Church Activities

PCC Minutes for February 2008 Meeting

34 PCC members were present at the meeting.

1. Worship

The PCC read Psalm 25 together. Erik pointed out that this psalm reflects the complexity of following the Lord’s path after the decision to follow him has been made. It is not just a question of choosing the right path in the first place. The psalmist is aware of outside pressure (those who would like him to fail) and pressure from within (he has strayed from the path.) He realises how essential it is for him to stay close to the Lord.

2. Apologies for absence

These were received from Linda Peacock. There were apologies from John Downs and Chris McGregor for lateness.

3. Minutes of the Last Meeting

There were two amendments. Hugo Pollak requested that section 8 – at line 23 – be made clearer and it was proposed by Erik and seconded by Bob Parkin that the remainder of the sentence after "non recurring building costs" in Section 9 at line 8 be deleted. All in favour. It was requested that "for 2007" be inserted after Kingdom Mission Giving for the sake of clarity. There was one requested addition to the minutes – that David Atkin be recorded as having sent apologies for 4 February and this was agreed.

It was proposed by Erik Wilson and seconded by Bob Parkin that with these two amendments and one addition the minutes of the meeting of 4 February 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) Alterations for Nick Barr-Hamilton

Nick has applied for a grant from "Access to Work" for the job of lifting the paving stones to make them level with the front door of the church, and the temporary work around the font. Nick will have a site meeting with them.

b) J. John Mission

There is a planning meeting on March 5. Buses are booked for St Barnabas to leave no later than 6.50 p.m. and the security guard booked for the church car park.

c) Being a Welcoming Church

Newcomer’s lunch on 16 March – meeting of the welcomers arranged – discussion of better structures for integrating people after welcoming them.

d) Boundary Changes

Copy of the proposals and a consent form received from the diocese – Erik proposed and David Atkin seconded that these be signed – all in favour.

5. Correspondence

None this month

6. Vicar’s Remarks

Erik commented on the beauty of the sanctuary and chancel since the re-ordering and the long tradition of buildings glorifying God in terms of beauty. The nave is very different and we should be thinking – flexible, practical, comfortable, BEAUTIFUL – an offering of worship to God.

7. Buildings sub-committee Report

Bob Parkin gave this report.

There was discussion at this point about the choice between a total rewire or repairs. It was confirmed that just doing the repairs would comply with Health and Safety regulations and that a guarantee of 10 years would be given. After discussion, and advice from the treasurer, it was decided to go for the repairs option. It was proposed by Bob Parkin and seconded by Hugo Pollak that the PCC approve the repairs option and this was approved unanimously.

Monthly bills paid in February 2008 - £2378.14 (Electrical inspection of Queens Road/Reid Room Boiler Igniters/Lightening Conductor Inspection/Rodent Trap Inspection/Middlesbrough Council Grass Mowing)

8. Nave Re-ordering – including Funding

This report was given by Andrew Argyle who led the discussion. PCC members all had a copy of the Report.

Andrew reminded everyone of the vision for re-ordering the nave.

We need to raise £250,000 in an appeal, probably to be launched in October 2008.The work would then be carried out in 2009. So far £1,400 has been spent on external bills over the last 2 years. Tonight we need to record the fact that the Nave Fund is officially launched (not the Appeal.) A number of people have mentioned to Andrew that they would like to contribute before April 2008 to benefit from current tax relief. Andrew suggested that those present at the PCC might contribute enough (about £10,000) in a pre-launch phase of giving to kick start things eg architects fees. Andrew asked people to prayerfully consider what they might give over the next 2-3 weeks. He also asked for any information about grants, charities etc. – one of their pre requisites is usually that some initial fund raising has taken place.

There was a discussion about whether the Fund would be a "restricted" fund and it was decided that this was the best way forward with the proviso that any unspent money could be returned to the General Fund. It will be a high interest account, separate to the general church funds. Andrew stressed that this was the setting up of the Fund not the launch of the Appeal – which will involve plans, visualisations etc. At this stage hard cash is needed rather than long term commitment – please give cheques to the churchwardens or Hugo and write NAVE on the back.

