Parish of St Andrew?s, Tarvin with St Peter?s, Duddon

Minutes of the PCC meeting

11^th September 2006

St Andrew?s Parish Room

Present

David Herbert, Jane Parker, Eric Plenderleath, Mary Burgess, Michael Burgess, Yvonne Albon, Jenny Burkhill-Howarth, Alex Henderson, Harry Wilson, Lyn Orfanelli, Susie Connelly, Bob Howarth, Janet Smart.

Apologies

Janet Joynson, Margaret Marr, Jane Holmes, David Burkhill-Howarth.

Prayers

David opened the meeting with a piece written by Canon Andrew White.

Acceptance of Minutes

The minutes of the PCC meeting held on 3^rd July 2006 were accepted.

At this point John Plant, from the church Z-team, was welcomed and thanked for joining the meeting.

Vandalism

Two problems were highlighted in discussion. One was the litter problem in the churchyard ? a perennial problem. The other was the damage done to windows over the summer.

Over recent weeks St Andrew?s church and churchyard have been targeted by a group of youths; damage to church windows and the harassing of the choir whilst at their practice have been the main problems.  There has also been litter strewn in and around the pathway leading to the church from the Vicarage.  John Plant reported that the Z-team had been clearing the litter for a long time and the PCC felt that the time had come when they should discontinue this task.  The Police have been informed and were very supportive, making extra visits to the church during the evenings.  It was felt that whenever there was a problem the Police should be called, as the more calls they received the more chance there would be of stopping this vandalism. 

This agenda item caused much discussion and many ideas were put forward on how we as a church could tackle the problem.   The discussions will be ongoing.

The Buildings Focus Group were asked to discuss and acquire prices for various methods of protection for the stained glass windows.  It was also decided that the plain glass windows should be repaired but then re-boarded for the present.

The closing of the church gates was also discussed, but this would need to be done each evening at a set time over a trial three week period.  The Z-team will need to check gates before this can be implemented.

Some members felt the whole community should be made aware of the vandalism and perhaps Headteachers from local schools could speak to pupils. 

It was pointed out that many youngsters use the churchyard as a meeting place and some of them had felt intimidated by older young people. It was suggested that we could begin to manage the problems of the churchyard by working with those who had felt intimidated, particularly as they had already shown an interest in singing in church.

It was further suggested that there should be an article in the Parish Grapevine.

Deanery Synod report

There had been no meeting of this group.

Clergy Report

Before giving his report David handed copies of a booklet ?ABC for the PCC? to members, these had been donated by Janet Smart, a new member to the PCC.

Back to Church Sunday ? This will be on 17^th September and invitation cards had been distributed around the village. 

Mothers? Union ? David reported that Jean Reid?s term of office as MU leader had now finished and unfortunately, they were unable to fill the post of leader and secretary.  It had been decided that David should open each meeting for the foreseeable future.

Open Church - It was agreed that a register of volunteers willing to staff the church should be drawn up.  Janet Smart agreed to do this.

Michael Hawes was asked to discuss the possibility of St Peter?s being open during the day,    at their next focus meeting.

The PCC thanked Harry Wilson for providing teas each Sunday throughout the summer as        this had enabled the church to be open.

Sermon Series ? There is to be a series of sermons on architecture over a four-week period.  These will be on buildings, and how they fit our purpose.  David will give these each week and the Readers will preach at 8.00 a.m. Communion.

Richard Tuckwell ? Richard has been accepted for ordination with a possible date of June or July 2007.

Confirmation and Admission to Communion ? David reported that the confirmation of four people with six young people being admitted to Communion at St Peter?s on 10^th October was the first such event since 1836.  Over 80 people had attended the service officiated by the Bishop of Chester.

Cell Groups ? There are to be two new groups starting in the Autumn. 

The 3^rd Diocesan Roadshow entitled ?Giving the Message? will be for Clergy and Readers.

Parish Grapevine

It was decided to leave the Parish Grapevine report until after the Finance Focus Group had met.  Harry Wilson spoke regarding the Friends of St Andrew?s group and the possibility of forming a small committee to help run fund-raising events.  The PCC agreed that this would be helpful for him.  

Focus Groups  

Finance Group

There had been no meeting but Eric Plenderleath reported that he is making enquiries   regarding the renewal of the Entertainment License for the Parish Room.

He also told the committee that we no longer have a cleaner for the Parish Rooms and asked   if any members knew of anyone.  Janet Smart offered to do this work as she uses the office    space             in the Parish Room and felt this would not be a problem.  The PCC accepted her    offer with grateful thanks.

Eric reported that T-mobile is now signed off completely.

St Peter?s Group

Michael Hawes reported there had been a meeting on 10^th July and the following items were    discussed:

The City Council had offered £3,000 towards the Space Project.  Combined with                              promises already received, the figure now stood in the region of £38,000.

The Lavender Garden Party in July had been a great success and raised £1,200.

There had been a Jumble Sale organised by Shirley Dutton.

Harvest at St Peter?s would be on the 1^st October with a morning and evening service                 this year.

The churchyard has now been extended.

Michael asked the PCC for their support for a Faculty for the Re-ordering of St Peter?s.  A         vote was taken which was unanimously in favour,; it was agreed the faculty application should proceed once the administration work was complete. 

Pastoral Group

The Holiday at Home for the elderly and housebound on August 8^th, 9^th and 10^th had proved      to be most successful.  The sum of £95 had been raised from a collection taken at the           service held on the Thursday afternoon, this would be used towards expenses for next year.    A number of photographs had been published in the September Grapevine and a thank you          card had been received from one of the participants.

Thanks were extended to all the helpers.

Mission Group

There had been no meeting.

Worship Group

There had been no meeting.

Buildings Group 

There had been no meeting but Alex Henderson said that two quotes had been received for      Periodic Insurance ? Electrics, one for £350 and one for £250. 

He also reported that repairs to the cabinet top, which had been broken into, were almost          finished.

Electoral Roll

There was an application from Barbara Ball which was accepted.

A.O.B.

Pam Kelly had approached David Herbert with regard to a monument being placed to commemorate neonatal and stillborn children.  The PCC agreed that the Pastoral Group should liaise with Pam to seek funding for this monument and also identify a suitable place in the churchyard.

A letter had been received by the Secretary from Grenville Phillips regarding an article in the Daily Mail concerning marriage and families.  After a short discussion the secretary was asked to reply to him.  (a copy of the letter is on file)

Harry Wilson informed the PCC that the Friends of St Andrew?s would be holding a ?Wine and Pudding? evening on November 25^th with the Fiona Simpson Band.

The next meeting will be on Monday 4^th December 2006.