Churchwardens are the senior lay representatives of the parish. The role of the churchwarden is extremely varied but generally involves management, maintenance, and mission50 in accordance with the Churchwardens Measure 2001 and the Canons of the Church of England (see in particular Canon E1). They are the foremost in representing the laity and in co-operating with the incumbent, and they have a duty to maintain order and decency in the church and churchyard, particularly during the times of divine service. In cooperation with the incumbent, churchwardens are generally responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the parish. In relation to safeguarding, the churchwardens work with the incumbent, PCC, and parish safeguarding officer to:Ensure that in the period of a vacancy (during an interregnum), that the incumbent’s safeguarding roles and responsibilities are fulfilled, in consultation with the PCC, parish safeguarding officer and the area dean; Pay attention to the specific needs of children and vulnerable adults when undertaking health and safety inspections and risk assessment; Ensure that risk assessments are carried out before new activities are undertaken; Ensure that all parish activities with children and vulnerable adults are adequately supervised and insured; Ensure that the parish has procedures for responding to complaints51 and grievances; Answer questions regarding safeguarding as they arise in the archdeacon’s visitations, and respond to any specific safeguarding advice, which may be given from the archdeacon.
Each Parish Safeguarding Officer’s (PSO) role is to: Work closely with the incumbent to advise within the parish on all safeguarding matters relating to children, young people, and vulnerable adults; Receive, with the incumbent, any concerns about children or adults in the parish and make sure that proper advice is sought and proper referrals are made; Report all matters relating to concerns and allegations of abuse against church officers, in liaison with the incumbent, to the diocesan safeguarding adviser who will liaise with the statutory agencies, as required. Concerns about the incumbent should be raised directly with the DSA; Ensure that any ex-offenders with offenses against children or vulnerable adults known to be in the church community are notified to the diocesan safeguarding adviser and contribute to managing Safeguarding Agreements; Promote safer practices in all activities and make any recommendations required taking into account the particular arrangements of the parish; Seek to ensure that Safer Recruitment practice is followed, with the support of the diocese. Attend diocesan safeguarding training at least every three years; Maintain safeguarding records; Complete national, diocesan, and parish safeguarding self-assessments as required;
The PCC is the main decision-maker of a parish. Its members are clergy, churchwardens and others elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) of the parish. Its powers and duties are defined by legislation and can principally be found in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. It has the responsibility, along with the incumbent to promote the mission of God in its parish. Legally, the PCC is responsible for the finances of the parish. It also has ultimate responsibility for the care and maintenance of all church buildings and their contents. Although these responsibilities are executed by the churchwardens, all PCC members must share in the oversight. It has a voice in the forms of Service used by the church and may make representations to the bishop on matters that affect the welfare of the parish. The newly elected members including the priest are: Rev. Fr. Dennis Obidiegwu - (Priest)Veere GreeneyPatrick Zeon Ezekiel VictorRonald WestPaul Irabor
Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus.<sup id="cite_ref-Christmas_Eve_4-0">[4]</sup> Christmas Day is observed around the world, and Christmas Eve is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas Day. Together, both days are considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Christendom and Western society. Christmas celebrations in the denominations of Western Christianity have long begun on Christmas Eve, due in part to the Christian liturgical day starting at sunset,<sup id="cite_ref-Jerusalem_Center_5-0">[5]</sup> a practice inherited from Jewish tradition<sup id="cite_ref-Dictionary_6-0">[6]</sup> and based on the story of Creation in the Book of Genesis: "And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day."<sup id="cite_ref-Genesis_7-0">[7]</sup> Many churches still ring their church bells and hold prayers in the evening; for example, the Nordic Lutheran churches.<sup id="cite_ref-NE_8-0">[8]</sup> Since tradition holds that Jesus was born at night (based in Luke 2:6-8), Midnight Mass is celebrated on Christmas Eve, traditionally at midnight, in commemoration of his birth.<sup id="cite_ref-Vatican_Today_9-0">[9]</sup> The idea of Jesus being born at night is reflected in the fact that Christmas Eve is referred to as Heilige Nacht (Holy Night) in German, Nochebuena (the Good Night) in Spanish and similarly in other expressions of Christmas spirituality, such as the song "Silent Night, Holy Night".
