The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Rayleigh

Overview

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Rayleigh is a UK nonprofit organization, registered as a charity. It operates within the framework of the Church of England, with its activities and governance guided by church law and charitable regulations.

Activities

The council's primary activities include:

• Regular Public Worship: The council organizes and supports regular public worship services that are open to all members of the community.
• Pastoral Work: This encompasses visiting the sick and bereaved, providing spiritual support and care to those in need.
• Teaching of Christianity: The council is involved in the teaching and dissemination of Christian principles and values within the community.

Governance

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) plays a central role in steering the life of the church. It works alongside the minister to oversee the mission, witness, and service of the parish. The PCC is a charitable trust, with its members acting as charitable trustees under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. As such, it is governed by charity law, which includes responsibilities for financial management and decision-making.

Membership and Responsibilities

To be eligible for membership on the PCC, an individual must:

• Be on the Electoral Roll of the parish for at least six months (or meet age-related exemptions).
• Be an actual communicant, meaning they have received Communion at least three times in the previous year.
• Attend Safeguarding training due to their roles and responsibilities.
• Not have any convictions for specified safeguarding offenses or be included in barred lists.

Reporting and Safeguarding

As a charity, the PCC is required to report all Serious Incidents (both safeguarding and otherwise) to the Charity Commission. This includes any events that result in or risk significant harm to beneficiaries, employees, or those connected with the charity's activities. The determination of what constitutes significant harm is the responsibility of the trustees, considering the charity's operations, staff, finances, and reputation.

[1] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5000987 [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5000987/full-print [3] https://www.parishofrayleigh.org.uk/church-life/giving [4] https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/6559/service-and-events/events-all/ [5] https://www.cofesuffolk.org/role-of-the-parochial-church-council-pcc/