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.

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:

• Vacancy Notes for PCCs

• Preparing the Profile - guidance for PCCs

• Advertising the vacancy

• Interviews - Practical Information

Each benefice in vacancy will be assigned a trustee who will work closely with the PCC and Diocese.  The trustees are:

• Men and women rooted in an evangelical heritage

• Looking for leaders who are mission-hearted, prayerful, and visionary

• Offering parishes prayerful and practical support

• Able to draw on a large database and knowledge of available candidates, nationwide

Unconscious Bias

We have produced this short video which we hope PCCs and particularly those appointed as Parish Representatives will watch.