this time. Lives’ refocuses our plans and pleased that, together with Chris and Joseph, she will be remaining in the purpose towards growing communities of faith and engagement in our parishes. Diocese and I wish them as a family every blessing as they enter a new ReflectionsDuring a time of vacancy parishes are able to take the opportunity to assess how the call to a chapter - and especially on Joseph as he begins his new school! Verylife ofsoon, worship there and witness will measuresbe consultation up to ‘Transforming about Church your Transforming perception Lives .’of Our priorities hope and prayer is that parishes will not only look back and give thanks but look forward and be open Secondly, I’d like to take this opportunity of assuring you of my care and goingto seeing forward how God that at work will by feed his Holy into Spirit the can building be at work ofin newa person and creative specification ways that will for thegive new a hope incumbent. for the future Pleaseand for growth pray in andour Diocese. reflect upon this and pass any ideas support as you enter a period of vacancy. To try and minimise the uncertainty to the churchwardens. that this can bring, this brief newsletter will explain how the vacancy will be There is no doubt that at a time of change and transition the challenge to be church for both this generation and the next can be both exhilarating and daunting! So as this time of vacancy beckons managed together with the process as we begin to think about a successor Prayerwe would for like Vacancy to take this opportunity on behalf of the Diocese and its various departments to Sarah. The most important request I ask of each of you is that you be (App. G) to af rm our commitment to serving you, the local parish, and to journeying with you faithful in your prayers that God will call the right person to serve as the next Godas youour seek Father, a new youincumbent. have welcomed each one of us in Jesus and called us to be His body in this place: Rector of Chiddingfold. There is a prayer for your use on the back page. SendThe usguide your in the Holy following Spirit pages at contains this time a wealth of uncertainty of helpful information and change,which is practical and detailed! We pray that it will contain many of the answers you are already seeking and will point I look forward to meeting you during the forthcoming months. to fillthe wayus withforward vision for you. and It is indicative energy of and our commitmentfaithfulness to all in parishes prayer at the point of vacancy that- wewe are may here befor youtrue at tothis ourkey timecalling in the to life bring of your new worship life and to witnessour community. and look forward to helping you grow in vision and expectation as you seek God’s direction and of course a new Giveincumbent! your heavenly wisdom to those who are to choose a new incumbent for this parish, that they may be a wise and gentle shepherd of your people:Yours in ready Christ to serve us with joy; to build us up in faith and to lead us by example in loving obedience to your son, Jesus. Amen. Paul & Paul The Venerable Paul Davies Archdeacon of Surrey Paul Bryer, Archdeacon of Dorking The Archdeacons’ Office Paul Davies, Archdeacon of SurreyChurch House Guildford, 20 Alan Turing Way, Guildford GU2 7YF ☏ 01348 790352 ! [email protected] What happens Now? What is the Timescale for all of this? Who is In Charge during the Vacancy? We attempt to be as efficient as possible. We do, however, need to go through Following the Rector’s departure, the formal running of the parish is the legal a process which is laid down by the Patronage (Benefices) Measure (1986). responsibility of the Area Dean and Churchwardens (the Sequestrators). The Archdeacon has already met with the churchwardens and started to make preparations for this process. The dates that have been set are below: How does the parish actually function without an Incumbent? Whilst the Area Dean will provide oversight and support the churchwardens, he is a busy parish priest himself and will not be able to be present like a rector. Meeting of Churchwardens and Archdeacon 24 May 2018 Most of the work, therefore, will be co-ordinated by the vacancy leadership (to begin planning timescale) Archdeacon’s House team who are accountable to the PCC. This will consist of the churchwardens, Archdeacon’s meeting and workshop with PCC 11 June 2018: 1930 treasurer, parish administrator and others who share in ministerial and (to reflect on priorities / person specification) Church Room, Chidd administrative support. It will meet regularly to ensure things continue as normal. For good reason, the Area Dean will ensure that no strategic decisions Final Draft of Parish Profile is completed by 11 July 2018 are taken during this time when there is no incumbent in the parish. (stage at which most of the work is complete) What if I have any questions during this period? Section 11 Meeting 16 July 2018: 2100 Please speak to the churchwardens in the first instance. They will be able to (profile formally agreed and parish reps chosen) Church Room, Chidd direct you to the right person. Advertise Post 20 July 2018 (on Pathways website and in Church Times) 27 July 2018 How is our New Rector Chosen? Closing date for applications 30 August 2018 (final date on which applications submitted) Who decides on our new Rector? Shortlisting 5 September 2018 There are six people who will be on the formal interview panel: (interview panel meets to shortlist candidates) Church House Guildford The Patron (The Lord Chancellor, represented by Mrs Helen Dimmock) The Bishop of Guildford (The Rt Revd Andrew Watson) Interviews 24 September 2018 The Archdeacon of Surrey (The Venerable Paul Davies) (held in Chiddingfold over two consecutive days) 25 September 2018 The Area Dean of Godalming (The Revd Clive Potter - Vicar of Milford) The Churchwardens (Beverley Draper and Irving Johnson) The Lord Chancellor (represented by Helen Dimmock), with the agreement of the Parish Representatives, present the preferred candidate to the Bishop. The Bottom Line… Will there be consultation? So when can we expect to welcome a new Rector? Yes. The most important work that needs to be done now is the putting If all goes to plan and we appoint a suitable candidate, it is usual that there is a together of a parish profile and person specification. This is, in effect, the period of 3 months between appointment and licensing so we would hope to document that lays out our priorities looking forward and so the gifts that we welcome a Rector sometime in the new year of 2019.