Sane, Shared Leadership and Responsibility... There Has Been a Lot of Talk Lately in the Church About Leadership

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Spring 2015 - issue 14 Sane, shared leadership and responsibility... There has been a lot of talk lately in the Church about leadership. On the one hand good leadership does need to be developed, on the other too much expectation on the leader can lead to burn out and stress. A balance needs to be struck.

The Ven. Karen Gorham We are very aware of the demands of personally, professionally and through our Archdeacon of Buckingham leadership on both churchwardens and our volunteering. It is about understanding the archdbuc@ clergy in your service of the Church, hence unique calling of lay and ordained people, oxford.anglican.org the need for mutual support and affirmation jointly selecting people to assist in the task, Tel: 01865 208264 between you, and for the right resourcing giving others responsibility and doing from those of us entrusted with your care effectively the specific task that God has and well-being. These pressures are given to us. We hope this Archdeacons’ The Ven. Olivia Graham nothing new. In the Old Testament we find Visitation News will help you in your task. Moses overwhelmed by his workload Archdeacon of Berkshire As a way of relieving some of the local archdber@ (Exodus 18:13 – 16), labouring from oxford.anglican.org morning until night, attempting to solve all pressures, the national Church is seriously Tel: 01635 552820 the problems that came his way. It took his discussing simplifying some of its father-in-law, Jethro, to step in as his structures. This will include the collection consultant. Seeing that the workload was of data. As your Archdeacons, we are unsustainable, he wisely pulled Moses aside committed to this too, and to finding ways The Ven. Martin Gorick with the helpful suggestion that he shared in which you can flourish and be supported Archdeacon of Oxford his load with others. in your role as much as possible. Thank you archdeacon.oxford@ oxford.anglican.org for all you do. Shared leadership means talking together Tel: 01865 208263 about the difficulties that we face Karen, Olivia, Martin and Judy

The Ven. Judy French Archdeacon of Dorchester archdeacon.dorchester@ oxford.anglican.org Tel: 01865 208245

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www.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters Many churches seek to address such a Making friends across question by setting up an all-age service. But as anyone who’s ever sought to run one will tell you, these are arguably the most the generations difficult type of service to run well, and to be genuinely inclusive and meaningful to ALL From its beginnings, Christianity has sought a radical togetherness ages. Maybe services are not the best starting point. Before we can help people of all ages of people across boundaries of ethnicity, status and gender. In his enter into our primary purpose of worship, letter to the Galatians, Paul says: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, might we need first to understand what makes there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; people of different generations ‘tick’? for all of you are one in Christ Jesus ... ” (Galatians 3: 28) Being intentionally more ‘all age’ in our socialising and in the difference the Church makes in the community might be the way to We all learn to a huge degree by watching and foster not just relationships and understanding, then by trying out what we have seen modelled. but faith too. We all have much to learn from the experience and questions of young people, much to gain An example is a games evening we heard from their energy. We all have much to benefit about from one of the churches in our diocese. from the wisdom and faith experience of older It was an intentionally all-age evening of generations who have lived out their faith for eating and playing together. The genius of it many years, and through many challenges. was that each generation was invited to teach How might we achieve such learning across a game they loved to the gathered group, the generations? which was then played by all. A huge amount of fun was had, not only playing the games, We know that our churches often fall short of but in the stories and conversations that this ideal. An aspect of our common life that flowed from them: a genuinely ‘all-age’ causes concern for many is how we are encounter. Beetle drive was the surprise hit together as church with respect to age. of the evening! How many people below the age of 40 are there in your church? Where are the people So if we want to become an intergenerational different in age and lifestyle to us? Where church, perhaps we need to learn first how to are the young people? What can we do that ‘be’ before we go on to ‘do’. ‘Being’ demands might turn the present situation around? intentional choices, sometimes rather tricky ones! When adults in churches find themselves A recent report entitled ‘Sticky Faith’ alongside children, they are faced with the has highlighted the importance of intergenerational relationships if faith is to noise, the ‘whole body experience’ that life is stick with young people. It suggests that too for the young. They are faced with difficult often the emphasis has been on teaching questions, great stories, beautiful artwork, young people, at the expense of developing profound prayers, playfulness and observations. strong relationships across the Church When children find themselves alongside community that offer opportunities to see adults, they observe the lifelong journey of faith lived out and practised. faith. They see life in its various forms of togetherness, singleness, loneliness, disability, pain, suffering and joy. How might you start a discussion around these issues in your church and its community? In this diocese we’ve developed a resource to help get the ball rolling. Our Child and Youth Friendly Church Awards help churches take a fresh look at the welcome and community we offer to children, young people and families, to look at what we do with fresh eyes. The aim is to celebrate what is going well, while challenging what may need to be changed, tweaked or added. The awards act as a prompt to discussion, conversation and reflection. They’re not some kind of heavy inspection! Why not take a look at what they involve on the diocesan website and see if they would be something you’d like to try, among all generations, where you are? www.oxford.anglican.org/mission- ministry/youthandchildren/child-youth- friendly-church-awards/ Ian Macdonald – Diocesan Youth Adviser Messy Fiesta at the Grand Day Out – Photograph by Philip King Yvonne Morris – Diocesan Children’s Adviser Church Insurance Made Simple We’ve been talking to you, our customers, over the last year to find out how we can help make it easier for you to understand your insurance cover. Thanks to what you have told us, we have now developed a new series of National Crime ‘Made Simple’ documents to help you with key topics Helpline for where you wanted straightforward, easy-to-follow, advice. Churches

