Portishead Church of England Parochial Church Council. Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday 18 th July at St. Barnabas Centre at 7.30 pm.

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1 Portishead Church of England Parochial Church Council Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday 18 th July 2017 at St. Barnabas Centre at 7.30 pm. The meeting was preceded by refreshments and a short session when the Rev Rob Eastwood Dewing interviewed Steph McGilvary and asked her the following questions to which she responded. What do you remember about your first experience of church? What has helped you to grow in faith? Give three words to describe what God is for you now. Rob thanked Steph for her answers and prayed for her in her new role as a church warden. 1. Opening Prayers were led by Pearl Walker 2. Apologies Apologies received from Ruth Foss Tony Stubbs Mary Gilbert Rupert Kiero Watson John Bridgwater Graham Fiddler Lottie Sparks Present Rev Rob Eastwood Dewing (Chair) Rev Christine Judson Christine Brownlie Pearl Walker Steph McGilvary Steve Head Peter Turner Simon Stevens Paul Jeffery Betty Jeffery Chris Harries David Tyers Andy Sparks Andy King Sue Giles Marion Brooks Bob Brooks Hilary Finch Carolyne Howe Jenny Adams Fran Smettem (part of meeting) Gill Colston (Minutes) Tim Moulding (presentation) 3. Presentation from Tim Moulding on Churches Together proposal for a Christians Against Poverty debt centre serving this part of North Somerset. Rev Eastwood Dewing welcomed Tim, who is from Holy Trinity Church, Nailsea, to the meeting. Tim referred to the information that had been previously circulated and said that the CAP project, which is a Christian debt counselling charity helping people out of debt, had been set up 20 years ago by John Kirkby and Holy Trinity Church had been involved for about 3 years. Richard Altwasser, on behalf of Gordano Valley Church is seeking partner churches to jointly explore setting up a local CAP debt centre to cover Portishead, Nailsea and Clevedon. 6 of a possible 9 churches in the area have already indicated an interest in being involved. The overwhelming vision of CAP is to introduce people to Jesus and demonstrate practical love. CAP centres are always located in a church. A debt management plan is worked out for the client and every client is allocated a support worker. Probable costings to set up a centre is in the first year, with an annual cost of thereafter, equating to a cost of 150 each monthly if shared between 9 churches. A video entitled God s Love in Action was shown and Rob thanked Tim for his presentation. As the meeting resumed, Rob asked members to indicate their support for CAP considering both their feelings for the idea of CAP and the commitment of financial support for the project. Yes good to be involved 14 Yes sounds good but I have more questions 3 No not for us None Summary a cautious but definite this is for us 1

2 4. Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 th May 2017 It was proposed by Pearl Walker, seconded by Simon Stevens and agreed that the Minutes should be signed as a correct record. 5. Church Matters deferred from meeting of 25 th May a) PCC member for vacancy to be co-opted Suggested names to Rob, but as a full quota of PCC and Deanery Synod members was elected at the APCM and nobody stood who was not elected, it is not seen as a particular problem. David Tyers suggested that the Press Officer, when appointed, could be co-opted. b) New Press Officer required. Seen as an important job and an appointment needs to be made. Staff and Comms. Group to consider. Suggestions to Rob. 6. Mission Matters a) Re-instate Mission Committee (from APCM) Also to include a proposal to hold a Christian Aid abseil event. Steve Head had agreed to be involved with this and Carolyne Howe expressed an interest in supporting a new group. They are both currently on Worship Group but while they would be missed they could be spared to work on this new project. Rob will liaise to discuss how to set up the group and Simon Stevens recommended that the terms of reference for the new group are made clear. Action RED b) Partnership Giving Rob told members that Relate Avon to whom we allocate money under the Partnership Giving scheme do not currently need all their allocation. He asked for suggestions of alternative charities we could support. Suggestions of Wellspring Youth project and CAP were made. A general willingness to support CAP was indicated. c) 10% of unrestricted plate giving, plus Gift Aid to be added to received planned giving for distribution under the Partnership Giving scheme(from APCM) In the absence of the Treasurer Rob suggested that this should be referred to the Finance Group for discussion. Action RED for Finance 7. Action Group reports a) Finance Reports previously circulated. Correction to the Finance notes which had been circulated. Pauline Dale and Pauline Tuckwell are responsible for envelope counting. Rosey Dimond will act as back-up. A Resolution to appoint Tony Stubbs and Teresa Park as signatories on the Parish s Central Board of Finance Account with CCLA Investment Management was put to the meeting and acceptance proposed by Simons Stevens, seconded by David Tyers and agreed unanimously. 2 b) Buildings Report previously circulated Christine Brownlie pointed out that quotes for some items need to be referred to Finance for authorisation. 1. Handrail at the bottom of the steps

