Archdeacons’ Visitation News
Dear churchwardens
We write this introduction just after the announcement of our new bishop, The Rt Revd Sarah Clarke. It is a great encouragement to know that the Church has discerned a new shepherd for the Diocese of Ely and we greatly look forward to her arrival.
Important though bishops are, the church depends on “all sorts and conditions of men [and women],” as the Book of Common Prayer says, not least Churchwardens. St Paul’s image of the Church as a body reminds us that each person has an indispensable role. Thank you very much for your willingness to play your part.
As churchwardens, you hold a vital spiritual role within the life of your parish. While many of your responsibilities may appear practical – caring for the church building, supporting the smooth running of services and helping with administration – each task has a deeper purpose. By ensuring that worship takes place in an atmosphere of peace, order and welcome, you help create the conditions in which people can pray, listen to and encounter God.
You are also called to be a steady presence within the Church community. Often standing at the meeting point between clergy and congregation, you represent the voice and needs of parishioners while offering loyal support to the incumbent and other licensed ministers in their ministries. This role requires wisdom, patience and
integrity, especially in moments of tension or change. In such times, your calm leadership can protect unity and encourage trust.
Above all, your service is a witness to Christian discipleship. You show that leadership in the Church is not only about speaking, but also about faithful, humble stewardship. By caring for God’s house and God’s people, you help sustain the spiritual life of the parish. Through prayerful commitment, practical compassion and a heart for service, you strengthen the Church as a living community of faith.
With thanks for our partnership in the Gospel, Alex and Richard
The Ven Richard Harlow
Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech E: archdeacon.handw@elydiocese.org Tel: 01353 652719
The Ven Dr Alex Hughes
Archdeacon of Cambridge
E: archdeacon.cambridge@elydiocese.org Tel: 01353 652715
Churchwardens’ Training Day
Our annual Churchwardens’ Training Day is an opportunity to update your knowledge, to find out how the central diocesan support team can help you in your role and to share experiences with other churchwardens.
The Training Day is open to all churchwardens, whether newly elected or for those that have been in post for some time. If you know someone within your parish who might be thinking about serving as a Churchwarden in the future, do encourage them to come along too, to find out what’s involved in the role.
The next Training Day is Saturday 19 September 2026.
The full presentations (audio narration and slides) from the 2025 Training Day can be found on the diocesan website here: https://www.elydiocese.org/church-roles/churchwardens/ churchwardens-info/churchwarden-training-day.php
Leading Worship
Churchwardens often find themselves being involved in areas that they had never imagined would be part of the churchwarden brief when they agreed to step forward for election:
• becoming experts in drains and soakaways
• navigating the faculty system
• counting the attendees on a Sunday... and leading worship.
With the number of benefices in vacancy across the Diocese, Churchwardens are being asked to lead an increasing number of ‘Services of the Word’ with little or no previous experience or training.
The Mission and Ministry Department are seeking to address this by providing a short course which will allow churchwardens to develop the skills, knowledge, understanding and confidence to lead worship well... and legally!
Worship is a key part of our life together and we want to ensure that our worship continues to be warm and welcoming, engaging and
Available presentations include the following:
• Net Zero Carbon and the Environment – Nigel Cooper, Environment Officer
• Health & Safety in Churches – Manny Kemp, ACAT
• Ely Diocesan Registry – Susan Black, Registry Clerk
• Church Visits, one year on – Richard Harlow and Alex Hughes, Archdeacons
Church Visits – helpful links
• Interim Faculties and Faculty Decisions in and outside the Church – His Honour Judge Leonard KC, The Chancellor
• Safeguarding presentation – Sarah Kennedy and Sarah King
– Churchwardens’ Training Day Safeguarding presentation
– Safeguarding responsibilities of a Churchwarden
– Code of Safer Working Practice
– An Example Code of Conduct for PCC members
– A flowchart – Responding promptly to every allegation or concern
• Leaflets handed out on the day:
– Contactless Giving leaflet
– Cornerstone Giving leaflet
– Parish Giving Scheme leaflet
Churchwardens’ Toolkit
The Churchwardens’ Toolkit is available on Open Christian Learning at: https://ely.learn.anglican.org/
Generously shared with us by the Diocese of Sheffield, this learning resource has lots of helpful information about being a churchwarden and what the role involves. All of this, and much more besides, can be found at:
https:// www.elydiocese.org/church-roles/churchwardens/
relevant, and is able to draw all who have gathered into the presence of God. Worship is more than reading the words from a service book and the worship leader becomes the facilitator and enabler of others.
