We’re Legit

As part of the reorganisation into a larger benefice, the parish of Oadby has been divided into ourselves (St Pauls Oadby) and St Peter’s Oadby. This happened on 1 July. But for this last week there has been no Parochial Church Council (PCC) to officially govern the church.

Therefore, after this morning’s service the congregation stayed behind to hold an Extraordinary Parochial Church Meeting. This elected the 2 existing church wardens – Paul Webster and Anita Chettle, and 9 elected members of the PCC. Together with the Rector, 3 Readers, a Diocesan Synod member and 3 Deanery Synod members who are all ex-officio members of the PCC, this will give a PCC of nearly 20 people.

St Paul’s now becomes a charity in its own right and will have to be registered with the Charity Commission. The members of the PCC will be its trustees.

The church will be informed as the process continues.

Our Churchwarden is Legal!

Most churches have two Churchwardens, but due to a legal quirk in the way that this parish was set up, at St Paul's, we have only one, Vivien James, who is assisted by a Deputy, Paul Webster. The election of a Churchwarden is for a one-year term and Vivien was re-elected at the recent Annual Parish Meeting. Before officially being admitted to the office, Vivien had to attend a service, which was held yesterday. Led by the Archdeacon, it was a service of worship, but which also included the following legal elements.

In the Archdeacon's Charge, he explained the role of a churchwarden, as follows:

“The office of Churchwarden is an ancient one, dating from the early middle ages. As officers of the Bishop, and members of the Parochial Church Council, Churchwardens are charged with co-operating with the incumbent, and leading the laity in the promotion of the mission and ministry of the church in the local parish.

In doing so, Churchwardens offer a ministry of welcome and pastoral care to church members and their parish priest and the priest's family.

In Churchwardens is vested the property in the plate, ornaments and other moveable goods of the church, of which they are asked to maintain an inventory and report on them annually to the Bishop and Parochial church Council.

They are also asked to maintain order and decency in the church, especially during public worship.

It is to this important ministry that you have been elected at your annual parish meeting.”

In the presence of the Diocesan Registrar , a legal officer, the churchwardens present, including Vivien,  were asked to stand and make the following declaration:

“I solemnly and sincerely declare

Before God and his people

That I will faithfully and diligently

Discharge the duties of my office
For the parish in which I have been chosen
During the period of my appointment
Calling at all times on the strength that God gives me.”

To which the Registrar responded:
“On behalf of the Bishop, I admit you to the office of Churchwarden to serve in your respective parishes during the coming year.”

We will be praying for Vivien as she seeks to carry out this commitment.

Welcome Anita and Bryan

In his work in the world, God chooses to use people. Last night was the Annual Meeting of the Parish of Oadby. We looked back at the work of St Peter's and St Paul's in the last year and looked forward to the next. At St Pauls, Paul Webster stood down after seven years as Churchwarden or Deputy Churchwarden and he was presented with a gift to say "thank you."

Anita Chettle was elected as the new Churchwarden at St Pauls and Bryan Philpott as deputy. We offer them our prayers as they undertake these leadership roles. New members were also elected to the Parochial Church Council and (St Pauls) District Church Council.

Looking back there were reports on each of the activities that have taken place in our churches and also a financial statement of the money that was raised and spent this year. We are so grateful to God that we were able to match our financial obligations and we want to thank each member who gave so willingly. Far from the popular myth of substantial central funding, all our monies have to be found locally.

We concluded with three people giving presentations of work that they had been involved with. This included a street party, the Jakin pregnancy counselling service and a visit to Pakistan.

We give thanks to God for his blessing in the past year and look forward to seeing his work in Oadby in the next.