St Mary's Church, Brighstone Parochial Church Council Meeting
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St Mary’s Church, Brighstone Parochial Church Council meeting at The Exchange New Road 7 November 2019 Minutes Present: Sue Chorley June Horsfall Peter Johnson Helen Ockendon Richard Peckham Keith Plater Rev Linda Porter Rev Clive Todd (Chair) Reverend Clive Todd opened the meeting at 7.30 with prayer. There were no apologies. The minutes of the meeting of 11 July were signed as a true record after an adjustment to include Reverend Linda Porter’s omitted apology. There were several matters arising: Firstly, Clive advised Bunty Hide’s note (*below) is historic, but noted. * There is a matter in the Minutes of the Brighstone PCC meeting held on 11.7.19 which I should make clear. Shorwell PCC did not interview or appoint Barbara Cram as Administrator. According to the PCC Minutes, she was co-opted on to the PCC in March 2016, having already been made Administrator. I think Rodney may be able to answer any questions you have about this. With best wishes, Bunty. Having previously handed in his notice, Howard Wilkie is now to stay on, playing the organ on the third and fourth Sundays, and possibly the fifth by arrangement. The church member who had previously established a Friends Group does not wish to pick this up again. HO Considering the conditions of the GDPR she will be asked if any documents still exist, and how practical it would be to seek permission from former members to pass their details to the PCC. A discussion followed with agreement JH/MC that a piece will be included in the Newsletter in the new year. Barbara will be asked to display Assembly Point details alongside the Fire Exit sign at the door of the Exchange. BC The Creative Event previously discussed was revisited and further details considered; Clive confirmed that sales may be made from the church building. This to be given more thought. Richard Peckham reported on the finances. Savings have been made since the Diocese has taken responsibility for the Administrator, so Richard hopes to make a lump-sum payment towards the outstanding parish share in December. He advised that the administration required for the transfer is up together. With the roof project pending, Richard will keep some money available for cash flow purposes. Following the use of comparison websites, the electricity provider for the church and The Exchange has been changed. The Exchange’s use of electricity is high and a discussion followed concerning the potential reason for this. Barbara has requested that the photocopier be left switched on to avoid it breaking down. The oil provider has also been changed, so these two changes of provider should improve finances going forward. As an existing internet contract for the church and the Exchange comes to an end, a saving will be made there too. Clive advised the need for the PCC to formally accept the six people who currently help with administering the chalice: Clive Bennett, Madeline Goodman, Alex Mercken, Myrena Mercken, Helen Ockendon and Pat Spittles were formally accepted. Additionally, agreement was given that Madeline Goodman is an appropriate person to administer the sacrament within the community. The meeting formally agreed to commit to being a Fairtrade Church. Reverend Linda Porter will complete the LP paperwork and Clive will ask the other PCC Secretaries’ to add this item to their future agendas. CT The Tower Captain has requested an increase in fees for ringing the bells at weddings - from £80 to £120. As there have been no recent increases this was agreed. Clive wishes to update the ancillary fees list for 2020 and explained the cost of providing heating during a winter funeral or wedding is currently £70. The meeting agreed this should be reduced to £40. The current cost for: • Candles £80 • The organist’s fee £80 • The verger’s fee £40 will remain the same. Peter Johnson provided the youth update, starting by saying that it’s going well and there is lots going on. Michael and Luke are settling in well and Andy Dorning is seeking a replacement for Andy Evans. Families are being supported, with one very positive situation. Since the closure of Chale Green Stores the café facilities have gone and the group meet in Chale Hut which is in a poor condition but the only community building in Chale Green. It is possible that the group can approach Southern Housing for their support in improving the building. Miriam Crewe joined the meeting to give an update from the Fabric Committee. Although a Friends group is not urgently required in respect of the grants awarded, it will be a good idea to follow up for the future. The lights that are left on in the church have been replaced with LEDs and a third less electricity has been used since the usage has been monitored. Island Roads laid the church paths free of charge and the Parish Council paid the full cost of the materials. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Historic Churches Trust offered £900 to the roof fund. The architect has not increased his fee of £8400 (which has been included in the costings) and for which he wholly overseas the project and takes responsibility for it; he will meet the contractor every three or four weeks. The contractor has added 10% to his fee, but this increase has been covered by an additional grant. Richard Peckham proposed and June Horsfall seconded that proposal that the project go ahead; it was unanimously carried. Miriam and June will draft an entry for the Parish Newsletter and a version for The Link thanking people for their support and advising the start date for the work. Concern was expressed about the safety of the rising chandelier so Clive will bring it to the attention of Chris CT Goodman as he is responsible for Health & Safety. Clive referred the meeting to the Mission Action Plan, advising that it is ongoing and developmental. He asked if the PCC would be prepared to accept it in its exploratory nature. June Horsfall proposed acceptance, Sue Chorley seconded this and all were in favour. Linda spoke of the plan to create a prayer station in the church, allowing a focal point for prayers. The votive stand is well used but a more welcoming prayer station, with a bi-monthly change of theme may help people focus and connect in a new way. It was agreed that a three month trial start in the new year, after the Christmas Tree Festival. Meanwhile, June offered her churchwardens’ tree for Linda’s use during December. Following Clive’s idea of establishing a cycle hub within the church, he has decided to hold the idea and explained his reasons, including the need for a responsible person to be responsible for running it once established. The next applications for the Mission Opportunity Fund will be considered in April so this gives time for further thought. There was no other business so Clive closed the meeting with The Grace at 9.15 DONM: 19.30 Thursday 19th March 2020 – Helen to book The Exchange. HO Mission Action Plan: For the Benefice of the West Wight: Churches incorporating: Brighstone, Brook, Mottistone, Shorwell, Shalfleet, Newtown, Thorley, and Calbourne. The Joint PCC which meets three times a year has now become the focus for Mission and Vision Strategy. All of the churches above are now invited to attend. The agenda focusses on delivering the Live, Serve, Pray strategy of the Diocese. Key areas for mission are as follows: Under Growing the Church spiritually & numerically: Brighstone: The creation of a Cycle Hub in the back of Brighstone Church The creation of a prayer station to add to the current votive stand and prayer request which will have its focus changed bi-monthly, so as to create a prayer space which is both personal, intimate and informative. We will continue to support SWAY with provision of the Exchange and resources to maintain their invaluable work with young people and families in need. Café church will be continued operating from the village halls on a bi-monthly basis with drop in refreshments and a space for relaxed fellowship before a short and yet imaginative time of worship. AAW will be replaced with a Café style approach held every other month in church, this will be billed as the three T’s Tea, Toast and Time together. The creative flexibility of the seating and the screen and music provisions will help to open up this service to a broader audience. Forest Church will continue to operate throughout the next year numbers attending this initiative have increased lately and begun to attract non-church members, this could also possibly serve as a feed-in to Café Church. Brook and Mottistone: These churches are left open for the public and are a continuous focus for prayer across the wider benefice. Mottistone benefits considerably by its close proximity to Mottistone Manor and Brook continues to hold special services to uphold its historic connection with the RNLI. Spiritually they have become key providers of BCP Evensong attracting good numbers, encouraging greater participation in worship and singing in a traditional format. Shorwell: Following the creation of new facilities within the church, refreshments will now be served and a light lunch will be provided once a month to which anyone will be welcome. Specials events, concerts and the like will now be enabled to be offered more regularly for the benefit of the local community. Joint services with the Methodist Church will continue alongside commitment to a renewed approach to the provision of the community worship known locally as the Moot.