In 2018 after over 25 years the ACS courageously decided to relocate itself into the heart of Birmingham. Its new offices in Commercial Street stand next to the prestigious Mail Box development that is anchored by Harvey Nichols Department Store. These modest premises will afford the society a much great opportunity to network with people, as well as providing modern office facilities that support the work of the ACS, CBS, GSS and Glastonbury Pilgrimage. There is also a beautiful meeting room with kitchen facilities, a perfect environment for meetings and worship.
The General Secretary of ACS visits parishes most weekends. In this way ACS enlists support for the mission of the Church in parishes and keeps in touch with current needs. The office staff receive and acknowledge donations as they arrive daily and process grants to parishes.
Requests for prayerful and fund raising materials are dealt with, especially during Advent, Lent and Petertide.
The ACS also runs a printing department where its own magazine Good News, the monthly magazine insert Christian Life and other literature is printed. ACS is also able to undertake printing projects such as service books, stationery, etc. The income from printing is used to supplement donations to pay for priests in parishes.
The running costs of the ACS are kept to a minimum. Legacies are invested and the income from legacies is used to pay for the day to day running of the Society, and also to supplement grants for priests in parishes.
The General Secretary is the only full time worker and his role is to both bring the needs of the Church to the attention of parishes through his preaching and speaking engagements and work individually with prospective ordinands in an attempt to resource the church’s ministry for today and the future. However, he depends on voluntary help in the dioceses and parishes to ensure on-going support through the help of parish priests and parish secretaries. The work of a parish secretary is described on a separate sheet in this information pack. The Diocesan Secretary, in consultation with the General Secretary, may organise an annual eucharistic festival.