What does a Diocesan Secretary do?
Well in simple terms John makes sure the administration of the Diocese runs smoothly. The job encompasses both the roles of Secretary to the Diocesan Synod and Company Secretary of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF).
As Secretary of the Diocesan Synod John is responsible to the Bishop of Hereford for administration of the Synodical Governance of the Diocese ensuring compliance with and the application of a wide range of church legislation.
As Company Secretary of the DBF John is responsible to the Chairman of the Board for ensuring compliance with and the application of secular legislation covering finance, audit, company law, charity law, employment, health and safety and much more besides ...
Aided by the Financial, Pastoral and Property Secretaries and the Property Admin Assistant, John ensures the accurate and timely management of the £5m+ budget, the management of Diocesan investments, the preparation and processing of pastoral schemes to effect changes within parishes and deaneries, the management of glebe land and properties, the approval of and assistance with alterations and improvements to our 81 C of E schools, the processing of applications for alterations to and developments in churches and the maintenance and improvement of 129 clergy houses ... plus any other task that comes along!!
As Personnel Manager, John also provides an HR service for the DBF and contributes to the development of HR policies and procedures. This includes providing informal advice to parishes on employment matters. He also acts as Data Protection Officer for the DBF.
"My life is controlled by my PA!"

Personal Assistant to Diocesan Secretary, Office Manager & CRB Administrator
Mrs Pam Brown - Tel: 01432 373314 p.brown@hereford.anglican.org

Pam looks after John Clark, Diocesan Secretary, and the mountain or two of work that comes his way (see the text above!).
Reception / Front Office is the hub of the Diocesan Office and Pam is Line Manager for the staff: Kerry, Sarah and Judy; and has responsibility for the general smooth running of that office. The Office Manager role is very varied, managing and/or overseeing maintenance & repair of the office building, its contents and equipment - and keeping those running costs down as much as possible.
Pam is Secretary for the Safeguarding Children Group, and Co-ordinates CRB administration for the Diocese - in liaison with Carolyn Harding at the Cathedral (the 'registered body' for the Diocese), Barbara Gratton (Child Protection Adviser to the Bishop), and the Bishop's office staff.

This link will take you to the Church Representation Rules page
This link will take you to the various Parish Forms (Annual Returns, Electoral Roll etc)
This link will take you to various Fact Sheets ie. Guide for New PCC Secretaries, Financial Good Practice, etc.
This link will take you to the Safeguarding pages
This link will take you to a Brief Guide to Liturgical Copyright
This link will take you to a selection of useful advice sheets for welcoming visitors / tourism
This link will take you to the website of the Diocesan Registar: Lee Bolton Monier Williams

Financial Assistants (part time)
Mrs Sallyann Hales - Tel: 01432 373304 s.hales@hereford.anglican.org
Mrs Lorraine Aitken - Tel: 01432 373303 l.aitken@hereford.anglican.org

The Finance Department is responsible for the day to day running of the finances of the Diocese, the preparation of the Annual Accounts and Budget, and monitoring all aspects of Diocesan Income and Expenditure, particularly Parish Share. In addition the department also deals with Clergy Moves and Car Loans, the Diocesan Parish Share Formula and Parochial Trust matters.

Please see the Finance pages for more information

Property Administration Assistant:
Miss Sophie Mead - Tel: 01432 373302 s.mead@hereford.anglican.org

All queries on DAC, Church buildings and Faculties, Parsonages & Church Schools Buildings

Please see the Property pages for more information

Tim Bridges

This part time post is funded by English Heritage to help congregations look after their churches and enable the buildings to have a sustainable future as places of worship, ministry and mission, and as centres of culture, art and history.
Tim works with the Diocesan Advisory Committee to offer support on maintenance, conservation and repairs, as well as on reordering and improvements.
He can also give advice on sources of funding, in conjunction with the Community Partnership Funding Officer, and assist with guidance on faculty application procedure.
Normal working days are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Please see the Property pages for more information

The Pastoral Secretary is responsible for all the legal and administrative aspects of pastoral re-organisation (parish and deanery boundary changes, decommissioning of churches, etc) and is Secretary of the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (and its sub-committees).

Please see the Pastoral pages for more information

Responding to telephone and personal callers; Conference Room & Greathall bookings; organising various mailings, the Diocesan News Service and Prayer Diary; supplying Gift Aid envelopes; general administration including management of PCC Information Returns and maintaining the Diocesan Database.

