MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL, ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON TUESDAY, 24TH JANUARY, 2006, AT 8.00PM IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

 

 

Present:            Keith Saunders             Alison Cudby

                        Russell Stannard                       Wyn Jones

                        Miranda Soper                         Marion Dye

                        Jo Thomson                              Catherine Dyer

                        John Deighton                           Simon Soper

                        Nick Moore                             Carol Oakman

                        Valerie Stewart

 

Apologies:        Carolyn Birch                           Vicki Faiers

                        Mike Finney

 

Absent: Frances Morrow                      Maureen Gadsby

                        Janet Miller

 

Nick chaired the meeting

 

The minutes of the meeting of 22nd November were approved.  Proposed (with an amendment to 36/05 – 14% of those in the envelope scheme, not on the electoral role as stated) by Russell and seconded by Catherine.  The minutes of the meeting of 8th January were approved.  Proposed by Keith and seconded by Nick.  All agreed.

 

Matters arising:

 

34/05   Faithworks Conference – Marion and Catherine had met to discuss this and recommended that we visit the website for more information.  Two of the speakers from the conference had mentioned that they would be prepared to come to the parish and run a weekend course, which it was felt would be beneficial.  We could maybe combine with one or two other parishes for this activity.  Marion said that tapes of the presentations at the conference were available that would assist discussion, and this matter was referred to the Standing Committee.

 

36/05   Stewardship group – Russell reported that the chart of “time and talents” was almost complete and will be displayed in church in March to coincide with an article in the magazine and a sermon on March 12th.

 

37/05   a) Treasurer’s report -  Jo reported that the parish share had been paid in full before the year end.

 

41/05   Keith reported that there had been a slight misunderstanding with Shanks over funding arrangements, but it is to be hoped that the contracted will be signed early in February.

 

 

 

 

New items for this meeting:

 

43/05   Deanery plan

 

Catherine explained the meaning of benefice, group and team leadership.  Keith commented that it appeared that under a team leadership individual PCCs would retain control of financial matters.  John asked how much influence the team would have over individual parishes and Catherine explained that, as with Keith’s comment, it would depend on the terms which had been agreed amongst the various parishes.  Nick drew our attention to Section 3 – did we agree with the principles underpinning the plan.  No-one appeared to disagree with the principles.

 

In Section 8, we considered the alternative structures proposed.  In order of

preference, first would be one team ministry for the deanery; second would be 2/3 team ministries;  equal third  and fourth options were  either  one or 2/3

group ministries and fifth choice would be six benefices with Linslade or five

benefices without Linslade.

 

Simon asked how the post of team rector would differ from area dean, and Catherine explained that the team rector would not necessarily be involved in deanery development, and that in fact it would be preferable for the two posts were held by different people.  Nick asked who would determine the liturgy in each church and Catherine explained that the team vicar and the PCC would be responsible for the decision and that it would be an opportunity for different team to decided to opt for different types of worship.

 

In answer to the question did we have any other realistic and positive plans for the deanery to consider, Keith suggested that Linslade should retain the status quo and all the other parishes should be gathered into teams.  This was considered and rejected as a permanent solution.

 

Catherine drew our attention to appendix E – growing the church from the point of view of mission, which we should all consider.  Andrew Gear could be asked to help direct our thinking on this point, maybe shortly after the AGM.  The Standing Committee was asked to make the appropriate arrangements.

 

44/05   The congregation meeting held on 22nd January on the possibility of changing diocese

 

One person spoke against this proposal, and three people spoke in favour.  The majority appeared to be in favour of the change and did not feel that it would make any difference to parish life.  Nick was thanked for chairing the meeting.  Keith proposed that the PCC should state that it is of a mind to move to St. Albans’ barring any new, coherent and reasonable arguments to the contrary, which could be brought up at the AGM, and this was seconded by Carol.  All in favour.

 

 

45/05   Repair to stonework at St. Mary’s church

 

The PCC was asked to authorise the approval of a faculty application to repair the stonework, and to appoint Avalon Projects as contractors.  John advised that the Biley fund should be used to pay for this work.  All were agreed.

 

46/05   Dates for 2006

 

Summer Fair – June 10th; Harvest Thanksgiving October 1st; Christmas Fair November 18th, Christmas Tree Festival December 2nd-3rd. 

 

47/05   Reports from the Standing Committee

 

Graveyard regulations: representatives from the diocese will organise workshops for Church wardens and clergy to explain the implications.

 

Parish magazine: no progress to report.

 

A letter has been sent to the hall cleaner concerning the increase in his hours.

 

New aluminium ladder: the Buildings Committee has been authorised to purchase a new ladder to replace the old unsafe wooden one.

 

Sound system and removal of gas pipes: a faculty application is in preparation for both items.

 

Analysis of Christmas services: the Worship Committee will report at the next PCC meeting.

 

48/05   Any Other Business

 

Catherine highlighted the fact that it had been agreed that Parish Prayers would be led in rotation by different groups, but they have so far only been led by the clergy.  Russell suggested that we should use the time before the PCC meeting to discuss a specific topic, agreed in advance.

 

Russell mentioned that the length of time items are displayed at the back of the church needed to be monitored.

 

The meeting closed with The Grace at 9.25pm.