DRAFT Minutes of the PCC for St. Andrew's

Meeting opening: Rev Jess Pitman opened the meeting with a prayer. Jess chaired, as Hugh is in India. Present: Dave Mayor, Penny, Pat, Linda, Elaine, David Major, Alf, Rupert, Celia, Peter, David Martin, Elspeth. Apologies: Hugh Ellis, John Whitfield

Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting 2010: Approval was proposed by Pat, seconded by Rupert, and unanimously accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Matters Arising: None

Election of Churchwardens: No one submitted nomination papers for the churchwardens positions. Jess had spoken earlier with the Rural Dean on procedures in such a situation. It is not uncommon. The meeting can be adjourned to allow for further prayer and time for reconsideration of ways to distribute responsibilities. Dave Mayor reported that some churches have gone for a year without church wardens. Jess said there are creative ways to reapportion duties and a church can function with one, or indeed even zero wardens, provided responsibilities are covered. Opening up the work to many hands can even be a way to demystify and get more people more involved in the life of the church. Pat said she would be willing to remain warden if another person stepped up. Dave and Pat remain wardens until 31st July or until other wardens are approved, whichever comes first. Dave described the duties as being responsible for the contents of the church; seeing that there is good order at the services; providing bread and wine for communion; and preparing an annual report to the Bishop. The wardens do not have to perform all these duties – only see that someone does.

The Arch Deacon’s visitation: Will be Tuesday 17th May at Charleton Mackrell

Closing: The meeting was adjourned at 7:19

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Annual Parochial Meeting

Present:    As above, but adding Jenny, Mike, and Patience Apologies: As above

Minutes of Annual Parochial Meeting 2010: Rupert proposed approval, Elaine seconded and the meeting voted approval of the minutes as a true and accurate record.

Matters Arising: None

Reports [ed. note: I am hoping to post and link copies of the reports through this page when I have time to do so]:

•    Electoral Roll: Currently stands at 31. There were three additions in 2010. Please contact Celia (and invite others not at the meeting to do so) with any additions or subtractions from the ER. Dave Mayor pointed out that the size of the Parish Share is not determined by numbers on the ER
•    Financial Report & Accounts: David Major’s excellent report was accepted and acclaimed as capping a year of outstanding work as the church treasurer. Regular giving to the church is down by 29%. Overall the church had a shortfall of £4196 of expenses over incoming. Dave Mayor wondered if the PCC should consider setting a minimum reserve for the church’s savings to assure that it can cover emergencies.
•    Appointment of Examiner: Dave Mayor proposed, and Mike seconded the nomination of John Ford as examiner (if he is willing). This was unanimously approved.
•    Restoration Report: David and Elaine Major were again commended for their outstanding work to obtain English Heritage funding for the restoration. The report was accepted. It was proposed by Dave Mayor that David Major seek additional funding for the restoration by applying for grants, including for a grant from Viridor. Mike Liley seconded this motion and it was passed unanimously. Elspeth volunteered to assist David and Elaine in filling out forms to apply for additional funds for the restoration work.
•    Churchwardens’ Report:  The Churchwardens’ Report began with thanks to Pat, David Major, John Whitfield, and all who have helped with fund-raising. Attendance was mixed this year with Eucharist services down by one person, on average; Songs of Praise services proving popular, and attendance at major Festivals holding up. Overall, we are back to 2005 levels of attendance after a more fruitful period when services were led by people from the Village, who were better established to invite and attract others. Attendance has picked up since Jess has been taking family services and she was thanked for her work. There has also been upheaval in the pattern of services since the Bishops stepped down. The current pattern is: 1st Sunday-all-age Village Service; 2nd- Traditional Language Eucharist; 3rd- Team Service; 4th-Songs of Praise or other informal worship. BCP Eucharist when there is a 5th Sunday in the month (with the SoP or informal service moving to the 5th Sunday). Dave concluded with thanks to Rupert, who is stepping down as PCC chairman. Jess thanked Pat and Dave for their work as wardens and for making her feel welcome through the atmosphere they had created at St. Andrew’s. Penny proposed acceptance and Mike Liley seconded approval of the Church Wardens’ report. All agreed.
•    Team Rector’s Report:  Was accepted. Celia said were Hugh present, she would inquire how the attendance and finances seen at St. Andrew’s compared with other churches in the benefice. This information might give clues as to whether the PCC should be looking at local or more global factors leading to the declines and obtain hints at what seems to be working elsewhere.
•    Deanery Synod Report:  None
•    Musician’s    Report:  Jess commended St Andrews as a congregation that sings. A “huge motion of thanks” to Gill Sims was proposed, seconded, and unanimously approved. Mike Liley particularly noted the encouragement that Gill has given young musicians over the years.
•    Tower Captain’s Report: The Tower Captain was not notified of the AGM and thus no report was received from her. Rupert reported the bells are in good working order and a new ropes heater has been installed. Bell practice has moved to every other Thursday evening. A vote of thanks to the bellringers was recorded.

Elections: P.C.C. Members The following PCC members were nominated and approved en bloc:
Linda, Peter, Penny, Elaine, John, David Major, Celia, and Pat Harvey. Mike Liley proposed this slate; Rupert seconded it.
Secretary: Celia was nominated by Peter Maltby; seconded by Mike Liley, and elected by the vote of the meeting.
Treasurer: David Major was unanimously nominated, seconded, and elected by the meeting.
Deanery Synod Reps: Celia and Penny were nominated by Mike, seconded by Elaine, and voted in by the meeting.

All other Business:
(This discussion took place earlier in the meeting but has been moved to this section of the minutes): Gerard Tucker asked that the church consider a proposal to replace the current derelict compost bin that is in the council portion of the cemetery. The proposed solution would entail placement of a disused JCB bucket on church property adjacent to the location of the current bin. This could be easily removed and empty (in contrast to the current bin which frequently overflows, resulting in mess on graves or placement of grass clippings elsewhere around the cemetery). The clippings would be mixed with slurry and used by the farm, but it is important that the waste include only grass clippings and no wire, plastic, or other contaminants. Signage would help. Celia suggested purchase and placement of additional rubbish bins more convenient to the cemetery to head off inappropriate disposals into the grass clippings. Other locations around the church for the bucket were discussed that would be less conspicuous, but the suggested location is somewhat obscured, not on a grave, and most accessible for removal. It was agreed by the meeting that we should give the proposed solution a six-month trial.

Peter gave the encouraging recollection of the state of St. Andrew’s when he arrived in Aller. His attendance with Sandra raised the congregation from 6 regular attenders to 8! This year marks the Maltby’s 46th year of service to St. Andrew’s in various capacities, including as treasurer (Peter), church warden (Sandra) and PCC member.

Celia requested that the PCC be urged to follow through on Linda’s suggestion from a previous PCC meeting, that we survey the needs and desires of the congregation and Aller to identify how St. Andrew’s can best serve the Village. She has drafted a survey for input from others and requested volunteers for a small committee to work on a questionnaire that would look at the full universe of issues that encourage or discourage people from involvement with the church. This idea was accepted and Linda and Elspeth agreed to look at the draft survey and to come up with ideas for this.

Elaine, working with Peter Merry, is organizing a Classical Music night at the church, probably on the 1st October. This would include musicians from the Wells Cathedral School and other artists who might be persuaded to contribute their skills for a good cause.

Closing: Dave Mayor thanked Jess for chairing the meeting. Pat gave thanks to Dave Mayor for his service to the church, with hopes that he would resume in years ahead. Jess thanked Rupert for his service as chair of the PCC. She also thanked St. Andrews for having given her a warm reception and being an easy and welcoming place.