The Interregnum – A Statement from the Churchwarden

As you may know, our vicar Clive will be taking a well-deserved retirement in May. We will be sad to see him go, but wish him and Marion a very happy and relaxing retirement. I am issuing this statement in order to clarify what will happen next in terms of the organisation of the parish and appointment of a new incumbent.

At present, Clive is in charge of two parishes, Kirdford with Plaistow & Ifold and Wisborough Green. In consultation with Diocesan advisers and with a lot of prayerful consideration, the PCCs (Parochial Church Councils) of both parishes have agreed that we should become a United Benefice. This means that the two parishes will be more formally linked than at present, while still maintaining separate PCCs, each being responsible for the day to day running and finances of their part of the Benefice.

The process of forming a United Benefice has passed through various stages of consultation and has been approved by the Bishop of Chichester. The proposal is now being considered by the Church Commissioners. Part of this proposal concerns the siting of the clergy house and parish office. At present, the Diocese owns clergy houses in both Wisborough Green and Kirdford and, with the formation of a United Benefice, wish to reduce this to one property. After considerable debate and discussion, the PCCs have agreed that the most practical solution is to retain the property in Kirdford, being the geographical centre of the new Benefice, and sell the property in Wisborough Green. This has been delayed while Clive and Marion are living in the Vicarage, but once they have moved, the Diocese will be selling the property.

The new incumbent will, therefore, live in Kirdford, but will use the churches in Wisborough Green, Kirdford and Plaistow for meetings as appropriate, as well as the parish office in the Kirdford Vicarage. Services will be held in all three churches, as at present, although the pattern of services will be decided by the new incumbent in consultation with the PCCs.

During the interregnum, the churchwardens, in consultation with the PCCs, will be responsible for organising the services and will be meeting regularly to plan a pattern of services that makes as few changes as possible from the current pattern.

The process of finding a new incumbent can be quite lengthy and an explanation of this process can be found on the Diocesan website:

https://www.chichester.anglican.org/documents/diocesan-vacancy-guide/

Any questions can be sent to churchwardens@stpeterswg.org.uk or you can talk to me after services, and I will try to answer any questions you may have.

Henrietta Warwick, Churchwarden St Peter ad Vincula, Wisborough Green, February 2025