MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE CHURCH OF ST. BARNABAS, LINSLADE HELD IN THE CHOIR VESTRY AT 8.00 P.M. ON TUESDAY JUNE 17th  2003

 

 

Present:            Catherine Dyer

Keith Dally

                        Wyn Jones                  

                        Alison Cudby

                        David Darvill

                        John Deighton

                        Maureen Gadsby

                        Graham Gill

                        Charles Griffin

                        Janet Miller

 

                       

Fran Morrow

Sue Nichol

Carol Oakman

Rebecca Pickering

Keith Saunders

Sue Smith

Simon Soper                                       

Russell Stannard          

Valerie Stewart


 

Apologies:        Anna Barrett                                Maggi Stannard

                        Peter Holman                              Jim Pickering

Melvyn Gardner                          Jo Thomson

Nick Moore                    

 

Absent:           Winston Forde

                       

The meeting opened with prayers.

 

Minutes of the meeting of 20th May 2003

 

Carol proposed and Janet seconded a motion to approve the minutes as an accurate record of the meeting. Catherine signed the minutes as an accurate record.        

           

Matters arising from the previous minutes:

 

42/02   Parish Hall. Keith S has received a letter from the Planning Officer. Redevelopment of the site will be extremely difficult and unlikely to receive approval as it is in within a conservation area.. Refurbishment of the Hall would be permitted but would be extremely costly and there are concerns as to whether the framework of the building would withstand the work needed. The subject was referred to the Standing Committee for further discussion and investigation.

                                    (Action: Standing Committee)

09/03   The chairs in the Lady Chapel have now been unscrewed to provide an area where prayer meetings can take place in Church. Graham queried whether this contravened fire regulations. Standing Committee to investigate.

                                    (Action: Standing Committee)

11/03   Baptism Rota. Wyn will provide training for PCC members at the next PCC meeting.

                                    (Action: Wyn)

 

 

New items: 

                       13/03    Feedback from Parish Meeting. Members of the PCC reported      back   brief summaries of their discussion groups from the Parish Meeting on June 1st. The majority of the congregation are in favour of (or have no objection to) Stage 1 of the proposals though a minority are still very unhappy about the proposals.

 

14/03   Discussion on whether to proceed with Stage 1 of the re-organisation plan. Catherine reminded the PCC of the reasons behind wanting to re-order the church (changes in modern liturgy and the need to reflect current thinking on fellowship etc). After further discussion it was agreed that generally there was a broad acceptance of the proposed changes and that this was the right direction for the church to be moving. Simon proposed a motion to remove now one pew at the front on either side and four pews from the back of the church on the north side. The motion was seconded by Janet and was passed with 18 votes for, 1 against and 0 abstentions.

 

15/03   “Restoring Hope in our church”: discussion of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s vision for the church. The PCC watched part of the video in which the vision for the church is outlined. After discussion of the challenges raised by the video it was agreed that the challenges are very relevant to the work of the St Barnabas and that further time should be spent considering how to take on the challenges raised. The matter was referred to the Standing Committee to formulate proposals for the next PCC meeting.

                                                            (Action: Standing Committee)

It was agreed to continue the meeting past 9.30.

 

16/03   Anglican-Methodist relations. Closer links are being formed with Trinity Methodist and Linslade Methodist churches. Copies of the Church Magazine and Cross and Crown have been sent to both churches and Linslade Methodists have extended an invitation to any of the congregation of St Barnabas who find it difficult to get to St Barnabas for 10.00 to attend their service at 11.00. Links between the Women’s Fellowship groups are also being made. In addition there are plans for a pulpit swap at some future date.

 

17/03   2 cheques for £10k have been sent off towards the Parish Share. The final figure due is approximately £47k. Jo’s report on the finances will be attached to the minutes. Catherine expressed her thanks to Carol and Anna for their work in organising the Summer Fete. The exact figure is still to be calculated but will be in excess of £2k.

 

18/03   Deanery Synod. Simon reported back on a presentation by Fane Conant, Minister for Evangelism in the Amersham Deanery.

 

19/03   Any Other Business.

Keith D and Sue S expressed concern over the state of the kitchen in the Parish Hall. Currently it contravenes Health and Hygiene regulations for food preparation areas. Graham pointed out that the electrical equipment should also be tested. The matter was referred to the Buildings Committee.

                                    (Action: Buildings Committee)

Graham reported that St Barnabas Ringers had won the Orchard Cup in the area Striking Competition. Congratulations were offered to the ringers and it was suggested that the cup be displayed where the congregation could see it.

           

                 There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.55 with the Grace.