The Church Buildings Council has set up a national crime helpline for churches to use after a theft. Once a theft is reported it will trigger an alert to auctions houses, museums and crime prevention agencies which is a fast, effective way of preventing the sale and permanent loss of treasures. Both the Church Buildings Council and Ecclesiastical are keen that we can all enjoy the many treasures and artworks in churches. But, while the fear of crime is greater than the reality there is no room for complacency and we encourage churches to take simple security measures to protect their church contents such as marking metal items with SmartWater (see overleaf).

In addition we have also produced the To report the loss of a treasure or following ‘Made Simple’ guides: artwork from your church contact the Church Crime Alert team on Church Buildings – an explanation of the 020 7898 1860 , or email insurance issues related to church buildings churchcrimealert @churchofengland. such as ensuring you have fire risk org . Visit www.ecclesiastical.com/ assessments and avoiding slips, trips and falls. churchsecurity for more information People in Church Premises – looking at on keeping your church secure. health and safety and other matters to consider to help keep regular visitors to your buildings safe. Events – from fundraising to Christmas services, a summary of what you need to know and when you need to tell us about events at your church. Community outreach – churches increasingly offer services such as night shelters – here we summarise the main topics The new guides are available to read and what you need to consider with your or download from our website. Each outreach activities. provides a simple summary of a topic The ‘Made Simple’ guides r eflect our desire Top Tip... together with links to web pages and to make sure that churches understand what other documents that include more- is covered by their insurance and what is not. If you feel your church should normally detailed information. Plus we hope they will help to encourage be kept locked, you might like to For those of you looking after your church churches to take simple steps to mitigate consider making the key available to possible risks. The guides supplement the wide insurance, we now have a simple guide to visitors. You could ask a local shop, range of content we have on our Church Matters administering your policy. This includes help Post Office or garage to safeguard the website. If you have any feedback on the new and advice on paying premiums and ways you keys and take details of those visitors guides or ideas for topics we might cover, why might save money, including interest-free who wish to use them. Information not email us at [email protected] direct debits or increasing the excess on your about where to obtain the keys can be with your thoughts? policy (the amount you pay if there is a claim). displayed in the porch area or on the church notice board. It also explains when you need to tell us about All the new guides can be found at changes or activities at your church. www.ecclesiastical.com/madesimple The Ongoing Fight against Metal Thieves Top Tip... Ecclesiastical has led a concerted effort in recent years to make churches less-attractive targets for thieves by working SmartWater can be used on other items in addition to lead roofing – make sure with the Church of England, parliament and other interested you mark all church owned metals parties to tighten up the law on scrap metal dealing and including memorial plaques as well as other valuables you may have inside your increase building security. church such as silver, altar ware and valuable portable furnishings. While we have seen a reduction in recorded are checking for SmartWater and refusing to theft of lead roofing, it is important that we buy anything marked with it then thieves will remain vigilant as metal theft has not gone quickly learn there is no point in stealing it in away. This is one of the reasons why the first place. y ud Ecclesiastical is continuing its proactive work St For this reason, it is very important that you se with SmartWater and the police to target metal a continue to display SmartWater deterrent signs C thieves. We also continue to encourage the around your church. These should be placed in use of other security products such as roof highly visible locations where would-be thieves alarms to protect churches. are most likely to see them. If you require One key aspect of the ongoing fight against new signage then please call SmartWater metal thieves has been to target the scrap on 01952 204 102 . Remember, you will not be metal and recycling industries in order to make covered for metal theft or any subsequent it more difficult for thieves to sell on stolen damage as a result of theft or attempted theft goods. In the last 5 years, our partners at of metal unless you have applied SmartWater SmartWater have made over 1,150 visits to (or an alternative forensic marker approved by scrap yards accompanied by regional police us), displayed the signage, and registered the forces in proactive ‘Days of Action’ to search product. for SmartWater-marked metals. A number of helpful crime prevention tips – The purpose of these visits is to remind scrap including information about SmartWater and dealers that they face being arrested and roof alarms – can be found on the convicted of handling stolen goods if they buy Ecclesiastical website at Man jailed for SmartWater-marked metals. If scrap dealers www.ecclesiastical.com/theftofmetal melting stolen lead An Abergavenny man has been jailed after being caught with £3,700 of stolen SmartWater-marked lead from a church roof. Jonathan Vaughn, 35, was caught after police received an anonymous call to say he was melting lead in his garden in St Llanfoist. When officers recovered the lead it was found to be marked with SmartWater traceable liquid. Subsequent analysis identified the lead as having come from St Mary’s Church roof in Abergavenny. At Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, Vaughn admitted a charge of handling stolen goods. He was sentenced to four months for COVER UPDATE the offence and 113 days for a previous offence of assault after magistrates We have recently increased the maximum you may claim for theft of activated a suspended sentence. external metal – for more information see your next policy renewal pack. Mr Vaughn stated he had bought the We are also now able to provide cover for metal theft when scaffolding lead to melt for Christmas money and is erected subject to certain conditions. For more information, visit refused to say where he’d bought it from. www.ecclesiastical.com/theftofmetal or call 0845 777 3322 . dy tu e S Allchurches Trust aims as C to raise giving to record levels This January, insurer Ecclesiastical announced it had donated over £23m in 2014 to its charitable owner Allchurches Trust St Giles Dell (ATL), a huge sum by any standard. But what is ATL and how Centre, Ashtead, does it use its resources to promote the Christian faith? Surrey Ashtead is about 15 miles from London, close to the M25 motorway. Faced with an old wooden church hall now well past its sell by date, members of the congregation have set about fundraising for new facilities. Designs for the new Dell Centre include meeting rooms, a professional kitchen and a host of other facilities which the congregation envisage being used by the whole community. Pre- and afte r- school clubs, social gatherings, fitness, dance and art classes are all on their agenda, alongside mentoring job seekers, community support and activities for the elderly.

