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PORTSMOUTH DIOCESAN HANDBOOK

Dated: 14. April 2008

CONTENTS PART 1 THE DIOCESE AND OVERSIGHT Section A The Exercise of Episcopal Oversight

PART 2 MINISTERIAL AND LITURGICAL MATTERS Section B The Ministry Ordained and Lay Section C

(i) Appointments of Stipendiary Ministers (ii) Other Ministerial Arrangements

Section D The Parsonage House Section E Clergy Appointments and the Patronage Measure Section F The Ministry of the Retired Section G Clergy Hardship and Clergy Charities Section H Public Worship and Liturgical Practice

PART 3 LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS Section J Legal Matters Section K The Pastoral Measure (1983) and Pastoral Reorganisation Section L Financial Organisation Section M Resources for Parishes Section N

(i) Church Schools and the Church’s Involvement in (ii) The State Education of Children

Section P The Overseas Church and the West Africa Link Section Q Visitations, Records and Measures Section R Ecumenical Matters Section S The Media and Communications

APPENDICES

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Foreword This handbook is written to assist clergy and other ministers in understanding and giving expression to the pastoral, legal and administrative regulations of the Diocese of Portsmouth. The handbook is not so much a set of rules as a standard and a norm by which to interpret and apply the regulations and customs of the Church of England as they are recognised in this diocese. Although primarily intended for clergy, the handbook will also be of assistance to churchwardens and PCC officers, who may wish to refer to some aspects of ministerial or diocesan practice. The handbook includes some regulations which are based on the customs and traditions which we have inherited from the past, including the canon law of the Church of England. Others indicate how our practice has been reshaped by more recent legislation passed by Synods and Parliament, and by the Notices and Ad Clerum statements issued by the Bishop from time to time. It is the Bishop’s desire that this handbook should be used as a manual of reference for all his clergy, as well as be available as and when needed to all churchwardens and PCC officers. The Bishop requires that the handbook should normally be retained in the church vestry, that it should be kept up to date as supplements are issued, and that it should be inspected by the Archdeacon at each of his parochial visitations. It should not be removed by an incumbent or priest-in-charge when leaving the parish, but retained for the successor. In this way it will be a companion to the Canons of the Church of England (published by Church House Publishing), which should similarly be kept in each vestry. Any enquiries or comments about matters raised in this handbook should be made to one of the Archdeacons. September 2006

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SECTION A THE EXERCISE OF EPISCOPAL OVERSIGHT A1. The traditional functions of episcopal ministry are those of leading the church in mission preserving the unity of the church, preserving the unity of the church, both within a particular area and in relation to other areas, safeguarding its faith, and guiding its morals. To put it another way, the episcopate is responsible for the Christian belief, the Christian way and the Christian community. This is a crucial charge, and far beyond the capacity of any one person alone. A2. So episcopal oversight is shared by those who hold the Bishop's Licence. The words ‘receive this Cure which is both thine and mine’ used at the institution of a new incumbent are no empty formula. The Diocesan Bishop may be the fountainhead of jurisdiction, but this is exercised in partnership with archdeacons, rural deans and incumbents. The modern incumbent fulfils much the same role in his/her own benefice as a local bishop did in the early church. A3. In addition, there are other licensed clergy, lay workers and Church employees who share particular aspects of the bishop's ministry. Both the Bishop and they, however, remain part of the people of God and all jurisdiction, ministry and mission belong to the whole church under the authority of Christ.

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SECTION B THE MINISTRY ORDAINED AND LAY CONTENTS B1. Vocation and Discernment B2. Appointments to Posts of Incumbent Status B3. Appointments to Posts of Assistant Ministers B4. Non-Stipendiary Ministers (NSM) B5. Chaplaincies B6. Deacons B7. The Religious B8. Readers B9. Lay Administrants at the Holy Communion B10. The Ministry of the Rural Dean B11. Continuing Ministerial Education (CME) B12. Ministerial Review Programme B13. Glossary of terms and titles used in this section.

