This will be our last Working Together In Brief.
From next week, all updated information regarding coronavirus will be clearly marked on our dedicated Diocesan website page, which you can access through the 'coronavirus' panel on the main page.
Clergy and those in lay ministry will continue to receive updates when available from our Bishops - and Parish Support, HR, Safeguarding, Finance and the Diocesan Secretary will communicate directly to the relevant people as and when the need arises.
This will enable them to respond in the moment and to maintain direct relationships with parish officers and others.
Working Together, our monthly digest of information and resources for clergy and church officers, returns in May.
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From the National Church
Information and campaign resources from the Church of England, its partners, Christian organisations, and charities.
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Holy Week and Easter
Advice and resources, for those in ministry to reflect on some of the challenges and opportunities of marking the death and resurrection of Christ at the present time, and to suggest a range of activities and initiatives for Holy Week with which diocese, clergy, and people might wish to engage, are here.
Funerals
The National Church has been working very hard around all the Life Events, but especially funerals, and has new resources to help you support families, and help people feel the warmth of your pastoral care from home. They include:
• a bookmark-shaped prayer card
• a sympathy card to send to those who can't go a funeral
• a simple reflection that people can use alone at home either at the time of the funeral or at another time.
• posters and social media images letting people know about Light A Candle - a way to remember someone with a virtual candle online.
All of the resources are available as free PDF downloads from the Church Support Hub and will soon be on the main Church of England website, too. On the Church Print Hub there’s the flexibility to download and print off yourself, download and share online, or order ready-printed. The resources are all free to order - you will only pay postage and packing. More here.
Weddings
Qualifying connections and other questions around Weddings at this time, published by the Faculty Office.
The latest info, support and offers from Parish Buying, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, is here.
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From your Diocesan Support Teams
The latest news and information from the teams that support your work in our parishes, schools, and worshipping communities.
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Diocesan HR support and guidance
A step-by-step guide and sample letter in relation to furloughing staff is available here. Judith Wilson, your Diocesan HR Director, is available to support churches and PCCs with employment-related issues in all HR matters including coronavirus at this difficult time. Contact Judith ideally by email, or by mobile if needs be, on 07881 244288.
Useful websites for coronavirus advice include:
www.cipd.co.uk
www.acas.org.uk
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
From Your DAC Team
The DAC remains open for ‘business as usual’. The team will continue to respond to your questions and enquiries over telephone and by email. Our phone numbers can be found on the DAC web page, or you can email DAC@salisbury.anglican.org.
Faculties
Please submit your List B and faculty applications using the Online Faculty System as usual and contact a member of the team if you have any queries.
The new Faculty Jurisdiction Rules have come into force. The new legislation will see a change in how new applications submitted from the 1st April onwards will be processed and a number of works have been added to the list where permission is not required. More information here.
The postponed 20th March DAC meeting was held on 2nd April. Decisions will be issued using the online faculty system as usual and you will receive an email from Sarah Baines, DAC Secretary, with feedback from the DAC meeting within a week of the meeting as usual. The next meeting will be held virtually in May as scheduled - if you want your faculty application on the agenda please ensure it is submitted to us and validated by 24th April 2020. List B applications are being processed daily.
There are 4 key changes to the DAC’s work, in response to COVID-19:
• It is not possible to schedule any site meetings at the moment. We have a record of visits which had to be cancelled and they will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
• We are working towards holding DAC drop-in surgeries virtually via a link on the DAC webpage – however, please do not hesitate to contact the DAC team via email or telephone for help or guidance in the meantime.
• The Chancellor has directed that all Public Notices currently on display should be left as they are; new faculties will be issued with a condition that the Public Notice should remain on display until completion of the works.
• The Archdeacons have agreed to extend by 6 months the time limit for completing approved List B works.
The DAC recommends QI inspections are postponed until travel restrictions have been relaxed by the government.
The DAC is here to help. If you have any queries, please email the team.
Building checks
This advice gives a suggested routine for weekly building checks whilst our churches are closed.
Guidance from the National Church on caring for church buildings during the pandemic, including some of the most frequently asked questions, must be viewed in the light of the Government’s current guidance - and subsequent changes to it.