3 2. Trimming of hedge bordering Church Road North. Action RED for Finance c) Welcome & Witness Report circulated David Tyers has ed Communications Group regarding Notice Boards. Details of church opening should say open daily rather than giving specific times. A volunteer is needed to monitor notice boards and keep them up to date and tidy. Two people have expressed an interest in organising Welcome Teas d) Worship Report previously circulated Proposed change to 9.15 service This was discussed at the last PCC meeting. Rob has since written an information paper and asked for responses and also put out a questionnaire to various people including Baptism families. Feedback from members of the PCC included a positive response to a shorter 45 minute service. Paul Jeffery suggested that the current non Eucharistic service could be adapted to meet the new criteria. Rob replied that this service is popular and well attended and uses the talents of various lay people to the best advantage. He did not feel that it would be helpful to change the criteria of this service. Simon responded by saying people are willing to try something new. Rob has had s welcoming the change in principle but asking for the time to be later. This may present problems in continuity. He also received a request to look at attendance levels and produced a graph showing a gradual decline of adults and children since This will be circulated and it was requested that similar studies be produced for the other services. It may be possible to offer communion following this service. e.g service of 45 minutes, followed by coffee, with an informal communion at 10.30/10.40 around the nave altar for those who wish to take part. Proposed by Christine Brownlie that plans are put in place for this to happen. Seconded by David Tyers and agreed with none against and 3 abstentions. David Tyers suggested that the anticipated length of the 9.15 service is announced in the introduction. Rob said that we need to publicize and communicate changes of services to all. Parking on Court Farm Craft Fair Sundays. Congregations to be encouraged to use St. Peter s School car park. St. Nicholas Christmas Day service to be at am. The proposal to implement this was rescinded when it was realised that the 2 members of St. Nicholas congregation present at the meeting both thought the general congregation would not be in favour of this. The views of the congregation are to be sought. Action RED e) Communications The Group has not yet met. Andy King (PCC) will chair, Rupert Kiero Watson (PCC) and Juliet Bracken (co-opted) will form the basis of the group. 3 f) Children YP & Families Report previously circulated. Rev Chris Judson expressed her thanks to all who helped with the Easter Activities and Rob thanked those involved with the Great Wood weekend. Fran Smettem explained that the Children s Area at St. Peter s church needed to be a safe and welcoming area for children, with adequate toys and storage. She proposed the purchase of a storage unit to fit across the back wall to the left of the vestry door, also baskets for storage and suitable items for the children to play with. Fran requested a budget of 500 for this. Andy Sparks agreed that we need to invest in our children and suggested that if necessary more money should be made available. It was suggested that a start is made to purchase the items required up to 500

4 but should not be done too much on the cheap and that application is made through the Finance Group is there is a shortfall. Proposed by Andy Sparks, seconded by Peter Turner and agreed. g) Nurture Report previously circulated h) Deanery Synod Report previously circulated. i) Diocesan Synod Report circulated. It is to be noted that there will be an increase in the Common Fund for 2018 (subject to approval at the October Synod meeting) 8. Safeguarding Jenny Adams reported that clearance has been received for Heather Welby to work with vulnerable adults. Other applications are being processed. Jenny said that Mary Gilbert has kindly offered to help with the administrative work involved with the clearance procedures. 9. Parish clock project. Paul Jeffery reported that a small committee, comprising himself, Janet Wyatt and Martyn Cruse had been formed to raise funds towards the refurbishment of the clock. The clock has been well maintained and is now electrically driven. The clock face is corroded and needs work done on it. The quote for clock work is 3000 and for scaffolding is 9600, but it is hoped to combine with other work needed to be done the tower. An article is to appear in the September edition of The Resident and Paul will put information in the parish magazine and on the weekly notice sheet. There will be a fund raiser Coffee & Cake morning, with tower tours, on September 16 th and volunteers are needed to help with this. 10. Rector s Updates Team Pilgrim appointment. Rev Mark Fuller will be licensed on September 20 th at St. Peter s Church, followed by refreshments in the Pier Hall at St. Peter s School. Work is planned for Lambourne Way where the family will live. The garage is to be converted to a study and additional storage is to be erected in the garden. Volunteers will be needed to help decorate the house. Action Chris Harries PCC Vision Day. Sunday 8 th October at St. Nicholas Church from pm. Please bring lunch. Discussion will take place to enable the new Mission Action Plan to be built up. Best practice for PCC Following discussion at the last PCC Rob proposed having refreshments available followed by a short interview with a PCC member at the start of the meeting. 11. Matters Arising from the Minutes not appearing on the Agenda a) PCC Rep on URC Council. No volunteers Action RED for staff meeting b) Membership of Communications group Complete c) Choir Account to be closed. Complete d) Pitstop consents to be updated On-going 4 e) Unsafe wall in churchyard Complete

5 f) Restricted funds held for Avon Relate Dealt with under item 6b g) Purchase of bibles for churches Complete h) Ride & Stride event. In hand. Mary Gilbert organising 12. Correspondence DBF Annual Report and Accounts for Tabled. Diocesan Conference on Mental Health Paul and Betty Jeffery will attend. Transition Portishead held over Action RED for next PCC 13. Prayer /Compline leaders & Refreshment helpers for PCC Meeting on September 28 th Prayers Steve Head. Compline Pearl Walker Refreshments Lottie & Andy Sparks 14. A.O.B. There was no Any Other Business 15. Compline Led by Fran Smettem Rev Rob Eastwood Dewing thanked members for attending and the meeting closed at 9.45 pm. Future PCC Meetings all at 7.30 pm 2017 Thursday Sept 28 th St. Barnabas Centre Wednesday November 22 nd 2018 Thursday January 25 th Tuesday March 20 th St. Nicholas Church St. Peter s Church St. Barnabas Centre Wednesday April 25th St. Peter s Church AP CM NB PCC Vision Day Sunday 5 th October at St. Nicholas Church from pm. Bring lunch 5