THE PARISH OF
ST PETER-IN-THE-FOREST WALTHAMSTOW
Holy Baptism (Christening) Policy
What
is the Policy?
This policy is written in the light of Canon
Law and the 39 Articles of Religion
B1 of Conformity of Worship
B21 of Holy Baptism
B22 of the Baptism of Infants
B23 of God parents and Sponsors
B24 of the Baptism of such as are of
riper years.
B25 of the Sign of the Cross in
baptism
Article XXVII of
Baptism
This policy is open to all people who approach
the Parish for Holy Baptism and gives guidance to the administration of the
sacrament of Baptism within the Parish
Church.
What
does the policy tell us about God and our relationship with God?
We are all in a relationship with God. God, as Father, is the One who creates and
sustains us. God, as Son, is the One who
redeems and wins the victory for us, through the life, death, Resurrection and
Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. God,
as Holy Spirit, lives with us, as individuals and as part of the community of
God’s whole family.
Holy Baptism makes a visible beginning of this
journeying into our relationship with God following the way of Christ in the
power of the Spirit. Holy Baptism is a celebration of the grace of God at that
moment in time.
What
does the policy tell us about the Church?
The Church exists to fulfil the command of Our
Lord Jesus Christ to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them
in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19) The
Church in its local presence is here to welcome and serve all people in the local
community. All people have a place in the Church and Holy Baptism is a sign of
that place.
How
is the policy put into practice?
·
Enquirers after Holy Baptism for themselves or their children are
encouraged to speak with the parish priest, in the first instance.
·
Baptisms will ordinarily take place within the context of the main
Sunday act of worship; dates will be set aside as open to holding Holy Baptism
by the parish priest, in consultation with the Worship Committee of the
Parochial Church Council.
·
Exceptions to the above rule will be at the discretion of the
Parish priest, and made for pastoral reasons.
·
The offering of dates for occasions of Holy Baptism will be made
in an attempt to meet enquirers’ legitimate preferences, but will, in the final
analysis, be at the discretion of the Parish priest, for pastoral reasons.
·
If those seeking Holy Baptism do not live within the parish - and
they (or their parents) are not on the Electoral Roll of the parish - the goodwill
of the minister of the parish in which they reside will be sought.
·
Discretion is given to the clergy to welcome the newly-Baptised
into the church at the main Sunday worship if the Baptism does take place in an
afternoon service.
·
The Common Worship Baptism Service will be used.
·
All Godparents to young children being Baptised must be Baptised
themselves and, ideally, should be Confirmed also, if Baptised as young
children. It is perfectly possible for a
potential Godparent to choose to be Baptised themselves, alongside their
Godchild, within the same rite.
·
No monetary charge will be made for Holy Baptism, but
encouragement will be given to all participating in the rite to make generous
and meaningful gifts towards the ministry of God in this Parish.
THE PARISH OF
ST PETER-IN-THE-FOREST WALTHAMSTOW
Wedding Preparation Policy
What is the Policy?
This policy is open to all people who approach seeking a Wedding
in the parish church of St Peter-in-the-Forest and gives guidance to the
administration of the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
What does the policy tell us about
God and our relationship with God?
It is in
liminal, or key transition, points of our life journey that we may feel most
keenly our sense of awareness of God and our relationship with Him. The policy reminds us, in practical ways, of
means towards the realisation of God’s grace through the sacrament of marriage.
What does the policy tell us about
the Church?
Preparation for marriage is necessary because - as the Church is
the visible life of the People of God trying to work out the consequences of
loving obedience to God - affirming the love at work in Christian marriage is
one expression of our life together. As
husband and wife promise to work hard to build each other up in their married
life together, so the wider Church promises to work hard to build up all its
members.
How is the policy put into practice?
The couple will:
·
be
asked to have an initial discussion with the parish priest with enquiries about
weddings. Questions asked there will
relate to the legal preliminaries necessary to establish that we are able to
solemnize the marriage as asked. A
proforma will be given out to record legally-required personal information.
