WONERSH  WITH  BLACKHEATH  PAROCHIAL  CHURCH  COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Selwyn Room

 on 11th July, 2007

 

 

Present:  The Vicar, Ian Scott-Thompson (in the Chair), Eric Dalton (Churchwarden),  David Legg (Churchwarden), Andrew Quaintance (Churchwarden), Tony Pratt (Treasurer), Neville Hunter, Paddy MacVean, Esther Carpenter, Paul McCormick, John Thompson, Moira Hassall, Brenda Morley, David Merritt, John Metcalfe, Liz Tilley, Liz Lister, Gordon Mylchrist, Keith Bateson, James Cooke and Richard Allen

 

Ian opened the meeting with a time of worship which including a reading from 2 Corinthians. This was followed by a time of prayer.

 

P07.43  Apologies for absence

·        Apologies received from Amelia Taylor (Churchwarden),

 

P07.44      Alpha and Evangelism

·        IST described mission and maintenance of church life. IST explained why he feels Alpha is an excellent course and should be at the heart of church life. Course that has just run was a model for how Alpha could be run. September course is to be publicised widely within the village. Long term hope is that Alpha will be the way into the church for people e.g. baptism families. Alpha groups can turn into Home Groups.

·        Discussion took place about who and how we should be inviting people onto the course. Use of ‘Alpha supper’ was discussed as a good way to explain course to people. Importance of personal contact also emphasised. In addition general publicity and awareness raising highlighted. Discussion also included the need for the church to have a pool of babysitters.

·        Question of how we get the church family to engage in Alpha and be prepared to help in various ways. It was suggested that we need an event for the church family first. This has been done previously with events for giving. Given time constraints could we do an event after a Sunday service?

·        It was suggested that people need to be asked rather than waiting for people to volunteer. Should our starting point be that everyone is involved unless they opt out! How can this be balanced with not making people feel guilty. Can we spell this out during the service, use of video clips and power point suggested?

·        Alpha needs people to take ownership and responsibility. Roles of Alpha co-ordinator, lead on babysitting, catering etc used in other churches.

·        Church needs to be committed to prayer about this.

·        Discussion reverted back to focus on ‘maintenance’ of church family and whether getting this right would lead to more mission.

·        Proposal – Paul McCormick and Gordon Mylchrist to take Alpha lead for September course.

·        Proposal – Event to be held for church family about ‘Alpha Vision’ after Sunday Service on 2nd September on Church Green.

 

 

P07.45  Previous minutes

·        2 corrections were made and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved as a true record of the meeting and were signed by the chairman.

 

P07.46  Matters arising

·        Can the minutes be distributed more promptly? IST agreed.

Action – IST & MH to action

·        Can the date of the next meeting be included at the end? MH agreed.

MH to action

 

P07.47 Standing Committee Minutes

·        IST raised PCC Secretary diocesan contact role. Gordon Mylchrist volunteered for this.

·        JM suggested Standing Committee and PCC minutes could be identified by putting an S (for SC) and P (for PCC) before the numbers. MH agreed to this.

Action - MH to action

·        GM asked for SC role to be clarified. IST did this.

·        PCC asked for clarification about lead roof alarm. IST stated that this was being looked into and will report back as soon as possible.

 

P07.48 Team reports

·        PCC discussed how often teams should report (and which teams).

·        Proposal – all teams should have reporting deadlines. Team can submit a ‘no report’.

·        Proposal – finance and buildings should report more frequently than others.

Action - DL to ensure all teams aware of deadline (2 weeks prior to PCC)

Action – DL will ensure all reports received

Action – Molly to distribute

Buildings team report

·        Question was asked as to whether redecoration was discussed at DAC and whether we have a faculty to apply.

Action – DL to check and action as appropriate.

·        Cross on church is possibly unstable. Expert advice is being sort. PCC agreed to cost of investigation.

Insurance report

·        Suggestion – personal injury amounts should remain within PCC. Agreed.

·         

 

P07.49 Finance Team

·        IST and JT proposed ………….Church staff salaries were discussed.

Action – JM to action

·        John Metcalf’s appointment as Finance Chairman was approved by PCC.

·        TP explained budget position. Regular giving is currently falling short some £34K of budget estimate. IST stated that his aim is for regular giving to cover regular expenditure.

·        JM asked how we could best publicise budget position to church. It was agreed that it should be in a simple format in the news sheet and may be on the screen.

·        It was suggested that we may need a one off request this year to cover deficit.

Action - IST to provide date of when info should be publicised.

·        JM will have draft budget for next year in September.

 

P07.50  Any other business

·        PCC need to read paper on marriage of divorced people before next PCC.AQ mentioned a useful paper existed and could be circulated. ED stated this info is on Church of England website.

 

            Closing Prayers

 

 

    There being no further business the meeting closed with the Grace.

 

The next Standing Committee Meeting is on 17th September and PCC Meeting on 26th September.