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Ministries
Accreditation
Sub‑Committee
Sub‑Committee Members
Convener: Revd
Kenneth Chippindale
Secretary: Revd
Christine Craven
Mr Peter Mann, Revd
Roberta Rominger, Revd Keith Argyle, Mrs Sheila Telfer, Mrs Judith
Booth
Roll of Ministers
1
Admissions to the Roll
(from 1st April 2002 to 31st
March 2003)
a)
By Ordination – Stipendiary: Dilys Brace,
Connie Bonner, Helga Cornell, Jacky Embrey, Lynn Fowkes, Stella Hayton,
Michael Hopkins, Timothy Jackson, Elisabeth Mullen, Nicholas Mark,
Catherine Morrison; Colin Offor, Heather Pollard, Angela Steele,
Michael Thomason, David Walton, Paula West, Heather Whyte
b) By Ordination –
Non‑Stipendiary: Lorna Bantock, Jayne Bazeley, Jane Campbell,
Peter Christie, Meryl Court, Anne Gray, Maria Hooper, Paul Jupp,
Patricia Lloyd, Timothy Meachin, Maurene O’Hagan, Carole Pearl,
Jennifer Simmons, Lynda Spokes, Erna Stevenson, Lena Talbot, Geoffrey
Wright
c)
By Transfer from other Churches: Samuel
Cyuma (Presbyterian Church of Rwanda); Brian Hunt (Presbyterian Church
in Ireland); Gareth Jones (Congregational Federation), A Leslie Milton
(NSM) (Church of Scotland); Janos Nagy (Hungarian Reformed Church);
Andrew Prasad (Church of North India); David Trafford (Baptist); Bruce
Waldron (Uniting Church in Australia)
2
Deletions from the Roll
(from 1st April 2002 to 31st
March 2003)
a)
By Resignation and/or Transfer to other
Churches: Francis Cattermole, Ian Croft (transferred back to
Pesbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand), David Hilborn
(transferred to Church of England), Mia Hilborn (transferred to Church
of England), Peter Roche, Michael Stolton (transferred to Church of
England)
3
Changes within the Roll
(from 1st April 2002 to 31st
March 2003)
a)
Non‑Stipendiary to Stipendiary: Philip
Osborn
4
Church Related Community Workers
(from 1st April 2002 to 31st
March 2003)
a)
By Commissioning: John Saunders,
Lesley Whiting
b)
Deletions
(from 1st April 2002 to 31st
March 2003)
By Resignation: Allison
Trimble
5
Lay Preachers
The following members have
successfully completed their course of study and have been Nationally
Accredited between 1st April 2002 and 31st March 2003.
Northern Synod:‑
Alison Moodie, Raymond Tipping
North Western Synod:‑
Andrew Checkley, Elizabeth Fletcher,
Mersey Synod:‑ Peter
Richards
Yorkshire Synod:‑ Neil
Robinson, Archibald Savage
Eastern Synod:‑ Peter
Watchorn
Wessex Synod:‑ William
Eaton
Thames North Synod:‑
Michaela Lawrence
Southern Synod:‑
Maureen Lawrence
Maintenance of
the Ministry
Sub‑Committee
Sub‑Committee Members
Convener: Mr
Geoffrey W Wood
Secretary: Mrs
Judy Stockings
Honorary Treasurer:
Mr Graham Stacy (to 31/12/2002) Mr Eric Chilton (from 01/01/2003)
Convener,
Pensions Executive:
Mr Victor Hughff
Mrs Jill Strong, Revd
Pauline Loosemore, Mr Barry Swift, Revd Roger Woodall
1
Plan for Partnership in Ministerial
Remuneration
1.1
The Plan. Last year Assembly approved the updated and revised
Plan. During the year other issues have been raised regarding the
Plan. All the issues raised have been carefully considered but no
changes to the Plan are recommended. The Plan is kept under constant
review.
