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 | Andrew Boyce, the architect, will attend a meeting of the nave working party in church later this month. |
| The working groups will be meeting later this month. |
| As we think towards removing all the pews, the DAC (Diocesan Advisory Committee) will require a report on the overall picture for the church before giving approval. Andrew will discuss this with the architect and then draft the report for the DAC. |
In response to a question from Barbara Edwards, Andrew said that the pews in the Hall could not be removed until after the DAC has approved this overall picture.
b) "Fresh" Service
At the last PCC it was confirmed that this service would be held every month. Ste Corner explained that since then it had been decided to hold it every two months. This would ensure that a strong team could be built up with no one becoming overstretched, that there would be time to seek God’s will and that Fresh would not be seen as an alternative church. Ste said that the service on Saturday went very well – about 60 people attended.
Nick commented that it was very well put together and showed a real desire in the young people to work together. The band were on the chancel steps – one of the side aisles was left free of chairs to use as a prayer area, there were 40 chairs in the middle section of the Nave – it was spacious and a flexible use of space.
c) Schools Worker
An application for £3000 has been made to the Archbishop’s Mission Fund but so far no reply has been received.
d) Alterations for Nick Barr-Hamilton
The Diocesan Surveyor has had a look at Linden Grove and suggested the purchase of a more suitable house, bungalow or apartment needing minimal alterations. Nick, his wife Lucy and the Parsonages Board are being consulted. Fiona Fletcher, who is an Occupational Therapist, is doing an accessibility audit of the church and will produce a report for the PCC.
It was pointed out that 7-8 months is not long to get all this organised and a short term plan might be necessary.
5. Correspondence
None this month.
6. Vicar’s Remarks
Erik spoke about several things that are happening at the moment – reorganising the Pastoral Care Scheme, the Christian Listening initiative, the Prayer Ministry, Life Groups (feedback very positive and some needing to think about multiplying already.) Looking forward:
| The nave reordering, making the building more flexible and possibly useful for the community during the week. |
| The J. John mission – we need to get behind this 100% and not miss the opportunity. 14th November – information/workshops about J. John in St. Barnabas. Phil Hillsdon who has oversight of the organisation for J. John preaching in St. Barnabas on 18th November. There will be opportunities to help at the meetings as a counsellor/steward etc. |
| The Lent course will be "Breaking News" - part of the preparation for the J. John mission. |
7. Buildings sub-committee Report
Bob Parkin gave this report.
a) The Church
| New security light fitted to wall above choir vestry |
| Latest theft of copper and felt has cost £2,820.00 incl. VAT to repair. The old copper was reclaimed by Bob and sold as scrap for £46.40. Main culprit prosecuted and there will be a little compensation from the court (£50) Keith has put in a claim for insurance. The scaffolding put up for the repair work was an easy route for more thefts so a security guard was hired for 2 nights at a cost of £271.43 incl. VAT. |
| Anti vandal paint has been applied on top of the high wall several yards along from the choir vestry roof corridor. |
| Two quotes were received for the 3 yearly cleaning of the high level gutters and the repair of the lead flashing and slates around the area where the chancel joins the nave. This involves a 60/34 cherry picker with sonic boom to reach all areas of the high level church roof. |
NT Sweeting price ---- £1,198.oo incl VAT (accepted)
JPC Roofing price ---- £1,250.00 incl VAT
| Nigel and Fiona Fletcher have agreed to carry out a survey of requirements for Nick Barr- Hamilton as Fiona is an Occupational Therapist with experience in this area and Nigel has building experience. |
b) The Hall
| The main Yale locked access door has been adjusted so it locks shut with minimum force (the door is warped) |
| Not possible to re-hang the Supper Room curtains because they are too heavy for the rails. The Buildings Committee will look into fitting blinds. |
| The new toilet for the disabled has been installed at a cost of £188.00 incl. VAT. |
c) The Houses
| The list of work raised by Nigel Fletcher’s survey of 64 Queens Rd. has been completed at a cost of £846.00 incl. VAT. |
| 64 Queens Rd. has had a gas inspection – this is a legal requirement when a new occupier moves in. |
Total Monthly Bills Paid in October 2007 - £1,379
Doreen Lynas asked what would happen to the house in Linden Grove and Erik said that it would be rented out, income to come to the church.
