The Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit is entirely self-supporting and relies totally on donations from members, friends and visitors - please would you consider making a donation here
The Spanish rules for representation of members
of Associations state quite clearly that each individual must have a
‘voice’ within the Association, though it does say that the Association
(in this case, as a member of the Diocese of Europe) can organise
representation in a manner which allows it to operate appropriately and
consistently within that organisation
This Chaplaincy, as the ‘Association’, has
adopted the general ‘management’ format of the Church of England, as long
as it can be operated within Spanish Law, and as guided by FEREDE
The 'Association' has to be registered with the Ministry of Justice (via FEREDE), and have a constituted administrative junta
legally responsible for ensuring that the Association is operated correctly, and act as a ‘vehicle’ to represent each individual - thereafter the way that the Association is formulated, devolved and operated is the responsibility of that Association within Spanish LawTo view a copy of the current certificate, please go here - please use the browser back button to return to this page after viewing
This is the de facto
Chaplaincy Council Standing Committee as understood by the Church of England, and follows the common practice of the Church of England unless there is conflict between that practice and Spanish Law
1. The
Junta Directiva
(aka the Standing
Committee of the Chaplaincy Council)
This group consists of the
President of the Association, the
Secretary, the Treasurer and
other representatives who may form part of this group - in the case of the
Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit, in the Costa Blanca, the other
representatives are two designated Chaplaincy Wardens
The function of this group is to ensure that
the Chaplaincy is ‘legal’ in Spain, controls the assets of the Chaplaincy
in a prudent manner according to the Canons of the Church, and ensures
oversight of the provision of the Ministry of the Church for that
Chaplaincy
This group is the ‘employing entity’ for
ensuring the employment of suitable ministers to carry out the Ministry of
the Church on behalf of the Chaplaincy (that is, in compliance both with
Spanish employment Law, the requirements of FEREDE and the requirements of
the Diocese in Europe in so far as there is no conflict
with Spanish Law)
It is to ensure the day-to-day efficient
overall operation of the Chaplaincy on behalf of the Chaplaincy Council
in Spain,
including disbursement of funds, and to bring matters to council for
discussion
The
President of
this group, among other duties as required,
1.1 may
act as an official signatory on behalf of the Chaplaincy
1.2 calls
and oversees meetings with representatives from each worship centre who
together with the Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer, the elected Chaplaincy
Synod representatives and the publicity officer (if
needed) for the Chaplaincy
Council
1.3 oversees
the day to day operation of the Chaplaincy in respect of its Ministry and
the provision thereof with the clergy of the Chaplaincy and the Chaplaincy
Wardens
1.4 oversees
the day-to-day operation of the Chaplaincy in respect of its legal
obligations to the Spanish state and the Diocese in Europe (and by
extension, the Church of England) taking guidance and recommendation from
the other members of the Standing committee
1.5 will
carry out any other duties which may from time to time be necessary
This post may be held on an annual basis by one
of the licenced ministers or a lay member of the Chaplaincy (ie. a member
on the electoral roll) duly elected at the Annual Chaplaincy Meeting each
year - if the President is a member of clergy, there must also be elected
a lay vice-president - to follow Church of England practice, it is
recommended that the president normally be a member of clergy
There shall be elected a Lay
Vice-Chair, required under the Constitution of the
Diocese in Europe - while it it is not strictly necessary in Spain,
it is required if the president of the Association is a serving member of
the clergy, for compliance in the Church of England
The Secretary of
this group, among other duties as required
2.1 keeps
the official records of the Chaplaincy
2.2 calls
for reports as required in order to service the Chaplaincy Council meeting
and Annual Chaplaincy meeting
2.3 records
the proceedings of the meetings, and produces minutes for approval as a
true record for distribution as appropriate
2.4acts
as liaison between the Chaplaincy and the Chaplaincy notary in respect of
legal matters
2.5 acts
as liaison between the Chaplaincy and the Diocese in Europe as required
2.6 acts
as second signatory to bank transactions
2.7 undertakes
any other duties which may from time to time be necessary
The
Treasurer of
this group, among other duties as required
3.1 receives,
accounts for and disburses any monies given, donated, earned or otherwise
due to the Chaplaincy from any source
3.2 maintains
a record of all such financial activities
3.3 prepares
