Expecting a vacancy?
Expecting a Vacancy?
If you are a Churchwarden or PCC member of a church in which Simeon's or Hyndman's have a patronage interest and you are expecting a vacancy (interregnum), this is the place for you! We have a great deal of information on handling a vacancy with confidence and can help support you until a new priest is appointed. We believe patronage to be a special and valuable gift of God to the Church of England. The Patronage Benefices Measure (1986) guides our work.
Whenever a new vicar is appointed three parties are involved - the patron nominates a candidate, the PCC through its elected representatives and the bishop affirm or veto the patron's nomination and the Bishop institutes the candidate.
Each benefice in vacancy will be assigned a Simeon’s Trustee who will work closely with the PCC and Diocese. The trustees are:
Men and women rooted in an evangelical heritage
Church leaders who are mission-hearted, prayerful, and visionary
Able to offer parishes prayerful and practical support
Able to draw on a large database and knowledge of available candidates, nationwide
Where presentation is suspended and a Priest-in-Charge rather than an Incumbent is to be appointed we will still play a role in the appointment process.
As patron we will ensure a balanced collaborative approach to the appointment. Occasionally Parish Representatives can feel uncomfortable or even pressurised when faced with senior diocesan figures; we can offer 'critical friendship' and support and act as a bridge between parish and diocese.
These leaflets may be of help:
In addition to this we have the following resources available - please contact our Executive Officer if you would like to have copies.
Guidance on advertising your vacancy
Guidance on visit days
Guidance on interviews
sample parish profiles
Unconscious Bias
We have produced this short video which we hope PCCs and particularly those appointed as Parish Representatives will watch.