|
Present: |
Charles Griffin |
Fran Morrow |
|
|
Maureen Gadsby |
Jayne Humphries |
|
|
Keith Dally |
Sue Smith |
|
|
Nick Moore |
Rebecca Pickering |
|
|
Jim Pickering |
Simon Soper |
|
|
Graham Gill |
John Deighton |
|
|
Anna Barrett |
Carol Oakman |
|
|
Valerie Stewart |
Alison Cudby |
|
|
Maggie Stannard |
Russell Stannard |
|
|
David Darvill |
Catherine Dyer |
|
|
Keith Saunders |
Jo Thomson (from 8.50 p.m.) |
|
|
|
|
|
Apologies: |
Melvyn Gardner |
Janet Miller |
|
|
Winston Forde |
Wyn Jones |
The meeting opened with prayers
Maureen Gadsby had presented her apologies for that meeting. With this amendment, Alison proposed and Fran seconded a motion to accept the minutes as an accurate record of the meeting. Catherine signed the minutes accordingly.
Matters arising from the minutes:
|
23/01 |
Lighting Charles reported that the lighting project was now completed and signed off. |
|
22/02 |
Christian Nurture Group The group which had been asked to prepare a plan to take this project forward had not met. |
|
26/02 |
List of youth leaders etc. This item was still awaiting action by the Standing Committee. |
|
28/02 |
Deanery Synod Report Simon Soper and Jim Pickering gave a brief oral report. There had been a presentation about Fair Trade items being sold in church. As a result, Derek May had been co-opted onto the Deanery Synod to promote Fair Trade. There had been discussion also about developing training for lay people in the deanery through the Cottesloe Christian Training Programme. |
|
29/02 |
St. Barnabas’ Bank Accounts No action would be taken until the New Year. |
New items:
|
32/02 |
Stations of the Cross (postponed from last meeting) Fran Morrow expressed the view that she wished to see the Stations displayed permanently. It was mentioned that the hooks used for the Stations were now being used for other display. Russell said that it would be wrong to display a permanent reminder of one particular season of the year around the church, especially at a time when the church was trying to reflect in its worship the seasons of the Church year. There was a general view that it was good to have a variety of visual display around the church. It was agreed without a vote that the stations should only be displayed during Lent. |
|
33/02 |
Structure of P.C.C. Meetings (postponed from last meeting) Keith Saunders introduced the paper, explaining that the aim was to expand on the legal requirements for P.C.C. meetings in order to meet our own objectives to discuss efficiently the increased volume of business. Charles Griffin suggested that the Chair (not the incumbent) should have a second or casting vote and this was agreed. There was some discussion about whether or not agenda items should be confidential before P.C.C. meetings. It was felt that the council had an obligation to make clear the difference between a P.C.C. decision and a resolution for debate, and that we had a responsibility to represent views of the congregation. There was a difficult balance to be drawn between the Standing Committee’s meeting too early (which might prompt widespread speculation about what the P.C.C. was about to agree) and too late which would mean not enough notice of items to be discussed. It was agreed that the agenda should be publicised on the noticeboard at the back of the church before P.C.C. meetings. It was agreed that any other business should be allowed on condition that it be communicated to the chair before the meeting starts. It was also agreed that the Cross and Crown should publicise dates and times of P.C.C. meetings together with a reminder of the need to get items to the Secretary. Charles proposed and David seconded a motion to accept the paper as policy, with the amendments agreed above. The motion was passed nem. con. |
|
34/02 |
Finance Jo gave an oral report on the financial situation. Our parish share this year was £45,889 and to date we had £27,711 still to pay but we would probably be able to pay another £10000 before the end of the year. This still left a considerable shortfall. Jo suggested that we need to think about longer-term solutions. She said that the Diocese was hoping to keep the increase in next year’s Parish Share to 8% but even this would be difficult. Annual giving at present was about £35000 which would still not cover the Share. Solutions such as turning off the heating would save very small amounts and could deter new parishioners. It was agreed that people needed more guidance on appropriate levels of giving. However, there needed to be a sensitivity to people’s individual financial circumstances. The Stewardship Focus group was asked to consider the issue. |
|
35/02 |
To discuss report of Stewardship Focus Group All members of the electoral roll had been written to asking for a growing commitment to the church. There had been a rather disappointing response. The committee recommended to the P.C.C. that a marketing manager be appointed. At this stage it was agreed to keep the issue alive by advertising in the Cross and Crown for a volunteer. There was discussion about the wording of the letter sent out by the Stewardship group which had been interpreted by some as implying that members of the congregation were not doing anything to support the church. It was suggested that we could be a lot more focused about pointing out to parishioners the real cost of running the Church. It was agreed to pass any useful suggestions through to the Stewardship group. |
|
36/02 |
To discuss future of Baptism services The ministry team recommended that Baptism services be held at 12 noon so that some members of the congregation could stay on for them. P.C.C. members should be asked to attend on a rota basis, as used to occur. Baptism could sometimes happen during Parish Communion services. Keith Saunders proposed and Sue Smith seconded that the proposal be adopted. With one objection, the proposal was passed by the council |
|
37/02 |
To discuss recommendation of the Parish Outreach Group Nick proposed and Simon seconded a motion that all church organisations should where possible use Fair Trade and recycled goods. The motion was passed nem. con. The outreach group would publicise this decision. It was agreed to continue the meeting beyond 9.30 p.m. |
|
38/02 |
To discuss the recommendations and receive the report of the Communications Working Party Keith Dally spoke briefly to the paper, saying that the item needed longer than the time available. It was agreed to postpone this item until the next meeting. Catherine expressed thanks to Paul Stewart for all his work on the website. |
|
39/02 |
To agree an additional P.C.C. meeting on Thursday 19th December The Standing committee had proposed to this additional meeting to deal with the extra business. The P.C.C. agreed. |
|
40/02 |
A.o.B. i) A parishioner had expressed his concern at the cancellation of Evensong. Russell said that communication needed to be improved so that a notice was posted to alert members of the congregation of a change of timing or venue. He said that the worship committee was considering the 6 p.m. service and would be bringing proposals to the P.C.C. for further decisions. ii) It was pointed out that at the last meeting it had been agreed to discuss the moving of the pews at this meeting. John Deighton said that a firm proposal should be coming to the next meeting. iii) Keith Dally asked that regular reports from all of the Sharing Life focus groups be presented to the P.C.C. The Standing Committee was asked to consider this issue. |
The meeting closed with The Grace at 9.45 p.m.