St Matthew & St Nathanael Church, Bristol Annual Parochial Church Meeting 23 April 2012

Transcription

1 St Matthew & St Nathanael Church, Bristol Annual Parochial Church Meeting 23 April 2012 Welcome Mat Ineson welcomed all to the meeting and led the opening prayers. Parish Meeting The meeting was chaired by Mat Ineson. 1 Election of Churchwardens Name of Candidate Proposer Seconder Phil May Sally Wood James Rimmer Polly Wingate-Saul James Rimmer Richard Wheeler Proposal: It was proposed that the two candidates be elected as Churchwardens for the coming year. Vote: Carried. With thanks and congratulations to the newly elected wardens Mat closed the meeting. APCM 1 Attendees M & B Thyer David Thyer Paul Rowlands Julia Dunn Chris Caithness Joyce Caithness May Ineson Rick Parsons Mary Parsons Anne Baker Frances Key Minty Hull Will Hull Adam Kishtainy Nick Stroud David Aberdeen Sean Collins Chris Smith Vanessa Conte Richard Pendlebury 2 Apologies for absence Jeff Plumb Rosie & Tony Low Pauline Roberts Sarah Douglas Andrew Stephen Hilary Parry Ludwig & Isabel Geissinger Tanya Lord Polly Wingate-Saul Margaret Williams Gina Coleman Sue McCann Gillian Joomun Helen Chick Val Jeal Cliff Jeal Jeanette Plumb Kate Hill Ruth Rimmer James Rimmer Richard Wheeler Tracey Wheeler Anna Collins Nigel Currie Cath Hubbuck Tim Bushell Phil May Laura Protheroe Fabian Breckels Sarah Woodrow Alison Edmunds Shirley Beddoes Ray Flay Ian and Katheryn Caithness Gwyneth Pugh-Jones Jackie Burnell Michael R? Simon Pugh-Jones SK Howard Martin Stanisstreet Martin Lings Stephen Browne Julie Browne Emma Ineson Andrew Wood Cath Beseke Joyce Stocks Cat Goddard Sally Wood Graham Syrett Dominic Hubbuck Kevin Froud Rachel Clarke Shirley Gorst Brendan Baker Helen Aberdeen Laura Pendlebury Sam & Rich Sayer Margaret May Chris McConnell

2 Max Beseke Jane Lings Ethel Wright Hope Carey Helen Stroud Laura Pendlebury 3 Minutes of the last meeting Proposal: That the minutes of the APCM meeting held 4 April 2011 be accepted and signed. Vote: Carried. There were no matters arising. The minutes were signed by Mat Ineson. 4 Elections and Appointments a) Election of Representatives to the Parochial Church Council Name of Candidate Proposer Seconder Andrew Wood Phil May Polly Wingate-Saul Proposal: It was proposed that the one candidate be elected as new representative to the PCC for the next three years. Vote: Carried. b) Assistant Churchwardens Nick Stroud Sally Wood Tim Snowdon Nigel Currie Max Beseke Will Hull Kyle Douglas Thanks and congratulations were acknowledged to the newly elected wardens, PCC representative, assistant wardens and welcome team. There was agreement that additional assistant wardens be elected, as required, during the coming year. c) Agreement for the Leadership Team There was agreement for the Leadership team comprising: wardens, the Vicar, the elected PCC members, the 3 area team leaders, staff team, Joyce Caithness and Emma Ineson. And agreement that the Standing Committee (consisting Wardens, 2 Elected PCC members and Vicar) could conduct the business of the PCC between meetings if necessary. 5 Reports a) PCC Report to Charity Commissioners MI summarised some report highlights: including encouraging attendance figures, and increasing numbers on the Electoral role. In short, St Matthews is a growing church. b) Fabric Report (Wardens) Has been published on the website. Sally Wood proposed a vote of thanks for the Building Team. c) Electoral Roll (Gillian Baxter) The Roll contains a total of 143 names, with 16 names added and 4 names removed in the past year. The Roll is published on a noticeboard in the church foyer. Thanks were acknowledged to Gillian Baxter (GB) for her role as Electoral Roll Officer. GB has now stepped down and a volunteer for the role is sought. d) Financial Report (Paul Rowlands) Paul Rowlands, the Treasurer, began his report with thanks to the congregation for their generous giving for the past year. Paul also thanked Andrew Wood for his support with managing the finances. Paul took attendees through the financial report s headlines and invited questions.

