We have a large number of untrained volunteers keeping the show on the road from cleaners to tea makers to transport - although we are always grateful for more offers of help!
We do, however, on a group of trained and licenced helpers:.
The Ministry Team comprises of the Clergy: Rev'd Helen Reeves; an Associate Priest and four Licensed Lay Ministers, two of whom are also licenced to lead funerals.
Each of these peole have been trained for their respective rolls and have the Bishop's licence to work in our parish.
Clergy: preach and teach, conduct weddings, baptisms and funerals and services in church and in the community.
Readers: are licenced to take Evening Prayer, to preach and assist at Communion services and other services in the church and community, and some of them are also licenced to conduct funerals.
Pastoral Assistants: help, not so much in leading worship, but more in the pastoral care of the congregation and wider community especially by visiting people in their homes or in hospital.
Evangelist: carry out a wide variety of tasks in parishes. Some lead small groups or teach at Sunday school, lead parish days or Lent groups - they work on the teaching and faith outreach of the church, not so much in the church as a building but in the community.
In this parish, the Ministry Team try to meet quarterly for support, to discuss any possible worries and concerns - and ideas. They support the PCC but are not part of the decision making structure of the church.