Church Activities

PCC Minutes for January 2008 Meeting

These minutes are published on the basis that such matters (if there be any) which the PCC has resolved shall remain confidential have not been included

MINUTES OF THE PCC MEETING HELD ON

MONDAY 7 JANUARY 2008 AT 7.15 pm IN THE NARTHEX

26 PCC members were present at the meeting.

1. Worship

The PCC read Psalm 118 together. Erik pointed out that the psalm was probably used in liturgy at a festival in the temple, perhaps at the entry of the king. Part of it also refers to a victory in battle that the Lord has given the king. This testimony of what the Lord has done is used to call people to worship. Erik reminded the PCC how powerful testimony can be in the church, causing the whole congregation to give thanks to God for his love, which endures for ever.

2. Apologies for absence

These were received from Linda Peacock, Ste Corner, Kate Morris, Alistair Bolton, Jo Monaghan, Harry Holden, Allison Ward and Jenny Reid.

3. Minutes of the Last Meeting

There were two amendments:

Item 4b ‘Andrew Boyce from the architects Ferrey and Mennim’ in place of ‘from the firm of Ferry and Mennim’.

Item 8 ‘The cost of 15 seater minibus will be c£55’ and not £15.

It was proposed by Erik Wilson and seconded by David Atkin that with these two amendments the minutes of the meeting of 3^rd December be approved as an accurate record. All were in favour and the file copy was signed by the Vicar.

4. Matters Arising from the Minutes

a) Alteration for Nick Barr-Hamilton

There has been no progress with this. The Diocesan surveyor is looking for a more suitable house than Linden Grove, with better parking access. When one has been found, Nick will come up to look at it and the church at the same time.

b) Nave re-ordering

Andrew Argyle reported that we were now in a position to instruct an architect. Andrew proposed that Ferrey and Mennim be appointed as the design and supervising architects for the nave re-ordering, with the PCC reserving the right to bring in special consultants of their choice at a later date, and that the terms of engagement (fees and expenses) should be approved by the vicar in conjunction with the churchwardens and the treasurer. This was seconded by Erik, 25 in favour, 1 abstention, none against.

c) Boundary changes

This matter is with the Diocesan pastoral committee.

d) J John Mission

The mission working party is meeting on Monday 14^th January.

5. Correspondence

The PCC has received a thank you letter from Ann Watson on behalf of the Angel Tree Project

6. Vicar’s Remarks

Erik said that St Barnabas had a great time over Christmas. Lots of gifted, talented people worked together. It is when we all pull together that God can use us and bring good. There were a lot of visitors, particularly at the Crib Service.

It was suggested that something similar might be done at Easter. Dave Chislett and Neill Burgess agreed to look at this possibility, perhaps having activities on Good Friday.

7. Buildings sub-committee Report

Bob Parkin gave this report.

a) The Church

	The church electrics have had their 5 yearly inspection. The lightening conductor has been inspected and top spike bracket fixed. £1586 inc VAT.
	Choir vestry roof – Smartwater has been applied to the edge of the roof area of the vestry corridor where access is easiest, and on the gutters on the east and west sides.
	The west window grilles are in a damaged and rusty state with several holes where glass has been broken. A quote has been received to supply and fit new galvanized grilles. It was decided to take advice from the DAC secretary about whether there were any alternatives.

b) The Hall

The Reid Room boiler has failed and a spare part in being ordered by the contractor. Bob agreed to get costing for a new boiler in the Reid Room.

c) The Houses

23 Linden Grove had a major electrical failure in December and 24 hour electrician had to be called to get the central heating and alarm working again. £250 inc VAT.

The electrician said that a complete re-wire was needed, and quotes will be obtained.

The houses are also due their 5 yearly electrical inspection. 64 Queens Road has been done and 23 Linden Grove will be done after the rewire. £199.75 inc VAT (both houses)

Total Monthly Bills Paid in December 2007 - £3,090

8.Financial Report

The treasurer, Hugo Pollak, presented a financial report, in advance of the budget.

Unrestricted funds

Income

	Offerings are nearly £13000 below budget
	Hall/church hire is more than double budget
	Total income in more than £5000 below budget

Expenditure

	Nearly £8500 savings on buildings costs
	Total expenditure about £3000 below budget

Fund Total

	Fund changed from being in the red by £1421 on 1^st January 2007 to £311 in the black on 31^st December 2007
	Improvement down from budget by about £2000

Restricted funds

	Jachie funds now total £18,805 (including Ghana fund)
	Various issues need resolving to tidy up funds

Cash flow of unrestricted funds

	No borrowing from restricted funds
	Cash flow very erratic
	Avoidance of borrowing from restricted funds sustained by delaying Kingdom Mission disbursements
	Huge improvement in cash flow shows that, if Kingdom Mission Giving done in December each year, borrowing from restricted funds would have reduced from £12,000 to £4000 (mainly due to monthly tax claims).

9. Employment of part-time schools worker

We have received a grant from the Diocese for £3000, which we have said we will match from Kingdom Mission Giving, as the focus of the work will be in the schools and the football ministry, not in the church. Erik had spoken to Kevin Leavsley of Middlesbrough Baptist Church and they are considering employing someone for the schools work, possibly full time. In view of this it was agreed to consider the matter again at the February meeting, having heard from the Baptists.

10. Being a welcoming church

Erik introduced the discussion by saying that being a welcoming church went further than the remit of the welcome team, who give a smile and hallo to everyone coming into church. We need to think how the whole congregation welcome new people and how new people are made part of St Barnabas Church and make friends.

There was a lively and wide ranging discussion. The point was made that it was the responsibility of the whole church to pick up on new people and learn their names. Our fringe appears to be growing and we need to draw people into discipleship. Suggestions included: a monthly newcomers’ meal; coffee and doughnuts for newcomers in the narthex, possibly staffed by a rota of life/home groups; an opportunity during the service to talk to people and introduce each other; inviting people we don’t know well to Sunday lunch; sitting with newcomers in church. Some concern was expressed about coffee in the hall and the tables. Newcomers need to be taken over to the hall and found a seat, not left to go by themselves. It was felt that more tables might mean there was more space and circles would not be so inward-looking. However, whatever practical changes are made it is still up to all of us as individuals to be looking out for new people and talking to them.

11. Any other Notified Business

There was none.

12. Date of Next Meeting

Monday 4 February

13. Prayer

The meeting closed with prayer and the grace.