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

26th SEPTEMBER 2006, AT 8.00PM IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

 

 

 

Present:                        Valerie Stewart             Catherine Dyer         

                                    Keith Saunders Carolyn Birch

                                    Frances Morrow          Russell Stannard

                                    Marlene Richardson      Carol Oakman 

                                    John Deighton               Wyn Jones

                                    Nick Moore                 Marian Dye                

                                    Janet Miller                   Simon Soper

                                    Maureen Gadsby         Vicki Faiers

 

Apologies:                   

Miranda Soper             Jo Thomson

Mike Finney                 David Throssell

 

Keith chaired the meeting. The minutes of the meeting of 25th July 2006 were approved. Proposed by Fran and seconded by Maureen. All agreed.

 

Matters arising:

 

2/06     Appointments – Churches Together - This has still not been resolved. Ideally, it should be a member of the PCC but if not perhaps a member of Outreach or another member of the congregation.

 

16/06   Communion before Confirmation – revised policy. Catherine explained the changes made to the first draft. The policy has been sent to the Bishop and we are waiting for official permission to start the process. Catherine reminded PCC of the five points that need to be considered by them.

1.      Review baptism policy: should we offer a thanksgiving service as an alternative (and/or in addition to baptism)?

2.      Need to review our strategy for Christian nurture from cradle to grave.

3.      Is worship accessible to all members? In particular, should we review the All-age Eucharist to make it more accessible to people of all ages?

4.      How might the children be meaningfully included in the Eucharist – bearing in mind the exceptional variety in educational and emotional development of the children presently in Sunday school?

5.      Review how children are included in all aspects of church life.

After some discussion to ensure that the congregation has been kept informed about the policy it was adopted

Proposed by Simon, seconded by Vicki. All in favour.

 

22/06   Move to St Alban’s Diocese – Catherine, Keith and Nick met with Grant Fellows and John Wallis to discuss the scheme adopted by the Ouzel Valley Team ministry. They had discussed a wide range of issues including the current pastoral measure that applies to that Team ministry and how it might be amended to include Linslade. There could be a problem during the Linslade vacancy. Oxford could be asked to appoint a priest-in-charge for Linslade who would be a team vicar designate for Linslade in a revised, enlarged and renamed Ouzel Valley ministry. Jim May, Mary Saunders’ opposite number, is to be asked to speak to the October meeting of the PCC. We have also been invited to send an observer to the Dunstable Deanery Synod meeting on 10th October although this clashes with the Standing Committee meeting.

 

26/06   Christian Ecology – Nick has the information and has started to complete the survey. He will be recommending actions when he has completed the exercise.

 

18/06   Parish Prayers – Nick has started the rota for leading the prayers – October – Miranda; November – David; January – Valerie; February – Vicki; March – Carolyn

 

New items for this meeting:

 

 

27/06   Hall update

 

            Stage 1 is almost completed, just a few finishing touches before we get the completion certificate. The next item is the roof and the architect is getting three quotes for the work. It could be done without closing the building. We have the quotes for the kitchen/bar area but not the necessary funds. A lottery application has been submitted and we should hear the result by December.

            The official opening of the link is planned for Sunday 29th October at 11.30am. The format is still to be agreed.

           

           

28/06   Revised conditions for hire of hall/church

 

            The conditions, which were circulated prior to the meeting, have been discussed with Janet (hall) and Miranda (church). People using the hall are required to complete a formal hire form. Miranda is co-ordinating the bookings for the church and members were reminded to check availability before making any arrangements for functions, including regular events or meetings. We all need to be disciplined about this. A question was asked about fire alarms. There is not one planned for the church but there should be one in the hall when it is completed.

            Nick proposed and Janet seconded that the conditions of hire be accepted. All in favour.

 

                    

           

29/06   Managing the west end of the church

 

            We need to consider what is to be done with the area that has been freed up at the west end of the church. Alison Cudby was thanked for the many displays that she has done on the boards. Some of the issues are – the back pew near the link door, the position of the votive candle stand, which entrance to use for Sunday services, what to do with the Fair Trade goods, where should the display boards be kept, how can we make the best use of the space remembering the need for safety during processions, etc. We need to get the views of the congregation and observe how the area is used at the moment before making any decisions. All members were asked to consider this situation.

