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 2nd JULY 2007 AT 7.15 pm IN THE REID
ROOM
31 PCC members were present at the meeting.
1. Worship
The PCC read Psalm 86 together.
Erik pointed out that the psalmist asks God to teach him God’s way and to
rely on God’s faithfulness. He also asks God to give him an undivided heart
so that he can live in reverence of him. When this is in place praise and
prayer flow naturally. Our desire tonight is to find God’s way for us –
and through that to glorify God.
2. Apologies for absence
These were received from Jo
Monaghan, Bob Parkin, and Sue Ravalde.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
It was proposed by Erik Wilson and
seconded by John Downs that the minutes of the meeting of 4 June 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) Charitable Disbursements
Re the money not allocated in
previous years – it has now accumulated to £4066. £4000 of this is
earmarked for Sowing Seeds Ministries. In response to a question from Paul
Bury it was confirmed that this was taken into account in the accounts and
recorded in the cash balance.
b) Schools Ministry
This will be put on the agenda for
the October meeting of the PCC. Nick was more hopeful that the Super Club at
Linthorpe Primary may continue for the immediate future.
c) Cell Groups
Now to be called Life groups.
Yellow slips requesting a response
as to preference for Life group/Home Group have gone out. They are starting in
September – there will be training for leaders – the content will be in
line with the Sunday morning service.
5. Correspondence
In his absence on holiday, a
letter from Bob Parkin was read out. Bob feels that 64 Queens Road is showing
signs of depreciation and should be sold soon. He has spoken to the workmen
who did the recent work. Erik said that as the house in Queens Road is on the
agenda, Bob’s letter will be considered then.
6. Vicar’s Remarks
Erik
reiterated that the PCC has some very major decisions to make which must be
decided in faith and in the belief in God’s faithfulness. Tonight our main
aim will be to listen to what the Lord is saying to us – to pray for His
will and His vision to be clear. Erik proposed a time of prayer around Item
10.
7. Buildings sub-committee Report
John Downs gave this report.
a)
The church
*Quotes have been received for
installing 4 CCTV cameras at the back of the church and hall. The Buildings
Committee have examined quotes from Render Alarms (£2950.00 + VAT) and
Crimewatch Systems (£2980.64 + VAT.) They prefer the quote from Crimewatch as
the engineer was more knowledgable. They are asking the PCC to approve the
request for a faculty application
for this work. The total cost will be £3502.48 + VAT.
There was a discussion about this
which threw up concerns about the cost, the message such security gives out to
people, and its effectiveness. The police have said that a bogus camera is not
effective.
There was a sense that the PCC may
not want to go down this route. Before any other action is taken Erik asked
the Building Committee to investigate the cost effectiveness of the system,
and in particular whether there would be any insurance discount as a result of
it.
*A handrail has been fitted down
the steps to the toilets in the choir vestry corridor to facilitate access for
the disabled.
b)
The Hall
*The Supper Room window
overlooking the cellar steps has several broken panes. PPS have renewed the
panes and fitted secure plastic protection. Cost £454.72.
*Break glass units fitted adjacent
to the fire doors in the hall for alley gate keys in emergency. Cost £30.00
incl. keys.
*Eco Ban have carried out
quarterly inspection of rodent poison containers and found evidence of mice
under the stage.
*Damaged electric socket in
Climbers room renewed.
*Maval Electrical have carried out
Hall and Narthex emergency lighting checks and Hall fire alarm checks.
c)
The Houses
*64 Queens Road has developed a
roof leak again. The water is running into the toilet, down the wall. Flashing
above the toilet has been renewed. Cost £30.00.
Total
Monthly Bills Paid in June 2007 - £634.72
8.Future of Music Leadership
Erik introduced the discussion by
pointing out that music is very central to what we are doing at St. Barnabas
and that the musical director needs vision, a breadth of musical knowledge,
and a heart for worship. The worship of God is central and so the appropriate
leadership of the music must be a priority for us. The PCC are responsible for
spending and will find room in the budget if this is indeed a priority. Staff
expenditure has lessened now that Sheila is no longer being paid as Pastoral
Assistant and although we may still be over budget, the giving for the last 5
months has gone up.