y The charity, founded in 1972, is chaired charitable organisations and churches. ud St by Sir Philip Mawer, former Parliamentary Every month, we receive over 100 se Ca Commissioner for Standards and applications for grants, which are previously Secretary General of the considered carefully by our trustees. General Synod of the Church of England. “Although the majority of our support goes A career public servant, he remains to the Church of England, grants are also closely involved with the work of the made in response to applications from Church and its clergy. ecumenical partner churches, church According to schools and charities. We particularly Sir Philip, ATL’s welcome applications from less well-off role is to support parishes and for projects which will benefit churches and other mission and help local communities.” St Aidan’s Church, worthy causes linked Grants to parishes from ATL range in size to the Christian faith depending on the scale of the project to Stobhill, Morpeth through a programme be undertaken. of financial grants. St Aidan’s is a modern church Over the last decade, The prospects for ATL’s activities are located in a deprived area on the it has donated over very positive based on Ecclesiastical’s outskirts of the market town of £75m to projects as diverse as church commitment to donate £50m during Morpeth, Northumberland. building refurbishments and repairs, 2014-2016. “This is a hugely With an outdated hall, the church was commendable ambition,” creating new facilities for people in need Sir Philip notes. desperately in need of more community – even helping Anglicans in New Zealand “What this means is that, given space. An exciting project was devised, establish a temporary cathedral following Ecclesiastical’s solid financial performance resulting in the sale of the old church the devastating Christchurch earthquake. and favourable conditions in the insurance hall and the proceeds funding an market, we hope to be able to increase our In 2014 alone, ATL distributed grants of extension to the church for community giving to the Church to record levels over £9.7m, which went to a wide range of use. The new building will house a the coming three years.” churches, dioceses and cathedrals crèche, holiday clubs, a luncheon club throughout the British Isles. “ATL’s mission For more information or to apply for and meeting rooms, and it can also be is to promote and support the Christian a grant, visit ATL’s website at used to provide extra seating capacity religion,” Sir Philip explains. “In broad terms, www.allchurchestrust.co.uk, where for larger services, concerts and other it does this by contributing financially to full details are available. events in the church. Keeping up to date We hope you are familiar with our Church Matters website which has a wide range of information, guidance and tools WIN you can use to help you look after your church.

