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

28th NOVEMBER 2006, AT 8.00PM IN THE CHOIR VESTRY

 

 

 

Present:                        Valerie Stewart                         Catherine Dyer         

                                    Keith Saunders             Carolyn Birch

                                    Nick Moore                             Russell Stannard

                                    Carol Oakman                          Miranda Soper

                                    John Deighton                           Wyn Jones

                                    Simon Soper                            Marian Dye                

                                    David Throssell

           

Apologies:                   

Marlene Richardson                  Mike Finney 

Frances Morrow                      Jo Thomson     

Maureen Gadsby         Vicki Faiers

Janet Miller

 

 

Catherine chaired the meeting. The minutes of the meeting of 31st October 2006 were approved. Proposed by Carol, seconded by John. All agreed.

 

 

Matters arising:

 

37/06   Hall update – fundraising - Keith said that this is progressing well with £48,000 promised so far. He has approached individuals and has been encouraged by the response. As a further grant of £10,000 is expected in January, Keith is confident that we can start stage 2b early in 2007. The hall committee received 3 quotes for this work and have decided to accept the quote of £130,000 (inclusive of VAT) from APEX. 

            The valleys of the roof are very spongy and a large fall of snow would cause a serious problem – tarpaulins may be used to minimise the dangers.

Regarding stage 2a, we are waiting the outcome of the lottery grant application and the Biffa award.

Generally, things are looking positive and Keith extended his thanks to all the generous folk who have helped the project. Catherine expressed our heartfelt and warm thanks to Keith for all his efforts.

Keith has enquired about the mobile phone masts but no more news at the moment.

 

38/06   Christian nurture – This is scheduled for the January meeting as it needs more time to discuss it.

 

 

New items for this meeting:

 

 

43/06   Proposal to join the Ouzel Valley Team Ministry

 

            This was spoken of last meeting when Jim May spoke to us. Keith explained that it is subject to consultation but the feeling is to join the Ouzel Valley team that would be disbanded and reformed under another name. There has been much discussion on the subject and it was felt further dialogue is unnecessary.

            Proposal: This PCC is minded to join the Ouzel Valley Team Ministry, conditional on us moving into the St Alban’s Diocese, and are resolved to negotiate to this end.

            Proposed by Nick, seconded by Marian. All in favour.

                                

           

44/06   Buildings Committee recommendations

 

            The buildings committee had not yet met. Nick as chair proposed that a cypress tree, that is masking the security light, be felled, as recommended by the SBDC tree officer. There will be no cost, as the Deighton family will arrange for the work to be done in a safe manner.

            Proposed by Nick, seconded by John. All agreed.

 

45/06   Back of the church

 

            For a trial period because of the large numbers of people expected in church over Christmas, it is proposed to temporarily remove one or two pews at the back        of the church on the south side. They will be stored in the hall. This should leave a more access space near the link door. The link entrance will be used for all the Christmas services.

Nick proposed that we should adopt this plan. Seconded by Valerie. All in favour.

There is a problem of letters left in the porch now that more people are using the link entrance. This also needs to be addressed.           

           

46/06   Deanery Synod report

 

            The “General Synod Review” was distributed. Most of the previous items were now out of date. There are no minutes yet from the last meeting.

 

 

47/06   Worship Committee –proposal to re-instate family service

 

            The Worship committee’s recommendations to the PCC are:

 

1                    that the family service be reintroduced on the first Sunday of the month at 11.30am starting in January

2                    that this service be renamed and omitting “family” with music provided by the music group.

3                    that this service be given a higher profile – well advertised, a warden present, and sidespeople rota-ed to assist

4                    that the 10.00am service on the first Sunday revert to Parish Communion, but with only one reading plus Gospel, shorter sermon and intercessions, and optional prayers omitted as required etc to ensure that it finishes by 11.00am

5                    that the all-age Eucharist service (at present undergoing minor revision, renamed The Eucharist: a simple celebration unless a better name emerges) be used on the third Sunday, the singing to be led by the choir, organ and music group as appropriate to the hymns and songs chosen.

6                    that four times a year this service be planned by a group with the involvement of children; at other times to be planned (presentation, reader(s) and intercessor) by a nominated group in the parish according to an annual rota.

 

Catherine explained each point. After much discussion about the word “family” and the position of Sunday school, a vote was taken on points 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Wyn proposed and Russell seconded that these points be agreed. All in favour.

Point 2, about renaming the service and omitting the word “family”, was not agreed.  Proposed by Keith, seconded by Miranda. 2 abstentions. Rest agreed.

It was suggested to call it the Family service initially so that it can start in January. A note will be put in the Cross and Crown for suggestions for an alternative name.

 

           

48/06   Approval of parochial fees 2007

 

            The statutory fees have increased. The fees for a Memorial service should read £93. Charges for permission for printed order of service have increased to reflect the amount of work involved. The fee for a CD covers any number of CD’s. A donation of £150 is suggested for renewal of marriage vows.

            Marian proposed that these be accepted, seconded by Keith. All in agreed.

 

49/06   Churches Together

 

            The report of the Leighton-Linslade Churches Together Annual General Meeting held on 12 November 2006 had been circulated. (copy in file) Catherine drew attention to the last paragraph – she was the only St Barnabas representative at the meeting. We really need a further person if we are serious about the importance of being part of the ecumenical movement supported by Churches Together. Marian may be able to help from April. Catherine distributed some notes from Grant Fellows entitled “A new way forward” How do we achieve the Aims and Objectives of ecumenical activity without creating too many time consuming meetings? Each church needs to send one or more volunteers to make the initiative work The next meeting is on 8th January 2007.

 

 

 

50/06   Outreach Group

 

            Valerie reported that Rita is resigning from the chair of Outreach as from 31st December. New members are needed for this group. Rita was thanked for her work.

 

51/06   Treasurer’s report

 

            Jo sent this report in her absence.

 

The parish share for 2006 is £59,439.00 – so far we have paid £50,000.00.  At this precise moment the approximate total of general funds is £3,000.00.  There is a chance that we can pay some more towards the share in December after our various fund-raising activities, but it is clear that we will not be able to pay all the balance, even were we to use all the funds available.

 

With regard to charitable giving, the majority is raised around the Christmas period, so it is not practical at this point to estimate what the annual total will be, but I must remind everyone that a portion of the parish share goes towards mission and charitable giving within the diocese, and to help other parishes less well off than ours that have no hope of paying even a major portion of their share.  This is a very important aspect of our giving and it must not be downplayed – other parishes rely on our generosity.

 

We should also bear in mind that whilst we are undertaking a major fund-raising campaign for the hall the church income will decrease temporarily.  This is a common phenomenon experienced by many churches in similar situations, and is not necessarily a permanent trend.

 

The report was noted with an expressed regret about the lack of money going to Outreach projects.

 

 

52/06   Standing Committee report

 

            There was nothing further to report.

 

53/06   Any other business

 

            A letter has been received from the leaders of the Friday night youth group informing the PCC of their intention to resign as from 15th December. This is because of family and work commitments. Thanks were recorded for the many years of dedicated service they have all given to the youth of the Parish.

            New leaders are needed and an appeal will be put in Cross and Crown. Catherine and Wyn will write to the parents of the children concerned asking for their help.

 

 

The meeting concluded with The Grace at 9.50 pm.