The Parochial Church Council (PCC)
BRIEF HISTORY
In the history of the Church, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) is fairly new. Up to the early 1900’s the administration & finances of the parish were the legal responsibility of the rector & churchwardens. The congregations had virtually no say in church matters, apart from electing churchwardens.
However in 1919 Parochial Church Councils were given legal status. Subsequently, there have been various Acts of Parliament, which have laid out the composition, functions, rights & responsibilities of the PCC.
WORK OF THE PCC
The Synodical Government Measure 1969 clearly states: It shall be the duty of the incumbent and the PCC to consult together on matters of general concern and importance in the parish.
It sets out a number of functions for the PCC, one being: Co-operation with the rector in promoting in the parish, the whole mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. (We are all relieved that it is explicitly NOT the PCC’s brief to pronounce on the doctrine of the Church. So no one is going to pontificate on religious teachings.) The Rector & the PCC have particular rights & responsibilities in the daily work of the church; with the emphasis on co-operation. The PCC is responsible for the maintenance of the church buildings, churchyard and surround: and (with the incumbent) for deciding how the church’s money is spent. The PCC is solely responsible for money; and no others have legal access to these moneys – including the Rector. (The PCC is also formally the employer of any paid workers, like painters etc. who are employed to come for maintenance etc.) The PCC has the right to be consulted about major changes to the forms of worship used in our church, & about the appointment of a new incumbent. The PCC has no authority or rights to stipulate the form of any service. The PCC is also consulted regarding any pastoral activities, which may affect the parish: our ministry team, one of our members can represent us at the deanery synod, and so forth. The deanery synod is supposed to link our parish with other parishes & the whole diocese, but this point is debatable.
PCC COMMITTEES
As we are a small village, the PCC does most of the work on its own. There can be exceptions, and certainly larger villages would need sub- committee’s – each would deal with a particular aspect of the parish. Each committee usually has at least one PCC member on it. We have one remote committee, for parish events, namely the Church annual fete; which is out main fund raiser for the year
PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE PCC
In the Parish of UPTON, the deanery of WALLINGFORD &the diocese of OXFORD are available upon enquiry at Church.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE PCC
Don’t stand still after a service. However, if you really are interested in serving the community, the PCC is always looking for help. You can contact any of the present committee; who can advise you.
HOW TO CONTACT US
Talk to anyone after Church, contact the Benefice Office in Blewbury 850267, and speak to Dawn.
PRAYER STATION
We have the Church open between about 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, and there is a prayer station there, currently for Thailand, previously Poland, and future our forces overseas.
Austin Maytham