There are five kinds of Visits which directly affect the Churchwardens.

1. THE ANNUAL VISITATION
Following the period of Annual General Meetings when Churchwardens are elected, they are asked to attend at the Cathedral (in the Canterbury Archdeaconry) or in one of a number of churches (in the Maidstone Archdeaconry) to be sworn in. This is also an occasion when the Archdeacon will deliver an Address and pass on information and news of developments which will be of importance to Churchwardens during the year. Customarily Sidespersons and more recently members of the PCC have joined this Visitation and are also sworn in. But the Churchwarden is really the person at the centre of this occasion, to be sworn in as the “Bishop’s Officer” within the parish.

2. AREA DEAN’S PARISH VISIT (TRIENNIAL VISITATION)
Information contained in Appendix A (pages 3 to 5) give the origin and scope of this Visitation.

3. CHURCH BUILDING - QUINQUENNIAL INSPECTION
A quinquennial inspection is carried out on every church by an approved Architect to survey the state of the building and make recommendations. The parish bears the cost of this inspection.

4. PARISH RECORDS - QUINQUENNIAL INSPECTION
The Diocesan Archivist carries out a quinquennial inspection of Parish registers, records and archives. The cost is borne by the Diocese.

5. PARISH VISIT
There is now a rolling programme of parish visits made by the Bishops and Archdeacons over two years. This gives the Bishop/Archdeacon an opportunity to meet with clergy and review ministry. It is also an opportunity for the Bishop/Archdeacon to meet other members of the parish and visit e.g. a school. There is also a meeting with the PCC. This is an opportunity for parish responses to the Diocesan Policy Objectives to be shared (Appendix B) and for an exchange about future priorities/needs of the parish to be discussed.

Appendix A

Appendix B