August 2007
VICAR: The Revd. Martin Fredriksen Tel: 694109
PARISH OFFICE (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am – Noon) Tel: 697641
FROM THE VICAR: People are often confused about the many different titles given to clergy and so I hope to make things clear for those who have asked questions.
Following ancient tradition, all clergy in the Church of England are either Deacons, Priests or Bishops:
Deacons assist in a church and the care of a parish and in simple terms, can do anything that does not involve a blessing or absolution. Liturgically, they wear a stole diagonally. There are some remain as permanent Deacons.
Priests are ordained to bless and absolve. This happens after a period (often 12 months) of working as a Deacon. The priest's stole (like the ox's yoke) hangs equally on each side.
Bishops are consecrated with the added responsibility and authority to confirm and ordain.
Although many tend to think in terms of 'promotion', each and every one of us are servants of Christ in his Church - priests will continue to carry out the duties of a deacon; bishops continue to carry out the duties of both.
All the other titles are simply to do with function. As the Bishop is the pastor of his diocese, but cannot cover everywhere by himself he appoints (and at one stage used to pay) people to act vicariously (on his behalf) in parishes - hence the title 'Vicar'. Lords of the manor, university colleges and other individuals (known as 'patrons') would in the past, appoint and pay for a priest themselves - the person would be 'Rector' of the parish. Patrons may still have a limited say in the appointment, but there is no difference in the function of a rector and vicar - both are now paid by the Church Commissioners.
Team Ministries (where two or more parishes are joined together and served by a team of clergy) have a leader known as the 'Team Rector' and one or more 'Team Vicars'. They are on fixed-term contracts, which are rarely more than ten years and occasionally, as little as three! - a nightmare, if you have children of school age. This, at least in theory, enables flexible pastoral reorganisation according to need - perhaps other parishes being included when their priest leaves, and occasionally, the division of the team into smaller parish units once again.
Having now run out of space, I will continue next month!
Martin Fredriksen
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