1.2
National Manse Guidelines. Assembly received the Report on
Ministerial Remuneration in 1999 and this included (at para. 3.6) a
proposal that National Guidelines be agreed with regard to the
provision of manses. Synods have been widely consulted and the new
proposed Appendix E is a result of those discussions.
2
Pensions – Church Related Community
Workers
2.1
Resolution 34 at Assembly 2002 (recognising the ministry of CRCWs) was
carried but in order for the constitutional amendment to proceed the
decision requires ratification at Assembly 2003. Subject to
ratification provision needs to be made for the inclusion of Church
Related Community Workers as members of the United Reformed Church
Ministers’ Pension Fund.
Resolution 24
Plan for Partnership in Ministerial Remuneration
General Assembly approves and
adopts, as an addition to the Plan for Partnership, Appendix E:
APPENDIX E – NATIONAL
MANSE GUIDELINES
1
Background
1.1
Review of Ministerial Remuneration
During the Review information
was sought from Synods about their policies for manse provision. The
conclusion was that it would benefit ministers and those responsible
for providing manses if there were clear nationally agreed guidelines
based on current best practices; recommending a list of benefits that
should be included in such guidelines. This Appendix seeks to address
that issue.
It should be stressed that
having sought information from Synods, most do have guidelines. It
also has to be recognised that in seeking to set guidelines it is
important to offer some flexibility to take account of local
circumstances. For example, it is felt that a garage should be
provided and indeed that should be seen as a requirement. But it has
to be recognised that this is not always a practical possibility.
Within that flexibility
Synods should take care to ensure that standards are maintained when
considering the provision of manse accommodation.
1.2
Plan for Partnership
A responsibility is placed
upon District Councils (para. 6.3.1) – taking advice from Synod – to
take note of the condition and facilities of the manse or, if
alternative arrangements are to be made, should approve the details of
the arrangement before concurring in Calls and regularly thereafter.
2
Process
2.1
Location
This will depend on many
factors but churches may wish to seek a location so that the minister
is within walking distance of the church; or one of the churches in
the pastorate.
A manse adjoining the church
should be avoided in the exercise of pastoral care for the minister.
The purchase of a manse is a
substantial investment and the church would be wise to consider
locating in an area where property values might be expected to be
maintained (or may appreciate). Consideration should be given to
other factors e.g. proximity to schools and shops and availability of
public transport.
2.2
Type and Structure
Care must be taken where an
older property is considered to ensure that the costs of bringing the
house up to a reasonable standard – and costs of further maintenance –
are not excessive.
A full professional survey
must be obtained prior to the purchase and this should be carefully
assessed. It is important to give consideration to the condition of
the roof, walls, gutters, wallplaster, glass, drainage, water supply,
gas & electricity installations, ventilation and woodwork. Internal
decoration may present less of a problem if the structure is sound.
Poor external decoration may point to structural problems e.g. rotting
woodwork and this should be looked at with great care.
Redecoration work may be
relatively inexpensive – but to remedy structural defects can be very
costly.
2.3
Standard
The manse is the minister’s
‘office’ as well as being a home for the minister and his/her family.
The Plan (para. 6.3.2) does seek to ensure that as far as possible the
minister has use of a separate room as a study at the manse. The
manse should be suitable for a wide range of ministers and their
families – and this requirement for flexibility should be carefully
considered when the manse is purchased. In the case of smaller modern
properties care should be taken that there is adequate accommodation
for interviews when the study itself is not large enough for that
purpose. Churches should avoid as far as possible the need to change
a manse each time a minister is called – although there may be
circumstances when this may be necessary.
3
Requirements
3.1
Accommodation
This should include:‑
Lounge
Dining Room (separate if
possible)
Kitchen
Hall (large enough to provide
for cloaks)
Study (downstairs is
recommended)
Bedrooms: at least 3 good
size rooms – 4 if possible
Bathroom and Toilet
Downstairs toilet is seen as
essential
Garage and/or adequate
parking
Grounds – paths, gate and
fences in satisfactory repair, garden of manageable size.
