Parochial Church Council
Encyclopedia
The parochial church council (PCC), is the executive body of a Church of England
parish
.
, as amended, defines the principal functions and purpose of the PCC, which is the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent
(rector
, vicar
or priest
) or priest in charge
in promoting the mission of the Church in its parish. Section 6 of the Synodical Government Measure 1969 (No. 2) Act amended the list of PCC functions originally in Section 2 of the 1956 Act.
Part II of the Church Representation Rules, contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 (No. 2), states how a PCC should be constituted. A PCC consists of the clergy and churchwardens of the parish, together with a number of representatives of the laity elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting by means of being nominated and seconded at the meeting, and also being listed on the parish roll for at least six months. The incumbent is the chairman of the PCC and a lay member is appointed vice-chairman. The PCC must meet at least four times a year.
The PCC is responsible for the financial affairs of the church and the care and maintenance of the church fabric and its contents. These latter responsibilities are executed by churchwarden
s or other volunteers. It also has a voice in the forms of service used by the church and may make representations to the bishop
and deanery synod
on matters affecting the welfare and pastoral care
of the parish. Since 2008 under the Charity Commission's The Excepted Church Charity Programme, a PCC with an income of over £100,000 is required to register as a charity
, and the members of the PCC become trustees.
Many parish post-holders are appointed by the PCC such as sidesperson
, child protection representative, treasurer
, chalice
bearers and sacristan
. Churchwardens are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and attend the PCC and the standing committee
.
or Vestry
Meetings, which had had their civil functions removed during the nineteenth century in numerous acts, concluding in 1894 with the establishment of civil parishes. The subsequent 1956 and 1969 Acts now govern the establishment and function of PCCs.
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
.
Powers and duties
Two Acts of Parliament define the powers and duties of PCCs. The Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956
The Parochial Church Councils Measure 1956 was a Measure passed by the Church Assembly of the Church of England that gave parish-level Parochial Church Councils various miscellaneous powers such as framing an annual budget, power to make levy and collect a voluntary church rate, power jointly...
, as amended, defines the principal functions and purpose of the PCC, which is the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent
Incumbent (ecclesiastical)
In Anglican canon law, the incumbent of a benefice, usually the parish priest, holds the temporalities or assets and income.Depending on the terms of governance of each parish an incumbent might be either:...
(rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
, vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
or priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
) or priest in charge
Priest in charge
A priest in charge or priest-in-charge is a priest in charge of a parish who does not receive the temporalities of the parish. He or she is not legally responsible for the churches and glebe, simply holds a licence rather than freehold and is not appointed by advowson.The appointment of priests in...
in promoting the mission of the Church in its parish. Section 6 of the Synodical Government Measure 1969 (No. 2) Act amended the list of PCC functions originally in Section 2 of the 1956 Act.
Part II of the Church Representation Rules, contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 (No. 2), states how a PCC should be constituted. A PCC consists of the clergy and churchwardens of the parish, together with a number of representatives of the laity elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting by means of being nominated and seconded at the meeting, and also being listed on the parish roll for at least six months. The incumbent is the chairman of the PCC and a lay member is appointed vice-chairman. The PCC must meet at least four times a year.
The PCC is responsible for the financial affairs of the church and the care and maintenance of the church fabric and its contents. These latter responsibilities are executed by churchwarden
Churchwarden
A churchwarden is a lay official in a parish church or congregation of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a part-time volunteer. Holders of these positions are ex officio members of the parish board, usually called a vestry, parish council, parochial church council, or in the case of a...
s or other volunteers. It also has a voice in the forms of service used by the church and may make representations to the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
and deanery synod
Deanery synod
In the Church of England and other Anglican churches, a deanery synod is a synod convened by the Rural Dean . It consists of all clergy licensed to a benefice within the deanery, plus elected lay members. The Synodical Government Measure 1969 makes it a statutory body...
on matters affecting the welfare and pastoral care
Pastoral care
Pastoral care is the ministry of care and counseling provided by pastors, chaplains and other religious leaders to members of their church or congregation, or to persons of all faiths and none within institutional settings. This can range anywhere from home visitation to formal counseling provided...
of the parish. Since 2008 under the Charity Commission's The Excepted Church Charity Programme, a PCC with an income of over £100,000 is required to register as a charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
, and the members of the PCC become trustees.
Many parish post-holders are appointed by the PCC such as sidesperson
Sidesperson
A sidesperson, correctly known as a sidesman or usher, in the Anglican Church is responsible for greeting members of the congregation, overseeing seating arrangements in church, and for taking the collection...
, child protection representative, treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
, chalice
Chalice
A chalice is a goblet or footed cup intended to hold a drink. This can also refer to;* Holy Chalice, the vessel which Jesus used at the Last Supper to serve the wine* Chalice , a type of smoking pipe...
bearers and sacristan
Sacristan
A sacristan is an officer who is charged with the care of the sacristy, the church, and their contents.In ancient times many duties of the sacristan were performed by the doorkeepers , later by the treasurers and mansionarii...
. Churchwardens are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and attend the PCC and the standing committee
Standing Committee
In the United States Congress, standing committees are permanent legislative panels established by the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate rules. . Because they have legislative jurisdiction, standing committees consider bills and issues and recommend measures for...
.
History
PCCs were set up in 1921 by the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1921 Act as a successor to the vestriesVestry
A vestry is a room in or attached to a church or synagogue in which the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept , and in which the clergy and choir robe or don their vestments for divine service....
or Vestry
Vestry
A vestry is a room in or attached to a church or synagogue in which the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept , and in which the clergy and choir robe or don their vestments for divine service....
Meetings, which had had their civil functions removed during the nineteenth century in numerous acts, concluding in 1894 with the establishment of civil parishes. The subsequent 1956 and 1969 Acts now govern the establishment and function of PCCs.
See also
- How the Church of England is organised
- Parish ChurchChurch of England parish churchA parish church in the Church of England is the church which acts as the religious centre for the people within the smallest and most basic Church of England administrative region, known as a parish.-Parishes in England:...
Further reading
- A Handbook for Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councillors, Kenneth MacMorran & Timothy J Briden, ISBN 9781441154743
- The Churchwarden's Handbook: A Practical Guide, Ian Russell, ISBN 9781840035346