·
set
a date and time for a wedding through booking with the parish priest after
these preliminaries have been completed.
·
be
written to and encouraged to participate in marriage preparation classes,
·
Attend
a wedding service practice in the few days prior to the celebration of the
wedding ceremony.
Marriage Preparation consists:
§ 2 or 3 discussion meetings, which will be conducted by the parish
priest or another person trained to do so by the parish priest.
·
an
occasion, during these preparations, to book an agreed, mutually-convenient
time and date for a wedding rehearsal – this will usually take place in the
week prior to the wedding service itself.
·
at
the discretion of the parish priest, other preparations for the wedding, made
on a visiting or hospitality basis.
Note that the Common Worship Marriage Service (modern language)
will be used, unless a specific request is made to use the Service of Holy
Matrimony from the Book of Common Prayer (traditional language).
THE PARISH OF
ST PETER-IN-THE-FOREST WALTHAMSTOW
Marriage in church after divorce
What is the Policy?
This policy is for all who apply for marriage in church after
divorce, in the Parish Church of St Peter-in-the-Forest, Walthamstow.
What does the policy tell us about God and our relationship with
God?
The God that we worship is a God of forgiveness; we acknowledge
that people make mistakes and that they need to be learned from. We do
not believe in condemnation and will always endeavour to show the love and
compassion of God to all who come to us.
What does the policy tell us about the Church?
The Church of England maintains a strong and consistent witness to
marriage as a lifelong partnership, and asks people to make vows "till
death us do part”. We also recognise, however, that for various reasons some
marriages break down. Often the most loving and healing thing is for divorced
people to have the opportunity of a fresh start, and to have the full support
of the church in such a marriage.
How is the policy put into practice?
A couple would normally approach the parish priest to request
marriage. Once the weddings proforma is
completed and it is established that either or both are divorced the Policy
Document will then be given to the couple.
The parish priest would then go to visit the couple (or have them
visit at The Vicarage) to establish the background to the divorce and to hear
the stories of both partners. No decision is taken or communicated to the
couple at this point.
The Priest would then bring the form to a meeting of the Standing
Committee of the Parochial Church Council, whereat the background to the
request is related to and a decision is reached.
The decision is relayed to the couple by letter or by a follow up
visit to discuss any concerns that were raised in the discussion.
Some broad
guidelines are:
In the parish of St Peter-in-the-Forest, a divorced person (with a
former partner still living) may be married in church at the discretion of the
parish priest and the Standing Committee of the PCC, provided:
·
There
has been an appropriate acknowledgement by the divorced person of such failure
as there may have been on their part.
·
There
is clear evidence that all legal and other reasonable obligations from an
earlier marriage have been discharged, especially as regards any children.
·
There
are grounds for confidence that the couple may in good conscience make their
marriage promises before God and his church, along with a recognition of their
need for God's grace in and through their marriage.
·
No
open scandal has been caused by, or is likely to be caused by, the situation.
·
The
proposed "second" marriage has not been in any direct and
unmistakable sense a reason for the breakdown of the earlier marriage.
·
The
couple are aware of the need for sufficient time for the parish priest and the
Standing Committee of the PCC to reach an appropriate decision before any
booking can be made. Hence, no form of pressure or unjustifiable hurry
connected with the proposed "second" marriage will be acceptable.
In addition, it should be noted that:
·
Such
"second" marriages will usually be conducted after Banns have been
called, and so the usual residence, qualifying connection or electoral roll
membership requirements will be required.
·
Some
“second” marriages may, under exceptional circumstances, need to be conducted
after the granting of a Licence. In these cases the final decision lies with
the Diocesan Bishop.
·
A
third marriage, following the breakdown of two former marriages, is unlikely to
be acceptable under these criteria.
