Bishop's Move
From The Bishop of Chester

I am in the process of launching a new charitable trust : The Chester Clergy Family Charitable Trust.

This is intended to provide grants to those clergy families who are mainly dependent on the clergy stipend (currently £16,300 for incumbents, less for curates), where additional or unexpected costs arise. For example, until recently, children of clergy homes often received university education effectively free of charge; now, a debt of up to £12,000 can be incurred.

Since 1970, the value of the clergy stipend has eroded by over 20% compared with average earnings. At the same time, the pressures, and the average workload, upon the clergy have increased sharply. The whole concept of a stipend, as opposed to a salary, is as a payment that frees a man or woman to concentrate fully upon his or her spiritual vocation. Sadly, in some clergy homes there is considerable financial worry, and this new Trust is my response.

There are some national charities which help clergy, but their funds are fully stretched. Unlike some Dioceses, the Diocese of Chester lacks a major local trust to assist needy clergy and their families. The new Trust is vitally needed.

A vocation to the ordained ministry is immensely demanding. Clergy generally work long hours, and frequently in difficult situations. In inner city areas - we have 30 parishes designated as Urban Priority Areas - they are often the only 'professional' people who are still living there. Clergy are asked to perform a multitude of contrasting tasks, and this itself can create a climate of pressure and stress. Yet the flourishing of the Church, and of its individual parishes, is crucially dependent upon the local leadership which clergy offer. A brochure which gives further details of the Trust is available from your Vicar or in your church. Copies are available from me on request.

Do give generously to it if you are in a position to do so. The Trust has full charitable status, and various tax- efficient ways of making donations are available. These are set out in the brochure. If you are not in a position to make a donation now, do consider including this Trust among your legacies.

The registered number of the charity is 1079645, and all correspondence should be to me at Bishop's House, Abbey Square, Chester CH1 2JD.

I am absolutely committed to this new Trust, which will bring vital support to the leadership upon which we all depend in our parishes. I hope as many people as possible in the Diocese will join me in launching it.

+Peter