Pastoral

Worship, caring for people, safe church, child protection, visiting group

Lent Study Course A request was made that the PCC cover the expense of the study materials, namely copies of the course book priced at £2.99 per copy.

Motion That this PCC agrees to defrays the expense of the Lent Study Course. Proposed P. Spruyt, seconded P. Partridge, carried unanimously.

Holy Week Services are to be detailed on a flyer circulated at regular services during Lent.

Parish Office will be closed for 30 mins. preceding a service to allow a period of quiet reflection.

Pre -Service quiet is to be announced by either the Wardens or Readers just before the start of services.

The Peace can, at times, become overlong and so to avoid ‘chatting’ disrupting the flow of the service leaders are to be encouraged to move quickly onto the announcement of the following hymn.

May services  are at the planning stage.

Parish meal to celebrate St Albans day to be combined with the All Saints meal on Nov. 1st when Tony Evans will be with us.

Business

Buildings; finance; staffing, other PCC responsibilities,

·         Churchyard closure paper work has been completed and returned to the Home Office.

·         Finances. The PCC was informed of an overspend of £93,000 due to exceptional expenditure. The current financial situation is adversely effecting church finances so future expenditure will need to be prioritised, with the tower repairs, stone work and heating system taking priority and other less urgent items on the Quinquennial being left for the moment. Bi-monthly financial reports are planned to keep the PCC fully aware of the changing situation.

·         Heating system quotes were tabled by B. Burrows for discussion at the April meeting.

·         Netting of the Porch Gates has been carried out but it was questioned if they were to remain unpainted. 

·         Church Hall Constitution (previously circulated) was discussed. The PCC adopted the constitution as amended. The need for separate accounts to apply for grants and funding was noted.

·         Hall grant applications and ordering of the scheme of works to be delegated to the business group.

·         St Albans. Attention was drawn to the Standing committee’s proposal that the payment for insurance and security cover be withdrawn. Concern was expressed as to the potential liability if future damaged occurred. J. Plumtree is to write a strongly worded letter to the diocese and also to the church commissioners in an attempt to expedite the situation.

Communications

Keeping everyone informed: Magazine, website, newsletter, publicity

·         Group Reports ideally should be in writing and circulated with the PCC papers to allow consideration of issues ahead of PCC meetings.

·         Parish Magazine distribution lists to be given to the editor, Tony Kerswill.

·         ‘C’ Magazine money collector still required.

External Liaison

With Deanery, Diocese, Elkesley Group, Methodists; RCIP; Ghana;

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Existing groups

Events, Flower people,  Wildlife Group, Bell ringers, Monday Group

·         Quiz Night was successful and raised in excess of £150 for hall repairs.

·         Easter Lilies. Donations are invited towards the cost of the lilies.

·         A Pentecost Exhibition weekend is planned for May 30th & 31st to include flowers, photography and art.

• Summer Fair is planned for June 27th.

Health and Safety

Any other Business

·              Ride & Stride. H. Richards to replace B. Sturgess as parish coordinator.

·              Proposed Church Lane Development. Details of the planning application to build five houses with access off Church Lane were discussed. There was uncertainty as to the ownership of Church Lane from above Hill St to the Church gates. It was agreed that although there were concerns as to the impact of such a development on vehicle access to the church, the PCC had no formal objection to the proposed development.