Churchwarden’s Year at a Glance

January

• Begin the year by looking over your Parish Inspection checklist – to see what needs updating? Inspections are on a 3-year cycle – your Area Dean will know when yours is due or email your Archdeacon’s PA.
• Update yourself by working through the Churchwarden Toolkit – there is a really good section near the beginning about what makes a good Churchwarden which +Pete covers.
• Look out for news of Maintenance Workshops and book yourself on.
• Sign up to receive the weekly Diocesan e-bulletin where you’ll find lots of information.
• Motivate your Sunday teams for the coming year – have a team-building get-together after the business of Christmas.
• Take a look at the Church of England online Services Register – the digital equivalent of keeping a paper Services Register book. It is available within AChurchNearYou.com.

February

• Think about succession planning – who might be a good deputy warden to train up to become a Warden?

March

• Prepare for your APCM.

• The Church Representation Rules have all you need to know – they are a vital tool for all those involved in parochial, diocesan and national Church governance. The new Rules were completely redrafted so that they are now easier to understand!

April

• Incoming/Outgoing Churchwarden handover- Use ‘Essential Handover Guide’ (or Word version).
• New Churchwardens – check out the Churchwardens Toolkit on the website.

May

• Look out for mailing to all Churchwardens from Archdeacons’ Office re: Visitation services and Articles of Enquiry.

June

• There are four Visitation Services to choose from for the Annual Swearing-in of Churchwardens (every warden must be sworn in following election) – 1 June, 3 June, 8 June and 10 June 2026.
• Look out for Archdeacons’ News magazine at the venue.
• Saturday 20 June 2026 – Training for those newly-elected to the role of Churchwarden – look out for info on the e-bulletin.
• Work on your Articles of Enquiry.

July

• Work on Articles of Enquiry – contact Karen or Laura for help if needed.
• Order your Churchwarden’s Year book – it has lots of useful information for your role.

August

• Articles of Enquiry deadline.
• Think ahead to Christmas – begin to plan and prepare.

September

• Encourage PCC members to book a place on the Diocesan Development Day on 3 October 2026.

October

• Statistics for Mission October Count.
• Take a look at the Energy Footprint Tool.
• Attend the Diocesan Development Day and find out what is happening in the wider Diocese – 3 October 2026 – see Events for up-to-date details.

November

• Saturday 15^th November 2026 – Don’t miss the Annual Churchwardens’ Conference. Information will be emailed to you.

December

• Share out tasks for the extra services for Christmas – recruit extra Sidespeople, etc.
• Health and Safety check for use of candles and fairy lights.