Another very full and lively meeting at the PCC last week. We welcomed Stephen Crosby to his first meeting and Ian Young in his new role as PCC secretary. Here are the highlights of the meeting. If you would like to know more, please ask any member of the PCC – their names are listed on the board in the porch.
Sue Brennan gave a presentation on the healing ministry of the church and in discussion we affirmed how important both the formal healing ministry is at St Johns, but also how much people appreciated the care and concern shown for individuals. Sue’s report is available if you would like to see a copy (have a word with Sue or Ian Young), and the PCC will return to this topic at the next meeting, particularly looking at the ways in which lay people might exercise this ministry alongside the clergy.
Following Jackie Howell’s presentation on baptism preparation at our last meeting, we affirmed that the current arrangements are appropriate, suitable and work. Jackie was commended for her ministry in this sometimes difficult area of work.
The PCC were reminded that new regulations governing the qualification to marry at parish churches come into force on October 1st (this has previously been fully reported in the bulletin). The PCC felt that this was a helpful development.
We are delighted to recommend that, having completed their period of training, the following should be put forward as lay pastoral ministers in the parish: Christine Priestly, Gill Clayton-Hewson, Sue Fleshbourne, David Fleshbourne, Paul Cartwright and Sheila Hoy. They will be licensed once all the paperwork has been approved by the bishop.
The PCC enthusiastically endorsed a proposal to work with Bishop Grossteste College to put our archive material onto the internet. We particularly wanted to thank Andrew Jackson for his work on this and we agreed that this would be an important project leading up to our 50th anniversary. A small group will help to manage the project from the church’s point of view and we will be seeking funding for this project.
Fr Stephen reported that invitations for tenders have now been sent out for the building work required following the flooding. We are hoping that this work can be completed as soon as possible. Tabitha Holt alerted us to the fact that British Gas wanted us to pay over £3000 in energy bills – this had turned out to be a substantial overcharge! The actual amount is considerably lower, but we did then have a discussion on our energy consumption and bills.
At a recent inspection of the church by the Fabric Committee, we were shocked to discover that our first aid kit was not only virtually empty, but only contained a couple of old mouldy bandages. We have now purchased a new first aid kit which will be wall mounted in the porch. Cay Sherlock and Pam Beattie agreed to be our first aiders and to ensure that the first aid kit is constantly monitored and replenished.
The Fabric Committee also presented a report outlining a number of repairs and renovations that need to be done to the exterior of the church. Some of these are now urgent. We had received a quote for part of the work to be done and approved that this should be carried out as soon as possible. A proposal to redecorate the hall was considered – we agreed that hall profits should be used for this and we would review the situation at the end of the year.
The PCC agreed a new policy for the booking of tables by church groups at table top sales. We agreed that church groups would be charged £5 per space (not table), but with the caveat that where a lot of tables have been booked, it may not be possible to allocate more than one table to church groups.
Sue and Ian Young reported on a parish music day they had attended, which had been extremely useful (and free!).
Future meetings of the PCC will consider:
If you have any issues you would like the PCC to consider, please do let Fr Stephen or the churchwardens know.