B1. VOCATION AND DISCERNMENT B1.1 General Statement. When speaking of the church, it is commonly said today that all the baptised have a claim on the ministry of the church but the church also has a claim on the ministry of the baptised. Within this general pattern of service, certain more fixed forms of ministry are apparent: Priesthood, Diaconate; the ministry of Readers; and others who engage in various kinds of pastoral, social, ecumenical, evangelistic and teaching work for the church. Ministry is much wider than ordained stipendiary parochial ministry. The call to ministry is both God's call through the church and also God's personal call to the individual.

B1.2 Recruitment. The main encouragement and first call to ministry will come from the local church. Incumbents in particular have a vital role in seeking to find ways of calling people to ministry in all its forms. The diocese has a Director of Ordinands (DDO) who is responsible for the guiding towards possible ordination of all candidates. They are always willing to visit parishes, chapters or synods to talk about vocations to ordained ministry. The DDO is supported in his work by a Vocations Group of chaplains who assist with the care of candidates and help to promote discussions on vocations within the diocese. In addition to the DDO there is a Warden of Readers. (See Diocesan Directory and B8 for details.)

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B1.3 Selection and Training for Ordained Ministry (both Stipendiary and Non-Stipendiary Candidates). B1.3-1 Discernment. There is a diocesan and national part to the process of discernment designed to give advice to the Bishop, whose decision in all these matters is binding and final. (1) All initial enquiries concerning a potential candidate for ordination should be directed to the DDO. (2) The DDO will guide the candidate through the process of discernment (this will involve interviews with Examining Chaplains/Diocesan Assessors). (3) Where it is appropriate, an enquirer is sponsored to a National Bishops Advisory Panel (BAP) organised by the Ministry Division of the Archbishops’ Council. After the BAP, a recommendation is made to the Bishop about a candidate's suitability to train or not. B1.3-2 Training. If the Bishop accepts the Ministry Division’s recommendation for training, a candidate may begin training within three years at a theological college or on a non residentiary course. Detailed advice is available about colleges and courses, and a final decision is made by the candidate in consultation with the DDO. The diocese follows nationally recommended guidelines with respect to the financial support it gives to candidates, both married and single.

B1.4 Ordination and First Appointment. Recommendation to train does not commit the church to the ordination of those it trains. However, if a course of training is satisfactorily completed it is usual for the Bishop to ordain. Following ordination training continues for a further four years under a training incumbent. Where someone does this training is therefore of great importance. For this reason consultation about where the training parish will be begins in the term before the start of the candidate's final year at college or on a course.

B2. APPOINTMENTS TO POSTS OF INCUMBENT STATUS B2.1 General Statement. When a vacancy in a benefice arises the procedures to be followed are laid down by the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986, which came into force at the beginning of 1989. Details of the Measure and how appointments are made in the diocese are to be found in Section E of this Handbook.

B2.2 How Vacancies Arise B2.2-1 By Cession. Here the Incumbent is instituted to another benefice or takes preferment which cannot be held in plurality with the benefice. When an incumbent intends to accept the offer of another benefice the Bishop should be informed at the earliest possible time, the prospective date for the Institution or Licensing also being stated. B2.2-2 By Resignation.