an iPad All our risk management guidance notes Customer services: are collected together and sorted into the call 0845 777 3322 or key categories of security, health and email [email protected] Home insurance safety, fire, and storms and bad weather. Many customers also now get updates Claims: prize draw by email – just let us have your email call 0845 603 8381 (24-hour service) or address if you, too, would like to be email [email protected] Just call us for a quote or let us have updated in this way. For further your home insurance renewal date and information: Our customer service lines are normally open we will enter you into a prize draw to win Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, except for an iPad for you or your church. You can Our website: bank holidays. However, claims can be enter the draw by calling 0800 917 3345 www.ecclesiastical.com/church registered at any time during the day or night. and quote IPAD15 or go on line at www.ecclesiastical.com/ipad

Top Tip... Did you know?

If you are planning to support your Here we highlight two features of your Parishguard policy that community, for example, through you may not be aware of. providing a night shelter, food bank or parish nursing, there are important regulatory issues you need to be aware Consequential loss of. We can help you with free advice to Consequential loss cover is included in make sure you comply with the your Parishguard policy to help offset loss regulatory requirements. of income if your church has to close for repairs following insured damage that Ecclesiastical is covering under the Property section of your Parishguard policy. You may be able to claim up to £100,000 over a four-year period for loss of income from your normal church activities, such as service collections, income from hirers not being able to use the building and costs such as hiring alternate premises.

Money cover In the last year there have been a number of The prospect of having money stolen by a court cases involving theft from church funds. church official or a volunteer is never an easy For example, in 2014, a deputy church Independent one for a church to contemplate, but sadly this treasurer in the Wirral was found guilty of Financial Advice is a risk that needs to be addressed. systematically stealing collection money for over a decade, amounting to almost £20,000. Do you need help with your finances? The good news is that our Parishguard policy Ecclesiastical Financial Advisory offers some protection against the risk of Services can offer you totally misappropriation. However, in order to meet independent financial advice on the conditions of the policy and ensure that a investments, retirement and protection. claim can be defended, you will need to They can also help parishes who have funds to invest with their investment provide specific information and make strategy. Please note, the value of certain that important checks are carried out. investments can fall as well as rise and For example, regular reconciliations should past performance is not a guide to be carried out of bank statements, cash-in- future performance. hand and petty cash, and these checks should be conducted by someone not usually For more information call: responsible for money, so that thefts cannot 0800 107 0190 or email : be concealed during the reconciliation. [email protected] Our website has more information about how to limit the risk of internal fraud. P h o t o g

Update on funding for major r a p h : J i g s

repair and development projects a w D e s i g

Back in November last year, the Government announced a one-off n £15m give-away for listed churches in urgent need of repairs to their roofs, rainwater disposal systems and high-level masonry...

From the Dean of Christ Church...

