MINUTES OF THE ‘EASTER’ MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY, LUTON HELD ON 11TH OCTOBER AT 10AM 2020.

1. ELECTION OF A CLERK Angela Symonds was nominated and unanimously accepted as clerk for the meeting to take minutes.

2. MINUTES The minutes of the meetings held on SUNDAY 28 APRIL 2019 were agreed as a true record.

3. ELECTION OF TWO There were two nominations: Anthony Moss and Sue Carter. As there were no other nominations, Anthony and Sue were confirmed as the Churchwardens to serve in the for the ensuing year. Mike thanked Anthony Moss and Carol Stevens for their work over the past year.

4. CHURCHWARDENS’ CHARITY ACCOUNTS As Anthony Moss was not present, the Churchwardens’ Charity Accounts were deferred to the next APC meeting..

5. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Richard Bratt, John Spurgeon, and Donna Haigh

The Vestry Meeting closed at 10.08 am

MINUTES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY, LUTON HELD IN CHURCH AND DIGITALLY AT 11TH OCTOBER AT 10.10 am

1. MINUTES of the meeting held on SUNDAY 28 APRIL 2019were agreed as a true record.

2. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising from the last meeting.

3. CHURCH ACCOUNTS Andrew Rodell presented highlights from the accounts for 2019, saying that we had an operating deficit of just under £9,000 in 2019

Anne Adams thanked Andrew and the finance team for their hard work.

4. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Anne Adams thanked Miller & Co for auditing the accounts and proposed that Miller & Co be appointed as auditors for 2020. This was seconded by Andrew Rodell and agreed unanimously. Anne thanked both Andrew for all his hard work on our behalf on the finance, and all the Heating Project Team for all they did last year.

However, she commented that, as of August 2020, there is a deficit of about £16,000, which by the end of 2020 will be considerably more. Because Covid-19, hiring income has been lost, and PCC and the Finance team will need God’s wisdom to know what to do. . Mike Jones, the Vicar, then thanked everyone, as all are His hands and feet, and encouraging everyone to give ideas, not just financial ones, to the PCC or to him, pointing out that the LORD speaks to the people of God. He encouraged us always to try to operate out of wisdom and love, not out of fear, and out of peace, not reaction.

5. ELECTION OF PCC MEMBERS& DEANERY SYNOD MEMBERS The following nominations have been received: Yasmin Milligan (standing for one year only), Chantal O’Donnell, Dawn Mortimer, Richard Bratt, Anne Adams, Angela Symonds, Gordon Shrosbree, Ruth Boctor, and Penny Fisher and John Spurgeon.

John Spurgeon was re-elected as Deanery Synod representative until 2023

As there were no other nominations, the aforementioned were appointed to PCC for 1, 2 or 3 years. Who will be appointed for two years and who for three years will be decided at the next PCC meeting.

6. STATUTORY REPORTS PCC The Vicar, Mike Jones, presented highlights from the PCC report, especially expressing appreciation to Martin and Sara Watson, and Jo Mitchell for their help with many kinds of safeguarding issues, helping the Church to conform not just to the law, but also to the spirit of the law. The Vicar also said that St. Mary’s church community is very open about things that might cause concern, and encouraged the congregation to inform the staff if they have any concerns at all.

Deanery Synod The Deanery Synod report can be found on page 8 of the Annual Report.

Electoral Roll The total number on the electoral roll this year is 153.

Churchwardens’ Report on the Fabric Anthony Moss directed the meeting to page 20 of annual report. Also, as there is now no site manager, this means more hard work for Staff and volunteers. He expressed thanks to Gordon Shrosbree and Adam Whiting for their help.

7. RESULTS OF ELECTION No election required.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS • Thanks were especially expressed to Josh Hodson for all his hard work with the Tech team, and streaming; and to Adam Whiting both for his work with the Youth and withthe Tech team. • Michael Carter asked, in view of climate change, how green are the C of E investments, and whether there is an up to date ethical policy for investments. The Vicar replied YES. • He and Peter Adams were also able to reassure the church that the is concerned to deal with both historic and modern slavery issues. • Peter Adams reinforced the importance St. Mary’s places on integrating safeguarding issues into the culture of the church. He felt the St. Mary’s is doing well in this area.

The meeting closed in prayer at 10.32am.