Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10th March 2020 at 7.45pm in the Stable
Present: Valerie Oertel (Chair), Ann Adams, Jenny Hayward (Churchwardens), Sally Cripsey, Nick Cullum, Amy Johnston, Carol Watts, Liz White, Mike White
VO welcomed members and opened the meeting with prayers for guidance
Apologies: Jan Diffey, Warren Foot, Julie Longbottom, Elisabeth Le Mesurier
The Minutes of the meeting of Tuesday 14th January were signed as a correct record after altering ‘Rachel Johnston’ to Rachel O’Connor
Matters arising:
Missing Tile in Thynne Chapel (AA addressing in CW’s report)
Sound System: NC has purchased a new microphone and the lapel microphone is now working well. NC had borrowed the mixing desk from the VH and this works well for altering the volume in major services. All agreed that the sound system is now much better and that people can be heard clearly from all parts of the church and NC thanked for all his work
Roof Lights in Nave: Under CW’s report
Arrangements for APCM: EW said that the APCM is on Tuesday 21st April and that she is on holiday until the evening of 20th so it would be helpful if all nomination forms for Deanery Synod and PCC and all reports (Electoral Roll Officer, Proceedings of PCC, Treasurer’s, Churchwardens, Buildings and Fabric and Deanery Synod) could be received a week before.
EW said that a time for the meeting had not been agreed and 7.30pm was unanimously agreed on.
EW read out a written letter from JD requesting that the meeting be held in the Mission Hall with wine and nibbles to encourage more people. Members thought this was a good idea, but the Mission Hall in use on Tuesday 21st, the venue had attracted no more people in other years and the Stable had already been agreed as a venue at the January PCC meeting. The Mission Hall as a venue to be agreed in good time for next year.
EW to ensure details of the APCM are put on the pew sheet and in the Parish Magazine. Action: EW
Water coming under West Door: MW had looked at this and thinks that the problem was due to very unusual freak weather conditions and that there is, he thinks, no likelihood of this happening in normal conditions. A weatherproof sill could be fitted on the outside of the door, but at present, monitor the situation.
Mike Pennington to take a service: Under CW’s report
Churchwardens’ Report:
Below is the CWs’ report and comments on it are at the end.
CHURCH WARDENS REPORT TO THE PCC 10TH MARCH 2020
BROKEN TILE IN THE THYNNE CHAPEL - Stephen Bellion visited the Church on Tuesday 4th February and conducted a visual survey of the Lady Chapel. A copy of his report has been sent to all PCC member. We must decide now the way forward, do we arrange for Stephen to visit again to discover the reason for the movement of the tiles and recommend a solution for the problem. In the meantime, Stephen recommended we cover the floor with coconut matting which will allow the floor to breathe.
LIGHTS IN THE ROOF OF THE NAVE - We have heard from Pete Morgan again who is planning to apply to get the accreditations the Diocese require. Once he has these which should be in the next few weeks we will apply again.
SERVICES AND VICARS - We are now planning vicars for services to the end of December and will send out copies to all on the church roll. Mike Pennington has offered to take a Morning Praise or a Family Praise service which will be sometime in July.
REPAIR OF OUR RED AND PURPLE VESTMENTS - Valerie kindly making new red hanging – the lectern covers - and will repair the purple ones.
TRAINING COURSE REGARDING NEW FACULTY REGULATIONS - I was unable to attend this meeting.
RECTORY - A meeting had been arranged for Jenny and I to meet with Iain Blyth at the Rectory but he cancelled at the last minute. He had said he would meet with us on the 9th or 10th of this month but we have not heard back from him, he wanted to talk about letting the Rectory and replacing some of the carpets.
DEANERY SYNOD MEETING AT CLOPHILL 11TH MARCH - Carol and Valerie to attend.
CHURCHWARDENS MEETING WITH THE ARCHDEACON - Thursday 12th March 1.30pm in the stable. We will report back by email to all PCC members.
PCC Comments
Thynne Chapel
AA referred to the report by Stephen Bellion received by all with his recommendations.
EW said that JD was not happy with the floor being covered or further expensive work
VO proposed and SC seconded (all in agreement) that AA will investigate covering the floor with a breathable material (coconut matting) for protection after photographing damaged and loose tiles. Also proposed that, per advice, a quote is obtained to open up and inspect the crypt. Also, inspection of the downpipes Action: AA
Lights in Nave: NC asked AA whether we could have dimmable lights when they are replaced
Mike Pennington to take service
SC explained to members Mike’s association with St. Mary’s. He has offered to lead worship the second Sunday in July and VO and BO will offer accommodation.
Repair of Vestments; VO thanked for completing the repair.
AA also said that in light of the Coronavirus epidemic there has been a directive that there will be no chalice at Communion and no shaking of hands. Hand sanitiser to be used if possible.
Treasurer’s Report: JL had made her apologies for the meeting but had circulated the draft accounts for 2018. These have not yet been audited so a further short PCC meeting will be needed to adopt the accounts prior to the APCM. JL had said that if there were any questions about the accounts EW was to put them in writing and she would answer them.
There was one question from MW on income from Planned Giving:
When donations were very similar in 2018 and 2019 why was the Gift Aid tax recovered substantially lower in 2019?
JL was thanked in her absence for her clear, detailed accounts and for all her hard work throughout the year.
Safeguarding: EW referred to the Safeguarding Newsletter which gave details of who within a church should complete which modules and said that as the PCC we are collectively responsible. We all should update our Safeguarding Training every 3 years. AA said she had talked to Claire (our Benefice Safeguarding Officer) and she would ensure with Claire that all people get the relevant training at the appropriate time. Action: AA
The Big Conversation: EW had been in correspondence with Tim Wilson about this but he could not visit at a PCC meeting in the 2018/19 year and said he would be in touch when the new PCC meets. Since then CW has been contacted through the church website asking whether we should meet as a benefice or a parish and asking for dates. Carol will write (she has already done this) asking for a meeting for just St Mary’s, Haynes (due to the likely changes in benefice) and to suggest some dates. It was suggested that this should be a meeting for the whole church, with refreshments, possibly in the Mission Hall, as JD had suggested for the APCM.
Mission Hall Collection: SC had received a request that the collection plate should be left at the back during the Mission Hall services as so many ‘planned givers’ do not put into the plate. However, EW has now obtained more tokens specifically for the MH so this will not be necessary.
Order of going up for Communion: SC asked if in St Mary’s we could adopt the practice common in most churches of both sides going up together instead of one side at a time.
This was agreed and the Churchwardens will announce this change soon and supervise it at first until the congregation are comfortable with the change Action: AA/JH
Forthcoming Events and fundraising:
Ceilidh on 7th March – all agreed a good time was had by all and £848 was raised.
Huge thanks to both Nick and Connie
NC said that next year’s event has been booked for 13th March 2021
Ukulele Evening: Saturday 24th October
Church Teas in July and August – MW said these may be in doubt due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Jumble Sale – 18th April
Correspondence: EW had received a letter from Sue Luckhurst (Synodical and Pastoral Officer) about a change in fees payable for funeral services at a Crematorium It has been agreed by the DBF that £169 should be paid to the DBF and £30 to be retained by the PCC
AOB: AA said that for a number of reasons Messy Church has been suspended for the time being
VO closed the meeting with The Grace at 8.50pm
Next Meeting: APCM Tuesday 21st April at 7.30pm in the Stable