             

 

30/06   Social committee

 

            The meeting at Marian’s house in August had gone well. “Busy Bees” has been set up by the Fair committee and meets each Saturday afternoon. This is working well and members are getting to know each other better. They feel this will help them when welcoming new people.

           

           

31/06   Christian nurture

 

            Catherine is concerned that we are not paying enough attention to Christian nurture. It is the foundation of Church life and can undermine everything that we do if we do not encourage it. It should therefore be a top priority. It is intended that there will be a display listing the existing groups available with a leaflet giving appropriate information. In order to meet the ideas of today we need some concrete ideas to work on. Catherine will give this some thought.

 

32/06   Churches together

 

            Unfortunately due to a misunderstanding the report was not available at the meeting. It will be sent as soon as possible. Catherine explained that Grant Fellows is to be chair as from the beginning of January. He wants to set up a sub-committee to arrange the lent groups and needs representatives from each of the churches.  (and see 2/06)

 

33/06   St. Mary’s as a small pilgrim place

 

            John and Sheila Deighton would like St Mary’s to become a small pilgrim place. The vision is of small pilgrimage places, not necessarily churches, dotted round the country for pilgrimage, prayer, quietness or relaxation. John explained their visit to one such place in Wales and about the hospitality involved. They offer unconditional welcome to anybody. A list of participating places can be found on their website at www.smallpilgrimplaces.org.uk.

  The PCC agreed to endorse the plan for St Mary’s to be linked to the small pilgrim places.

 

 

34/06   Standing Committee report

 

a)      Catherine asks that all groups need to make clear what is to be reported to PCC so that the specific points can appear in the minutes and not as an attachment as previously.

b)      The church clock has been stopped because it needs a specialist to advise on the repairs needed.

c)      CRB clearance – There should be an annual report to PCC. Nick is to check on this.

 

35/06   Any other business

 

a)      Churchyard regulations. – Keith distributed a summary of Diocesan Regulations applying to the churchyard at St Mary’s. This will be displayed in a prominent place and a copy at St Barnabas. John proposed and Maureen seconded that these regulations be agreed, subject to the removal of a few typing mistakes. All in favour.

 

b)      Mobile phone mast – Proposal to site a T-Mobile antenna in St Barnabas Church. Keith had prepared a question and answer sheet based on the questions that he had asked of the company representative and that clarified many of the issues involved. The benefits are financial and also that it will avoid another site being chosen for the erection of a mobile phone mast. QS4, the company which liaises between mobile phone companies and local churches under the Archbishops’ Council national agreement, will arrange to leaflet all local residents, will call a local consultation meeting and will complete all necessary faculties and other permissions required for the installation. All work will be at no cost to St. Barnabas. The following resolution was agreed, proposed by Keith, seconded by Russell, 15 for and 1 against.

 

“The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Church of St Barnabas at its meeting on 26th September 2006 passed by a majority of sixteen to one among those present and voting, a resolution to submit a petition for faculty for the installation of telecommunications equipment at the church in accordance with the National Agreement between the Archbishops’ Council and QS4 Ltd (30 May 2002) subject to: -

 

·        Approval of an acceptable design

 

·        Acceptance of the Terms and Conditions of the head licence between QS4 Ltd and the church

 

 

·        Satisfactory conclusion to the community consultation (i.e. it is the considered view of the PCC that this proposal will not materially detract from the ministry of the Church in the long term)

 

And to appoint QS4 Ltd as the Council’s representative in all dealings with telecommunications operators”

 

Signed:……………………….       Name: ………………………………

 

 

Notes:

 

a)      The head licence referred to above is the National Agreement Model Licence as prepared and approved by the Archbishops’ Council. Added to this are the Church specific particulars, such as the name and address of the Church, the agreed rental etc and the drawings showing the summary details of the agreed design.

b)      The PCC will ratify this decision when a DAC certificate is received and the licence is agreed.

 

c)         Catherine informed PCC that Jenny Hyson is leaving the Oxford Diocese to take up another position. As she has been so helpful to St Barnabas in the past, she suggested that we contribute £25 towards her leaving present. Keith proposed and John seconded that we do so. All agreed.

           

 

 

 

 

The meeting concluded with The Grace at 9.50 pm.