Council of Trustees

St Thomas Crookes is a Registered Charity No. 1140565.  As such, it is governed by a Council of Trustees adhering to its formal Constitution & Schedule.  As an LEP (Local Ecumenical Partnership) we are accountable to the Church of England via the Diocese of Sheffield and to the Baptist Union via the Yorkshire Baptist Association, as well as to the Charity Commission.  [Note: The Council of Trustees is roughly equivalent to the PCC (Parochial Church Council) in an Anglican Church, or the Deacons’ Meeting in a Baptist Church.]

Some of our Trustees are ‘ex-officio’ – that is, they are Trustees because of the role, or ‘office’ they hold within our church – some of these are staff and others hold voluntary roles – whilst other Trustees are elected from within the church family to represent the wider membership and to bring their own varied histories, skills, experience and faith to the role.

What are the Trustees responsible for?

The Team Rector and church staff have day-to-day responsibility for all aspects of church life and ministry, but the Trustees help to oversee and/or provide accountability for the following practical areas:

  • Finance
  • Campus (buildings)
  • Personnel
  • Safeguarding
  • Eco Church
  • Racial Inclusion
  • Communications
  • Church Planting
  • Nursery

What is the commitment?

  • Usually 4-5 Trustees’ meetings per year – these are normally on a Monday or Tuesday evening at 8pm.
  • Subgroup meetings – we are in the process of forming subgroups for particular purposes to oversee some areas more closely.  Each subgroup will probably have a different pattern of meeting as appropriate.  Membership of a subgroup is voluntary and will depend on your interests, experience and availability.
  • Occasional help – depending on your particular skills and experience, the staff team may call on you for advice, practical help or involvement such as being part of an interview panel, for example.
  • Prayer – as a Trustee you will have insights into the life and ministry of the church which we would hope would fuel your prayers.
  • Most Trustees serve for a period of 3 years, but if you can only commit for one or two years (for example, if you’re a student) that is absolutely fine!
  • Our Deanery Synod representatives also attend meetings with representatives from other local Anglican churches.

Who are the current Trustees?

  • Clergy – Tom Finnemore, Luke Graham
  • Officers – Kevin Quinton (Treasurer), Joe Ovenden (Director of Operations), Ruth Aidley (Secretary)
  • Wardens – Bryony Wells (Anglican), Dan Allwood (Anglican), Graham Blois (Baptist Waarden & Temporary Safeguarding Officer)
  • Deanery Synod Representatives – Jonathan Palmer, Phoebe Leaver
  • Elected Members – Dirk Aderhold, Roshani Bagnall, Henry Claudio, Simone Hardy, Sarah Proctor, Dave Warman

How do I become a Trustee?

A Trustee must be:

  • a church member
  • over 18
  • not bankrupt or otherwise disqualified for office
  • nominated by two other church members – an email to the church office is the preferred method, but verbal nominations at the ACM are allowed
  • willing to serve!

STC Sheffield is committed to equal opportunities and we see diversity as a strength.  STC is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive church which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy, workforce, and Trustees, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.

How do elections work?

  • Elections are held at the Annual Church Meeting (ACM) in April or May of each year.  We can also co-opt extra Trustees at any time of year if needed.
  • If there are fewer nominations than the number of vacancies, all nominees are simply declared duly elected.
  • If there are more nominations than the number of vacancies, an election must be held.  If a simple show of hands is not sufficient, voting slips will be used.
  • All votes must be cast in person (no advance/postal votes)

Legal procedure

  • As St Thomas Crookes is a charity that works with children and vulnerable adults, all Trustees must have a clear DBS check.  You must also fill in a Trustee Declaration and Declaration of Interests, and complete online Basic and Foundations levels of Safeguarding Training.

If you have any questions, or to nominate someone to serve as a Trustee, please do contact the Secretary, Ruth Aidley ([email protected])