Retired Clergy Officers
The Diocese has three Retired Clergy Officers – one for each Archdeaconry.
They are the first point of contact for advice and to assist in the pastoral support and ministry of retired clergy.
There are regular Quiet Days for Retired Clergy and access to other support.
Retired Clergy Quiet Day – Thursday 22nd October at St Stephen’s Church in St Albans. The speaker will be the Revd Charlotte Bradley, Associate Priest at St Peter’s, St Albans and there will be an opportunity to hear from David Lawson about discussions at the recent National Church Retirement Consultation. Please complete the online booking in the email invitation you’ve been sent.
Support for Retired Clergy
- Retired Clergy Association: Serving the Retired Clergy of the Church of England
- Clergy Support Trust: Charity helping serving and retired clergy across the UK – grants for wellbeing, health and emergencies
- Jane Cart Trust: Support for retiring clergy in the Diocese of St Albans
- St Luke’s for Clergy Wellbeing: Support for psychological and mental health issues
- Church of England Support in Retirement: Welfare, benefits, grants, care, housing and other resources
- Ministry after Retiring from Office: Guidance from the Church of England (September 2021)
- Housing in retirement: Advice from the Church of England Pensions Board
- Housing Options: A guide from the Pensions Board (February 2023)
- Preparing for Retirement: Retirement planning from the Church of England
Permission to Officiate
Clergy with Permission to Officiate (PtO) play a vital and often unsung part in the Church’s mission and we are very thankful for their continued contribution to diocesan life.
You can find information on how to apply for Permission to Officiate in the Diocese of St Albans, as well as renewal of existing PtO and ongoing Pastoral Support, here.
Reports
- Hubbard report: The role and work of Retired Clergy Officers in the Dioceses of the Church of England (October 2024)
- Retired Clergy Association Report : Analysis of the numbers, location and involvement of Retired Clergy in the Church of England
- Hurren report: Nurturing the vocation of Retired Clergy (October 2018)
Contact Robert and David for more information using the email links below:
Bedford Archdeaconry:
St Albans Archdeaconry:
Hertford Archdeaconry:
Vacant
Clergy Bereavement Officers
Also, we have Archdeaconry Clergy Bereavement Officers, who assist parish clergy in providing pastoral care to the lay widow/ers of clergy (stipendiary or non-stipendiary) . They may also be able to offer guidance in relation to the Clergy Pensions Board, applications for charitable grants and housing in general:
- Bedford Archdeaconry: Revd Nick Munday
- Hertford Archdeaconry: Revd Susannah Underwood
- St Albans Archdeaconry: Revd Lizzie Hood
