Legal Opinions Concerning the Church of England contains the views of the Legal Advisory Commission of the General Synod, which gives legal advice to the General Synod, the Church Commissioners, diocesan registrars, chancellors, and other clerical and lay officers such as archdeacons and diocesan secretaries. It does not constitute a comprehensive volume on ecclesiastical law but is the jointly expressed views of the Commission on a wide range of legal matters of interest to the Church. This eighth edition contains many previously unpublished Opinions as well as a comprehensive updating and revision of the contents of previous editions. It is an indispensible reference work for all practitioners and students of ecclesiastical law. New or significantly revised Opinions include: The clergy and confidentiality Appointment of non-stipendiary ministers as incumbents Consecration of sites for 'green' burials Ownership of tombstones and monuments in churchyards Disturbances during services in cathedrals The right of a parishioner to be married in the parish church The legal responsibilities of PCC members
Church Representation Rules is a vital tool for all those involved in parochial, diocesan and national Church governance. This 2022 edition incorporates the contents of the four Amendment Resolutions (2019-2022) passed since the 2020 edition was published. These include rules governing mission initiatives, online voting, term limits and more. The Rules aim to simplify local church governance and enable parishes to adapt the rules to best serve ministry and mission in their contexts. They cover aspects of local church governance including: * the formation and revision of the electoral roll; * the minimum qualifying age for election to the Parochial Church Council or the deanery synod and methods of voting at the Annual Parochial Church Meetings; * chairmanship of the Parochial Church Council and the number and term of office of its lay members; * membership of deanery and diocesan synods and how the number of lay members to be elected to them is calculated; * membership of, and elections to, the House of Laity of the General Synod.
This book de-mystifies the whole process of carrying out works to churches. It explains what consents are needed; how they can be applied for; and on what basis applications are decided. The author explores many of the detailed issues that may arise in practice – whether the proposal is to move a shelf in the vestry or to embark on a major refurbishment of the whole church. Topics covered include heating, lighting, access for the less mobile, toilets, kitchens, security, storage, repairs and maintenance. The impact of change on the congregation is considered, as well as the particular problems that may arise where new facilities or new uses are introduced. This indispensable guide highlights issues to consider when contemplating changes and helps the reader to navigate the complex legal and practical processes involved in carrying out works to churches.
This versatile collection provides a wealth of supplementary material to help you customize Common Worship services for any locality, age group, special occasion or festival. It offers: • Advice and guidance on planning, preparing and structuring services. • Over 250 pages of prayers and liturgy, conveniently organised by function, e.g. Gathering and Greeting, Praise and Thanksgiving, Action and Movement. • 22 easy-to-adapt sample services for eucharistic, non-eucharistic, all-age worship and seasonal services.
Issues of gender and sexuality are intrinsic to people’s experience: their sense of identity, their lives and the loving relationships that shape and sustain them. The life and mission of the Church of England – and of the worldwide Anglican Communion – are affected by the deep, and sometimes painful, disagreements about these matters, divisions brought into sharper focus because of society’s changing perspectives and practices, especially in relation to LGTBI+ people. Living in Love and Faith sets out to inspire people to think more deeply both about what it means to be human, and to live in love and faith with one another. It tackles the tough questions and the divisions among Christians about what it means to be holy in a society in which understandings and practices of gender, sexuality and marriage continue to change. Commissioned and led by the Bishops of the Church of England, the Living in Love and Faith project has involved many people across the Church and beyond, bringing together a great diversity and depth of expertise, conviction and experience to explore these matters by studying what the Bible, theology, history and the social and biological sciences have to say. After a Foreword from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the book opens with an invitation from the Bishops of the Church of England to embark on a learning journey in five parts: Part One sets current questions about human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage in the context of God’s gift of life. Part Two takes a careful and dispassionate look at what is happening in the world with regard to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Part Three explores current Christian thinking and discussions about human identity, sexuality, and marriage. In the light of the good news of Jesus Christ, how do Christians understand and respond to the trends observed in Part Two? Part Four considers what it means for us as individuals and as a church to be Christ-like when it comes to matters of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Part Five invites the reader into a conversation between some of the people who have been involved in writing this book who, having engaged with and written Parts One to Four, nevertheless come to different conclusions. Amid the biblical, theological, historical and scientific exploration, each part includes Encounters with real, contemporary disciples of Christ whose stories raise questions which ask us to discern where God is active in human lives. The book ends with an appeal from the Bishops to join them in a period of discernment and decision-making following the publication of Living in Love and Faith. The Living in Love and Faith book is accompanied by a range of free digital resources including films, podcasts and an online library, together with Living in Love and Faith: The Course, a 5-session course which is designed to help local groups engage with the resources, also published by Church House Publishing.
Im Prozess der europäischen Einigung kommt den Kirchen als wesentlicher Bestandteil der europäischen Kultur eine besondere Bedeutung zu. Ein Europa, das den gemeinsamen Verfassungsüberlieferungen, den Traditionen und Kulturen der Mitgliedstaaten, ihrer nationalen Identität und dem Grundsatz der Subsidiarität verpflichtet ist, wird das gewachsene Staatskirchenrecht seiner Mitgliedstaaten zu respektieren haben. Die 2. Auflage bietet einen umfassenden Vergleich der unterschiedlichen staatskirchenrechtlichen Systeme in den Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union. Der Sammelband berücksichtigt auch die neuen Mitgliedsländer und beschreibt europaweite Entwicklungen. Er macht deutlich, wie sich die europäische Integration auf die Stellung der Kirchen auswirkt. Das Werk ist für jeden, der im Staatskirchenrecht arbeitet, aber auch für staatliche und kirchliche Institutionen von Interesse. Das Buch ist in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Europäischen Konsortium für Staat-Kirche-Forschung entstanden. Die Autoren, führende Staatskirchenrechtler aus den verschiedenen Mitgliedstaaten der EU, erläutern die religionsverfassungsrechtlichen Systeme ihrer Heimatländer. Der Herausgeber ist Professor für öffentliches Recht an der Universität Trier und Leiter der Forschungsstelle für Europäisches Verfassungsrecht.
