Present: Revd. C. Dyer Mr. N. Moore
Revd. W. Jones Mrs. C. Oakman
Revd. K. Dally Mrs. F. Morrow
Mrs. A. Barrett Mr. J. Pickering
Mrs. A. Cudby Mrs. R. Pickering
Mr. D. Darvill Mr. K. Saunders
Sqdn. Ldr. W. Forde Ms S. Smith
Mrs. M. Gadsby Mr. S. Soper
Mr. M. Gardner Prof. R. Stannard
Mrs. J. Humphreys Mrs. V. Stewart
Mrs. J. Miller Mrs. J. Thomson

Apologies: Mr. C. Griffin Mr. J. Deighton
Mr. G. Gill Mrs. M. Stannard

The meeting opened with prayers
Minutes of the meeting of April 24th 2002

Attendance Due to the absence of the secretary, the attendance list for this meeting (April 24th) was inaccurate. Members of the P.C.C. attending the meeting of April 24th were as follows: Revd. C. Dyer, Revd. W. Jones, Professor R. Stannard, Mrs. S. Smith, Mr. N. Moore, Mrs. M. Gadsby, Mrs. J. Humphreys, Mr J. Pickering, Mrs. R. Pickering, Mrs. J. Miller, Mr. S. Soper, Sqdn Ldr. W. Forde, Mrs. F. Morrow, Mrs. A Barrett, Mrs. C. Oakman, Mrs. A. Cudby, Mrs. M. Stannard. The apologies were correctly recorded in the minutes.

22/01 Clergy pay. Revd. Catherine proposed and Mr. Soper seconded a motion to replace minute 22/01 with the following: "A consultation on the issues surrounding the provision of clergy stipends and pensions. The aim was to sound out clergy and lay parish representatives in a spirit of generosity and sacrifice on the level of financial support that parishes might be able to give in the future, and what constitutes an adequate stipend and pension provision. Findings were to be forwarded to diocesan synod and then to General Synod." The motion was passed nem. con.
04/02 The Young People's co-ordinators were Jim and Rebecca Pickering and the Welcome group co-ordinator was Charles Griffin.
Mrs. Oakman proposed and Mrs. Miller seconded a motion to approve the minutes, with the two amendments above. The minutes were then signed by Revd. Catherine as an accurate record of the meeting

Matters arising from the minutes:

22/01 Clergy pay. See amendment above
23/01 Lighting. Mr. Darvill reported that the work was complete but that we were still awaiting the final survey, certificate and invoice. Revd. Catherine thanked the two churchwardens for all their work on this project.
03/02 P.C.C. meeting dates. Revd. Catherine pointed out that the dates approved at the last meeting would not allow for a full week to elapse between publication of the agenda and the meeting itself. This was technically not permitted, although it had been custom and practice at St. Barnabas'. It was agreed to let the dates stand for 2002-3, but to look at the issue next year.
The full list of agreed dates is given as Appendix 1 to these minutes.
Item 15/02 was taken at this point.
05/02 Noticeboards. Mr. Darvill reported that the person who had volunteered to make new notice boards for the entrances to the car park was no longer able to do this.
11/02 H. Fete co-ordinator. Mrs. Oakman and Mrs. Barrett volunteered to undertake this task.
I. Child Protection Officer. Mrs. Jenny Smith had volunteered to undertake this task.
A motion to approve these appointments was proposed by Mr. Darvill and seconded by Mrs. Stewart and passed nem. con.

New items:

