The retirement of the current Dean of Guernsey will have a short term impact on church services – and he’s also expressed concerns over the long-term future of his island parish.
Although the Very Reverend Tim Barker does not officially retire until the end of this month, he gave his last sermon at St Andrew’s Church last weekend.
Speaking then, and writing in the parish newsletter, Reverend Barker acknowledged his retirement adds to the “very precarious” future of St Andrew’s church.
He warned the parish needs at least two more volunteers to join the Church Management Committee or the church won’t meet its legal obligations under Guernsey’s charity laws.
“As I prepare to lay down my responsibilities as Rector, I have to be frank about my concerns for the future governance of St Andrew’s church,” warned the Dean.
Clarifying that congregation numbers compare well with other churches, he said the parish “may have to face some very difficult and unpalatable decisions in the not-too-distant future about whether St Andrew’s church can continue to operate in accordance with Guernsey’s charity law”.
“Guernsey’s charity law requires us to have at least three ‘managing officials’ – and in
practice, this means having at least four, to secure against any absences or illness,” he explained.
“We urgently need at least one person – and ideally two – to volunteer to be a ‘managing official’ and member of the Church Management Committee,” he urged.
The main tasks include representing St Andrew’s church in discussions with the Deanery of Guernsey about the future provision of ministry, ensuring the good governance of the church as a charity, and attending meetings of the Church Management Committee and the Parochial Church Property Management Board.
The Dean’s departure adds to the number of clergy vacancies in Guernsey, along with church properties being sold amid warnings that it might be hard to find new rectors if they have to rent on the private sector.
There are currently three clergy vacancies – at Castel, St Andrew’s, and St Sampson’s churches, with three further vacancies expected to open up in St Saviour’s and Torteval, when Mark Charmley leaves Guernsey in August; and in St Martin’s, when Daniel Foot leaves in July.
“There is only so much that the remaining clergy can do,” warned the retiring Dean.
As Rector of St Andrew’s, Reverend Barker had led mass on Sunday mornings and other services, but the 08:00 mass on Sundays will now have to be dropped.
The Revd Canon Jon Honour will be acting Dean following Reverend Barker’s retirement.
He has said he’ll “endeavour to ensure the continuing provision of retired clergy and others who will offer ministry at St Andrew’s church”.
Canon Honour will also be working with church officers to consider the future provision of ministry at St Andrew’s church – and the other churches in Guernsey which are currently without rectors.
An announcement on Guernsey’s new Dean is expected later this year.
