MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL, ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON TUESDAY,

22nd NOVEMBER 2005, AT 8.00PM IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

 

 

 

Present:

                                    Keith Saunders Alison Cudby

                                    Russell Stannard           Wyn Jones

                                    Miranda Soper             Marian Dye               

                                    Jo Thomson                  Catherine Dyer         

                                    John Deighton               Simon Soper

                                    Nick Moore                 Carolyn Birch  

                                    Carol Oakman              Janet Miller

                                   

                                                           

Apologies:                    Vicki Faiers                  Valerie Stewart

Mike Finney                 Frances Morrow

                                    Maureen Gadsby                     

 

 

Keith chaired the meeting

 

The minutes of the meeting of 25th October were approved. Proposed by Carol and seconded by Russell. All agreed.

 

 

Matters arising:

 

26/05   It was noted that an agreeable solution has been found for displaying notices by the front door of the church.

 

29/05   St. Mary’s Churchyard regulations – The notice has been displayed but nothing further has happened. Catherine explained that the diocese is preparing more information to explain the new regulations. This will then be discussed at Standing Committee.

 

31/05   The disposal of redundant hymn and prayer books – This has been started and a fair quantity of material was disposed of at the beginning of the month. The rest will be seen to soon.

 

New items for this meeting:

 

34/05   Faithworks Conference report.

 

            Marian has attended the conference at the beginning of November. There were 34 seminars over the two days of which she attended six. These were varied and Marian found them all enlightening, invigorating and inspirational, albeit a little long and difficult to take everything in. She felt it would have been more beneficial if 2 people could have attended – something to think about for a future occasion.

            The key messages were that all churches need to find their own solutions within a no blame culture. Change is inevitable; it is how it is handled that is crucial. If you can’t change from within, go outside. The main message was to get involved in the community, work with other churches and groups and be prepared for change.

            Catherine is anxious not to lose the momentum of what has been gained from the conference and suggested a small group evaluate           the findings and look at them in conjunction with the Deanery plan. Catherine will meet with Marian in the first instance.

           

35/05   The future of Linslade parish

 

a)      Report from Deanery Synod

 

Nick gave a report. The method of allocating the parish share, as described by Jo on a previous occasion, was approved by the Synod. The main part of the meeting was to consider the sort of Church that we are seeking. There were various scenarios from a hierarchical parish to an empowered parish, from an inward looking to an outward looking, and where talents were encouraged or were stifled. These scenarios were examined in small groups and brought together in a plenary session. Keith confirmed there are no firm plans yet for re-organisation in the Deanery although an idea for a one-parish deanery has been mooted. Mary Saunders is to go through the various other options for the legalities and practical terms.

 

b)      The “pros and cons” of moving diocese.

 

The distributed list of points was discussed and amended. The paper will be distributed to the congregation ready for the open meeting in the New Year.          

           

36/05   Report from Stewardship group

 

            Russell reported that the group, consisting of 9 members, had met on 10th November. They considered the response to Stewardship Sunday that has been summarised in an article for the Parish magazine and that Russell read to us. The response was disappointing, resulting in an overall increase of 8%. Only 14% of the electoral roll responded with an increase in their giving through the envelope scheme. Some of the remaining 86% review their giving regularly and will continue to do so. The question to ask is, “Do you regard St. Barnabas as your church?”

            The group then started to compile a time and talents chart – who does what in the Parish. All the various activities are listed with who is involved in each item. This list will be displayed in January so that it can be checked for accuracy. Then volunteers will be asked to fill any vacant places. In the event of there being no volunteers, individuals will be approached to see if they will consider helping. The list should show exactly what is happening in the life of the Church and who is not contributing much!

 

37/05   Finance

 

a)      Treasurer’s report

 

Jo reported that the parish share for 2005 is £56,220 and £59,372 for 2006. We should just about manage to pay this year’s share.

 

b)      Parish fees for 2006

 

The final figures were not available at the meeting. The statutory fees have increased. St Barnabas do not do wedding preparation but like to give an excellent booklet, costing £7, to prospective couples.

Keith proposed that we accept the statutory fees and retain the current level of parish fees with the exception of the heating charge that will increase to £35 and a £10 for charging for printing the order of service (to cover copyright). He furthermore proposed that the charge for a blessing after a civil service be the same as revised statutory fee for a wedding. Seconded by Alison. All agreed.

 

38/05   Report from Standing Committee

 

a)      Hall cleaner’s hours

 

A letter has been received from Mark, the hall cleaner, pointing out how many extra hours he has worked to keep the hall in a clean condition as necessary for health and safety. He is paid for 6 hours but the increased use of the hall, especially for fund raising, has necessitated more time. He has asked to be able to invoice the PCC for any extra hours he has to put in to fulfil his duties. This was agreed up to a maximum of 10 hours per week.

 

b)      Christmas Service collections

 

It has been agreed that Christmas service collections should go to Outreach for the charities they support. As Christmas day is a Sunday this year, “envelopes” will go to church funds as usual, but the loose money will go to Outreach. This will be explained to the congregation.

           

 

39/05   Parish magazine

 

            John Vickers has written to many of us to remind us that he needs regular items for the parish magazine. Members of the PCC are urged to contribute on a regular basis.

            As the original printers have closed, we ought to explore other printing possibilities rather than just follow one partner to his new firm. As well as the costs involved, the turn around time needs to be investigated. Keith will ask John to get some quotes from alternative firms so we can see what is the most viable. John’s loyalty to the original printers is recognised but this will need to be balanced against other factors, including costs.

           

40/05   Report from Churches Together

 

Alison had distributed the minutes to all members. The item 05.61 Christian Ecology Link was particularly noted, as was the need for volunteers for various posts.

 

41/05   Any other business

 

a)      The faculty for the graveyard has been submitted.

 

b)      To approve an application for a faculty to repair stone work on the tower at St. Mary’s church. Proposed by Keith, seconded by Nick. All agreed.

 

c)      To purchase a good quality artificial Christmas tree to replace existing one that is falling down. All agreed.

 

d)      Church hall. Keith read a statement concerning a recent conversation with the Diocesan Registrar, John Rees, who has confirmed that the hall is owned by the Vicar and the Churchwardens and that it is wise that this should continue to be the case. The motion “The PCC should accept the rights, responsibilities and liabilities arising out of ownership of the parish hall”, was proposed by Keith, seconded by Nick and agreed by all present. Simon pointed out that this was in fact a continuance of the status quo as the PCC normally paid for the hall insurance.

 

e)      The Friends usually pay the insurance for St. Mary’s. As they are not fundraising for themselves at the moment, the suggestion is to use one of the restricted funds to pay for the insurance, as this would make better use of available monies. All agreed.

 

 

 

The meeting concluded with The Grace at 9.45 pm.