3 The church continues to grow. The income we give and receive is up 2.7% and spending is up 15%. As regards overall income, turnover reached a total of 242, 000 and costs came to a total 250, 000. There was an increase in grants to Mission Partners. It is to be noted that the Statutory Accounts are published on the St Matthews website. The figures given at this APCM were being presented before the Auditors independently review the report. Paul wanted it noted that the only figures likely to change slightly are those for Playgroup finances. Presenting a series of PowerPoint slides, Paul then explained the patterns of income and resources used, comparing this year s figures with previous years. The largest income source has been that of Standing Orders, representing a 45% share, followed by Playgroup with a 32% share. The Treasurer stressed his thanks to all present for the increased Standing Order income. Average monthly income from standing orders and CAF donations has increased Income is divided into 3 areas, that of planned giving, ancillary trading (mainly playgroup activity, hall income and wedding income) and investment income. Ancillary income, that of Playgroup, has reached capacity and no changes are anticipated in Cash collections decreased slightly due to an experiment for a few months temporarily stopping bag cash collections during services. Resources used (costs) were summarised. The largest share at 32% is that of our Parish Share which was 80,000 in 2011, and was paid in full. The next highest resource is management and administration at 32%. The largest element of management administration is salaries; with playgroup salaries the largest share. Printing and stationery also fit into this category and have seen an increase in costs. The work of the church represents 28% of expenditure.. This includes ministry (the largest element), running expenses, the upkeep of services, supports costs (training etc.) and books. Bank charges have also increased this year. There has been a substantial increase in grants giving. Our giving has increased on the missionary societies overseas and there is also 3,000 more available to give to Mission partners in 2012 due to increased giving from parishioners. There were some questions and comments: A definition of sundry income? This was defined as donations given for non-specific purposes, such as one-cheque donations. Also, grant giving and gift days had been included in sundry income in previous years, hence a lower sundry figure reported this year. Why hadn t planned giving increased if standing orders had increased? Receiving more standing orders means there is more regular giving. Are we still aiming for 10% giving? The answer was yes. Finally Mat advised everyone present that Paul is stepping down as Treasurer. A big thank you was extended to Paul and a gift presented by Mat as this section of the meeting was closed. 6 Appointments a) Independent Examiner MI proposed: Burton Sweet appointed as the Independent Examiner for the 2011 accounts. Vote: Carried, one abstention from P Rowlands. b) Electoral Roll Officer Seeking new Electoral Roll Officer.

4 7 The Ark an update Mat advised that St Matthews will not be pursuing a partnership with Bristol Christian Fellowship in the Ark building. The building has been sold recently to a property developer. Mat wanted to stress that all the efforts that have been put in to the project over the past year have by no means been wasted as a great many things have been learnt and can be taken forward in future projects. Questions about The Ark were invited. Q: Could St Matthews have done anything differently? A: James Rimmer chose to answer this, sharing that perhaps the fate of The Ark was apparent earlier than accepted i.e. sale to a developer. However he didn t feel St Matthews teams over committed their involvement, instead showing enthusiasm and vision during discussions with the potential partners; demonstrating strengths that we must use again. James added that he understood the property will be converted into 4 flats and that the developer is holding an open day in early May to share their plans publicly. Q: Now the Ark has been sold where do the worshipping communities meet? A: St Matthews has offered its facilities as a space for worship and a group currently meet in church on Sunday afternoons 3-6pm. St Matthews is also looking for another venue to continue the welcoming work St Matthews teams were carrying out at the Ark. There may be the opportunity to use a venue in Kings Square. 8 General questions invited about 2011 Annual Review Mat suggested that the meeting break into small groups to discuss the Annual Review, reconvening to share encouragements, challenges, questions or concerns. Summary of comments: On p.20, it should read Helen Stroud is on SOT not Helen Aberdeen. Encouraged to read such a wide variety of activity taking place. How is the new Discipleship and Worship Minister post being financed? Mat answered later in the meeting, (covered in point 10 about looking forward). Excluding Trinity Context students, the total number of new members to St Matthews was requested. Mat estimated the total has been 10 during and Tanya added that the church has also made contact with others in the area through some of outreach activities. It was acknowledged that it is exciting to see so much happening, supported by a small core team so volunteers need to be encouraged to step forward and help. Rick Parsons advised that with reference to p.9 and Joyce Caithness article about prayer he wanted everyone to know that there is now a Prayer Wall on the church website. With so much happening it was felt that the church needs to keep its focus and cohesion and continue to move as one body. Mat responded that the Vision Delivery teams are intended to assist with that. Evening Service is a good example of growth and provides an ideal opportunity to bring friends and colleagues to church. Evening Service attendance has trebled since Mat added that the staff team have extra plans to change its identity in the coming year, to add to its growth. Mat added his personal comments on the review in the form of thanks to those responsible for all the activity and achievements reported in the Review. In particular he stressed thanks to a staff team who are the equivalent of 2.2 full time employees. A wonderful team that St Matthews is blessed to have. 9 Reading : Colossians 1 v9-14 by Kate Hill 10 Looking forward Mat then summarised his plans and thoughts for St Matthews for the coming year.

