Here, you can find guidance on how to navigate a parish in vacancy. The Archdeacon will offer guidance and support from the moment the vacancy is announced. Below is a practical overview of responsibilities and processes to help you through this period.

Key Responsibilities During a Vacancy

The parish has three main duties:

Managing the Sequestration Account
Churchwardens and the Area Dean act as sequestrators, which means they are responsible for sending DBF fees to St John’s House.

Looking After the Parsonage House
The property secretary will visit early in the vacancy to discuss safety and security arrangements. You can find more details in this section.

Arranging Services
It’s the parish’s responsibility to ensure services, including baptisms, weddings, and funerals, are covered by clergy and others. The Area Dean will support and advise on this.

Churchwarden Responsibilities

Churchwardens play a vital role in keeping the parish running smoothly. During a vacancy, you should:

• Work with the PCC to oversee pastoral care and manage enquiries (e.g. baptisms, weddings).
• Liaise with the PCC Lay Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer to ensure PCC meetings, the APCM, and Parish Share payments continue as normal.
• Ensure registers are properly maintained.

Sequestration Account

Income

There’s no change to the income you receive. Parish fees should be processed and submitted as usual. For more details about fees, click here.

Expenditure

The Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) reimburses specific expenses, including:

• Certain parsonage-related costs
• Reasonable expenses incurred by church officials
• Limited costs related to the induction of the new incumbent (e.g. postage)

Please try to keep costs as low as possible and if unsure, contact the Finance Department in advance at finance@manchester.anglican.org.

Clergy Fees & Travel
Retired clergy claim their fees directly from the DBF. Retired clergy and other clergy/readers covering services should be offered travel expenses by the parish, which can be reclaimed.

Please submit claims using a Sequestration Account form:

Filling the Vacancy

The Archdeacon will guide the parish through the four stages of the appointment process:

1. New Vacancy
   The Archdeacon will meet with church officers and the PCC to explain the process and advise on the preparation of a Parish Profile. Parish Representatives are elected by the PCC at a ‘Section 11 meeting’ or equivalent (churchwardens may also be chosen at this meeting). The completed Parish Profile should be submitted to the Registry and will be shared with applicants.
   
   Use the template below to get started.

2. Exploration
   Churchwardens may be asked to host informal visits for prospective applicants, alongside the Area Dean.

3. Interview
   Churchwardens may meet candidates but can only join the interview panel if elected as Parish Representatives.

4. Welcome
   Churchwardens attend the property secretary’s visit to the parsonage with the candidate and Archdeacon, giving local advice where needed. Churchwardens also support with moving arrangements, encourage a welcome by parishioners, and take part in the Licensing Service including offering words of welcome to the new priest and their family.