Christ Church, the cathedral church for the Diocese of Oxford, is unique in the world. Christ Church has a dual foundation – it is both a college and a cathedral, with the cathedral also serving as a college chapel for the several hundred who study and work here. As a chapel, it serves one of the largest colleges in the University of Oxford. There is no other place on earth quite like it. The closing date was 29 January, with We recommend that potential applicants funds to be allocated by the end of March. contact their regional HLF office (south- Founded in 1546, our cathedral stands The number of churches applying for this fund east office for the Diocese of Oxford) at on the much more ancient site of since its unveiling has surprised everyone – an early stage to benefit from their pre- St Frideswide’s Priory (Oxford’s patron Oxford DAC received close to 60 applications! application support and advice and to saint), where her reconstructed shrine Due to the sheer number of applications, only ensure they are applying for the right still stands today. Its Latin name is Aedes 15 churches within the diocese were programme: www.hlf.org.uk Christi , meaning the ‘house of Christ’, or successful in getting a grant. However, the Although VAT is charged on repair works to ‘The House’ as it is more usually known. Chancellor has since announced that a further historic fabric, it can be reclaimed through However Christ Church is not just a £25m will be made available, so we hope that the Listed Places of Worship Grant house, but a home . It is a place of more churches will be successful in the Scheme: www.lpwscheme.org.uk hospitality, a place of development, a second round of funding. A very important habitat for wisdom. outcome of this scheme, apart from the Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and benefit to the successful churches, will be Berkshire each have their own Historic Cathedrals are sacred spaces and the demonstration to the Government of the Churches Trust, which usually gives grants common ground. Cathedrals stand as necessity of funding for major works to the of less than ten per cent of the value of the signs of God’s love and grace in the fabric of our churches, 75% of which are listed project, but will helpfully often fund the midst of a distracted world. They provide buildings. A recognition of our significant role early stages of projects. serious spaces and places for prayer and contemplation in a busy world. as guardians of the nation’s heritage. If you need to fundraise and don’t know where Cathedrals meet, greet and minister to to begin, then you may be interested in a series But those PCCs that are not lucky enough to every visitor, and enable every casual of workshops, Giving to Heritage , being run by be recipients of this grant can still apply wanderer to take those first steps to the Heritage Alliance in partnership with the elsewhere for funds. Below is a brief becoming an intentional, seeking pilgrim. explanation of the other major grant-givers Institute of Fundraising. These are designed to PCCs can apply to for help with repairs. boost skills and confidence in accessing Above all else, Christ Church is your funding from private and corporate sources and cathedral – a place of prayer and a home The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is a key cover themes such as developing a heritage for the diocese. Our hope and prayer is funder for fabric repairs, and through its fundraising plan, making the case to donors, that you will find peace and space in this Grants for Places of Worship scheme approaching grant bodies, communication and house of prayer – a living community of can consider applications for projects to measuring success. See further details at: worship and learning. You are always listed church buildings costing £10,000 – www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/gth/ welcome to visit and attend our services, £250,000. These single-phase projects, to hear the world-renowned choir and to in addition to urgent and structural fabric For details about the Listed Places of Worship pray as many have down the centuries in repair work, are expected to deliver at least this fascinating sacred space. two outcomes for heritage, individuals, Roof Repair Fund see www.lpowroof.org.uk communities and society: applications The Very Revd Professor Martyn should show that the heritage will be in Percy, Dean of Christ Church Contact details for DAC: better condition and that more and a wider More information on how to range of people will have engaged with it. Natalie Merry (DAC Secretary): visit us is available at: There are four opportunities to apply each [email protected] www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral/visitor year and the scheme has two rounds (a full Sophie Hammond (Executive Assistant -information specification and tender documents are to the DAC): sophie.hammond@ necessary for the second round). oxford.anglican.org or tel: 01865 208228 From the Diocesan Registry The new Faculty Rules came into force on 1 January 2014. They brought together into one place the rules that relate to faculties, injunctions and restoration orders. This was the beginning of work undertaken by the Simplification Group chaired by Mrs Ann Sloman, then the chair of the national Church Buildings Council.

The most noticeable change has probably A prayer for the been the introduction of a running ‘Standard Information Form’, intended to gather basic appointment of information about the church and specific features of its architecture, history and the new Bishop contents in order to save time in filling out this information each time a fresh application is Gracious Lord and shepherd of made. This has been a welcome development, your pilgrim Church, and over time will enable both the diocese We bless you and praise you that and the Church nationally to build up a you have gathered us, comprehensive picture of our churches from across this diocese, and their significant features. Finally, I would like to introduce the new to be one flock, within one fold. Later this year, the General Synod will be Deputy Diocesan Registrar, Darren Oliver , dealing with some other changes, intended by By your Spirit, and Registry Clerk, Helen Lambourne (both the Simplification Group to further streamline Give us wisdom, courage and faith pictured). They will both be familiar to many of the operation of the system. These will include as we seek a faithful pastor who will you through the contact you will have had with the introduction of ‘Lists A and B’: List A will sustain us on the journey, the Registry, both in relation to faculties and be a list of items that will need no faculty or general enquiries. Darren has been with us for feed us with word and sacrament consent at all; List B will contain items that six years, and last year Helen took over the and nurture our Living Faith, require approval by the Archdeacon, after work that had been looked after so ably by inspiring us to follow you ever consultation with the DAC (but will not require Lucy Scott for over 20 years. We warmly more closely. a formal faculty). It is envisaged that these new welcome them both and look forward to arrangements will come into force on 1 January This we ask in the name of Jesus, your getting to know them better in the 2016, but we shall be writing to churchwardens coming years. our loving, faithful shepherd and putting additional information on the who is the beginning diocesan website when the General Synod Canon John Rees and the end has considered and approved the changes. Diocesan Registrar of all that we are and seek and do.

Amen. The Archdeacons thank Ecclesiastical Insurance for their generosity in the publication of this Visitation News.

Whilst Ecclesiastical has used reasonable endeavours to ensure that the information in this newsletter is correct at the time of publication, please note: (a) the information is not intended to constitute a definitive or complete statement of the law on any subject, (b) the information may over the course of time become incorrect or out of date; and (c) neither Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc. nor its subsidiaries can accept any responsibility or liability for action taken or losses suffered as a result of reliance placed on the information provided in this newsletter.

For more information call 0845 777 3322 email [email protected] visit www.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters

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