Andrew Argyle put this proposal forward "It is proposed that the PCC launches the Nave Re-ordering Fund, (which will be a restricted fund in a separately denominated bank account,) on the understanding that on the completion of the Nave Re-ordering any surplus will be transferred to the General Fund." This was seconded by Erik Wilson and all were in favour.

Extra Matter

At this point Hugo Pollak proposed that the draft accounts for 2007 be accepted as a true record, subject to minor amendments. This was seconded by Erik. 33 in favour and 1 abstention.

There was a question about the accounts for Barneys Shop and Hugo said that he would follow this through.

9. Employment of Part Time Schools Worker

Andrew Falconer withdrew from the room for this item on the agenda.

Each member of the PCC had a report from the sub-group set up at the last meeting and chaired by Dave Chislett. Dave asked the PCC to approve this report or amend and approve it. It outlined the person specification, the job specification and the church requirements for a part time schools worker. This was a good starting point for discussion. Some of the issues covered were that accountability (to Dave) must be written in, the exact number of hours, possibility of the PCC being liable for redundancy, the possibility of a probationary period, that the job was for a committed Christian in sympathy with the aims of the church. Erik suggested that it would be a good idea to have two columns – "necessary" and "desirable." It will also be necessary to mention a full CRB check. Ray reminded the sub-group that Nigel Chapman has samples and guidelines for all this on a website. Erik asked the group to come back with a very specific proposal for the next meeting.

10. Arrangements for Annual Parochial Meeting

Monday March 31 – 8 PCC members and 4 Deanery Synod Reps are retiring.

11. Deanery Synod Report

This was given by Jo Monaghan.

In February the Bishop of Whitby came to speak about a strategy for the Middlesbrough Deanery. He said that worship, service and witness were three important attributes of the Christian life and spoke about the reducing statistics – especially in terms of the falling numbers of clergy. In future the Deanery Synods will have a more important and strategic role to play and it is important that wise and thoughtful people become Deanery Synod reps.

12. General Synod Report

This report was given by Jenny Reid.

The General Synod met in February in London. Various important issues were raised in this session. The proposal to remove the clergy freehold was thrown out. The centralisation of wedding and funeral fees was thrown out. Bishops will now be appointed independently of the Crown. Mental health issues were discussed. There was a discussion about the dangers of casinos and interestingly, government plans for major casinos were dropped soon after this.

Erik thanked Jo and Jenny for their informative and interesting reports.

13. Kingdom Mission Giving 2007

Erik introduced this item – it is necessary to find £3000 to part fund the Schools Worker. There was a long discussion about how this amount could be found from within the disbursements list. It was decided to:- reduce the Tearfund General Fund amount to £700/ to stop the £1000 to Scripture Union/to stop the £1500 to Riding Lights.

CHARITABLE DISBURSEMENTS 2007

£700---------- Tearfund - General

£1500---------Tearfund - ASHA

£2000---------CMS – the Whites

£3000---------SAMS – the Mescoes

£1000---------Bible Society

£500--------- CPAS - General

£500---------- CPAS – Criccieth Holiday Fund

£500--------- -Ordination Fund

£1000---------Sowing Seeds

£1500---------Church Army – the Kirbys

£2500 --------Jachie – vehicle maintenance

£200----------Angel Tree Project

£1000---------Hope Africa

£1800---------Reserved – Jachie Project

£3000-------- Schools Worker

£20700----------TOTAL

Erik proposed that this list of Kingdom Mission Giving be accepted by the PCC and this was seconded by Paul Bury. This proposal was accepted unanimously.

14. Any Other Notified Business

Date of Craft Aid 2008 - 8 November

Andrew Argyle asked if he could raise something in connection to Item 13. He was uneasy that the discussion was rushed – should there be a link between the Finance sub-committee and the Mission sub-committee? Erik agreed to discuss this with both groups.

15. Date of Next Meeting

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – MAR 31 2008

FIRST PCC following APM – MONDAY 21^st. APRIL

16. Prayer

The meeting closed with prayer and the grace