St Andrew s Church, Clevedon Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 23 rd April 2017 Present: Chairman Rev Trevor Cranshaw Glynis Banks Kate Beynon Malcolm & Hilary Case Paul Chetland John & Sue Collings Alison Cranshaw Andrew & Julia Farrer Alan Fish Doug Fraser Jenny Griffin Bob & Sue Harmer Bev & Marian Harris Michelle Harrison Eric & Lucinda Holdsworth Christine Hustwick Jill Iles George & Phyl Jenkins Apologies: Adrian Banks Pat Chetland Gale Fish Angela Fraser Lesley Greenwood Rob & Isabel Johnson Frances Kay Debi Knight Angela Knipe David & Dorothy Mitchell Pauline Moncur Helen Pegg David & Elizabeth Raymond John & Pat Rostron Jane Simmonds Pete & Jenny Skett Steve & Sandy Smith Fred Walmsley Sue Weston Ray & Ruth Wilson Ray & Liz Witty Clive Harrison Kay Millard Steve Weston Florrie & Shiner Wright 1 Vestry Meeting Elizabeth Raymond was appointed as Minutes Secretary. Trev led the meeting in prayers. Church wardens Thanks were expressed to Doug Fraser for all he has done during his time as warden. Nominations for churchwarden were as follows: Liz Witty nominated by Ray Wilson and seconded by Lucinda Holdsworth Paul Chetland nominated by Ray Wilson and seconded by Hedley Austen Liz and Paul were unanimously voted into office. St Andrew s Church APCM minutes for 23 rd April 2017 Page 1 of 6
2 APCM opening items Elizabeth Raymond was appointed as Minutes Secretary. Apologies were received as noted above. The minutes of the APCM (and vestry meeting) held on 17 th April 2016 had been circulated shortly after that meeting and approved by the PCC. The meeting voted to accept the minutes. Matters arising Trev has yet to speak to the congregation about stewardship: he plans to do so this autumn. He will be exploring the possibilities for a confirmation service later in the year: please let Trev know of anyone who might be interested in preparing for confirmation. Plans to develop links with Mary Elton School were delayed due to the Head being unwell. There is now a new Head, and Trev is regularly being given the opportunity to lead assembly. 3 Annual Statement of Accounts The Statement of Accounts for 2016 has been accepted by the PCC and independently examined. Our Treasurer, Ray Witty, circulated a summary at the meeting, and briefly explained the state of the church s finances: notably that the General Fund was kept positive by the additional income from filming, and that the major expenditure on the building was the new AV equipment. Questions were invited Q A What are the Emly, Brimacombe and Badcock Funds? The Emly Trust derives from the sale of a house: funds comes in from the investment of that money and can be used for general church purposes. The Brimacombe Fund is a legacy which PCC has designated for outreach purposes. The Badcock Trust derives from various legacies for grave maintenance, and any excess from what is required for that maintenance can be used on the building. Thanks were expressed to Ray Witty for all he does as Treasurer and in many ways behind the scenes. Adoption of the accounts Lucinda Holdsworth proposed, Andrew Farrer seconded, and the meeting voted to adopt the accounts (one abstention). 4 Fabric Report Liz presented the Wardens fabric report. In the year since the last APCM there have been three main items of upkeep plus the major addition of the new AV system: - The bells mechanism required a significant overhaul, net cost almost 16,000. Eric Holdsworth and Paul Callaghan will now be painting the framework to prevent corrosion. (The wooden louvres on the belfry will need St Andrew s Church APCM minutes for 23 rd April 2017 Page 2 of 6
maintenance this year and quotes are being obtained.) - Electrical upgrades have taken place to meet current standards, including replacement of RCD boards, at a net cost of 4,130. - Heavy storms resulted in water ingress, so emergency roof repairs were carried out at a cost of just under 500. - The new AV system has been installed. There are a few items still to be purchased, bringing the cost to approximately 43,000. It is thanks to the generosity of many, past and present, and the careful stewardship and management of our giving that we have been able to fund all these works from our own balances. There will be a full Quinquennial inspection of the building this year. Inventory The annual inventory was carried out on 28 th March and everything was accounted for. The new AV system has resulted in old equipment being removed either for disposal or use in the Centre. (These items are thus removed from the inventory.) Question: Q People come looking for specific graves in the graveyard. Can there be a notice to direct them to ring the church office for information? A Trev is keen for there to be a section of the noticeboard specifically for the graveyard. 5 Electoral Roll Report (printed copy of report circulated at meeting) The Electoral Roll stands at 129. Eleven names have been added since the last APCM and six removed. 6 6.1 6.2 PCC and Deanery Synod Reports PCC report (printed copy circulated at meeting) The PCC has met six times since the last APCM and considered issues covering many aspects of church life. The Standing Committee was convened twice to deal with one urgent matter on each occasion. Elizabeth Raymond was thanked for her work as PCC minutes secretary. Deanery Synod report There have been four meetings of Deanery Synod, with talks from the Diocesan Interfaith Advisor, a Services Chaplain, the Diocesan Strategic Programme Manager, plus an overview of Reader ministry. 7 Reports on church life (printed copy circulated at meeting) In each instance Trev thanked those involved in running and involved with the different groups. 7.1 Toddlers (Isabel Johnson) There is a really good atmosphere at Toddlers, and appreciation is often expressed. More help is needed, including helping to serve refreshments. St Andrew s Church APCM minutes for 23 rd April 2017 Page 3 of 6