THE PARISH OF
ST PETER-IN-THE-FOREST WALTHAMSTOW
Child Protection Policy
What
is the Policy?
This policy
is written in the light of Chelmsford Diocesan Child Protection Policy:-
·
Child Protection
·
Keep Children Safe
·
Chelmsford
All members
of our church community, regardless of age, should feel safe within the church
community. This policy is to provide a safe environment for the care and
nurture of our children, and to provide clear guidelines for those providing
that care and nurture.
What
does the policy tell us about God and our relationship with God?
At Baptism
the Church promises to “welcome these children and uphold them in their new
life in Christ”. As God promises to walk with us as we journey through life so
the Church has a responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for
this journey to take place.
What
does the policy tell us about the Church?
The Church
has a responsibility to care and nurture our children into a closer
relationship with God within a safe and caring environment. It also has a
responsibility to provide clear guidelines and a safe environment to those who
have care of our children.
How
is the policy put into practice?
·
The PCC has adopted the Diocesan Guidelines
·
The PCC appoints a Nominated Person for this policy area within
the Parish.
·
Leaders and helpers at all church activities involving children must
be 18 years of age and above. Young people under the age of 18 years can help
with activities but must be considered as super-numerary for the purposes of
this Child Protection Policy.
·
All leaders and helpers will be required to complete an
application form.
·
All references given as part of the application form will be taken
up.
·
All leaders and helpers will be required to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check at the Enhanced level. The PCC undertakes responsibility to pay the
required fee on behalf of applicants.
·
All DBS checks will be renewed every three years or such a period
that is felt appropriate by the Diocese.
·
Upon completion of these formalities each leader or helper will be
given a copy of “Child Protection”, “Keep Children Safe” and the “Code of
Conduct”.
·
The aforementioned publications will be on display and available
for reading at an information point within the church building. This information will be accompanied by
further displays detailing ‘What to do and who to alert if you have any
concerns regarding the Protection of Children in our church life.’
·
All leaders and helpers will have to undergo the procedure laid
out above before they can lead or help at any children’s activity within the
Parish.
·
All leaders and helpers will be required to participate in an
occasional training sessions.
·
An annual review will be undertaken by the parish priest and the
Nominated Person to ensure that all leaders and helpers have undertaken the
appropriate application procedure.
·
All church activities will be run in accordance with the Diocese
Child Protection Guidelines, including the above procedures, the correct ratio
of authorised adults to children, and Health and Safety considerations.
·
The PCC will be given reports on any activities involving Children
and Young People.
·
The PCC will be informed of any activities that happen away from
the usual venues, additionally taking into account issues of Insurance.
·
This policy will be displayed and available at all times at the
information point in the church building.
THE PARISH OF
ST PETER-IN-THE-FOREST
Children at Communion Policy
What is the Policy?
This policy is written in the light of Canon Law and the 39
Articles of Religion
B 12 Of the ministry of the Holy
Communion
B 14 Of Holy Communion in parish
churches
B 15 Of the receiving of Holy Communion
B 15A Of the admission to Holy Communion
B 16 Of notorious offenders not to be
admitted to
Holy Communion
B 17 Of bread and wine for the Holy
Communion
Children who have been baptised will be admitted to share fully in
the Holy Communion (ie. to receive the bread and wine).
Where the parish priest agrees such with parents/guardians of
children, some preparation and teaching may be provided to inform the child’s
growing understanding of Holy Communion.
The House of Bishops has allowed each Parish to decide upon its
own practice. (However, once a person has received the Eucharistic Sacraments,
they cannot, except in extreme circumstances, be refused even if that
particular Anglican Church does not admit children to Communion. In order to aid clarity about this, the
parish priest may issue a certificate confirming that a child is a Communicant,
upon request, so that they may be received fully in other churches’ worship.)
What does the policy tell us about
God and our relationship with God?
