1. Introduction
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Diocese of London – Parish Finance File 1. Introduction 1.1 Letter from the Bishop 1.2 Letter from the Finance Director 1.3 Structure of the Diocese 1.4 LDF Staff Diocese of London – Parish Finance File 1.1 From The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres DD FSA Beloved in Christ, The managing of financial resources in parishes is an important part of our stewardship of God’s resources. This manual is designed to help clergy and treasurers fulfil their important responsibilities in this regard. It is the first time the Diocese has produced such a document and I am especially grateful that several parish treasurers were very involved in the process. As legislation in relation to parish finance becomes increasingly complex, it is good to have a straightforward reference work to guide those involved in parish finances. Treasurers and other financial helpers very often work behind the scenes in parish life but their effective management of financial resources is essential as we strive to meet the challenge of being a church for this world city of London in the twenty first century. With thanks for your work and continuing witness to God’s presence in London churches and parishes. The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres DD FSA Bishop of London Diocese of London – Parish Finance File 1.2 Letter from the Finance Director This booklet has been developed by the Finance Advisers: Mary Spredbury, Kevin Ogilvie and Theresa Moses, with input from PCC treasurers including Richard Morrison, Michael Maunsell and Duncan Collins for which we are very grateful. We hope it will be a valuable reference tool for treasurers, clergy and others who are involved in parish finances. It is being issued in loose leaf form to enable future amendments and additions to be readily inserted, for example sections on Risk, Loans, Church Hall Accounts and VAT. As ever, please feel free to contact the Finance Advisers whenever required, for clarification or regarding parish finance issues that fall outside this booklet’s current scope. I am very pleased to commend this booklet to you. With best wishes, Andrew Rodford Finance Director Diocese of London – Parish Finance File 1.3 Structure of the Diocese The diocesan cathedral is St Paul’s Cathedral and the administrative centre is London Diocesan House. The Diocese of London is presided over by the Diocesan Bishop, the Bishop of London, who is assisted by four Area Bishops who exercise responsibility on behalf of the Bishop of London in their Areas – • The Bishop of Stepney for the boroughs of Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets • The Bishop of Edmonton for the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield and Haringey • The Bishop of Willesden for the boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and Hillingdon • The Bishop of Kensington for the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea and Richmond upon Thames (part) and Spelthorne The Bishop of London has responsibility for the Cities of London and Westminster The Bishop of Fulham is the Suffragan Bishop with pastoral care of parishes which are opposed to the ordination of women. Each Area also has an Archdeacon – • The Archdeacon of Hackney for the Stepney Area • The Archdeacon of Hampstead for the Edmonton Area • The Archdeacon of Northolt for the Willesden Area • The Archdeacon of Middlesex for the Kensington Area • The Archdeacon of London for the City of London • The Archdeacon of Charing Cross for the City of Westminster. Parishes in the Areas are grouped into deaneries, supervised by Area Deans. Each parish has a parish priest. Diocese of London – Parish Finance File The London Diocesan Year Book contains full details of parishes, chaplaincies and clergy throughout the Diocese. Copies (for 2004) cost £7 (plus £1.50 postage and packaging). To obtain your copy either: Go on line to www.london.anglican.org or send a cheque for £8.50 made payable to London Diocesan Fund to: Office Services, London Diocesan House, 36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4AU or call at the office in person. 1.4 LDF Staff The London Diocesan Fund, LDF, is the administrative body for the diocese. It principally finances the stipends, pensions and housing costs of the stipendiary clergy of the Diocese. In addition to Financial and Property services, other services provided at the Diocesan House in Causton Street include: • Small Communications and IT departments which, in addition to supporting Diocesan staff can provide a limited service for parishes • The Director of Ministry who advises the bishops about matters of strategy and deployment for clergy and Readers, and co- ordinates the Area advisers and officers for recruiting and selecting candidates for training for ordination and Reader ministry, and in-service training for clergy and Readers • Staff supporting the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Church Buildings, which advises on applications for proposals to make changes to the fabric and furnishings of churches • A member of staff providing administrative support for the various synods and councils • The Children’s Adviser who advises on work with children in parishes and assists in the Diocese’s child protection procedures • The adviser on Community Ministry • The Bishop’s Adviser for Social Justice issues • A member of staff to advise on and facilitate statutory procedures in relation to reorganising parish boundaries, the suspension of Diocese of London – Parish Finance File presentation of new priests to parishes, and arrangements for church buildings no longer required for worship. Each Episcopal Area has: • A Parish Ministry Development Adviser, who advises and assists in developing ministry and mission in the parishes • A share in a Finance Adviser, who works with the Archdeacon, Area Deans and parishes in facilitating parish contributions to the Diocese’s Common Fund and in managing their own finances and part-time advisers including: • An Area Director of Ordinands who advises on the recruitment and selection of ordination candidates. Currently the Diocese has more ordination candidates in training than any other diocese in the Church of England • An Area Adviser for in-service training for the clergy Contact details for Diocesan House, the Area offices and the Finance Advisers are given on the back page. .