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Here the Incumbent will be intending to retire (see B2.2-3), or is accepting an appointment other than that described in B2.2-1, or is appointed to a post outside the provinces of Canterbury or York. An incumbent formally resigns by sending a written notice of resignation to the Bishop. The form for this purpose is available from the Bishop's secretary. Clergy are assumed to have discussed the matter with the Bishop before forwarding the formal letter of resignation (see Appendix 9). B2.2-3 By Retirement. Any clergy considering retirement - be it because of reaching retiring age, or of wishing to retire early of choice, or through intending to seek retirement on the grounds of ill health will need to inform the Bishop at an early stage. After consultation with the Bishop it will be for the person concerned to approach the Church of England Pensions Board. When the pension has been awarded a date for retirement will need to be formally arranged with the Bishop, and the formal written notice of resignation sent (see Appendix 9). When the retirement arrangements are completed it is then appropriate to seek a ‘Permission to Officiate’ from the bishop in whose diocese the retired clergy plan to live in future. B2.2-4 By Death. The Churchwardens should immediately inform the Archdeacon or the Rural Dean of the death of a member of the clergy. A widow(er) will have the right to remain in the benefice house for a period of one month, though this period is usually extended with the agreement of the Bishop. A death in service benefit is payable to the widow(er) and is normally paid within days of the death (provided the fact of the death has been advised). B2.2-5 By Exchange. Two incumbents may exchange benefices if the agreement of the following persons has been obtained: (1) the diocesan bishops in which each benefice is situated, (2) any registered patron whose turn it is to present to either of the benefices, and (3) the PCCs of each benefice (to be given by a Council resolution). See Section 22 of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986. NOTE: In all the above cases the agreement of the bishop about a date of announcement must be secured before publicity is given to a minister's move or retirement.

B2.3 Suspension. When a vacancy occurs the Bishop and the Diocesan Board of Ministry will consider whether it is appropriate for the rights of the patron of the benefice to be suspended. The reasons will normally be to allow consideration of possible alterations to the arrangements for pastoral care in that parish or neighbourhood. Those who are also to be consulted about any suspension are the patron, the PCC, and both the Deanery Chairmen. Such a ‘suspension’ is normally for a period of five years, renewable by the Bishop and the Board of Ministry for a further five year period (and after consultation with those previously consulted). During the period of suspension the patron cannot exercise rights of presentation without the consent of the Bishop and the Board of Ministry. Where a suspension is agreed the Bishop will normally proceed by the appointing of a priest-incharge.

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B2.4 A Priest-in-Charge may be placed in charge of a benefice during a vacancy (usually the rural dean), or where a ‘suspension’ occurs (as outlined in B2.3). The Priest-in-Charge has the same duties as an incumbent in that benefice. He/she is neither instituted nor inducted but is given the Bishop's Licence. The provisions of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 do not apply to the appointment of a priest-in-charge, but consultations may take place involving the Bishop, the Patron and the PCC as to a proposed appointment.

B2.5 Duties of the Priest-in-Charge. For the purposes of the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules, the Priest-in-Charge is deemed to be the minister of the parish or incumbent; for example he/she is the Chairman of the PCC.

B2.6 Team and Group Ministries. Matters concerning these appointments are referred to in sections K8 - K10.

B2.7 Clergy Appointments Adviser. The adviser has been appointed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to assist clergy to find suitable new appointments and also to assist Patrons and others responsible for making appointments to find suitable candidates. The adviser produces a list of vacancies in both parochial and specialist ministries and this is available free of charge. Those seeking advice should contact the Clergy Appointments Adviser, Fielden House, Little College Street, London SW1P 3SH.

B3. APPOINTMENTS TO POSTS OF ASSISTANT MINISTERS B3.1 Assistant Staff. All deacons and priests, licensed lay workers and Church Army officers need to hold the Bishop's Licence to be able to work within the diocese. All assistants should be in possession of a statement of terms and duties jointly prepared by the incumbent (or priestin-charge), the Diocesan Director of Ordinands (on behalf of the bishop), and the person concerned.

B3.2 The Selection and Appointment of Assistant Staff is a matter for decision between the Bishop and the incumbent concerned. Normally all the posts to which stipendiary clergy may be appointed (whether as incumbents or assistants) are determined in advance by the decision taken in the Board of Ministry and Deanery Pastoral Committees; decisions about the posts and the appointments of other stipendiary ministers are made by the Bishop (who is subject to the total number of ministers allocated centrally to the diocese). The Bishop is responsible for the appointment of title parish curates.

B4. NON-STIPENDIARY MINISTERS (NSM). This term covers ministers in various positions of non-stipendiary responsibility in the diocese. All such ordained ministers come under the care of the Diocesan Director of Ordinands.

Dated: 14. April 2008