Storage space
3.2
Facilities and equipment
The manse should have:‑
Full Central Heating
Water heating system
Bathroom fitted with modern
equipment including a shower
Kitchen of reasonable size
with adequate space for larger electrical appliances
Double‑Glazing is desirable
Adequate number of power
sockets throughout the house
Telephone points – including
the study
Security locks on external
doors – and windows where possible
Smoke detectors
Curtain rails and light
fittings in all rooms.
3.3
Heat conservation
It is important to have
regard to heat conservation for economy purposes and for the comfort
of the occupants. Give consideration then to e.g.
Roof insulation
Lagging of pipes and water
cistern
Double glazing
4
On Going Responsibility
4.1
Maintenance
This is very important and an
annual inspection should be undertaken to ensure provision is made for
a programme of maintenance. This is for the benefit of the minister
and his/her family and is also to ensure the value of the asset is
protected. Synods should ensure there is a mechanism in place to
monitor the way District and the local church exercise their
responsibility for maintaining the property in good order. The church
should identify who is to be responsible for ensuring the procedure
for maintenance of the property is followed. It is normal practice
for the church building to be surveyed on a regular basis, normally
every 5 years. The manse should be included in such a review.
4.2
Services
Servicing of main appliances
and boilers are essential.
4.3
Insurance
The property should be
adequately insured at all times. Do check the insurance cover if the
property is empty to ensure that all risks are fully covered.
1.1
The Report on Ministerial Remuneration received and endorsed by
Assembly in 1999 said the Review Group ‘concluded that it would
benefit both ministers and those responsible for providing manses if
there were clear, nationally agreed, guidelines based on current best
practice.’
1.2
Consultation has taken place with all Synods, many of which have
guidelines in place. Those guidelines vary little in substance and so
setting National Guidelines will not greatly affect existing patterns
within Synods but will bring together best practice.
1.3
The housing market varies widely across the United Reformed Church and
so the guidelines include sufficient flexibility to be of practical
application within individual Synods.
Resolution 25
Ministers’ Pension Fund
General Assembly amends the
definitions of the Rules and the Rules of the United Reformed Church
Ministers’ Pension Fund by the addition of the words in italics in the
Rules shown:
Add a new Definition 27 to
read
27
CRCW
means any commissioned
Church Related Community Worker.
Add a new rule 12.6 to
read
12.6
Commissioned Church Related Community Workers (CRCWs).
Add a new rule 14.1.1.4 to
read
14.1.1.4
From 1 August 2002 any CRCW under the age of fifty
five years at the date of commissioning to stipendiary service
remunerated under the Plan for Partnership in Ministerial
Remuneration, may become a contributing member of the Fund. His/her
....... contribution shall commence from the first day of the month
following such commissioning.
Amend Rule 14.1.2 to read
14.1.2. If a contributing
member serving full‑time reduces his/her commitment to that of
part‑time service whilst under normal pension age, the Pension
Trustee may raise the Pensionable Service to the level
applicable to a full‑time minister or CRCW having regard to the length
of any previous full‑time service, to the age and health of the
member, to the fraction of basic .. stipend being paid and to the
purpose and pensionability of any other employment and shall in such
cases allow full membership of the Pension Fund, contributions then
being payable on the full basic stipend.
Amend the first paragraph
of Rule 20 to read
20
Ill‑health Retirement
In the event that a member
retires before normal pension age on account of incapacity to
undertake the duties of a stipendiary minister or CRCW due to
ill‑health duly certified to the satisfaction of the Pension
Trustee, he/she shall be entitled to an immediate pension which shall
be calculated as provided in Rule 18 but with the substitution of the
date of retirement for the attainment of normal pension age provided
always that when the period of pensionable service completed up to the
date of retirement is less than twenty years, the amount of pension
will be calculated on the basis of:
1.1
In 1987 General Assembly decided that Church Related Community Workers
should be as fully integrated as possible. The development of the
CRCW programme now requires further movement to achieve this. The
Resolution provides for the inclusion of CRCWs as members of the
United Reformed Church Ministers’ Pension Fund.
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