Minutes of the Meeting of the Parochial Church Council Held On

PARISH OF GREAT BERKHAMSTED

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parochial Church Council held on Tuesday 27 January 2015 at 8 p.m. at the Court House

Fr Tim Pilkington was in the Chair

Present: Fr Tom Plant, Amanda Newman, Barbara Groet, Christopher Green, David Pearce, Hilary Elliott, Jane Bartholomew, John Abbot, Jon Lee, Julian Dawson, Kate Hennessey, Liz Jackson, Peter Matthews, Mark Grego, Richard Hackworth, Tim Hennessey

David welcomed Fr Tim to his 1st PCC Meeting and thanked him for all the work he had already undertaken. Fr Tim started the meeting with an Act of Worship.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies of absence were received from Fr John Russell, Rev Penny Nash, Clive Freestone, Carole Dell, Stephen Lally and Alan Conway. Clare Kaye has stepped down for personal reasons. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PCC MEETING HELD ON 25 NOVEMBER 2014 Fr Tim signed the Minutes as a true record. 3. MATTERS ARISING Fr Tim thanked everyone who had helped with the work on the Rectory and said when the weather was better he hoped to invite the PCC to cheese and wine after a meeting! He also recorded his thanks to Fr John Russell, Rev Penny Nash, Fr Tom and the 2 Churchwardens. He said Hilary and Kate have been brilliant in adapting to the new regime. Fr Tim outlined liturgical changes, especially at Lent and Easter. He has asked Rev. Penny Nash to withdraw from Ashlyns and give her support to Victoria School. Fr Tom has responsibility for Thomas Coram assisted by Alice. 4. STANDING COMMITTEE This has not met. 5. COMMITTEE/GROUP REPORTS Finance Committee Richard had circulated the Financial Report and Fr Tim said the situation is alarming. He has various ideas to deal with this. He said we must address the issue of the cold Church. Resolution The PCC resolves to add Rev T.W. Pilkington, Team Rector, as an Authorised Signature to the mandate for the PCC accounts with NatWest Bank. The signing rules and other details in the current mandate are to remain unchanged. Proposed by Richard Hackworth and seconded by Tim Hennessey.

1 Fr Tim thanked Richard very much for his clear Report and his hard work. Jon Lee asked if anyone was free at 6 p.m on Saturday 31 January he would be grateful if they could make an appearance at the Wedding Fair. It was hoped that those attending this Fair could be encouraged to join the Church community. Buildings Committee Christopher Green said there are no matters requiring urgent attention. He said the committee were looking forward to working with Fr Tim in the future. Youth Committee Fr Tom said they are trying to start a session for 7-12 year olds. He said a Safeguarding Officer was needed urgently.

Worship & Liturgy Group This has not met.

Pastoral Group The group is meeting regularly. Fr Tim reported that Marjorie Bowden had just died. Petertide Fair Fr Tim said a lot of faithful people are finding things a burden. Pru has agreed to stay on as co-ordinator and Fr Tom will prepare a list of jobs to be done at the Fair. Fr Tim said if we did not have enough volunteers by 23 February, the event will have to be cancelled. He suggested that two thirds of the finances raised should be given to the Church and one third to a local charity. The PCC unanimously agreed this. Julian will liaise with Pru to organise a committee. Courthouse Group It was reported that the charges for the hire of the rooms will be increased from £22 to £25 per hour. Some discussion took place about the siting of the Fair Trade stall. It was thought that perhaps the South Porch or the Lady Chapel could be used. Your Berkhamsted Julian said that the new Treasurer will be Susan Dobson. 6. MUSLIMS IN THE COURT HOUSE Five Muslims had asked if they could use the Court House on Friday mornings. Hilary had met them. After some discussion the PCC was happy to go ahead with this idea as long as we had a legally tight contract saying that if the Church needed the room at any time this would be in order and that numbers agreed could not be exceeded. 7. SCHOOL ADMISSIONS The PCC noted the information circulated by Hilary. 8. ALTAR CROSS Fr Tim said he had been given an Alter Cross which could replace the usual crucifix which would return in Lent. He is willing to make a gift of this to the Church. Christopher Green will ask the Archdeacon about this. 9. PROCEDURES FOR RECEIVING COMMUNION Fr Tim said receiving communion from the steps at the front of the Church had worked well and he would like to use this on busy days. Alyss would be happy to run First Communion classes possibly on a Saturday for a 6 week session. Fr Tim and Fr Tom had been discussing Over 16 adult confirmation classes for Easter.

2 10. BACH ORGAN FESTIVAL Jon said they would like to run the Bach organ festival and Oktoberfest at the same time. This would be 17-20 September. He said this is a fund raising initiative to make the music of the Church self financing. It would be a sponsored event. Fr Tim thanked Jon on behalf of the PCC. 11. BERKHAMSTED STREET PASTORS Fr Tom had circulated a paper about this and the PCC thought it was a good idea and was happy to accept the proposals. 12. FRIENDS Christopher said the Friends were extremely active. Julian reported the following request: ‘A request for a letter of support incorporating a Council Minute acknowledging the value of the work of the Rectory Lane Cemetery Project and approving its plans, to be used in support of an Application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a capital grant towards the conservation and enhancement of the Rectory Lane Cemetery.’ Dr James Moir was thanked by the PCC and was happy to give its support and approval. 13. DIOCESAN & DEANERY SYNOD MEETINGS There was nothing to report. 14. VETTING OF CHILD & YOUTH ACTIVITIES FOR THE INSURANCE POLICY Fr Tom said he would like to arrange a 24 hour session of prayer for young teenagers overnight from 13-14 February. 15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 17 March at 8 p.m. in the Court House with the APCM Meeting on 22 March. 16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS  Fr Tim said at the May and June meetings he would like to begin a vision process with the PCC. He wanted members to start thinking and praying and asking for people’s views on our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. He would like to see how we can involve the whole congregation in coming to a couple of vision Saturday mornings in September. From these considerations we can agree and devise a 5 year plan which will lead to 2020 which is the 800th Anniversary of the Church.  Liz Jackson said some of the spines of the hymn books are beginning to wear and she would be willing to mend them. The PCC agreed and thanked Liz.  Fr Tim said there will be a new Hymn Book for Holy Week. 17. THE GRACE A minute’s silence was held in memory of Marjorie Bowden followed by The Grace. The meeting closed at 9.25 p.m.