God is a god of bountiful generosity and invites all people to
receive his grace. The Eucharistic Feast is one for all those gathered. It is a sacrament of God’s grace and His work
of redemption, to be readily available to all.
What does the policy tell us about
the Church?
The Church understands the call of Christ to include all people,
and sees this expressed, here, in the Eucharistic Sacraments.
How is the policy put into
practice?
·
Parents
of children attending Divine Worship will be appraised of this policy position
by the parish priest at an early opportunity.
·
A
booklet helping to explain and explore the meanings of the Eucharistic Liturgy
will be made available within the church building and for home-loan to any who
wish to deepen their understanding of the Sacrament.
·
A
course (currently utilising parts of Margaret Withers’ “Welcome to the Lord’s
Table”) may be organised for children to attend, if both parent and child wish
for this. During this time of
preparation the children are asked if they wish to receive the Sacrament and
the parents receive some acknowledgement and preparation for questions likely
to be raised (to enable their involvement and preparedness). It is anticipated that the course will vary
depending upon age and/or other learning needs, and will usually be
co-ordinated within small groups.
ADDENDUM
With regard to the celebration of
Holy Communion in the Chapel of St John the Baptist, Forest School
- From
time to time, it may occur that Holy Communion is celebrated in the Chapel
of Forest School, which lies within the parish (as authorised by Canon
B14A, subsection 3)
- In such
instances, those who are baptised, communicant Christians may receive the
sacrament
- Further,
children at the School may – from time to time, as parish priest and
Warden (Headteacher) so decide – be offered a short course of preparation
prior to an invitation to receive Holy Communion
- Such
preparation will draw on similar materials to those indicated in the main
body of this policy
- All
children thus prepared will be baptised Christians. If they are not baptised, then the
opportunity to be so will be offered by the parish priest (with reference
to the parish’s Holy Baptism (Christening) Policy)
THE PARISH OF
ST PETER-IN-THE-FOREST WALTHAMSTOW
Clergy Expenses Policy
What is the Policy?
This
policy is written in the light of Canon Law and the 39 Articles of Religion
· Chelmsford Para 11-15)
· The
parochial expenses of the clergy: A guide to their reimbursement
· Working
Expenses (updated March 2003): Agreement between Church Commissioners and
Inland Revenue
This
policy is to set out the procedure and parameters for clergy of the Parish to
claim expenses incurred in the fulfilment of their parish duties.
What does the policy tell us about God and our relationship with
God?
As
we are in relationship with God this relationship needs to be nurtured and
grown. The clergy are called to help nurture the relationship between God and
the people in their care, whether as part of their church community or in the
wider parish. To fulfil this calling to the best of their ability the clergy
need to be properly resourced.
What does the policy tell us about the Church?
The
church wishes to promote a professional ministry. To this end the Parish of St
Peter-in-the-Forest Walthamstow wishes
to provide the clergy serving it the resources to fulfil their parochial
ministry. The PCC undertake to reimburse the clergy with all expenses incurred
in the fulfilment of their parish duties.
How is the policy put into practice?
·
The clergy are asked to claim
their expenses promptly on a monthly basis
·
The following expenses may be
claimed:-
-
Travelling; postage; telephone
(including answering machine); stationery; literature and training aids; books;
computer expenses; hospitality; secretarial assistance; maintenance of robes; provision
of locum tenens.
·
Each claim must be supported with
evidence such as bills or receipts
· The
PCC’s designated signatories to the church bank account will then issue a
cheque to reimburse the expenses
· Any
large or “one off” expenses should be agreed with the Treasurer and
Churchwardens on behalf of the PCC prior to purchase
· If
clergy wish to claim less than the full cost of their expenses, treating the
balance as a form of voluntary contribution, then a full claim should be made
and the balance given to the PCC. This allows the PCC to have an idea of the
full cost of ministry, and it reduces the embarrassment for any successor who
wishes to claim the full amount of the expenses.
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