Our Staff and Structure

The overall governing body of St. Paul’s is the Parochial Church Council (PCC). Members of the PCC are trustees and are legally responsible for the governance of St. Paul’s.)

Click Here for details of current members of the PCC and PCC management structure

Role of PCC

The PCC consists of:

• the clergy of the parish
• licensed lay ministers and workers licensed to the parish
• the church wardens
• members of the General Synod, diocesan synod or deanery synod who are on the electoral roll
• representatives of the laity elected at the annual parochial church meeting.

For us this means that the PCC provides oversight, governance and development regarding:

1. The financial management of the church and all its activities, including budget setting and budget management
2. the management and maintenance of the church buildings
3. The safeguarding of all people that have a relationship with the church using the Diocese of Ely policies (www.elydiocese.org/safeguarding.php)
4. The well being of the congregation and the wider community of St. Paul's
5. Maintaining an effective reporting and accountability structure
6. Outreach into the parish and wider community
7. Pastoral support for vicar and staff
8. Support to the vicar in upholding the theology and the value and moral base of the church
9. Reporting upwards to the diocese when appropriate
10. Taking up appropriate international, national and local issues, including those that might be led by the Church of England

PCC Subgroups

• Ministry and Development  group, chaired by Michael Beckett,  has oversight of the ministry and mission of the church on behalf of the PCC .  It is composed of the clergy,  active licensed lay Ministers, church wardens and  elected  laity members of the PCC .
   
• Worship Leaders Group, chaired by Michael Beckett, meets regularly to monitor and reflect on all things relating to worship and includes those who are involved in worship leading in the church.
   
• Children and Young People – chaired by Julia Evans, oversees church and community activities for children and young people. 
   
• Buildings Operations Group – chaired by Peter Adlington has responsibility for the planning and financial management of the building and its staff on behalf of the PCC.  It ensures that the building is safe, repaired, refurbished, is ready for the Quinquennial buildings inspection and will be left in good shape for the next generation.  It sets and oversees the annual maintenance budget and monitors projects practically and financially in collaboration with the Centre Manager, who is ably supported by the bookkeeper and treasurer.
   
• Programme Group – chaired by Julia Evans co-ordinates and facilitates all the different social events that take place as part of church and community life including working with   St.Paul’s ArtFest Group (see below).  It is responsible for the hospitality programme  and associated social groups.  It plans for providing the church and local community with one-off events, to enhance the sense of community (e.g. Christmas Day Lunch) or to reflect what is happening nationally or locally (e.g. Remembrance Celebrations).
   
• Eco Group – chaired by Jonathan Chaplin who leads our efforts to become an eco-friendly church within the framework of the Arocha ‘Eco-Church’ (www.arocha.org)  programme.  Since the group was formed in 2015, we have received the Arocha Bronze Award in 2017, the first church in Cambridge to gain this award.  St. Paul's is now working towards the Silver.  The awards require the church to meet customized performance targets across five areas; Worship and Teaching; Buildings;  Land; Community and Global Engagement; Lifestyle.  The group meet monthly and plan a range of activities to make progress across each area.  These include preparing termly themes, organising eco-themed services, holding speaker events, reducing energy consumption (currently through installing secondary glazing), recycling, reducing waste, maintaining an eco-friendly garden and campaigning.  The group communicate through notices to the congregation, themed fact sheets and through a dedicated website.  https://ecochurchchair.wixsite.com/stpaulsecochurch
   
• Inclusive Church Group – more details to follow
   
• LGBTQ+ Group – chaired by Andy Gordon explores how to be inclusive.   This group liaises with the Ministry and Development team and meets regularly to discuss ways of making St. Paul’s more inclusive to LGBT+ people. Please contact congregation@stpaulscambridge.org.uk  for details.  Some of St. Paul's congregation members attend the thriving LGBT+ affirming Open Table service at Down Place, United Reformed Church, http//opentable.lgbt/ .  The LGBT+ group invite you to consider signing the Campaign for Equal Marriage in the Church of England.  https://cofe-equal-marriage.org.uk/ 
   
• ARTSFEST  Group - convened by Jane Gresham and Martin Evans meets to plan and organise one off events and a bi-annual Arts Festival held at St. Paul's.