Please follow this link Parish Forms for Annual Parish Returns, Annual Meeting Forms & Statistics for Mission Forms
Please follow this link for the Prayer Diary

The Lay Development Officer looks after the training and development of people who are not ordained. She prepares a series of courses and events designed to encourage all people to develop their Christian ministry and gifts. She is responsible for advice and provisions of programmes of study for individuals, groups and teams.

The Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) Officer, and looks after the training and development of Clergy and Readers. This includes the programme of CMD conferences run through the year and CMD events. They administer study leave provision and the annual CME grant for licensed clergy. Information about courses can be found here.

This link will take you to the Mission & Ministry Development pages

Working on the margins is at the heart of the Gospel. The Social Responsibility Officer runs a number of working groups on key social issues and also offer support to vulnerable groups. The Church's special theological perspective is regularly sought in the wider community. The SRO is available for particular pastoral work, Sunday services etc and through the newsletter supports parishes in their involvement in social issues.

A wide range of resources are available on the Social Action pages

As DDO, the Bishop's officer responsible for all those offering themselves for ordination - this includes Diocesan pre-assessment, national selection and entry into training, plus facilitating ordination retreats/services for deacons and priests. Particular Local Ministry responsibilities include oversight of both the selection of OLMs and the network of Spiritual Advisers to Local Ministry Teams and leading Vacancy Consultation Days.

This link will take you to the Mission & Ministry Development pages

PA to Local Ministry

Suki Gregson-Smith

Email:s.gregson-smith@hereford.anglican.org

The role of the Local Ministry Officer is to prompt debate of local ministry within the Deaneries of the Diocese; recruit and support a diocese-wide team of trainers, consultants and mentors to stand alongside parishes as they plan their way into local ministry; and to change the culture so that all parishes see shared leadership as being the way to be God's church in the twenty-first century.
Suki is also Office Manager for the Ludlow Diocesan Office.

This link will take you to the Mission & Ministry Development pages

All aspects of Child Protection including advice to Parishes, training for Parish Child Protection Officers and CRB checks.

Please see the Safeguarding pages for more information

Stewardship Advisor & Chairman of Stewardship Working Group

Please see the Stewardship pages for more information

Vacant

The role of Chaplain for Agriculture & Rural Life and Environment Officer has been to act as a link between the church and a variety of organisations at local and regional level which are concerned with the development of rural policy, assisting parish colleagues with pastoral care for the agricultural industry through regular briefing and training materials. The role of Environment Officer was still being worked out as it is a comparatively new post.
The combined Support Minister role is currently vacant and under review.

This link will take you to the Environment & Rural Issues pages

The Adviser is responsible to the Diocesan Bishop with a brief of support for the women clergy and accredited lay workers within the diocese. Regular contact is kept with both Bishops, the Archdeacon and the Diocesan Director of Ordinands. It is a mainly pastoral role.

This link will take you to the Mission & Ministry Development pages

The Warden of Readers promotes Reader ministry in the Diocese, and oversees their selection and training. He arranges for the admission and licensing of Readers, and for the granting of PTO and Emeritus status when appropriate. He ensures that Readers are deployed in the most effective way, and that pastoral care is adequately provided.

This link will take you to the Readers pages

This link will take you to the Mission & Ministry Development pages

The aim is to build bridges of understanding between different races, cultures and faiths. The Interfaith Officer is available to give illustrated talks on other faiths, to lead discussions, to arrange visits to non-Christian places of worship and to meet the people who worship there

This link will take you to the Interfaith page

Revd Mike Vockins

Tel: 01886 884366
Email:mdvockins@btinternet.com

Revd Janet Edwards

Tel: 01952 583254
Email:janet.edwards8@talktalk.net

The Advisers for Self Supporting Ministers (SSMs) co-ordinate this network of ministers, encourage them in their very varied work, and helps them and their parishes to plan the ministry they will offer. It is also important to promote a clear understanding of the wide-ranging roles of SSMs. They are often in the forefront of the church's mission: they need and value the prayers and support of the parishes for their ministry in the workplace and community.

This link will take you to the Mission & Ministry Development pages

The World Development Adviser is responsible for `encouraging awareness of development issues in the Diocese, facilitating activities to respond to those needs and for liaising with institutions, organisations, groups and individuals to support development projects overseas.

This link will take you to the Council for World Partnership & Development pages

The Chaplains' Office is situated in the Chapel at the County Hospital, on the ground floor, near Reception. The Chapel is always open. There is a service every Sunday at 10.00am.

The northern part of the Diocese which is in in Shropshire tends to focus on the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Trust
Tel: 01743 261000 and ask for the Chaplain.