PCC minutes
Minutes of the St Mark’s Parochial Church Council meeting
(The minutes will always be approximately 2-4 months behind the current date due to them needing to be approved at the subsequent PCC meeting as true records of the proceedings
April 28th
In the vestry
PCC members present: Maggie Guite, Marguerite Roberts, Miles Elliott (chair), Tim Hupfield (secretary), Chris Hammond, Eleanor Jones, Jane Petkovic, Margaret Wiseman, Perrin Hardy, Stuart Lingard, Rita Lingard, Margaret Banks, Barbara Nunns, Wendy Walford, Rosey Gardiner, Hannelore Hagele, John Brady, Mary-Elise Domvile
Apologies: Stuart Warren
The meeting began with prayer.
The newly elected members of the PCC (John Brady; Hannelore Hagele; Wendy Walford; Mary-Elise Domvile; Rosey Gardiner) were welcomed.
It was decided to defer item 2 ‘The Chancel’ to the end of the agenda.
1. General Affairs.
The Minutes of the meeting of the PCC on 28th March 2010 were approved and signed as a true record of proceedings.
Matters Arising: none
Dates were approved for subsequent PCC meetings:
Wednesday 23rd June at 7:30 p.m. in the vestry (subsequently changed to 30th June)
Tuesday 14th September at 7:30 p.m. in the vestry
Wednesday 17th November at 7:30 p.m. in the vestry
2. Reports from Working Groups.
Ministry Forum – It was reported that the Ministry Forum had not met recently but there is a meeting planned for 26th May.
Education & Discipleship – It was reported that the retreat in September has been booked, with 9 people planning to attend. The committee also reported that they were planning three talks for after 10 am services in November on the topic of the environment.
Visitors Group – It was reported that the group were glad to see that the newly created CAMTAD clinic had 7/8 people attend the most recent clinic.
Events, Arts & Publicity – The PCC was asked to read and consider the report from this Events committee in anticipation of the next PCC meeting.
Land & Buildings – The recommendations regarding fire safety were accepted, with recommendation 2 being seen as an endeavour rather than a fulfillable goal. To this end, it was agreed that Tim Hupfield would purchase a stand for the folders in the narthex to keep them tidier. Tim will also buy a couple of torches to keep in the event of a power failure for any reason. Thanks were expressed for Alan Jones’ work in preparing the fire risk assessment.
Finance – Stuart Lingard reported on a ‘giving’ leaflet that he had prepared for this Sunday (when the sermon at 10 am will be about stewardship), asking the PCC to proof read it before it is distributed to the congregation.
Stuart also requested that a small group be set up to aid him in the necessary financial work for St Mark’s. Miles Elliott joined this group and Chris Wagner and Ieuan Jones will be invited to join.
It was reported that Helen Begbie was very pleased and grateful for her support provided by the PCC for her study trip to Nepal.
Deanery Synod & Churches Together – It was reported that Churches Together are working to create a church contact group to foster contact and communication between different churches and denominations and to be a body that other people/institutes can contact to speak to ‘Christians’.
Community Centre – It was reported that the committee was in the process of finding estimates to refurbish the mens toilets which are ‘an inexcusable disgrace’ which is ‘totally unacceptable’.
3. Membership of Committees
The new members of the PCC joined various committees, as follows:
- Rosey Gardiner – Youth and Children
- John Brady – Education and Discipleship
- Mary-Elise – Social and Fundraising
- Hannelore Hagele – Events and Education and Discipleship
- Wendy Walford - Worship
Tim Hupfield requested that committee chair people submit an up-to-date membership list for renewing the lists in the narthex.
4. Appointment of Children’s Worker
Maggie reported that there was a possibility of a joint youth worker between St Mark’s and Trumpington parish and that there are several possibilities being considered to try and help the new youth worker with the rent on the flat, should they wish to live there, such as asking the diocese to reduce the rent and requesting money from deanery ‘mission work’ funds. The new youth worker will be searched for from volunteer organisations and new ordinands’ spouses in particular. The ‘Time for God’ organisation’s Olympic Games project, whereby their volunteers work for two years rather than one, will be looked into, with the new youth worker then building up to a final big Olympic Games event at the end of the two year project.
5. Training of Authorised Lay Ministers
The PCC was asked to suggest people that might like to undertake an ALM course to Maggie. The different categories are:
- Administration
- Children’s Ministry
- Evangelism
- Lay Pioneer Ministry
- Music Ministry
- Pastoral Care
- Social Awareness Ministry
- Worship Leading
- Youth Ministry
6. Chalice Bearers
It was decided that the churchwardens and vicar would discuss whether it would be best to nominate new individuals to add to the chalice bearing list or whether everyone should be asked, with the proviso that chalice bearing is a ministry that, like all other ministries, has to be discerned by the church as well as the individual. They will report back to the PCC at the next meeting.
7. The Chancel
It was noted that while the churchwardens report about the chancel was written before the deadline for feedback, there was no rigid cut off date and feedback regarding possible chancel rearrangements is still welcomed. It was agreed that there would be another experiment, with the altar moved in front of the altar rail and the choir behind it in the sanctuary, on 9th May, with the new arrangement being in position for the 10 am service only.
It was agreed that a small working party would be set up to discuss the feedback from the chancel rearrangement experiments and the benefits and problems with the different possibilities. The committee will consist of the following people:
- Maggie
- Stuart Lingard
- Chris Hammond
- Graham Walker
- Stuart Waren
- Barbara Nunns
- Hannelore Hagele
8. Any Other Business
- It was agreed that 10 new books of common prayer would be purchased to increase numbers and replace some of the more damaged ones we currently have. It was also agreed for all but 30 ‘shorter prayer books’ would be removed.
- It was agreed that, with Trevor Wilson’s resignation as sidesperson at 8 am service, Marguerite, Roger Baker or Maggie, as appropriate, would unlock the church at 7:30 am on Sundays.
- It was reported that draughts in the church cause candle wax to cover the candlesticks on frequent occasions. It was decided that the possibility of oil filled candles would be investigated and, if possible, purchased.
- It was noted that the Easter Garden had not been particularly looked after since its creation, with plants now beginning to die or needing to be planted elsewhere. Marguerite agreed to move the appropriate plants as necessary.
- It was noted that John Brady will run the raffle at this year’s summer fete.
- It was reported that the nurseries attending the recent plant sale had sent a card expressing their thanks and suggesting the second Saturday in April next year as a possible date for another plant sale.
- The PCC agreed to buy more ‘It’s your move’ booklets to continue the recent tradition of giving one to each of the leavers at Newnham Croft primary school.
- It was noted that the next united service between Trumpington, Grantchester and Newnham will be on 30th May, with Bishop John Taylor as visiting preacher. It was also reported that there will not be a united service in August so the next united service will be at Trumpington parish church in October.
The meeting concluded with prayer.