If the post was full time, it
would need to be half time music and half time something else.
Tony Hutchings pointed out that
the PCC has never taken a decision to dispense with a lay church worker and
that the need for the work is still there. There was some discussion about
whether any parts of the role of the Director of Music could be delegated.
Jenny Reid emphasised that the Director of Music must hold together two
traditions of music (one of the strengths of St. Barnabas) take the overview
and keep the vision clear.
The discussion indicated a desire
to advertise the post of Director of Music at a salary of £14000 - £18000.
plus accommodation, if the person is able to offer an additional area of
ministry. The following motion was proposed by Ray Morris and seconded by
Alistair Bolton,
“The PCC authorises the vicar to take such steps as he shall consider
necessary (including advertising) to employ a person to fulfil the role of
Director of Music at St. Barnabas Church, with such additional duties as that
person may be able to offer which will contribute to the ministry of the
church – and to offer such a person a financial package in consultation with
the treasurer. The vicar may invite such members of the church as he deems
appropriate to assist him in this undertaking.”
This motion was passed – 28 in
favour, 2 abstentions, 1 against.
9. 64 Queens Road
There was some discussion about
the most sensible way forward. Some felt that it was not worth keeping the
house because of deterioration, especially if it was empty for some time.
Keith Barker, after living in the house for 18 months, did not think its
condition was as bad as Bob’s letter suggests. Some thought the house should
be sold and a flat purchased. Some thought the nave re-ordering should be
linked with selling the house. Nigel Fletcher offered to do an inspection
gratis.
It was decided to leave any
decision until the possibility of a post of Director of Music was clearer.
10. Nave Re-ordering – including Prayer
This was introduced by Andrew
Argyle – he summarised the two schemes, A (without a new floor) and B (to
include a new floor) which had been previously presented to the PCC, and
outlined the differences and costings. There was a lively discussion, which
included the financing of the scheme, and the future of the house in Queens
Road in relation to this financing. Andrew pointed out that if scheme A was
the preferred way forward then it would be possible to undertake the work in a
phased way. Issues and concerns covered in the discussion were - the
current temporary appearance of the church, the uncertainty about financing
the scheme, the expectation of the congregation that decisions would be
reached and progress made, the actual state of the under floor and the
possibility of retaining the present floor if it was re-stained and polished.
There was discussion about
financing the re-ordering and some felt that the sale of the house in Queens
Road could release money towards the project. Others felt that the house was
an asset to the mission of the church which could not be replaced if sold. The
following motion was proposed by Tony Hutchings and seconded by Ian Bell
“that the PCC agrees that at the present time the House in Queens Road
should be retained, and that in principle we do not wish to finance any nave
refurbishment from this asset.” This motion was carried – 23 in favour, 6
abstentions, 2 against.
Erik noted that the introduction
of the Life Groups from September onwards and the J. John Mission next year
would occupy much of the church’s energy and wondered whether progressing
the re-ordering at this time would be a distraction, although he sought the
PCC’s continued commitment to the principle of re-ordering.
A straw poll showed that the PCC
continued to be committed to the principle of re-ordering but did not feel
that at this time it had sufficient information to choose between Schemes A
and B.
Andrew suggested that it would be
sensible for the working party to reconvene and say how a staged scheme A
might proceed. In reply to a question from Paul Bury, Andrew confirmed that
they would consider the aesthetics of retaining the present floor.
It was proposed by Erik and
seconded by Allison Ward that “having considered the views of the
congregation the PCC has decided in principle to go ahead with the re-ordering
of the Nave.”
This was approved unanimously.
Erik summed up by saying that
there was more work for the working party to do. For the next few months the
focus of the church would be the J. John Mission and the introduction of the
Life Groups.
11. Any Other Notified Business
None
12. Date of Next Meeting
Monday 3 September
13. Prayer
The meeting closed with prayer and the grace.
