MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL,
ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON TUESDAY,
Present:
Valerie Stewart Keith Saunders
Russell Stannard Wyn Jones
Miranda Soper Alison Cudby
Jo Thomson Marian Dye
John Deighton Maureen Gadsby
Nick Moore Carolyn Birch
Vicki Faiers Janet Miller
Simon Soper
Apologies: Catherine Dyer Frances Morrow
Carol Oakman Mike Finney
Keith chaired the meeting
The minutes of the meeting of 26th July were approved. Proposed by John and seconded by Nick. All agreed.
Matters arising:
4/05 Affiliation to Faithworks and Conference –
Keith has completed the process to be affiliated. Marian will attend the
conference to be held in
6/05 a) St Mary’s kerbstones – There were more comments received. A site visit was arranged and was favourably received. The application for the faculty has been delayed because the Diocesan Advisory Committee wanted the proposal revised to include removing the head and footstones and resetting those that are unstable. The faculty will go ahead with these amendments. A quote of £3000 has been received from a contractor for clearing all the stones, levelling the mounds and disposing of unwanted materials.
It was noted that graveyard regulations would need to be discussed at a future meeting.
16/05 Communion before Confirmation – The group to discuss this has been formed. The first meeting is scheduled for 12th October.
New items for this meeting:
20/05 Funds – Treasurer’s report
Jo reported that the Parish share for this year is £56,220 of which £40,000 has been already paid. She is not sure at this moment whether there will be sufficient funds to pay the rest. She explained the need to move some restricted funds; some of the “special projects” fund would move into the Lady Chapel fund and the Outreach Fair Trade fund in order not to carry forward a deficit in the latter funds. There was no objection to this as long as the “restrictive” element was not breached.
21/05 Baptism Care Group and PCC support at
Baptism
Wyn explained the present
position. Baptism services are held at mid-day on the fourth Sunday in the
month. The Baptism preparation group also meet at
PCC members are needed to attend the baptism services as representatives of the Church and to help before, during and after the Service. Wyn distributed a rota for 2005- 2006 with a help sheet explaining the duties involved.
22/05 Celebrating Epiphany
Catherine would like a special service to celebrate Epiphany (6th January) followed by a party. Everyone agreed to the request.
23/05 Hall update
The minutes of the last Hall Committee meeting were distributed. Keith explained that the hall ownership issue has not yet been resolved so liabilities still remain with Churchwardens and incumbent, not with the PCC as intended.
Keith gave the rationale for starting with the link. The current rate of fundraising means we cannot raise enough to start with the hall refurbishment and we need to make a firm commitment to Shanks or risk losing their grant. The architects need detailed specification of the work involved before three tenders can be sought. Part of the process will be an asbestos survey of the hall. Keith has had two quotes, one for £1250+VAT, and the other for £645+VAT. Keith proposed we accept the second quote as the man actually visited the site rather than give a quote over the telephone. Valerie seconded the proposal, all agreed.
The faculty application for the link has been approved subject to there being sufficient funds available.
Keith proposed that we move forward with Phase 1, building the link, with a view to start building early in 2006. Seconded by Nick, all in favour.
24/05 Report from Deanery Synod and Deanery Plan
Nick introduced the report and the Deanery plan. The Deanery Plan committee have decided on a vision for the Deanery based on the “Sharing Life “vision, viz.
Our vision is to support a caring, sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part of the Mursley Deanery.
Geoff Ball reviewed the timetable for developing the plan, which will address not only the loss of a stipendiary priest, but also take account of all lay resources for mission and ministry. He stressed the importance of involvement by and feedback from PCCs in developing the plan, especially from November this year to April 2006.
Rev John Waller talked of the issues raised in the theoretical position where there was only one stipendiary priest in the deanery as a help in considering how we move forward. It particularly raised the question of what the clergy are really there to do and what we want them to do. A copy of John’s thoughts was distributed and a copy is on file.
Rev Lucy Holt reviewed the workshop held on 10th September which was lead by Andrew Gear, the Archdeanery Parish Development Adviser. This was very much work in progress which will be continued at the next Pastoral Committee meeting on 17th October, but we have defined the “Big Question” which we had to answer, namely:
What shape will locally shared
ministry and leadership take to enable mission in the Deanery?
The Deanery Plan Committee with the help of Andrew Gear will be developing a number of scenarios to address this question. These will be discussed at the November Synod and will form the basis of a document for Synod members to take to their PCCs for discussion and feedback.
The implications for Linslade were considered. We need to appoint a lay representative to the Deanery pastoral committee because Catherine, as area dean, has a responsibility for the overall progress of the plan. Simon said he would be prepared to go to the meetings.
We need to plan how we discuss the issue of whether or not we join St Alban’s. We need to consider the advantages and disadvantages and how they are presented to the congregation. We also need to know the situation in the Dunstable deanery. It was suggested that Standing committee start to draft a list of advantages and disadvantages. We need to make our decision in our own time and at our own pace but need the right material on which to base our decision.
25/05 Any other business
a) A new Child protection handbook has been received that replaces existing procedures. The new procedures will be followed when considering child protection issues.
b) Mark Savage, the hall cleaner, has written to the PCC to ask for a third contribution towards the £350 fee for him to do his NVQ level 2. He has gained level 1 and wishes to develop his skills further.
Keith proposed and Alison seconded that we pay this for him. All agreed.
The meeting
concluded with The Grace at