The training will cover areas such as:
• What are we doing when we lead worship?
• The shape of Anglican worship
• Choices that can be made and resources available
• Collaborating well with others
• Some practical hints and tips
• Where to go for help/additional support
• Self-care for those leading worship
This course will be available soon and can be delivered centrally or within deaneries (if a number of benefices are in vacancy).
To register your interest, please email: missionandministry@elydiocese.org
Churchwardens’ Training Day 2024
A warm welcome to our new Bishop
A January welcome
On 27 January we were delighted to announce that the next Bishop of Ely would be the Right Reverend Sarah Clark. Throughout the day, Bishop Sarah travelled across our diocese, visiting schools, churches, businesses and community groups, meeting clergy, lay ministers and diocesan staff – listening to local stories and seeing at first-hand the breadth of ministry and mission taking place.
The day began at Pathfinder C of E Primary School, followed by a meeting with members of Pathfinder Church. Next was a visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd in Arbury to meet volunteers and the wider community at their “Community Living Room”. After lunch, Bishop Sarah’s tour took her to the north of the diocese, meeting the Coffee Social team at St Mary’s Welney, followed by a flying visit to WWT Welney to spend a few quiet minutes taking in the beauty of the fens. Heading back towards Ely, a tour of G’s Mushroom Farm in Littleport showcased some of the proud farming history and culture in our diocese, with the day ending meeting staff at the diocesan office, Etheldreda House, before Evensong at the beautiful Ely Cathedral.
Welcoming Bishop Sarah to the Diocese of Ely
Here is a brief summary of the events that take place prior to Bishop Sarah fully joining us as Bishop of Ely.
• 27 January 2026, Nomination: His Majesty the King approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Sarah Clark, Acting Bishop of Durham and Suffragan Bishop of Jarrow in the Diocese of Durham, for election as Bishop of Ely.
• 2 March 2026, Election: Bishop Sarah became the Bishop-Elect of Ely. The Election of Bishop Sarah is a formal and legal act led by the Dean, in the presence of the Registrar and a Solicitor as witness. The full College of Canons of Ely Cathedral elected Bishop Sarah.
• 17 April 2026, Confirmation of Election: The Confirmation of Election marks the beginning of Bishop Sarah legally being the Bishop of Ely. This took place at St Mary Le Bow, London, the traditional home of the Court of Arches. It was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and includes weighty legal proceedings. At the conclusion, Bishop Sarah takes the Oaths and makes and subscribes the Declaration of Assent, and the Archbishop gives her Charge to Bishop Sarah. However, Bishop Sarah will not take up her public ministry until her Installation.
• 21 June 2026, Installation in Ely Cathedral: There will be a big festive service of Installation at Ely Cathedral – this celebrates the beginning of Bishop Sarah’s public ministry among us. All will be welcome to attend.
• 8 July 2026, Homage to HM The King: Bishop Sarah will pay homage to HM The King, a requirement of every diocesan bishop.
Bishop Sarah at Pathfinder C of E Primary School
WWT Welney
St Mary’s, Welney
Evensong at Ely Cathedral
News from the Charity Commission and how it affects our parishes
Something special is happening on 31 March 2031
The Charity Commission has announced that they expect every Parochial Church Council (PCC) in England with an annual income of more than £5,000 to be registered with them. At present, PCCs only have to register if they have a gross annual income of more than £100,000 per annum. We have been told that this will no longer apply, meaning the vast majority of PCCs in the diocese will need to register by 31 March 2031. I’m sorry if that made you spill your cup of coffee! It is vexing minds up and down the Church of England. In the Diocese of Ely, it means that we have about 240 PCCs to register in the next 5 years.
