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