1. Invitation/Stationing Briefing May 2017

2. Consider the process in three stages:
Preparation
When an extension is being sought
When a new appointment is required.

3. Stage 1 - Preparation.. Appointment of a Circuit Invitation Committee
Standing committee C1
Membership Circuit Stewards, ex officios and others C3
Chaired by Superintendent unless they are being considered for extension
Discuss with District Chair or Lay Stationing rep whether District Support is needed. C4.

4. Stage 1 - Preparation… Attend briefing session and brief rest of team
Familiarise yourself with the Code of Practice
Should be followed
It is not a set of guidelines
Contains key dates – put them in diaries
Consult with District when it is recommended
If in doubt ask.

5. Stage 1 - Preparation…. Reflections – May/June
Circuit stewards D4 & D6(a)
Presbyters and Deacons D3 & D6(b)
Don’t rush – give sufficient time
Informal approach to Presbyter or Deacon D5
Extend appointment
Enter stationing
If in doubt continue with the extension process (Opportunity 1).

6. Stage 2 – Extension being sought..
Section E of the CoP is relevant for Presbyters
Section J of the CoP is relevant for Deacons
When a Minister has indicated their wish for an extension to be considered consult SO 545 (Presbyters) or SO 546 (Deacons) before starting this stage
Circuit Stewards offer to meet Minister and members of her/his family to discuss any personal or family issues they feel would be relevant to the process and then agree the form and length of the consultation – no longer than 3 weeks. E3/E4: J4/J5

7. Stage 2 – Extension being sought…
Consultation must be in accordance with the Code of Practice – probably takes place in July but take care of holiday periods E5, E18 & J6, J18.
Circuit Stewards are responsible for the consultation
Circuit Stewards prepare a written report on the consultation, focus on actions, gifts and graces avoid personal criticism. Share the report with the minister
Give the minister time to reflect on the content of the report
In a meeting with the minister the Circuit Stewards should ascertain whether an extension is still being sought. Any notes taken at this meeting shall be agreed. E8 & J8 (Opportunity 2)

8. Stage 2 – Extension being sought….
CIC meets, usually in August and receives Circuit Stewards report on consultation E9 & J9
Presbyter or Deacon attends CIC and responds to points made
Discussions and deliberations prior to the recommendation being made shall be held without minister or members of their family present
A reasoned statement outlining the recommendation and describing the consultation shall be produced by the CIC and a copy of this sent to the District Chair and Stationing Rep 3 weeks before Circuit Meeting.

9. Stage 2 – Extension being sought…..
Whatever the decision it should be conveyed to the minister and they should also receive a copy of the statement. The reasoned statement shall be circulated in confidence to the members of the Circuit Meeting 2 weeks before the meeting which must take place by 20th September
If an extension is not recommended or one is recommended for a different length to that sought by the minister they may prepare their own reasoned statement outlining their case and this must be circulated 1 week prior to the meeting. They could of course decide at this point to enter Stationing if they wished. (Opportunity 3).

10. Stage 2 – Extension being sought……
A notice is sent to Circuit Meeting members in advance advising who will chair the meeting
The Chair of the meeting sends out a note asking if anyone wishes to oppose the recommendation that they should do so in writing 1 week before stating their grounds
Any intention to oppose shall be circulated no later than 24 hours before the meeting to give time for the CIC and minister to prepare their response.
If no opposition – no vote E11, J11
Voting by Ballot only, minister and family shall withdraw from the meeting immediately prior to the vote.

11. Stage 3 - New Appointment..
Circuit Stewards inform District Chair and District Stationing Rep as soon as they are aware of a potential vacancy
Consultation with District for all Superintendencies
CIC in consultation with Circuit Leadership Team should Consider what form of ministry is required presbyter, diaconal or lay or none F2
Circuit Stewards ensure that appropriate consultation takes place in local churches so that they are able to represent the Circuit’s views on current needs etc of a new appointment.

12. Stage 3 - New Appointment…
For a Diaconal post the Warden of the Order should be involved as early as possible
Profile is completed in conjunction with District Stationing Rep and submitted to District Chair (and Warden as appropriate)
Generally discussions with Circuits during the profile preparation are done by phone/ but face to face meetings will be held if required
The District will offer advice and guidance to Circuits during the preparation of their profiles and a final draft should be shared with the District prior to finalising the profile for submission. Profiles for submission must be with DSR by 25th September at the latest.

13. Stage 3 - Minister moving
Minister informs District Chair and District Stationing Rep as soon as they have decided that they wish to move
A profile form will be issued by the DSR and a first draft should be prepared by the Minister asap
A meeting will be set up between District Chair, DSR and minister & spouse/partner in September – w.c. 11th or 18th
Profile is completed in conjunction with DSR and submitted to District Chair by 25th September
Deacon profiles are forwarded to the Warden of the Order by the DSR.

14. Matching and Visits
By October 13th the profile books will be sent out electronically in pdf format
Meetings will be arranged in w.c. 23rd or 30th October with presbyters and circuits in stationing and as well as looking at preferences the matching process will be explained
At the October meeting Circuits involved in stationing will be briefed on visit management and etiquette
Stationing Matching Group 1 takes place 6th - 9th November followed by visits.

15. Questions ?