13/02 To adopt the Parish Action Plan
Mr. Darvill proposed thanks for Sqdn. Ldr. Forde for his hard work in producing the plan. His thanks were echoed by all members of the P.C.C. Mr. Darvill explained that the plan would serve well as an outline, but that the details could be varied. The plan should be approved as such with the various working groups feeding in their suggestions for amendment to the P.C.C. The view was expressed that the plan could not be agreed before all the details had been discussed and approved. After brief discussion Revd. Dally proposed and Mr. Moore seconded a motion that "the plan be received as a working document for future discussion and action". The motion was approved nem. con., and it was agreed furthermore that the plan should be reviewed every six months.
14/02 To receive brief oral reports from the Sharing Life Action Groups
a. Worship committee. Prof. Stannard explained that the first task had been to establish the membership of the group by merging the Willen focus group with the existing P.C.C. committee. Other members of the congregation had been co-opted onto the group to ensure full representation of the various constituencies (e.g. youth work, Sunday School etc.). The team looking to move the pews from the church had been waiting on instructions from the Worship committee, and the committee had decided to tell John Deighton to plan immediately for the removal of the pews at the back of the church (which would provide more room for display etc.) but to wait on the decisions of the worship committee as to what would be required at the front. A further meeting would be held in July.
b. Outreach committee. The committee consisted of Anna Forrest, Sheila Deighton, Winston Forde, Sue Smith, Alison Cudby and Valerie Stewart as chair. The group had the function of co-ordinating and supporting all charitable giving and fund-raising in the parish and a meeting would be held on July 22nd of all those who perform such functions in the church. The group was happy to organise fund-raising events and retiring collections itself. A further strand to its work was the work with commuters and the wider community, and the group had decided to compile an audit of needs within the community.
c. Stewardship. This group consisted of Anna Barrett, Simon Soper and Keith Dally. Revd Dally explained that there were two strands to stewardship: money and involvement. The group had considered the question of what would motivate increased giving. In terms of talents, the group needed to identify by a survey the talents available. On September 22nd, the diocesan stewardship adviser would be preaching. Various other initiatives were being considered such as a leaflet drop, a joint time and talent survey and an information leaflet for new people to the church.
d. Schools. Derek May, Elaine Evershed, Sue James and Keith Saunders had held a meeting at which they had discussed the current links with local schools and also what the church could offer to schools. This included resources, books and support, but the help which would be most appreciated would probably be for the clergy and laity to do regular assemblies or acts of collective worship in schools. The next step was to hold a meeting with R.E. co-ordinators to find out what help they would like. Some barriers to progress were identified, in particular our ignorance about the Agreed Bedfordshire syllabus for Religious Education and the membership of the LEA's SACRE (Standing Advisory Committee for R.E.). Mr. Saunders submitted a written report (attached to file copy of these minutes).
e. Communications. The group had not formally met, but Mr. Darvill reported that informal discussions had focussed on getting more articles into the Parish magazine and articles in the local press. it was agreed that Keith Dally should take on the role of press officer, and that all items destined for the local press and all contacts with them should go through him. Mr. Darvill proposed and Mrs. Cudby seconded a motion to this effect which was agreed nem. con.
f. Young people. Mrs. Pickering reported that a meeting had taken place with the Deanery Youth Adviser and submitted a written report (attached to file copy of these minutes). This had discussed the provision for both "churched" and "unchurched" youth. The Friday evening clubs were continuing with the support of Mr. and Mrs. Pickering and Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys, but there was a need for outreach with the groups of young people who meet in the park during the evening. We did not have sufficient people or training to undertake this work yet. It was agreed that we needed another First Aider: Mrs. Pickering proposed and Mr. Soper seconded a motion that Mrs. Humphreys should be booked onto a First Aid course. It was also strongly felt that a budget was required for this work, and in particular that a television set with video was required. Whilst there was general approval that money should be made available, especially from the Jim Chesterfield bequest, no motion was passed at the meeting. Mrs. Stewart proposed and Mr. Moore seconded the adoption of the vision statement included in Mrs. Pickering's written report which read: "Our vision for the Friday clubs is that, with the help and support of the church, these children can enter into a personal relationship with God." The motion was passed nem. con.
g. Welcome. No report was available due to the absence on holiday of Mr. Griffin, the co-ordinator of this group.
h. Pastoral Care. Ms. Smith and Revd. Jones were to hold a coffee morning on Saturday for those interested in joining this work.
i. Christian nurture. There was to be a meeting on Tuesday 25th June about the Emmaus project.
15/02 Communications via email/internet
It was agreed that we should communicate agendas for meetings and their subsequent minutes by e-mail. Paper copies would be made available for those who did not have access to e-mail. E-mail addresses are attached to these minutes as appendix 2.
16/02 Fetes and bazaars 2003
The view was expressed that perhaps we needed to vary what we currently do. One idea was to hold an auction of promises, and it was agreed to give other suggestions to Anna Barrett and Carol Oakman. Events which involved local schools were usually successful because they attracted parents and other supporters. No dates for 2003 were agreed pending Mrs. Barrett and Mrs. Oakman's suggestions about the format of events next year, but it was requested that any fund-raising events for the church should not take place during school half-terms.
17/02 Retirement of Revd. Anne Faulkner
Anne Faulkner had been very supportive to the parish, both during the interregnum and also following Revd. Catherine's arrival in the parish. The Diocese had invited contributions for her leaving gift. Peter Miller would be asked to do a card which all could sign. Mr. Moore proposed a motion to donate £50 towards the leaving gift. The motion was seconded by Mr. Darvill and passed nem. con.
18/02 Diocesan Convention
Seven people would be attending and it was agreed in principle to support financially those people who would be going. It was thought that clergy could be reimbursed from their annual diocesan training grant. Mrs. Pickering proposed and Mr. Moore seconded a motion to pay for their attendance from the Jim Chesterfield bequest. However, donations would be sought from the congregation and these would be credited to the Chesterfield fund. The motion was passed nem. con.
19/02 Co-operation with neighbouring parishes
A meeting had taken place in April with representatives from All Saints and St. Leonard's, Heath and Reach. They had been looking at ways of collaborating more effectively. One plan was to organise another autumn course training lay people to carry out various functions.
It was noted that Wyn Jones had attended the 159th anniversary of the Bethel Chapel. This additional co-operation was warmly welcomed.
20/02 Finance
Mrs. Thomson had attended a deanery treasurers' meeting at Wing Church regarding the Parish Share. A questionnaire was to be circulated and the issue was still under consideration.
21/02 AoB
1. Churches Together. Revd. Wyn reported on a recent meeting including dates for forthcoming events
2. Stations of the Cross. A member of the council asked why the Stations of the Cross had not been removed after Easter. Revd. Catherine stated that she had not been aware of the tradition to remove them. The council was reminded that some years ago the P.C.C. had been to remove them after Easter; thus it was agreed that they should be removed now. It was agreed to return to this issue at the next meeting.
3. Mr. Darvill reported that two windows behind the sanctuary had been broken by stone throwing. The repair of both would cost £110 and the installation of guards would cost £975. Revd. Catherine told the meeting that the Diocese (through the deanery treasurers' meeting) had asked parishes to give priority to the payment of the Parish Share over other demands on money. It was agreed that this raised a wider issue and should be on the agenda for the next meeting. Revd. Dally proposed and Mrs. Pickering seconded a motion to pay for the repair of the windows and installation of the guards from restricted funds (not from general funds). The motion was passed nem. con.
4. Mr. Darvill reported that he had attended a meeting the previous evening, led by the diocesan youth and children's advisers. It was clear that the parishes needed to revise their child protection procedures to comply with current legislation. As it was late, it was agreed to defer discussion until the next meeting. If necessary a special meeting could be called. (The Deanery Youth Advisor has since advised that the parish will be adequately covered by following the procedures already in place pending the publication of new diocesan guidelines in September 2002.)

