For more than a century, the Diocese of Winchester’s Clerical Registry has helped ensure worship continues across our churches whenever clergy cover is needed. It has been described as ‘the RAC to the PCC’! The Registry is made up of experienced priests, many of whom are retired, who hold Permission to Officiate (PTO), DBS clearance and up-to-date safeguarding training, and are willing to cover services beyond their own parishes.
Whether covering a single Sunday, leading services during a vacancy or officiating at weddings, baptisms and funerals, Registry clergy provide invaluable support to churches across the diocese.
The Clerical Registry is always looking to welcome new members. Here are the stories of three of our clergy who explain why continuing in service brings them joy and why they would encourage others to join.
Revd Angie Gammon
I started my career as a teacher, then I became a nurse, and then I trained as a counsellor. Finally, after 25 years of God calling, I said ‘yes’ to ordination training and it’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.
I became an incumbent quite quickly after being ordained. I moved to Burley, in the heart of the New Forest, where I served 9 years before retiring. Within three months of leaving, Bishop Debbie, who was then our bishop, gave me Permission to Officiate and I have been wonderfully used ever since in service around this area.
I joined the Clerical Registry because spiritually I felt the Lord called me to do it and practically, I wasn’t ready to hang up my dog collar.
Sometimes it’s just a one-off Sunday service, but I’ve also stepped in for months at a time, while a church has been in vacancy. This Summer has been particularly busy with seven weddings, three baptisms, and only one Sunday off between June and mid-September.
What I find amazing is that I still am able to do the part of being an incumbent that I love the most. I don’t have the PCC meetings, faculties and the administration that came with parish life, but I still have the privilege of leading worship and ministering to people.
It’s really rewarding because I get to know the congregations. I learn their likes and dislikes and building that rapport is lovely. Equally, I’m happy to be parachuted in for a Sunday or two. There’s a sense of privilege that the Lord is still using me, even though I’m no longer in full-time ministry.
It’s broadened my ministry and I enjoy the variety because I might visit a high church or one more charismatic. To an extent, you become a chameleon and work collaboratively as far as is possible. I enjoy every aspect of it.
Funeral ministry is especially precious to me because people are raw in their grief and they allow me into that place of agony and are very open with me. Hearing their stories make it so wonderfully worthwhile.
There’s also something about getting alongside congregations who have been in vacancy for a long time and perhaps hurting. It’s almost like putting my arms around them.
The older I have got and the more experience I have gained, the more relaxed I’ve become when I take worship now. I can simply be me.
I would say to anyone considering joining the Clerical Registry that you can be in control of how much you do. I choose to do a lot, because I can see that people are needed but you’d be just as welcome if you offered one service a month or every six weeks, especially during the holiday season.
A lot of people tell me I do too much, but I still can and I still want to. As my body ages, my enthusiasm and my dedication increases. Some Sundays I lead two or even three services, so I come home tired but it’s a happy tired and I love it. I’m carrying on with my ministry with great joy.
Revd Michael Kenning
I retired in 2010, but I actually joined the Clerical Registry before because, even when I was in full-time ministry, I was able to go and help other churches where the vicar might have been on holiday or they needed cover.
I had been vicar at Steventon since 1992. I wanted to join the Clerical Registry because I was conscious that many churches couldn’t have a communion service because there weren’t enough clergy attached to the parish or the benefice to cover services.
Retired clergy can enable congregations to continue to have a communion service regularly if they wish. Many congregations would lose that opportunity were it not for retired clergy helping out.
I enjoy meeting different congregations and feeling that I’m contributing to the life of that community by covering a service. I was ordained in 1971, and in a sense, ministry is so ingrained in me that I want to carry on, even though I’m no longer in full-time ministry.
I also have a more personal reason for continuing, despite my age. Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. The nurse, who was looking after me, turned out to be someone I’d prepared for confirmation, and my surgeon was a Christian who had trained at a Christian hospital in North India. We spent time talking and he keeps in touch with me.
There were complications after the operation, and I spent five weeks in hospital, but everything turned out well. I felt the Lord had looked on me extremely well and I wanted to carry on serving him. The Clerical Registry has enabled me to do that.
Another reason for wanting to continue ministry was my passion for playing the piano. I’ve played since the age of seven, and I think that too is a blessing that God has given me, so I wanted to carry on using that gift.
One of the challenges of visiting a church for the first time is that you don’t know the congregation or what’s happening in the parish. Preparing a sermon, which is going to be applicable for the people who are there, can sometimes prove difficult because you are walking into the unknown.
For people thinking about joining the Clerical Registry I would say that it’s great fun and every congregation I have visited over the years has been encouraging. We may come from different backgrounds, but there’s always a very warm welcome.
Revd Bruce Hartnell
I’ve been a clergyman for pretty much all my working life, 60 or so years now. I was an ordinand of this diocese, and spent most of my ministry in Southampton, apart from a few years working in a theological college and a parish near Maidenhead.
I worked in the university chaplaincy in Southampton before spending 20 years in Sholing. When I retired, my wife decided I shouldn’t do anything by way of duty as a clergyman for a year. It also gave me the opportunity to pay back some of her care for me and our family. I only had a little over 12 months before she died.
After that I returned to Swaythling, the parish where I’d started out, recognising that I needed to be looked after. I joined the team as a retired priest for about 10 years before joining the Clerical Registry.
I like the irresponsibility of it. There’s no question of being on the PCC or discussing changes. It’s about sustaining the worshipping life of a parish, which doesn’t have enough clergy, or perhaps anybody at all, to lead services.
When you visit a church, you’re there to help with the way they worship. If it’s a Book of Common Prayer service, that’s what you do. We won’t change it. You join in with hymns and songs that you might not have chosen.
I like the feeling that I’m preparing for a Sunday or a Tuesday service, and then my responsibility ends. I certainly try to be awake to any pastoral need, and I will pray alongside anyone who is anxious or needs encouragement but it’s a limited commitment.
I’ve always found people to be very appreciative. They realise you’ve travelled to be with them and are pleased to see you and to hear you. I think that’s a pretty good deal.
One of the great blessings of a clerical life, is that it is possible to continue serving after retirement. There are checks and training of course and you need a Bishop’s Permission to Officiate and to keep up to date with courses, particularly in safeguarding.
I think the COVID experience was particularly revealing. I wasn’t ill, but I was down at heart and living alone. This work is very beneficial because it gives me a sense of being of some use and appreciated. To that extent, it makes a great difference.
I’m 84 years old now and while I’ve got a driving licence and a reliable car, I want to fill in if I can. When I get a request, I look at my diary. If I’m already committed, I simply say so. I never feel under pressure. What you’re able to offer is gratefully received.
For anyone thinking about joining the Clerical Registry, I would say you will find it surprisingly rewarding. People are very good at saying ‘it’s lovely to have you here’ and they mean it.
It can be a blow to a church to find that the minister is leaving or retiring and there’s uncertainty. To have somebody come alongside who is cheerful and reliable and there to provide support, can make a big difference. I recommend it to those of my colleagues who haven’t already done it.
Find out more about the Clerical Registry here, or email: clerical.registry@winchesterdiocese.org
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