Background History
The formation of a Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a relatively new affair in the history of the Church of England. Until the beginning of the 20th Century, the administration and finances of a parish came under the legal responsibility of the incumbent (vicar) and the Churchwardens. The only say that members of the congregation and parish had in running their church was to elect the Churchwardens. However, since 1919, PCC’s have been given legal status and have had their composition, function and rights and responsibilities defined in several Acts of Parliament.
What is the task of the PCC?
According to one of those Acts (The Synodical Government Measure 1969) it is the duty of the incumbent and the Parochial Church Council to consult together on matters of general concern and importance in the parish. The PCC is also called to co-operate, together with the incumbent, in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
Both parties have their own particular rights and responsibilities in the life of the church. More specifically, the PCC is responsible for the maintenance of the church buildings and churchyard, and with the incumbent, for deciding how the church's money is to be spent. The PCC is formally the employer of the church's paid workers, for example our Parish Administrators. The PCC has the right to be consulted about major changes to the forms of worship used in the parish and about the appointment of a new incumbent. It is also consulted about any pastoral scheme affecting the parish, such as the appointment of a Pastoral Co-ordinator.
The PCC will have on it one or more members of the Deanery Synod, who have an important role in linking the parish into the wider structures of the church.
Committees of the PCC
As well as these general responsibilities it will also appoint a number of additional committees, each dealing with a particular aspect of parish life. Each committee has at least one PCC member on it. These committees are formally responsible to the PCC, reporting back to it regularly and seeking its approval before making major changes or incurring significant costs.
At St John’s these include:
- Underhill Centre (UHC) Management Committee
- Works & Maintenance Committee
- Social Committee
- Finance Committee
There is one other committee, which is rather different in nature. The Standing Committee is a subset of the PCC. Its job is to carry out the work of the full PCC between PCC meetings, for example if something urgent comes up which does not justify calling a meeting of the whole PCC.
Current PCC Members
The current PCC members are:
- Rev'd Phil Aindow - Vicar
- Victoria James - Vice Chairman
- David Lloyds - Churchwarden
- Jim Clark - Churchwarden
- David Dimmick - Deanery Synod representative
- John Reynolds - Deanery Synod representative
- Marsha Hale - PCC Secretary
- Mike Furnell
- Di Hawkins
- Tim James
- Kathy Moore
- William Sambrook
- David Taylor
- Malcolm Thornton
- Emma Watson
Members of the ministry team and the Churchwardens are all ex officio (unelected) members of PCC. David Dimmick and John Reynolds are also Deanery Synod representatives elected by the Annual Parocial Church Meeting (APCM) and sit on the PCC in that capacity as well.
How do you become a member of the PCC?
Members are nominated and elected at the APCM when vacancies arise. If you are interested in serving, the PCC Secretary can advise on how many vacancies will arise in any particular year.
How can they be contacted?
Talk to them or email them via the Parish Office. They will be delighted that you are taking an interest. If you have difficulty in contacting an individual, or if you want to address the PCC as a body, you should do so through the PCC Secretary.