The meeting closed with The Grace at 10.00 p.m.

Appendix 1

P.C.C. Meeting Dates 2002-2003

Standing Committee P.C.C.
Wednesday 24th April 2002
Monday 10th June 2002 Wednesday 19th June 2002
Monday 16th September 2002 Tuesday 24th September 2002
Monday 4th November 2002 Monday 25th November 2002
Monday 6th January 2003 Thursday 16th January 2003
Monday 24th February 2003 Wednesday 12th March 2003

APCM: Wednesday 26th March 2003

Keith Saunders, Secretary to the P.C.C.

Appendix 2: P.C.C. Members 2002-3

Ex Officio

Priest-in-Charge Revd. C. Dyer cdyer@fish.co.ukOrdained Local Minister Revd. W. Jones n/a
Assistant Priest Revd. K. Dally keithdally@aol.com
Reader (co-opted) Prof. F.R. Stannard russell.stannard@tesco.netChurchwarden: Mr. C. Griffin n/a
Churchwarden Mr. D. Darvill ddarvill@waitrose.com
Deanery Synod Members Elected in 2002 to serve for three years

Sqdn. Ldr. W. Forde winston-forde@hotmail.com Mr. S. Soper srksoper@bcs.org.uk Mrs. R. Pickering james.pickering@siemens.com Mr. J. Pickering james.pickering@siemens.com
Elected in 2000 for 3 years:

Mr. J. Deighton n/a
Mr. N.T. Moore n.moore@bbk.ac.uk Mrs. J. Miller n/a
Mrs. A. Cudby n/a

Elected in 2001 for 3 years:
n/a
Mr. G. J. Gill n/a
Mr. K.P. Saunders KeithSaund@aol.com Mr. M. Gardner stbarnct@nildram.co.uk Mrs. F. Morrow n/a
Mrs. M. Gadsby maureengadsby@hotmail.com Mrs. M. Stannard maggi.stannard@tesco.net
Elected in 2002 for 3 years:

Mrs. V. Stewart rochester_house@hotmail.com Mrs. A. Barrett n/a
Mrs. C. Oakman n/a
Mrs. J. Thompson pandj31@hotmail.com Ms. S. Smith smithsusie@aol.com
Elected in 2002 for 2 years:

Mrs. J. Humphreys jshumphreys@aol.com