This policy sets out the procedure by which ashes are interred in the churchyard of Holy Trinity, Prestwood following the installation of the Ashes Garden Memorial in 2021.
In June 2022 the PCC adopted a Climate Strategy (attached). One of the most popular ways for churches to engage with the climate crisis is through the A Rocha Eco Church Awards Scheme. This is our primary means of addressing the climate crisis in our church. We acheived a Bronze Award in January 2024, and are currently working towards our Silver award.
In March 2020 Oxford Diocesan Synod gave its overwhelming support to a motion that declares a Climate Emergency and commits the diocese to a wide-ranging plan of practical action, prayer and advocacy, including a move towards a net-zero target.
Bishop Olivia has created some very accessible short videos which give a theological take about why we should care for creation at all levels in the Church. You can access them here: (5) Care for Creation - YouTube. Please watch them.
In January 2020 the General Synod of the Church of England also responded to the Climate Emergency by encouraging all parts of the Church of England to recognise it and to take coordinated action toward a target of Net Zero by 2045 (GS 2159 Climate Emergency and Carbon Reduction Target.pdf (churchofengland.org))
The five marks of mission were developed by the Anglican Consultative Council in 1984. Since then, they have been widely adopted as an understanding of what contemporary mission is about. The Fifth Mark of Mission tells us, “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”
There are resources on the Diocesan website that explore how churches have begun to address this. Diocese of Oxford | Environmental action (anglican.org)
For those of you who want to dive deep into the theology the Papal Encyclical Laudate Si’ is a very influential document.
We welcome children and other baptised Christians to receive communion in our church. This policy outlines our welcome to those who wish to receive communion before confirmation.
We affirm that anyone who has been baptised in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit should be accepted as fully initiated into the family of Christ, and be included into our community regardless of gender, age, sexuality, race, social standing, physical or mental disability or health. Our welcome should echo that of the welcome in our baptism service: “We welcome you into the fellowship of faith; we are children of the same heavenly Father; we welcome you.” We also recognise the importance of communion as part of an active Christian life. It is our responsibility to include anyone who has been baptised into our Eucharistic community and help sustain them on their Christian journey.
Pcc Members (the Trustees) of HTP have a duty to act in the best interests of HTP and must not use their position as a trustee to their own personal benefit. Conflicts of interest occur when a trustee’s personal or business interests or the interests of any person or organisation to which the trustee is connected conflict, or have the potential to conflict, with the interests of HTP.
This policy describes the controls, limits and responsibilities that assure the financial accountability of expenditure within the church.
Our Health and Safety policy is a really simple. We've thought about everything we do, and if you follow these simple procedures you'll know that you are being safe—protecting yourself and other people. And, as a church, it means we can let people get on with activities without worry. The Health and Safety Policy is really simple to use. Download the policy relating to your activity. (These policies are also printed, and copies are placed in suitable locations.) In each policy document you'll find a short description of the risks we've identified and a table of actions to take to minimise and manage the risks. Make sure you, and anyone you're working with, follows those Required Actions. It's as simple as that. It is absolutely imperative that people follow the Required Actions for the activity they are undertaking. If we use our common sense and follow the Required Actions we know we are safe. If we don't, we are not safe, and we are creating risks for ourselves and others—both physical risks, and risks of liability if something goes wrong. So please follow these simple policies and enjoy what you do!
General Principles (Part 00), Normal Services (Part01), Services with Congregational Candles (Part 02), Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals (Part 03), Cooking Facilities (Part 04), Organised Meals (Part 05), Lone Working (Part 06), Church Cleaning (Part 07), Working at Heights (Part 08), General Fire Risk (Part 09), Car Park Management (Part 10), Churchyard Maintenance (Part 11), Children's Church (Part 12), Fusion Youth Group (Part 13), School Clubs (Part 14), Toddler Thursdays (Part 15), Bumps and Babies (Part 17), Employment of External Contractors (Part 21), External Users (Part 22), External Users - Abridged version (Part 22).
We are an Inclusive Church. In 2016 the PCC passed a resolution stating support for the Inclusive Church Statement.
“We believe in inclusive church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate.
We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality.
We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”
This statement is on our website and printed in Orders of Service.
It was last reviewed in 2023, and the revised Inclusive Church Statement was adopted.
Your privacy is important to us. We collect, use, record and destroy data in line with our Privacy Policy.
The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of the whole Church. Everyone who participates in the life of the Church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all. The Church of England safeguarding policy statement is based on 5 foundations and offers 6 overarching policy commitments:
This policy applies to all Church Bodies and Church Officers. Full understanding of, and adherence to, our policies should lead to a deepening in the understanding of, and respect for, the rights of children, young people and vulnerable adults as people of faith in the life of the Church. Here are our safeguarding policies, which are renewed every year.
Download:
If you need to contact someone regarding safeguarding or child protection, please get hold of our Safeguarding Contacts.
The 'Promoting a Safer Church' document is publicised and promoted, and available to all Church Officers.
Access the 'Parish Safeguarding handbook and other C of E resources.
The Parish Safeguarding Handbook states that the incumbent and the PCC will:
We follow the guidance in Section 7 of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, which is summarised below (open page to view).
The PCC must approve the use of social media and mobile phones by the church. Where there are Facebook or similar online groups set up on the church’s behalf,the PCC must ensure there is a named person to whom all workers are accountable. The named person is the Rector, and during a vacancy the churchwardens. The attached use policy is based on and to be read in conjunction with Section 12 of the Parish Safeguarding Handbook.
This employee handbook sets out the employment framework within Holy Trinity Church. The main terms and conditions of employment for employees are summarised in their Job Description. The employee handbook contains further information, policies and procedures. Full details of any conditions, policies and procedures can be obtained from the incumbent or during an interregnum the churchwarden. The handbook, and the word documents that make it up, are also available on the Secretary's OneDrive in the 'Staff Handbook' folder.
Terms of reference/structure for the PCC and sub-committees.
The Holy Trinity, Prestwood policy for transporting vulnerable adults and children.
Holy Trinity, Prestwood is an Inclusive Church. We are part of the Church of England.
We are in the Oxford diocese and the Wendover Deanery.
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity, Prestwood is a registered charity, no. 1129233.