Archdeacons' Annual (Deanery) Visitations

Every year parishioners elect Churchwardens to represent them and to work with their parish priest in enabling Christian mission and ministry in their parish. In 2020,  wardens were sworn in by their incumbents as officers of the Diocesan Bishop, under delegated powers.  In 2021 it is intended that Visitations will take place in June, when wardens will be sworn in by the Archdeacons, but with more limited attendance - just incumbents and wardens.

This page contains all the paperwork relating to election of Churchwardens and other paperwork required to be legally compliant in the run up to the election of Churchwardens.  Please be aware that there are new Church Representation Rules effective from 2020 which impact on how PCCs and APCMs are organised, as well as the instruments.   In  2021, the Visitations will be held in June, dates and venues below.

PARISH VISITATIONS 2021

The Archdeacons have written to all parishes with details relating to the year end and visitations for 2021.  They will be held in June rather than May in 2021. It is hoped that the usual pattern can be reinstated, noting that the APCM has to be held by the 31 May, rather than April, in line with the Church Representation Rules 2020.    It is recommended that APCMs should be held after 17 May and before 31st May, ie  as late as possible.   Further advice will be provided as necessary.  

Letter of thanks to churchwardens from the Archdeacons is here

A letter regarding the Visitations from the Archdeacons is here

Admission of Churchwardens

It is intended to hold the Visitation services for each deanery as listed below.  We are however limiting numbers, to wardens and incumbents.  Sidespeople and PCC members should not attend. 

If you have any questions regarding the admission of wardens, please contact gill.beeley@blackburn.anglican.org  in the first instance.

Election of a Churchwarden

All forms relating to the election of churchwardens can be found on the Parish Resources Website.

This site also contains the forms for the election of PCC members, Deanery Synod members and administration of the electoral roll. 

Nomination as a Churchwarden

The Nomination Form for Churchwarden should be made available for anyone on the church electoral roll to nominate someone as Churchwarden. The Archdeacons do not need to see the the completed form(s); please do not send them in!

After election as a Churchwarden - Declaration forms

After election at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), a Churchwarden should complete the Churchwarden's declaration. Declaration in Word.  Please email this back to the office.  We are trying to reduce the amount of printing and paper we use in line with our Environmental Policy.  We are not using SurveyMonkey this year to allow you to enter your details.

Churchwardens' Briefings

The briefing for the Blackburn Archdeaconry is to be held on 30 June 2021.  The briefing for the Lancaster Archdeaconry will be held on 22 July 2021.  More details to follow.

Churchwardens' Yearbook 2020 is now available at a reduced price, £8.95, details here! The 2021 Year Book is now available, and orders are being taken - order form here.

The Notice for the Church door or noticeboard is the official Invitation from the Archdeacon to Churchwardens to attend a Visitation Service. The notice should be displayed from the first Sunday after receiving the full documentation directly from the Archdeacon until the date of the Visitation. For the notice to display in your church, please click on the link below. 

Electoral Roll 

The Electoral Roll was revised in 2019.  The link to information is here.

The latest edition (2020) of the Archdeacons' Visitations News is here

Articles of Enquiry 

The Articles of Enquiry are now completed via the Parish Returns Online - in the same way as you would complete other returns.  It is not intended to request completion of Articles in 2021.