From your Diocesan Chancellor
Faculty Applications and Public Notices
A fundamental part of any faculty application for permission to do works to our church buildings or churchyards is the giving of proper notice to those within our communities. All parishioners, whether part of our worshipping community or not, have a right to be heard in relation to such changes. This notice is usually given by the display of formal public notices both within and outside the relevant church building. Whilst church buildings are closed and people are being directed to stay at home, those notices are not going to serve their purpose. No parish or parishioner is best served by the emergence of objections after works have started (or, worse, after they have been completed) because of a lack of reasonable notice and as such the Diocesan Chancellor issued directions on 31 March providing for alternative means of giving notice during this lockdown period. A copy of the directions can be found on the DAC page of the Diocesan website. They apply to applications issued through the Registry on or after 23 March. In broad terms, it will usually be adequate to publish notice of the application through a church website/ public social media page and/ or by publication in a local online newsletter alongside the usual external notice. Any parishes which are anticipating a faculty application at the moment should contact the Registry or the DAC for advice.
From your Diocesan Registry
How does coronavirus affect my church?
The Diocesan Registry has issued a guide to how coronavirus affects your parish church, with advice on weddings, fees, APCMs, PCC meetings, annual financial statements and Electoral Roll revisions, here.
From your Finance Team
We are here to help
Director of Finance and Asset Management Liz Ashmead has some advice on how the finance team can help you during this epidemic, here.
From your Pastoral Secretary
We have been informed by the Church Commissioners that pastoral schemes and orders cannot be made at the moment because we cannot ensure that the consultation process is thoroughly carried out due to the current restrictions around the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.
However, discussions can still take place informally at parish level and amongst the interested parties. There is information about pastoral re-organisation on the 'Organisation' page in the Parishes menu on the diocesan website, or you can simply click here.
Jill Hockham, the Pastoral Secretary, is available via email, and is a member of the new Parish Support, Governance and Administration Team.
Jill is always happy to answer any questions which you may have relating to pastoral re-organisation, diocesan structures, suspensions of presentation and legal processes.
From the Ramsbury Office
Staff are working from home between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Unfortunately the office telephone lines are unmanned, but do please contact us by email as follows:
Lynne Archer, PA to Bishop Andrew: lynne.archer@salisbury.anglican.org
Anna Wilde, PA to the Archdeacons of Sarum and Wilts: ramsbury.office@salisbury.anglican.org
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From our Board of Education
Guidance to support worship during physical distancing
In these ‘exceptional times’, where each day brings change for us to respond to, the Diocesan Board of Education is sharing guidance which they hope will support school and parish leaders to continue to develop worship that is inclusive, invitational and inspiring and leads to the flourishing of children and young people in their communities. Main page here.
Free downloadable Book
Rebecca Swansbury in Canterbury Diocese has produced a freely downloadable 'William and Lucy lead Collective Worship' resource. It helps children at home to take ownership of setting up and leading collective worship which we continue to encourage where possible. More here.
New Ways of Working
Whilst the SDBE team have also had to adapt to a new way of working, we have set up telephone call forwarding, so that you can continue to contact us for support, encouragement or advice in the normal way. Do please send us what you are doing by emailing emma.waters@salisbury.anglican.org or tagging us on Twitter at @SDBE_Update.
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Keeping us Safe
Ensuring we always provide a safe and caring environment for everyone but especially children, and adults who may be at risk of abuse and neglect. Establishing safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is a culture of ‘informed vigilance’ as to the dangers of abuse.
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From your Diocesan Safeguarding Team
This information is primarily for residents of Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth.
STARS Dorset provides support for survivors of sexual violence or trauma, via a Telephone Support Line for anyone who has been affected by sexual violence such as rape, child abuse and sexual assault at any time in their life, and will be increasing the availability of this line throughout the COVID-19 period. For general enquiries, the charity’s main number 01202 308840 will be operational during usual opening hours 9am - 5pm, Monday – Friday. Their website can be accessed here.
Dorset Police and other organisations across Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth are raising awareness around domestic abuse amid concerns it may increase over the coming weeks due to the impact of coronavirus. Communities are being reassured they will still have access to vital support services despite the current uncertainty. A new campaign will highlight the fact that whatever type of abuse takes place – whether it is physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial – the abuser is trying to control the victim and uses abuse or violence to achieve that control. The campaign will also tell victims how to access help and support.