8.Discussion re Outreach and Evangelism
This discussion was in response to Bob’s suggestion at a previous PCC that there should be a sub-group for evangelism. Several people suggested that Alpha has reached the end of its useful life at St. Barnabas, at least for the time being. Doreen Lynas pointed out that there were new people coming into church and that we were not making the most of these opportunities. The following points were made –
Outreach should be on the PCC agenda every 3 months.
Outreach should be incarnational as well as attractional – do more things in the community, make links and then run a course.
Need to have preparatory meetings for J. John and to have a plan for follow up – start prayer triplets now and a prayer group.
Outlook is a form of communication often overlooked – it could have testimonies, newsy items, human interest stories.
Cards for newcomers to fill in are not well used, not always readily spotted.
DVD re J.John to be used in life Groups?
What is available for newcomers?
Erik summed up the discussion and proposed setting up a working party to equip the church to make the most of the J. John opportunity. It was decided that the members will be Harry Holden, Pauline Barwick, Alun Cradock, Bob Parkin, Franchesca Argyle and Doreen Lynas. They can co-opt others as appropriate.
9. Proposed Changes to Parish Boundaries
Erik informed the PCC of proposed changes to the parish boundaries between St. Mary, West Acklam, St. Martin, Whinney Banks and St. Barnabas, Linthorpe. All are matters of common sense and will correct anomalies where small enclaves of one parish are in the geographical middle of another parish creating confusion. The PCCs of all 3 parishes need to agree before the proposals are sent to the Diocesan Office. So far the other two parishes are in agreement. Erik showed maps with the areas for proposed change helpfully coloured in, and everyone could see the sense of the proposals.
It was proposed by Erik Wilson and seconded by Neil Burgess that, "the PCC of St. Barnabas Church, Linthorpe accept the following proposals concerning changes to the parish boundary,
Acklam/Linthorpe
It is proposed that the detached part of Linthorpe St Barnabas parish running from the junction of Thornfield Road and Cambridge Road in a south westerly direction, which includes part of Cambridge Road, Reeth Road and Thornfield Grove, and all of Cambridge Avenue, Erly Avenue, Wimbledon Court, Wimbledon Road and Jesmond Avenue, (as shown to the PCC on a highlighted map) be incorporated in to the parish of Acklam West, St. Mary.
Whinney Banks/Linthorpe
It is proposed that the detached part of St. Barnabas Linthorpe Parish running to the west of Eckert Avenue (as shown to the PCC on a highlighted map) be incorporated in to the parish of Middlesbrough, St. Martin of Tours with St. Cuthbert.
It is further proposed that the area of St. Barnabas parish to the west of Acklam Rd. and Ayresome Green Lane, which includes part of Acklam Rd., Ayresome Green Lane, West Lane and Heywood St. and all of Ashling Way. Liverton Avenue, Ayresome Green, Aden St., and Outhwaite St., (as shown to the PCC on a highlighted map) also be incorporated in to the parish of St. Martin of Tours with St. Cuthbert."
This proposal was accepted unanimously.
The proposals will be sent with the marked maps to the Diocesan office for processing.
10. Any other Notified Business
Erik informed the PCC that it was necessary to accept formally Keith Barker’s resignation as Treasurer. He thanked Keith for the work he has put in.
Erik proposed Hugo Pollak for Treasurer – as there were no other nominations Hugo was appointed. Erik thanked Hugo for being willing to take on this role and confirmed that the responsibility for the finances lies with the PCC. The treasurer’s job is to provide them with the necessary information – a huge and important task. Because of the changeover the 2008 Budget will not be ready for the December PCC meeting this year.
It was proposed by Erik Wilson and seconded by John Downs that "the PCC proposes that Hugo Alexander Harold Pollak be added to the list of signatories for the church accounts and that the name of Keith Lawrence Barker be removed." This was approved unanimously.
11. Date of Next Meeting
Monday 3 December
12. Prayer
The meeting closed with prayer and the grace.