5 In short, he challenged that St Matthews is punching below its weight,. Mat went on to explain that punching our weight is not about doing more. The Annual Review shows how we serve God and each other, but reveals that we now face a challenge within our hearts not with the activity we carry out. The stories we can share about how we grow as disciples of Christ are the most heartening to hear, they are about knowing God. This is why Mat wanted us to hear the reading from Colossians tonight. If we read the letter of Colossians, Christ is above all things. All we do comes under this Lordship. We are learning to live more in Jesus way, to walk closer to Jesus. This understanding is behind the appointment of Caleb and Billy Rowe. Their work will build on some of the pioneering work carried out by Vicky Wright. Some of this work is now carried on by others at St Matthews. The role of the new Discipleship and Worship Minister focuses on 3 areas: 1. to be the leader of our creative worship 2. to lead our work of discipleship through our midweek groups 3. to test out and pioneer work with adults in their 20s. Mat expanded on the new role of the Discipleship and Worship Minister Caleb and Billy are stepping into, emphasising it is not a replacement for Vicky: Music they will place a greater emphasis on music in our worship, assisting with making time for music coordination and planning. A huge thank you was acknowledged for our music team, for all they have given and will continue to give. We need to find ways to fully utilise our creative gifts, devoting more time to planning in advance how best to achieve this. Tanya Lord will move on to a new job soon and therefore the re will be a need to take on and nurture the areas Tanya has developed especially with our midweek groups. Vicky Wright identified there are many young adults living in the Kingsdown area. We could be testing the ground for their engagement and then pioneering and developing this missional activity. Caleb and Billy will job share. They are a very gifted couple and are considered a great fit for St Matthews. Mat at this point answered the question raised earlier about how we finance their role. It was explained that PCC agreed the financial investment until November Funding bids have been made for further investment and prayer is required towards this as we are still waiting to hear if further funding can be granted. Mat asked that this financial need is considered as each of us review our giving this year. This represents an investment in discipleship, leading in more pioneering work. In fulfilling this role we will be serving the mission of church; indeed the entire staff team aid everyone in this. Mat concluded by sharing the text from a letter, developed by the attendees of an evening service held 22 April 2012, following evening service series on Revelations. He felt the letter was very poignant for us as a church at the moment: To the churches in Bristol, St Matthews and others: Jesus loves you; powerfully and deeply. He knows what you are experiencing, He knows your struggles, He lived as you do & knows how you feel. Because He lived and died and rose, you are forgiven, accepted and saved. He is supreme, all powerful and yet yearns for your faith, you hearts and your trust. As His church you are beautiful in His sight and He delights in your unity, in your outreach, especially to the marginalised, in your creativity, your kingdom generosity and your willingness to

6 go to others rather than passively waiting for them to come to you. He delights in your desire for community, your prayers and you concern for the church in all the world. In His great love He warns you to be wary of your wealth, self sufficiency and the risk of complacency. Do not fear offending others, beware of failing to stand firm for your faith. He warns you not to be so critical; do not focus on the differences but look to your common ground, in Christ. Do not be complacent because persecution could come. God desires wholeheartedness and will use all our resources and gifts for His glory; to make Bristol a sanctuary where people can find safety in God's love. St Matthews, you are a church on a hill; shine and stretch yourself. Make disciples, bring home the prodigals. 11 AOB Tanya and Glen Lord are moving house the week of this meeting, prayers were welcomed for them. 12 Thanks Mat expressed his thanks to ALL who have served this past year. Special thanks was extended to Gillian Baxter, for her work as Electoral Roll Officer; Ethel Wright, for her work with the Missions Group; Rick Parsons, for his work with the sound and digital systems; Ann Baker, for her work as the Sacristan; Issy Geissinger, for her work as the CRB Coordinator; Vanessa Conte for her work on SOT and a very special thanks to Jackie Burnell for all her hard work organising the Annual Review and for all the administration and paperwork she looks after. A vote of thanks and praise was given for all the hard work carried out by Mat and Emma Ineson. 13 Closing Prayers The meeting closed with the St Matthews Prayer: Heavenly Father, pour out your spirit upon St. Matthews. Grant us a new vision of your Glory, a new experience of your power, a new faithfulness to your Word, a new consecration to your service so that, through our renewed witness your Holy Name may be glorified and your Kingdom advanced, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen