MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL, ST. BARNABAS CHURCH, LINSLADE, HELD ON 28^th SEPTEMBER 2004, AT 8 P.M. IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

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

Catherine opened the meeting with a prayer.

The minutes of the meeting of the 27^th July were approved. Please note that 12/04 in matters arising should read 16/04. Proposed by Russell, seconded by Maureen.

Matters arising

18/04	Catherine confirmed that permission has been received for those listed to administer the chalice.
16/04	a) Welcoming new comers – Catherine has spoken to newer members of the congregation. There is some more we could do to welcome new comers. Mike and Fran, with another member of the congregation, agreed to work together to form a welcoming group. b) Schools liaison – Catherine read the draft of a letter to be sent to all the schools in the Parish. All agreed that it was suitable and would encourage links in the Parish. c) Flower arrangers – Need to form a team of at least three. Jo suggested a person who may be interested. More help may come after Stewardship Sunday
22/04	Parish Magazine editorial group - Two names have been put forward to support the editor. There is an obligation to produce the magazine so we must look forward and ensure continuity in the event of present editor being unable to continue.
23/04	Lady Chapel refurbishments –Dave has a quote for clear glass of £1200 so the cost will be about the same for glass or curtains. The majority present were in favour of glass. Dave will consult with Mary Saunders, of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the care of Churches, about suitable types of glass, including smoked and obscure, and get some samples .A faculty will be needed. Jo is still trying to get a sample of a chair.

New items for this meeting:

27/04	Catherine’s visit to the Willow Creek Community Church. Catherine reported on her visit with a group from the diocese to the leadership summit at Willow Creek, the largest individual church community in the USA, which is phenomenally successful. She noted important cultural differences between Britain and the USA, notably optimism (including about the Church) and a spirit of service. Willow Creek is founded on the conviction that the church is not the building but a community of people. There is a culture of volunteerism, an expectation that if a person’s faith matters to them, they will find time to volunteer for church work, which includes meeting people’s spiritual, social emotional and health needs, as well as reaching out to the poor and vulnerable beyond the Church community. Much of the life of the church is in small groups and this helps to meet the needs. There is an understanding of leadership that must have vision and be able to motivate others to share the vision. The local church can be a powerful agent for change. Catherine was asked whether there were any local plans to share what was learned. The diocese representatives will be working together to promote the ideas locally.
28/04	Parish Hall update. Dave explained the background to the progress report. Lottery grants are only available on the basis of need to the community. Keith and the committee are working on adapting the bid and on some building modifications. Up to £25,000 is needed to get the project to planning application stage. We need a firm commitment from the local community. The proposal to consider that “all fundraising efforts over the next two years should be devoted to the hall project” has repercussions for all church groups, especially Outreach whose commitment should be met from general church funds. The position of Friends of St. Mary’s was discussed – not all Friends are members of the congregation but it was felt they would be supportive of a Parish project. Jo said that fund raising for the hall should be over and above fund raising for the general needs of the church. It was noted that we must be committed, enthusiastic and united in the parish hall project or we shall fail. Proposed by Dave, seconded by Nick. All agreed.
29/04	a) Dorothy Hall Legacy The bequest is divided equally between the vicar and churchwardens of St Barnabas for the general purposes of the Church, and the vicar and churchwardens of St Mary’s likewise a) A proposal that 50% of the legacy should be allocated to the parish hall project. It was generally felt that this would be an acceptable way to use St Barnabas’s part of the legacy. Proposed by Mike, seconded by Jo. One against, rest in favour. b) Discussion of options for the use of the remainder of the legacy. Agreed to postpone to a later date.
30/04	The use of the back of the church. – Agreed to leave to a later date but Dave would welcome ideas at any time.
31/04	Mursley Deanery synod - Agreed to leave to a later date.
32/04	Leighton Buzzard Team Ministry The benefice of Leighton Buzzard, Hockliffe, Billington and Eggington is to be joined by Heath and Reach as a team ministry but retain separate parishes. As St Barnabas is part of the town, the priest-in-charge and church wardens of St Barnabas were invited to attend the meetings and were encouraged to give ideas for the team. They are at the stage of formalising the scheme for a team ministry. St. Barnabas would be welcome if we wanted to join. We need to look at our present situation in the Mursley diocese. An informed decision will be needed at sometime in the future. It was proposed that the PCC call an open meeting to explain the facts and decide the best way forward for this parish. It was agreed that the Standing Committee should fix the date.
33/04	Any other business. a) Catherine advised that we have been approached to have a training curate. b) Parish Prayer meeting. From October, there will be prayers before the PCC meeting starting at 7.30 and focusing on parish development and the PCC agenda. c) Distribution of communion (Disability discrimination act) This issue has been discussed by the team and the worship committee and communion will be distributed from the high altar and from the Lady chapel. This should give more equal access for everyone. Russell will write an explanatory article for the parish magazine and the changes will start in November.

The meeting concluded with the Grace at 10.25 p.m.