Preliminary Arrangements:
An Institution and Induction is not only an important event in
the life of the individual priest and his/her family and friends
and a parish, but also an important event for the wider
community and the Deanery and the Diocese. It is a
Diocesan Service. For this reason it is important that the
arrangements are made in such a way that the new ministry
receives support from the wider church and community.
As soon as possible after the date of the Institution has been
agreed, the Area Dean should discuss the service with the
new Incumbent, the churchwardens and the appropriate
Bishop and Archdeacon.
1
Type of service: a choice must be made at an early stage
whether it is appropriate to have a Eucharist or non
Eucharistic service. This must be done in consultation with
the presiding Bishop and the Churchwardens.
2
The Scripture Readings:
The presiding Bishop will
normally choose the scripture readings for the service.
3
Hymns and worship songs: Taking into account both the
resources available and the parish tradition – but also
bearing in mind the wider community so that they are well
known. Copyright must be secured.
4
Invitations: to personal guests of the incumbent designate
but also to Patron, Clergy and Readers in the Deanery, the
lay chairperson, representatives of other denominations,
civic dignitaries, members of parliament etc. The matter of
spouses should also be considered, remembering the
consequences for seating plans, reception and catering. It
should also name the Presiding Bishop, and whether the
service is a Eucharist.
5
Parking needs: The general public and those receiving a
specific invitation need to be considered. Places need to be
saved for the Bishop, Archdeacon and Area Dean. A street
plan would be useful as part of the invitation pack.
6
Robing: where to robe and what to wear is useful for Clergy
and Readers. The Bishop, the
Archdeacon, Bishop`s
Chaplain and Incumbent designate will usually robe in the
clergy vestry. Others elsewhere. The normal vesture is choir
habit. If Eucharistic then the appropriate coloured stole (or
black scarf optional) and albs may be worn.
7
Police Liaison:
 Early consultation with the police is advised. If there is to
be a clergy procession to the church then the police will
need to know.
 Vicarage/Rectory security during Institution/Licensing
Service – liaise with police and have someone stay in the
parsonage house during the event.
 May need to be car parking stewards who work with the
police and keep guard on vehicles.
8
Press Liaison:
 Early consultation with the Diocesan Communications
Adviser is helpful so that publicity will come through the
Diocesan publications and website, as well as local
media.
 The Communications Adviser will help in interviewing and
photographing new clergy before their Institution.
 It is helpful to have a `parish` photographer to record the
event and take a photograph of the new incumbent with
the Bishop ready for publication on the Diocesan website.
9
Delegation within the service:
 Readers of Lessons (Area Dean reads the Gospel,
unless the Bishop is accompanied by a Deacon).
 Welcomes to the new incumbent and whether the spouse
wants to be included. Important not to have too many. Make
sure that they can be heard when they speak.
 Appoint crucifer and acolytes where appropriate, and
rehearse.
 Check with the Bishop about having a Bishop`s Chaplain (if it
is not the Diocesan Bishop)
 Appoint representatives of the PCC to go to the door of the
church with the Incumbent
 Appoint people to take part in presenting the bread and wine,
the Bible, the water at the font and speaking in response – it
might be appropriate for this to be done by an adult and
child.
 Make sure that Churchwardens are briefed about where they
stand and what they do.
 Make sure that the sidespeople are well briefed to give a
warm welcome and be efficient with the seating plan.
10
Delegation beyond the Service:
 Someone to be responsible for sending out the invitations
at least a month in advance.
 Someone to be responsible for car parking and security.
 Someone responsible for catering.
11
Date and Time for Rehearsal: Under direction of the Area
Dean involving the:





The incumbent to be
Churchwardens
PCC reps
Verger/Crucifer
Organist/Musicians
12
Advance notice of the date and time of the Institution
Service needs to be advertised. Everyone is to be welcomed.
13
Incumbent`s Family should sit at the front – with space for
the Incumbent and Patron. Provision needs to be made for
Bishop`s, Archdeacon`s and Area Dean`s spouses.
14
The Area Dean constructs the service in liaison with the
Bishop and new Incumbent using one of the approved
Diocesan forms of service from the Diocesan website. The
draft must be approved by the presiding Bishop before
printing. The Area Dean announces the Hymns only up until
the new priest has been inducted or installed, and leads the
Vestry prayers and comperes the Welcome.
15
The Welcome: normally this should be limited to four/ five
welcomes. A civic welcome, ecumenical, churchwardens,
Area Dean and Church School. (Other welcomes can be
done elsewhere). The Area Dean needs to choreograph this
carefully so that those welcoming can be both seen and
heard. The new incumbent’s spouse may also need to be
invited to be part of the welcome. The Area Dean will need to
make a note of those whom the Presiding Bishop will need to
welcome at the beginning of the service – listing out the new
Incumbent`s family, Civic dignitaries and Ecumenical guests.
16
A small table with a copy of the Bible, a pen with
permanent black ink and blotting paper, should be placed
near the Bishop`s Chair.
17
The Civic Party need to be received before the service by
the Churchwardens/or reps. The Civic party may precede the
Archdeacon in the recessional hymn – leaving adequate
space in front of the Bishop`s procession when the new
incumbent accompanies the Bishop – and applause is
encouraged.
18
The collection for the Bishop`s Ordination Fund should be
counted, the Gift Aid envelopes marked up and a cheque
with the envelopes sent to the Diocesan Secretary at Church
House, Blackburn. The special Gift Aid envelopes for the
Bishop`s Ordination Fund are sent to the church from Church
House.
19
Eucharist: if it is decided to have a Eucharist then there
MUST be adequate provision for extra communion points.
20
Order of procession:
Choir
Representatives of the PCC
Visiting Readers
Visiting Clergy
Ecumenical Ministers
Resident Readers
Resident Clergy
Parish Priest designate with Patron
(Virger)
Area Dean
Archdeacon
(Registrar)
Churchwardens
Bishop
Bishop`s Chaplain
21
On all matters the presiding Bishop is the final arbiter.
Blackburn Diocese January 2012
Preliminary
Arrangements
before a Service
of Institution or
Licensing.
Guidelines for Area Deans,
Churchwardens and
incoming parish priests.