What does registration involve?
Charities (PCCs are charities) must assure the Charity Commission that they are capable of looking after the assets of the charity, safeguarding those who work for or benefit from the charity, and fulfilling the purpose of the charity. There is a step-by-step guide on the Parish Resources website to help you. You can find it here: https://parishresources.org.uk/the-pcc-as-a-charity/ registration-with-the-charity-commission/
What can you do at this stage?
You cannot register yet, unless your annual income is £100k or more in any year (in which case, you must register). However, you can prepare for the date when you will need to register, by:
• ensuring that all PCC members are up to date with safeguarding requirements
• ensuring that all PCC members have confirmed that they are eligible to be PCC members (by signing the form for election and undergoing DBS checking)
• by adopting a Conflict of Interest Policy (and other financial policies, e.g. legacies, financial controls and donations)
• by adopting a Complaints policy
• by carrying out Health & Safety and Fire Risk Assessments
• ensuring that you have good processes to keep personal data safe (GDPR)
• maintaining the Safeguarding Dashboard.
When archdeacons or rural deans come to make church visits, we will be seeking to help you prepare for this significant piece of work. In the meantime, you can find help with these and a range of policies and procedures on the diocesan website. (Search: PCC Resources –Diocese of Ely) or by asking your archdeacon for help.
Church visits
This year we are trying to get to see those PCCs that are caring for our smallest congregations. We have about 100 churches with less than 20 people in their worshipping community. We want to understand what we can best do to help these smaller churches thrive and cope with the demands placed on churchwardens and PCCs. As always, our aim is to support you, as you support the people of God and the clergy who serve in your benefice.
Here are some of the key areas that have emerged over the last year:
• Blocked fire escapes: please ensure that fire exits are clear and well signed.
• Clutter and unmarked steps: these can be significant trip hazards.
• Trees in churchyards: need to be inspected to ensure that they are safe.
• Gutters and French drains: need to be kept free of weeds and leaves.
• Financial policies: many churches have not written these down.
Articles of Enquiry
Finally, please take a moment to complete the Articles of Enquiry. This year, like last, we are trying to capture how PCCs are getting on with the range of policies that enable churches to run efficiently and safely. We would like every church in the diocese to complete one, so please ensure that either you or your clergy fill one in. The form can be found at:
https://forms.office.com/e/BQgRMx6uhK
Thank you.
A welcome from George Woods, Diocesan Secretary and Chief Executive Officer
Welcome to summer 2026 and thank you once again for your faithful service to our churches and communities across the Diocese of Ely. Your dedication, wisdom and pastoral care continue to be the bedrock upon which our local church communities flourish and on which we, the Diocese of Ely Board of Finance (the “Ely Diocesan Board of Finance”) rely and are so grateful for.
The Diocese of Ely is embarking on an ambitious and comprehensive programme of work that reflects our deep commitment to nurturing flourishing communities of faith across our diocese. With over 100 strategic and tactical initiatives
spanning education, mission and ministry, safeguarding, buildings and heritage, and robust governance, we are actively laying the foundations for a vibrant and sustainable future. At the heart of this work is our mission to nurture confident leaders, enable sustainable mission and ministry, and facilitate local engagement that brings the Gospel to life in every corner of our communities.
As we begin important conversations around strategy renewal, we are listening carefully to both the national Church’s direction and, more importantly, to God’s leading for our unique context. This programme represents not merely a collection of tasks, but a coherent vision for growth strengthening our educational offer, expanding pathways for both ordained and lay ministry, embedding equity and inclusion throughout our structures, and ensuring our beautiful church buildings serve mission effectively.
We are and will be building capacity, developing people and creating the frameworks that will enable the Diocese of Ely to thrive for generations to come, confident in God’s faithfulness and energised by the opportunities that lie ahead. This process comes with an offer to engage, discuss and reflect on any thoughts and ideas you may have that you consider important for our future focus and consideration.
