Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) Annual Report 2012 2012 has seen considerable development within the role the DAC fulfils in supporting churches, liaising with the Church Building Council and other interested organisations. In a time of significant change, the DAC is increasing its role in helping churches to explore how they can make best use of their buildings to enhance worship and mission and be at the fore of their local community. In many parts of the diocese the church is often the only remaining public building for the local community. There is a growing awareness that our church buildings can and should be reinvigorated as local assets, as well as places of worship, reaching out to and serving the entire community. Many congregations are exploring how their buildings can offer welcoming, flexible and hospitable spaces to accommodate the needs of the parish they serve. Kitchens and toilets feature large but many new needs are developing which a church building can serve. Meeting rooms, offices and flexible floor space for worship groups, food banks, concerts, playgroups, cafes, heritage interests, school groups, lunch clubs, farmers’ markets, reading groups and space for appointments between individuals and service providers are some of the ideas the DAC has encountered during the course of the year. Such activity supports the view made by the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, speaking in Nottingham in January 2013 that the state can no longer ‘replace’ the Church in carrying out ‘works of mercy’ and that the Church should “grasp the opportunity” presented by an expanding social role. The diocese of Sheffield contains 222 churches and during 2012 requests for advice from almost a quarter of all churches in the diocese resulted in DAC members and advisers collectively making over 200 visits. Advice was given on matters ranging from re-ordering, heating, bells, heating, archaeology, organs, sound, AV and furnishings. Some 150 DAC Certificates were issued with additional Interim or Emergency Orders granted in exceptional circumstances by the Chancellor. Fortunately, the level of metal thefts is beginning to decline but all churches are strongly encouraged to remain vigilant and consult their local Ecclesiastical Insurance representative for advice about making their church secure. The appointment of several new DAC members has increased the range of advice and expertise that churches can freely access and reflects the increasing complexity of projects and new technologies under consideration. Across the diocese it has been rewarding to see how the demands of growing numbers was the reason many churches sought DAC advice. Some are seeking innovative ways to create new spaces and facilities in listed buildings whilst others face the challenge of modern buildings whose materials have reached the end of their lifespan. The role of the DAC is to offer practical, liturgical, aesthetic, legal, and historical guidance so that churches can develop the best feasible solution for their needs whilst avoiding the transience of fashion or quick fix solutions. Some church communities have the resources to develop and research their ideas, fundraise and work with architects but many struggle to find those willing and able to assume these roles. The DAC is able to offer support and indicate churches that have undergone similar projects so that so that ideas and experiences may be shared. The DAC has a duty to point out that a church has a past as well as a future. Churches do not belong to any one generation, nor can their interests and condition be the exclusive care of those who inhabit the parish at any one period of time. Churches which hold and convey the history and heritage of hundreds of years are valued, unique and irreplaceable. For some, the eradication of the past is often seen as the only answer to staving off decline but there are many instances where old buildings nurture flourishing congregations. For many, a church is a readily identifiable place where hope and faith may be found and regardless of the age, size, location, or style of a church, all can be helped to fulfil traditional needs and new challenges. Key points of 2012 Creation of a DAC section of the diocesan website This provides information about the faculty system and is where forms can be downloaded. It also contains information about changes to VAT, funding schemes, Chancel repair liability and other matters relating to the care of buildings. Further advice, links and information will be added during 2013. The majority of queries arrive and are dealt with via email and forms can be supplied electronically. Printed information will always be available for those who do not have internet access. Heritage Lottery Fund announce new funding details The Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) new Grants for Places of Worship scheme replaces the former Repair Grant Scheme administered by English Heritage. The new scheme aims to increase levels of both flexibility and efficiency for applicants. All of the main funding streams are open to churches and the HLF believe that the 16,000 church buildings in England are key places for people to learn about and engage with the history and heritage. As they often represent the oldest or most significant building in villages, towns and cities across England, the HLF are keen to see more churches as focal points for the community to appreciate their local heritage. Greater engagement with the Church Buildings Council Members of the CBC will visit the diocese in March to look at major schemes being considered by Finningley, Wadworth and Campsall. Department of Media Culture and Sport (DCMS) one-off capital grants Tankersley (£9000), Fir Vale (£9500) and Fishlake (£4000) each successfully applied for and were awarded DCMS grants. Jerusalem Trust Prize In November Kirk Sandall & Edenthorpe was joint winner of this national prize, which was presented at the Church of St Stephen Walbrook in the City of London. The competition was launched a year ago to encourage parish churches to engage their communities in thinking about a high quality contemporary artwork to add to the beauty and significance of their church building. There were over 50 entries from parishes large and small, old and new, rural and urban from Cumbria to Cornwall. Anne Sloman, Chair of the Church Buildings Council said, ‘It has illustrated that the Church of England is alive and kicking in very different communities across the land’… ‘The heritage of the past which our churches are so fortunate to contain can sit very happily with the art of the present’. Statements of Significance, Statements of Needs and Church Development Plans These are becoming essential components of any significant application for funding. They are also key tools in helping your church explore its history and tell its story, whether that is of a medieval or modern building. More information about how to produce them will be made available on the church website. Headstones, burials and churchyards These continue to be a noticeable area of dissent as many families now consider headstones and graves should display personal and sentimental embellishments, which often do not accord with Christian beliefs or are in breach of the Chancellor’s guidelines. The leaving of numerous objects on graves can prove disturbing for other families and inhibit the general care of the churchyard whilst there is a rise in family disputes over the wording, style and form of headstones and graves. A Consistory Court highlighted the need for the DAC to be active and alert to potential difficulties and incumbents are encouraged to refer families to the faculty process as soon as possible if they foresee problems arising in this area. Work is in hand to provide guidance to incumbents, families, undertakers and monumental masons to try and avoid difficulties at a time of distress. Changes to the Faculty Process The CBC is currently reviewing the faculty process and it is encouraging to hear that ease of use and access are key areas under examination. DAC Members and Advisers Considerable thanks are due to all for their time, expertise, enthusiasm and concern. Without the dedication and knowledge of DAC members and advisers, many projects would either flounder or not reach their full potential. Members offer advice, speak with amenity societies and other bodies on behalf of our churches, provide case studies and offer suggestions to enhance projects from replacing boilers to re-ordering. The DAC looks forward to working with all across our diocese who strive to blend the best of their past with the best of the new to create innovative, useful and sacred spaces. Julie Banham DAC Secretary January 2013