At present there is no priest-in-charge of the Benefice to which St Clements belongs, and it is unlikely that the vacancy will ever be filled.
Over the past few months the PCC has been involved in discussions about a restructuring of the churches in the Diocese to make them more sustainable in the future. Parishes were given the option of 5 categories in which to place their church, category one being churches with a large congregation in urban areas and category 5 being church closure. In recent years the congregation at St Clements has dwindled to 5 or 6, and it has been impossible to meet the quota paid to the diocese of over £5000. With this in mind the PCC have opted to place St Clements in category 4, as a Festival Church, for which we will be expected to pay a more manageable contribution. We are in a benefice with North Somercotes, Marshchapel and Conisholme and the two larger churches have opted for category 3 (Community Churches), and Conisholme will also be a Festival church like us. This means that St Clements will not be having regular Holy Communion services on the 3rd Sunday of the month, our congregation will have to travel to one of the community churches. We will have a Holy Communion service when there is a 5th Sunday in the month for the whole benefice; and will still have our Festival services such as the Crib Service and Harvest Festival. Family celebrations, such as baptisms and weddings will still be allowed, as of course will funerals. Although it is sad that we are losing regular services, the PCC are optimistic that there is a sustainable future for St Clements.
Church Services at St Clements