I look forward to meeting with you in the coming months as we visit the various churches, parishes and communities we serve.
Yours in his service, George
Ely Diocesan Board of Finance offices, Etheldreda House
Mission Project Funding
Investing carefully in the future of our shared mission
Many churches across the diocese are facing real financial pressures. Parish resources are stretched and decisions about money feel increasingly sensitive. Bishop’s Council is acutely aware of this context and it is against this background that a package of Mission Project Funding has been agreed.
Mission Project Funding represents carefully targeted, time-limited investments from diocesan reserves in areas of mission critical to the long-term sustainability and flourishing of church life across the Diocese of Ely. These decisions are not about spending lightly or diverting resources away from parishes, but about investing wisely, transparently and responsibly in the future of our shared mission.
When resources are limited, choosing not to invest is not necessarily the right decision. Without focussed investment there is a risk that managed decline becomes unmanaged decline, particularly in areas such as children and young people’s faith, the
Church’s presence in new communities, and the long-term financial resilience of our churches. Some challenges cannot be addressed through parish resources alone. Strategic diocesan investment, used sparingly and well, can help build capacity, confidence and sustainability across the diocese.
Funding is drawn from diocesan reserves, not from Ministry Share, which remains focused on clergy stipends and related costs. Using reserves in this way reflects a commitment to steward them purposefully, investing in the future health of the diocese rather than allowing them to diminish without strategic intent.
Funding is not open-ended and is awarded only where clear criteria are met, including readiness, local commitment, realistic planning and demonstrable impact. Projects operate with phased funding, monitoring and reporting, clear expectations of outcomes, and the ability to adapt, pause or stop support if necessary.
Initial projects focus on three key priorities: growing children and young disciples, establishing church presence in areas of new housing, and strengthening cultures of generosity and giving. These initiatives sit at the intersection of mission, sustainability and long-term viability.
Further information about the funding is available on the diocesan website here:
https://www.elydiocese.org/parish-support/mission-andministry/ministry-tools/resources-for-ministry/missionproject-funding.php
Building Volunteers
Geoffrey Hunter, Head of Church Buildings and Pastoral
As I write, we are in the season of Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCMs) and meetings of parishioners. The ways in which people become members of a Parochial Church Council are various, but they all have one thing in common – all members of our Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) are volunteers. They give their time and energy for free, willingly and, given the right support, joyfully.
What’s this worth?
In financial terms, what would it cost us to run 300+ churches solely with professional oversight? It’s difficult to be precise, but one benchmark would suggest more than £30k per church per year on average (much more in some cases).
Volunteers have been the backbone of English civil society forever. An awful lot of important things would never happen without volunteers. In recent years, volunteering in this country has been undergoing transformation, not always in ways that make these roles fulfilling and enjoyable.
Some feel responsibility as a burden rather than a privilege, and the growing need for adherence to an ever-growing raft of laws and
policies does not help. The two key knock-on effects we are seeing from this are: difficulty in recruiting new volunteers, and in due course, the resultant negative impact on the care and maintenance of our church buildings.
In 2021, Holly Isted (now Robinson) undertook a research project among our churches to find out more about how we can better support PCC volunteers – all the different officers and roles that give their time for free to run our churches.
https://www.elydiocese.org/building-volunteers.php
Since then we have expanded our training for church volunteers considerably via the regular meetings of the Church Buildings Support Network. But there is much more we would like to do.
There is now the possibility of some funding to take this work further during 2026. As with the first project, we need this work to be led by the needs of our volunteers – so, we will be looking for volunteers!
I would encourage anyone reading this: if these issues chime with you and you would like to contribute to further work in this area, remind yourself about the contents of the Building Volunteers report: https://www.elydiocese.org/about/news-jobs-and-events/ news-and-announcements/news/building-volunteers.php and get in touch via email at geoffrey.hunter@elydiocese.org