accounts as required to inform the Standing Committee, Chaplaincy Council
and Annual Chaplaincy Meeting
3.4 ensures
the production of annual accounts, duly audited, for the Annual Chaplaincy
Meeting and for submission to the Diocesan Operations Manager and
Accountant
3.5 advises
and makes recommendations on the financial operation of the Chaplaincy to
the Standing Committee based on the current state of financial health of
the Chaplaincy, this on a regular basis
3.6 acts
as Chaplaincy signatory for all fiscal documentation relevant to the
requirements of the Chaplaincy gestor
3.7 acts
as principal signatory to bank transactions
3.8 undertakes
any other duties which may from time to time be necessary
The
Chaplaincy Wardens (2) of
this group, among other duties
4.1 represent
the Chaplaincy at all functions, as may be required
4.2 represent
the Bishop
4.3 support
the clergy of the Chaplaincy in carrying out their ministry
4.4 liaise
with the Archdeaconry and Diocese as may be
required
4.5 oversee
the day-to-day operation of the worship centres in the Chaplaincy
4.6 help
and advise the worship centres in the Chaplaincy, as required
4.7 offer
a service of Morning Prayer, in the absence of a member of clergy (in
emergency or for operational reasons)
4.9 undertake
any other duties which may from time to time be necessary
The Chaplaincy Safeguarding Officer
and as required
The Chaplaincy Press and Information Officer
(s)
2. The Chaplaincy Council
The Council is made up of the individuals set out above, elected Synod representatives the number (dependant on the number on the Electoral Roll, but may also be a worship centre representative) and one representative (or a nominated substitute) from each worship centre, according to duties set out below - membership is not exhaustive, and may include representation from other Chaplaincy initiatives (for example, the Fund Raising Action Committee and other local entities recognised by the Chaplaincy)
If necessary or appropriate, it is acceptable that an alternative representative attend Council, providing that any views presented are representative of that group
3. Conduct
of Chaplaincy Council business
The Secretary will call for papers three weeks
before the scheduled council meeting - it is the intention of the Standing
Committee to circulate papers to each representative so that there is one
clear Sunday for the representative to receive any comments other than
those submitted by e-mail
These papers are not confidential, and may be
freely discussed
Any other business must be notified to the
Secretary four days before the scheduled council meeting to allow the
Standing Committee to prepare a considered answer
Council minutes will be prepared and circulated
as soon as possible after the council meeting - you should bear in mind
that the Secretary is a volunteer and personal time constraints may well
be a factor in the timescale of preparation
They may be freely distributed, BUT any item
referring to personally sensitive information will be redacted
in the minutes, on the
instruction of the Chair, and must not be verbally shared outside the
council meeting
4. Worship Centres
Individual Worship Centres (that is each centre where regular worship takes place, but excluding services at retirement homes or hospices) - the Chaplaincy as a whole is regarded by the Diocese as being the 'Church'
They are to
5.1 elect
a representative local group or committee from within their regular
membership, with responsibilities to ensure the smooth running of worship
or other recognised and organised activity at their centre, in liaison
with the appointed clergy for that centre, or any other clergy taking any
service at that centre - this group to be chaired by the appointed clergy
and with oversight of the Standing Committee and/or Chaplaincy Wardens as
appropriate
Note that
these
individuals are specifically NOT ‘wardens’
in any sense of the accepted interpretation of ‘Churchwarden’ within the
Constitution of the Diocese in Europe - each
Chaplaincy has only two such 'Churchwardens', that is two elected Chaplaincy Wardens
Each Worship Centre must
commit to ensuring that church services and activities organised locally
can take place - how this is done is up to the local centre and its
guiding clergy, but should not be the responsibility of any one individual
as a ‘duty’
This to include
6.1 that
the worship centre is actually available for use for the activity - this
caveat is due to the fact that we have no
de facto control over how the building
owners may choose to use their premises - those acting as key-holders on
behalf of the worship centre should arrange for their availability as
needed
Please note:
In the event that another group, not
directly part of the Chaplaincy activities, use the same premises, it is
not the responsibility for the worship centre to unlock or lock the
premises on their behalf, nor to facilitate that group - we carry no
responsibility (nor yet insurance) for that activity, and the group must
make their own arrangements with the owners of the building for entry,
insurance, security and conditions of use
J. Elaine Mitchell
Secretary
Email: albirchurch@gmail.com