"Being
a Churchwarden is not all about bats and belfries. They
play a vital part in parish life, caring not only for the
church and its surroundings but also for the well-being
of church ministers, members, and the wider community. The
office of Churchwarden is very ancient, going back to the
1200s. They have always had a duty towards the whole parish,
not just the congregation, and this is why they are elected
at the annual parish meeting. Churchwardens' responsibilities,
according to Canon Law, include upkeep of the church and
its contents, and the churchyard. They are the laity's representatives
and the clergy's colleagues. Churchwardens are often in
contact with people on or beyond the fringes of the congregation
- with young people hanging around the churchyard for want
of anywhere better to go, with bereaved families, with visitors
who just drop in, with those who repair the church buildings.
Churchwardens are bridge-builders, and witnesses to God's
all-embracing concern."
Elizabeth Moore, Lay Education
Adviser
What
do you need to be a Churchwarden?
Tact, discretion, a sense of humour, readiness
to take the lead on occasion, commitment to the local church
and community, knowledge of where to go for help, a faith
that can move mountains - if not the Archdeacon, or English
Heritage."
Churchwardens
are assisted by Sidespeople. Click
here to find out more about this role.
Resources
useful to Churchwardens - Leaflet
series
Click
on the relevant heading to download the relevant leaflet
in PDF Format
More
details available from:
Elizabeth
Moore
Lay Education & Training Adviser
Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich
Tel 01359 233 050
Email elizabeth@stedmundsbury.anglican.org
Useful
Links
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