About Us

Committees

There are several Committees that oversee specific aspects of governance within the Diocese of Norwich including:

  • Diocesan Advisory Committee
  • Glebe Committee
  • Property
  • Finance
  • Remuneration
  • Audit and Risk assurance
  • Nominations
  • Asset management

 

Under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011, each diocese is required to appoint a Diocese Mission and Pastoral Committee (DMPC).

The functions of the committee are set out within that legislation, but the aim is to review and recommend proposals to assist with making better provision for the cure of souls in the diocese as a whole.

This is done by reviewing arrangements for pastoral supervision and care, maintaining an overview of matters relating to church buildings and their use including finding suitable alternative uses for churches which are proposed to be closed.

In carrying out its functions, the DMPC shall have regard to the financial implications for the diocese; ensuring appropriate conditions of service are enjoyed by those holding office in the diocese; the traditions, needs and characteristics of individual parishes; and any other relevant aspects of the policies of the diocesan synod.

DMPC has a general duty to have due regard to the furtherance of the mission of the Church of England.

Any pastoral scheme or order that is proposed has to be approved by DMPC and recommended by them to the Bishop of the diocese before the formal part of the pastoral reorganisation process begins.

Supporting the Bishop’s Adviser for Licensed Lay Ministers in the administration and development of Licensed Lay Ministry.

Supporting all retired clergy personnel including spouses (male and female, plus sons and daughters).

Each Deanery within the Diocese of Norwich has a Bishop’s representative who is either a Rural Dean, retired clergy or a widow themselves, who care for the above along with their respective incumbents.

The Deanery Representatives help the retired folk with advice over grants and which suitable charity can be approached to meet their particular need, residential and respite care, budgeting and general pastoral care. The Bishop’s staff are very supportive in all this work.

Every two years Bishop Graham holds an afternoon tea in his garden followed by a service in the Cathedral as a thank you for all the different ministries of the retired in the Diocese.

The Committee exists to support the preservation of and access to parochial and diocesan books and documents in the Diocese of Norwich. Preservation work may include repair work, cleaning, storage, packaging and other protective measures.  Access work includes digitization, cataloguing, survey work and interpretative work.

It aims to maximise the benefits of its limited resources by prioritizing work and projects which, in the Committee’s opinion

Meet professional standards

  • Significantly improve preservation and/or access
  • Focus on books and documents which are of historical significance

It achieves this by

  • Providing advice on the significance of books and documents
  • Giving small grants to projects which meet both its overall aims and strategic objectives.
  • Supporting the implementation of the Parochial Register and Records Measure, 1978
  • Working in partnership with other organisations

Strategy Priorities

Over recent years, several matters have been raised by Committee members; these are listed below for discussion by Committee.  It is suggested that this list be reviewed annually.

  1. Photographs in churches
  2. Items at risk
  3. Storage, cleaning and packaging of Cathedral Library collections
  4. Consistory court records – conservation, cataloguing and engagement
  5. Parish magazines
  6. Digital records – raising awareness of preservation issues
  7. Recruiting new members to the committee

Membership

The current membership of the Committee is:

  • Mr Charles Farrow, Chairman (Independent Researcher)
  • Dr John Alban, Vice Chairman (Honorary Senior Lecturer, UEA and former County Archivist)
  • Mr Gary Tuson, Treasurer and Secretary for Documents (County Archivist)
  • Dr Gudrun Warren, Secretary to the Committee and Secretary for Books (Librarian and Curator, Norwich Cathedral)
  • Revd Canon Peter Doll (Vice Dean and Canon Librarian, Norwich Cathedral)
  • Revd Nick Garrard (Incumbent)
  • Dr Clare Haynes (former Senior Research Associate, UEA)
  • Revd Margaret McPhee (Incumbent)
  • Dr Victor Morgan (Honorary Senior Fellow, UEA)
  • Revd Charles Read (Deputy Warden of Readers, Diocese of Norwich and ERMC)

This committee is required to be in existence at all times in every Diocese, but only meets when the post of Bishop of Norwich is vacant.

If you would like to contact the committee, this can be done by emailing secratariat@dioceseofnorwich.org

Below are the Terms of Reference for each committee in alphabetical order.

Below are the committee constitutions, detailing the purposes and procedures for each committee.