News

General Easter Vestry

What is the General Vestry?

General Vestry is a body that meets (usually annually) to agree the financial statements of the church and other reports. This is a key part of the governance of a parish. Members of the General Vestry are eligible to stand for election to Select Vestry, propose or second another member to be considered and to vote for the membership of the Select Vestry at the Easter Vestry which is effectively the church’s AGM. The register for General Vestry is only open for one month a year (usually some time January and February). We advertise that it is open on our website, around the buildings, in our emails and from the front of church so that you can’t miss it.

What is the Select Vestry?

The Select Vestry is the body that is responsible for the governance of the parish. They are automatically registered as the trustees of the “charity” with the Charity Commission NI.

The range of responsibilities of the Select Vestry include: – being responsible for maintaining church property (church, halls, rectory, grounds) also known as the “glebe” – Ensuring good governance in the areas of finance, GDPR, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Human Resources and other policies and procedures relating to the ongoing work of the church. – Appointing a treasurer and secretary of the vestry to be responsible for those areas of governance.

The Select Vestry is made up of: – 2 Church Wardens (one appointed by the Rector, one elected by the General Vestry) – 2 Glebe Wardens (one appointed by the Rector, one elected by the General Vestry) – Up to 12 members who are elected annually by the General Vestry

This years General Easter vestry will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 25th March in the Church Hall.

Safeguarding Training.

7pm Monday 9 March 2026

St Nicholas, Rev Chris St John

To register your attendance please email Connor Safeguarding Compliance Officer David McGrory at davidmcgrory@connordiocese.org.

It is the policy of the Church of Ireland to Safeguard both children and adults sharing in its ministry and to protect them from of forms of harm, and abuse. At St Nicholas we have adopted these policies and abide by them. If you have any concerns as to the safety of an adult or a child please report it immediately to the PSNI, Social Services or to the church's safeguarding panel.

Safeguarding

Child Safeguarding Panel Members

Rev Chris St John

Raymond Gilbert

Sharon Maxwell

Adult Safeguarding Panel Members

Rev Chris St John

Raymond Gilbert

Karen Miles

Check out safeguarding page of this Website

Some people have recently asked about Counselling. You may find the following link useful:
https://www.christianguidelines.org

Counselling

Get In Touch

028 9336 0061
office@saintnicholas.org.uk

Address

St Nicholas' Parish Halls
3 Lancasterian Street
Carrickfergus
BT38 7AB
N Ireland