The service is confidential and free to use. You can get help from the Dorset team by calling 0300 3030 163 from Monday to Friday 9am-6.30pm.
Other help is available from the National Domestic Violence Helpline, a freephone number available on 0808 2000247 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There is also a SafeLives web page here, and Women’s Aid has a website with an email, and an online chat room available 10am-12pm, Monday to Friday.
You First has opened a new refuge in East Dorset
"The refuge is for men, men with children, women with older boys and HBV couples. We have a single room, a family room (1 + 2) and a double room. The property has shared facilities and we are working within Government guidelines when accepting new people in the current climate. We are taking referrals currently and will be accepting new residents from 6th April 2020. If you have any enquiries or a referral for this refuge or our female refuges please contact 0800 032 5204 or youfirst@theyoutrust.org.uk."
Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse
"If you are working with a family or the friend of a family who has suffered the tragic loss of a loved one following domestic abuse, please do get in touch. Whilst we are not currently offering face to face visits to families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse, we ARE taking new referrals. We are offering telephone/video call advocacy and support. If you know someone who needs our service, please contact us on info@aafda.org.uk. Our website has more information on ways that AAFDA can offer advocacy, information, guidance and peer led support. www.aafda.org.uk."
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK.
"If you are concerned about a young person who might be having suicidal thoughts then please contact HOPELINEUK for practical support and advice. Call 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org. They are open 9am – 10pm weekdays, 2pm – 10pm weekends and bank holidays. You can also visit their website, papyrus-uk.org."
Zoom guidelines
Zoom meetings have been hijacked by anonymous people who have shared inappropriate content to the audience. The National Safeguarding team has reviewed recommended changes,with immediate effect, here.
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Social Media and Live-streaming
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7 Hints for Speaking to Camera
Video clip here.
Hymns Without Words
Music for online services, and guidance for using Hymns Without Words during live-streaming and social media posts, here.
Streaming worship songs
During the COVID-19 crisis, Resound Worship is giving permission for all churches worldwide to stream Resound Worship songs, including videos, recordings, lyrics and your own performances. More here.
Smart microphones for a closer sound
Former sound engineer Keith Gunn offers this advice on how to record sound without the distraction of 'noises off'.
Dial S for Service
Whitton Benefice is proof that there are lots of new ways of “doing church” WITHOUT the internet.
Everyone is talking about video live-streaming but what about those members of our churches that have no internet access or are wary of going online? The Parish of Whitton are offering a dial-in service by phone, to bridge the gap for those who have no internet access. Feedback has been fantastic!
The parishes have used several different platforms, all of them in their free versions so far, but it helps to use one that enables the meeting host to mute those calling in to reduce background noise.
Find more details at whittonteam.org.uk, or contact the Revd Rhona Floate, Rural Field Officer for Wilts, via RFOWilts@salisbury.anglican.org.
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Sustaining Ministry
As we travel on together in our walk with God, as lay and ordained ministers, how can we thrive as we go, and how can we look ahead to what's coming next?
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Letter sent out this week
The Henry Smith Charity - from the Bishop's Chaplain.
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Church Matters
Key information and resources for Churchwardens and PCCs.
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Latest funding news from Dorset Community Foundation here and Wiltshire Community Foundation here.
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Ecclesiastical Insurance has created some guidance to assist where a church is temporarily closed, here.
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From our Bishops
The latest letters, articles, sermons and comments from Bishop Nicholas, Bishop Karen, and Bishop Andrew, along with access to our Monthly Message.
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The latest from Bishop Nicholas is here. Bishop Andrew is recording a series of YouTube films called ‘Going to Ground’ and his weekly blog is usually posted on Saturday or Sunday. He is also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Bishop Karen is on Twitter, and invites you to join her in praying the Renewing Hope Prayer daily on Facebook. Search the diocesan page for her latest.
For their latest sermons, click here for Bishop Nicholas, here for Bishop Karen and here for Bishop Andrew. All our bishops are contactable via email.
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From our Archdeacons
Messages, letters, sermons and articles from the Archdeacons of Dorset, Sarum, Sherborne and Wilts.
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Dorset Update
Archdeacon Penny is in daily contact with Dorset Council. Update here.
Wiltshire Update
Archdeacon Sue is speaking regularly with Wiltshire County Council. Update here.
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