7.2 Home Groups (Rob Johnson) The emphasis of Home Group studies has continued to be our discipleship and mission: we need to become confident in telling our faith story. 7.3 Dadz and Kidz (Rob Johnson) This venture continues to meet a need within the community, although numbers are sometimes small. Friendships are developing with the regulars, including the opportunity for conversation on spiritual matters. 7.4 Mission agency support (Elizabeth Raymond) The new pattern of mission agency support means that we will now be focussing on three agencies for several years, plus continuing support for three others. Trev s vision is for mission agency support to become an integral part of church life. 7.5 Reordering (David Raymond) The new AV system has been successfully installed. DAC have given permission for the permanent removal of pews which have already been moved temporarily to give space for the organ console and music group. They are, however, requesting more information on the history of those pews before giving permission for their actual disposal, and getting this information is proving difficult. This is also a sticking point for further plans for reordering. Trev spoke to the meeting of his vision for the nave of the church to become (as it would have been historically) a space for the community to use, with the chancel being the sacred space. Pews equate to hierarchy rather than hospitality. People are afraid to come into the building because they don t know what goes on there: if the space can be made available for community use, then that fear is addressed. Reordering is vital, not just as an improved use of space for times of worship, but for other possibilities of interaction with the community. The community would be built up in Christ s name, when the sacred use is also apparent. Question: Q Can we have an automatic light to come on in the St Thomas Chapel when people go there to pray and light votive candles? A This can be looked into. 7.6 Solos (Frances Kay) The Solos group continues to be appreciated by members of the church family who lives alone, with regular social activities. 7.7 Mothers Union (Frances Kay) One new member was enrolled at the Mothering Sunday service. A new venture knitting for those in need has begun this year, held once a month at Christchurch. 7.8 Church Centre (Eric Holdsworth) The Centre continues to be a wonderful resource for our mission of caring for our community through God s love, with increased use by community groups. However, attempting to run a café during weekends did not prove worthwhile. Trev expressed particular thanks to Eric and Lucinda for all the time they give to the running of the Centre. Question: Q Are there plans to improve the heating in the main hall, as some radiators are faulty? A Yes alternatives are being investigated. St Andrew s Church APCM minutes for 23 rd April 2017 Page 4 of 6
7.9 Food Bank (Lucinda Holdsworth) There continues to be great need for the Food Bank, particularly in school holidays. 7.10 Sunday Club (Glynis Banks) The Nativity presentation was given in the church this year, which was appreciated. The St Thomas Chapel is being used as a place for children s activities on Sundays when there is no Sunday Club in the Centre (communion Sundays and all-age services). 7.11 Friday prayer meeting Trev thanked those who meet to pray regularly for the life of the church. 8 Elections and appointments PCC Thanks were expressed to Michelle Harrison who is standing down from PCC having service six years. As our Electoral Roll numbers have increased, we can now elect up to twelve PCC members. There were therefore up to seven vacancies, and five nominations were received. The following were all elected unanimously: proposer seconder Lucinda Holdsworth Ray Witty Lesley Greenwood Frances Kay Sue Harmer Ray Witty Beverley Harris John Collings John Rostron Peter Skett John Collings John Rostron Jenny Skett Andrew Farrer John Rostron Deanery Synod The following were all elected unanimously: proposer seconder Christine Hustwick Ray Witty Sandy Smith Michelle Harrison Sue Weston Eric Holdsworth Independent examiner: Roger Carroll was elected unanimously. Sidespeople: The election of sidespeople was delegated to the Wardens for approval by the PCC at the next meeting. 9 9.1 Trev s remarks Trev thanked everyone for their support over the past year. United Benefice / parish boundaries Christchurch is moving towards being an independent parish. The proposal is that it will be the Benefice of Christchurch rather than a parish, to accommodate any possible future church plant. Meanwhile, we will be part of the Benefice of St Andrew s and St Peter s. Questions: Q How does that fit with the Methodist input at Christchurch? A It will continue to be an ecumenical arrangement. St Andrew s Church APCM minutes for 23 rd April 2017 Page 5 of 6
Q A Q A How does this affect the Mothers Union, which is a Benefice group? This will need to be looked into, but we already have members from a church outside our Benefice. Is there a date set for the UB dissolution? No, but it should be quite soon. We will look to have a positive end, putting aside the tensions and problems of the past. Several people expressed concern over tensions between ourselves and Christchurch, and their future intensions. Other responded with the reminder that God is a God of unity and we rejoice wherever his work is done, and that good things are happening through Churches Together in Clevedon. Parish boundaries need to be reviewed across the town: the number of people resident in St John s parish is too high, whilst Christchurch doesn t have sufficient population for a full-time minister. It was noted that our Deanery Synod reps should have a clear vision for Clevedon churches to input to the Deanery. 9.2 Diocesan vision and resources The Diocese vision is for us to live the story, tell the story. There are various resources to help us engage with the prayer for the neighbourhood, including the national initiative Thy Kingdom Come global wave of prayer in the week prior to Pentecost. 9.3 BFC (breakfast church) We need to see how this can lead in to what we regularly do on a Sunday morning; also to consider whether we need to have a parallel service to cater for everyone s needs. 10 AOB We need a new way to touch people s lives, and it can be risky! Mission and evangelism must be at the heart of what we do, and we need to be an inclusive, welcoming and loving community. Andrew Farrer asked if we could have prayer meeting on election day. Frances Kay asked if we could know the dates of Trev s visits to Mary Elton School so that we can be praying specifically. George Jenkins proposed a vote of thanks to Trev and Alison for all they do. The meeting closed with a prayer and the Grace. St Andrew s Church APCM minutes for 23 rd April 2017 Page 6 of 6