MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL, ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON 27^th JULY 2004, AT 8 P.M. IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

Present:
	Jo Thomson	Alison Cudby
	Valerie Stewart	Simon Soper
	John Deighton	Fran Morrow
	Maureen Gadsby	Carolyn Birch
	Wyn Jones	Carol Oakman
	Mike Finney	Janet Miller
	Melvyn Gardner	Nick Moore
	David Darvill	Miranda Soper
	Catherine Dyer	Keith Saunder
		Russell Stannard
Apologies:
	Jim Pickering	Anna Barrett
	Vicki Faiers
	Rebecca Pickering

Dave chaired the meeting. Catherine opened the meeting with a reading and a prayer.

The minutes of the meeting of the 22^nd June were approved. Proposed by Jo, seconded by Alison.

Matters arising

11/04	Parish Hall – an update was distributed to everyone present and will be forwarded to those unable to attend. 6 members of the Hall development group are going to see the results of a similar project next week
12/04	Carried forward items- a) Welcoming new comers – It was noted that the welcoming group needs to be revived as there is more work to do. b) Schools liaison – Catherine has drafted a letter for the heads of schools in the Parish that will be distributed in the autumn. c) Flower arrangers – Need to form a team. Please think of suitable persons, as Barbara will be finishing at the end of the year.

New items for this meeting:

18/04	Permission to administer the chalice The following have previously been authorised and Catherine proposed that permission be sought for them to continue. Anna Barrett Timothy Clayden Sheila Deighton Maureen Gadsby Christopher Hart Simon Soper In addition, Tony Birch will be proposed to the Bishop. .
19/04	Disabilities discrimination issues Following the audit, it was not possible to put an automatic door opener on the North Door, but the removal of the automatic door closure has much improved the situation. It was suggested that people who have disabilities should be consulted about their needs. Wyn will form a group to do this.
20/04	St Mary’s Churchyard It was agreed that some grave kerbstones need to be removed to facilitate grass cutting. This will need a faculty. It was also approved to spend £350 from the Churchyard fund to strim the grass. Proposed by Carol, seconded by Alison. All in favour
21/04	Publicity Officer A suitable person needs to be found from the PCC or the congregation. Catherine has a job description that could be used as a starting point. It was noted that we need someone who knows about the media and how it works. The role is only as good as the information fed into it and the person needs to be a regular member of the congregation.
22/04	Parish magazine editorial group The PCC had already agreed that an editorial group of 2 or 3 people is needed to support John Vickers. Catherine explained the benefits of working in threes- shared responsibility and to give each other support and inspiration. Russell explained the idea behind the editorial group – It is to positively seek a variety of articles from others and support the editor. The group needs to include younger members of the congregation if possible, a job description written and a discussion with present editor to establish the joint roles. A further suggestion is to combine the Publicity officer job within the magazine group. One new member of the PCC was opposed to the formation of an editorial committee. .
23/04	Lady Chapel refurbishment The Standing Committee will put forward firm proposals to the next meeting of the PCC. Any suggestions or comments will be needed before the next meeting (14^th September).
24/04	Child Protection Policy There is a need to adopt a clear policy. Melvyn talked through his paper (attached to file minutes) and clarified work still to do. The training programme should be ready by November. Long discussion about Addendum 1 and the implications for the various groups. Melvyn assured all present that the training would meet the needs of those concerned be it small or large groups or individuals, but it was necessary for all to have awareness training. It was suggested that there could be a service to recognise and commission leaders. A “no promises” clause should be added to 2.1 and there needs some clarification of the last paragraph in the reporting procedure. It will probably be necessary for the PCC to empower the Incumbent and the Church wardens to act on their behalf. Nominations for Children’s Advocates are Jenny Smith and Derek May who have both agreed to accept the positions. Proposed by Maureen and seconded by Valerie that they be accepted. All agreed. Melvyn was thanked for all his hard work. He will work on the amendments to present at a later meeting. He is also authorised to set up the appropriate training and ensure a record is kept of all participants. Proposed by John, seconded by Janet. All agreed.
25/04	Recommendations from the Worship Committee There were three recommendations from this committee that Russell explained. 1. To purchase The Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New (CAHON) Mission Praise would be surplus to requirements and copies therefore disposed of. A&MNS contains several good hymns not in CAHON, so good copies should be kept for occasional use. It was agreed to purchase 120 word copies, 30 large print and 25 full music copies. A few Braille copies to be obtained through RNIB. Ordering the new hymnbooks could be delayed for a few weeks to see if the publisher was to offer seasonal discounts, as well as seeking to negotiate a special discount with the suppliers. Proposed by Mike and seconded by Jo. It was also noted that consideration be given as to the appropriateness of the organ or music group for each hymn. The Worship Committee will consider this. 2. That chalice assistants from the congregation should not robe. As unrobed assistants in the sanctuary during the eucharistic prayer could be distracting, it was proposed that they should come forward during the singing of the Agnus Dei, and assisting clergy at the same time. Proposed by Janet, seconded by Keith. All agreed. 3. That Holy Communion following Evensong on the first Sunday of the month is discontinued. This was because it had not attracted communicants unable to attend at other times, and attendance was low. The PCC thought that the congregation should be advised of the change through a note in Cross and Crown and a fuller explanation in the next magazine. Keith suggested it was an opportunity to conduct a review of the whole pattern of worship, perhaps by a carefully designed questionnaire. Russell agreed to devise this. The proposal should be implemented from September. Proposed by Keith and seconded by Melvyn. All agreed.
26/04	Any other business The minutes of the last meeting of the Mursley Deanery Synod were distributed to all present and will be forwarded to those not in attendance. It will appear as an item on the next agenda. Faith Watch – Fran explained that the Crime Prevention meeting had spoken of a Faith Watch, similar to Homewatch. Would we like to be involved when it comes to South Beds? Fran will keep PCC informed. The agreed number of pews were removed on Tuesday 20^th July. Proposed by Nick and seconded by Alison that the aisle carpet be cut to a level with the back pews to create a clear space at the back of the church. All agreed that it should be done.
	Thanks were extended to Jo and her team for the excellent flower festival held on the previous weekend and the concert on Saturday night. The Festival raised about £956 and the collection for the Sudan appeal was £251 20.

The meeting concluded with the Grace at 9.50 p.m.

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