Held on 05/11/2009 at 8:00 p.m. at 9 Barnett’s Well, Draycott.
2. Attendance, apologies and welcome
5. Other business, including matters
arising
5a. Vicar’s appointment expenses
Chris
opened the meeting with a prayer. Sue Rose took the chair.
Present David Cheetham Chris Green Colette
Jeff Tricia
Lumley Thea Oliver Barry
Rose |
DC
CG CJ TL
TO BR
|
Sue
Rose Victor
Skinner (apologies)
Richard
Dingley Sylvia
Dingley Tricia Heckbert |
SR VS RD SD TH |
Nikki Devitt was also in attendance, by invitation.
The meeting was called
principally to discuss the items under this section, which was therefore taken
before the ordinary business of the meeting (see below). Nikki left before item
4.
This arose from a sermon
(“Evangelism in our spiritual age”). NB. We must be careful not to confuse
mission with spirituality.
We need to find ways to
deepen our spirituality- an idea was suggested by Gordon, for a benefice
retreat or away-day with some follow-up afterwards.
The ministry team should
look at Lent for a course on prayer.
How about some appropriate
articles and/or book reviews in the Church Newsletter? Approach Gordon to
contribute (he has done so before!). Nikki also expressed her willingness.
Sue had been invited to
preside at the school harvest festival, and found the church to be full… but
school had provided the whole service, and there had not been much about God!
How do we engage with the children? (and their parents).
The church needs to have a
stronger presence in services involving the school. Nikki pointed out that this
experience was not typical, and that there was plenty about ‘God’ in the
regular Wednesday assemblies. Normally she decided on the content and wrote the
prayers in consultation with the head, to ensure it followed the themes of the
RE syllabus- Sue undertook to participate when she was next able.
What kind of services would
appeal? Christenings could be a draw for children. Also more people from the
Sunday service could be there on Wednesdays.
Cathy Lowe was very
responsive to ideas for deepening the connection with the church, according to
Nikki. Sue wanted to set up a meeting with her and Nikki. (ACTION: SR to
mail Cathy and copy in Nikki).
As a rule we should aim for
one big church/school event per term. Candlemas next term?
A reminder that there would
be a Saturday afternoon tea with children and families the weekend before
Christmas.
Minutes of the 13/10/2009
meeting were taken as read (to be agreed next PCC).
David had received a bill from Cheddar for our share in expenses. This includes the expenses of the appointment, and totals about £700.
There was discussion when it was pointed out that this sum included
£135 for the previous abortive attempt at appointment. This failed through no
fault of our own, and should have been stopped at an earlier stage by the
diocese, which blocked it in the end in the light of information never shared
with ourselves. However the other churches involved have already paid in full,
which weakens our position. It is also to be remembered that we are bearing a
relatively small part of the overall burden. It might be a principled action,
but risks appearing petty.
The motion was put that we pay the £700 (proposed TO, seconded DC)
An amendment was tabled that we deduct £135 from our parish share for
the year (proposed BR, seconded VS).
We first voted on the amendment- 2 in favour, 5 against. The amendment
was therefore defeated.
Next we voted on the substantive motion. There were 5 in favour, 2
against. The motion was carried, and David was asked to pay the £700 to
Cheddar.
The radiator that was cold is now working.
We are progressing our plans for the chancel lighting without involving the Patches.
We had received a request for ideas on this from Alison Jeffries, the new co-editor.
Humorous pieces. Alison was not keen on these, but the opinion was expressed that there are appreciated in some quarters (e.g. Jane Thurmond takes them to the Westbury Day Centre). We would be prepared to continue to supply suitable (?) material.
Advertisers. Based on current practice, this should be charged at £35 for 10 issues, paid in advance in February. NB. Few people paid last year after being billed in arrears. ACTION: DC will send bills to be settled in February for the advertisements to appear from April.
Price. Please put this on the front cover- staying at 40p for the time being.
Content. The following ideas were expressed:
· Youngsters should be encouraged to contribute
· Wanted/ for sale/ ‘freecycle’ section
· Gardening tips
· Community needs
· Letters to the Editor
· Book reviews
· Recipes
· Competitions.
Printing: SR will talk further with DC. It should be cheaper to do this at the Cheddar church office on their new copier. Let Kings of Wessex carry on until the end of the year, then switch the printing from February onwards.
School content: Talk with Nikki and Steve.
Photos? NB. the restrictions over publishing photographs of children.
Gardening tips- try David Sheldon
ACTION: DC will communicate our ideas to Alison, with our grateful thanks for taking this on. NB. These ideas should be seen as ‘helpful suggestions’, editorial control will rest with the new editors. Price, and church diary and rotas are the only real fixtures.
(Further ideas could be discussed at our next PCC.)
The carol service is 6 pm on 20th December. Hymn practice to take place on 22nd November.
Carol singing on the 13th December at Sealey Close and The Laurels- we discussed the timing. Revised times of 3pm and 4pm respectively were agreed.
CG is getting in touch with Helen Dance to let her know the service rota, for inclusion in the next issue of Parish News (NB. copy date is 20th November).
Thanks to Richard Oliver for putting up the Christmas lights early (for Thea’s party)- saving Chris and Nikki a job!
SR informed us that a curate was probably
starting in June. His or her working expenses will need to be met by the
parishes on the usual pro rata basis.
The meeting was closed with the Grace.