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

25^th OCTOBER 2005, AT 8.00PM IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

Present:

Valerie Stewart Keith Saunders

Russell Stannard Wyn Jones

Miranda Soper Frances Morrow

Jo Thomson Catherine Dyer

John Deighton Simon Soper

Nick Moore Carolyn Birch

Carol Oakman Janet Miller

Apologies: Marian Dye Vicki Faiers

Mike Finney Alison Cudby

Maureen Gadsby

Keith chaired the meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 27^th September were approved. Proposed by Janet and seconded by Jo. All agreed.

Matters arising:

4/05 Affiliation to Faithworks and Conference – It was confirmed that PCC will support the expenses incurred, that is the fees, accommodation and travel, for Marian to attend the conference in Eastbourne, 4 – 6 November. Proposed by Keith, seconded by John. All agreed.

6/05 a) St Mary’s kerbstones – A response has been received from the DAC so the faculty can now be applied for. An up to date plan of all the graves affected is being completed.

New items for this meeting:

26/05 Benefice of Linslade – Suspension of Presentation

The notice about the renewal of the Suspension of Presentation has been posted on the Church door as instructed It had caused some confusion and Catherine has added an explanatory note. PCC has received a letter from John Vickers complaining about the way the notice was displayed, especially the use of drawing pins on the oak door. His concerns were recognised but the PCC are legally obliged to post the notice. It is difficult to see how else the notice can be displayed but suggestions will be gratefully received.

Catherine’s 5 year licence, as Priest in Charge, expires next May but although the Bishop has requested a further 5 years, Catherine may ask for a shorter extension, probably up to 2 years, before she retires. She explained her thinking behind this. The PCC wishes to record our thanks to Catherine for being so honest and open with us.

27/05 Hall update

The faculty giving permission for the construction of the link and the moving of the stained glass windows has been received. The architect is getting the tenders together and then a further meeting will be needed. Shanks have contacted Keith and they seem happy with the time scale involved. Jo has received £2766 from the Inland Revenue from gift aid. The asbestos report has been completed and will be given to the Architects for action.

28/05 Linslade Parish – our future within the Deanery

The article had been distributed with the agenda prior to it being published in the Parish magazine. Generally, the article was accepted with a few amendments. The “pros and cons” sheet would not be ready until December, and a further meeting for the congregation will be needed to discuss the issues involved. The format of the meeting needs to be carefully considered as well as who else to invite to give a balanced view – representatives from the Deanery, Leighton All Saints, and St. Leonards were mentioned as possible. A meeting in early February would leave time for the PCC to make a recommendation at their February meeting to take to the APCM in April. The plan to hold an open meeting will be added to the article as well as the fact that it is a complicated procedure and this is only the beginning part

Simon proposed and Nick seconded that the article be published. All in favour.

29/05 St. Mary’s Churchyard Regulations

Keith explained that the regulations have been lifted verbatim from the official document, except for the “additional regulations”, none of which are new. After discussion, it was agreed that the document could not be approved in its present format. There are 2 queries – re “strewing or scattering” being allowed, and the question of headstones in the Remembrance gardens. The document will be returned to the Standing Committee for clarification – John will check the original document if possible.

It was decided in the meanwhile to state that new regulations have been published and are available on the Internet or from the Parish Office. A polite notice will be issued to remind people to remove any plastic flowers. Proposed by Keith, seconded by John. All in favour.

30/05 Result of “SWOT” exercise.

Catherine distributed copies of “Strengths and weaknesses of this church as seen by the congregation” She explained the background to the exercise and stated how difficult it had been to collate the responses. “Opportunities and threats” had not been understood by many of the congregation but most of the congregation were very forthcoming about its strengths. A discussion followed about ways to improve involving all new members to the congregation.

31/05 To approve a resolution to dispose of redundant hymn and prayer books.

A large number of various editions of several publications are now in very poor condition and are redundant. Good copies of Mission Praise and Junior Praise will be offered to churches that still use these but the rest will be burnt.

Proposed by Nick, seconded by Russell. All in favour.

32/05 Parish prayers

Wyn proposes that where there is an item on the PCC agenda, a person from the group concerned should come to parish prayers and pray for that item before the meeting.

33/05 Any other business

a) Gas pipes. – A formal resolution is required to remove the redundant gas pipes from the west end of the Church. This has already been approved by the DAC. Proposed by Nick, seconded by Keith. All in favour.

b) Report from Communion before Confirmation meeting. – This was distributed and Vicki was thanked for producing the report.

c) Worship Committee – minutes of the meeting of 20^th October were distributed. Gill was thanked for the report.

The meeting concluded with The Grace at 9.30 pm.