PCC Draft Minutes - December 1st 2008

Parish of St Andrew’s, Tarvin with St Peter’s, Duddon

Draft Minutes of the PCC meeting
1st December 2008
St Andrew’s Parish Room

David welcomed everyone to the meeting and then read from Mark chapter 1, with emphasis on verse one, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” , which has no mention of the Christmas story. Advent is a time to get ready for the Kingdom, not just for the birth of a baby.

David then explained his protest/petition to the Asda advert with the song “It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” It looks like they are trying to sell a Christmas survival kit. You'll get through it with smiles, stuffing and silly hats.
I have started a petition to protest - where are the dark clouds, where's the light shining in the darkness, where's the young pregnant girl, where are the crowded streets, where's the baby? It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Oh no it's not!

So we then all joined in saying the Lord’s Prayer.

Present
David Herbert, Alex Henderson, Jane Holmes, Mary Burgess Peter Ladd, David Ferguson, Michael Burgess, Bill Turner, Ron Fuller, Margaret Marr, Yvonne Albon, Richard Tuckwell, Richard Orfanelli, Karyn Bright, Hilary Banner and Eric Plenderleath.
Peter Collins and Mark Wyatt were welcomed as observers.

1. Apologies
Jane Parker (and Barbara Shilton the following day)

2. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes were accepted as a true record.

3. Matters arising
3:6. Health & Safety - Yvonne reported that she had obtained new first aid kits for the bell tower and the Z team shed. She also has a stock of replacement equipment.
5 Buildings - The Faculty application for the Felt replacement on North aisle roof, re-pointing and tracery repair on East window has been sent to the Diocese.
- South Aisle roof restoration donation – the Diocese have informed us a Faculty is required for the erection of the plaque – this application has been made.

4. Electoral Roll
There were no applications to report.

5. Development Groups:
• Buildings – met on 28th October - report attached Alec highlighted:
Disabled Access to the Parish Room – path to be laid with York stone by Z team, costs £400. Proposal to proceed by Alex, seconded by Michael – all in favour.
Slippery path signs now made and will be installed shortly.
Gas smell reported – Boiler was serviced last week – no leaks. When the boiler fires up in cold/windy weather gas in the cold flue can result in ‘the smell’.
Next meeting - 23rd February 2009

• Health & Safety - met on 22nd September - report and chart attached
Yvonne highlighted the chart which shows the actions the group had undertaken and the resulting policies. When completed the H&S file will need to be will displayed.
Next meeting - 12th January 2009

• Worship - met on 16th September - report attached Richard highlighted:
Passion Play is on again for 2009 – Ron is the organiser
Godly Play – good to see new youngsters attending
Songs of Praise, 5th Sunday evenings, have been well received and congregations increased
Young Servers will start soon
Next meeting - tba

• Pastoral - met on 18th September - report attached Mary highlighted:
Visiting – anybody can recommend people to be visited, just give names to members of the Pastoral Group.
Holiday at Home names have been given to Friendship Lunch organisers – NB more St Andrew’s helpers always welcome.
Next meeting - tba

• Mission & Ministry - met on 3rd November - report attached Ron highlighted:
4. Christmas Activities – Printing of Posters for the villages and A5 fliers for each household should arrive this week. (Fliers to be given out from Christmas Market stall)
St Andrew’s Open Church 22nd, 23rd, 24th, December - 10am to 3pm - Coffee & mince pies
Ron has a rota for volunteers
Next meeting - 5th January 2009

• Tarvin Ecumenical - met on 23rd September - report attached Yvonne highlighted:
It was hoped to arrange event for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity but time was now too short.
We were reminded that the group was open to all who wanted to meet ecumenically.
Next meeting - 17th February 2009

** Tarvin Environment Group** Hilary gave a brief report:
This new village group had been formed following a Living Hope meeting and meets monthly. They have leafleted the village and will be sharing the Christmas Market stall giving advice on how to save energy and money. Details available on www.tarvinenvironment.org.uk

• Finance - met on 11th November - report attached Michael highlighted:
United Utilities – dispute over vastly increased bill proceeding. Need for the tap in Church discussed as money could be saved if removed. Taps in Z team shed, churchyard appear to be linked to Parish Room supply. U.U. engineer to visit and discuss issues.
Insurance – significant increase and reduced cover on lead – need to be vigilant. Use of Smartwater marking essential.
Annual Accounts may be better than breaking even and may reach the cut-off figure for appointing a professional auditor.
Fundraising events have all gone to window protection this year – we must consider the church as a whole in future events.
Quinquennial – Eric had received a letter today confirming the appointment of Tony Barton as Architect. We can now proceed in arranging the Inspection – probably for Feb 09. Costs are covered by the Diocese.
Next meeting - t.b.a.

• St Peter’s - met on 20th October - report attached Peter highlighted:
The work on the Churchyard had been completed
Quinquennial – two items left to complete
Next meeting - 26th January 2009

** St Peter’s Re-ordering** Peter reported and presented a paper for discussion
The Diocesan Chancellor has granted a faculty for The St Peter’s Project.
The Re-ordering can be divided into two basic stages, with a decision to proceed taken after completion of the first stage, viz:
Stage A Obtain an accurate price
Determine if it is possible to phase the work to suit the availability of funds
Investigate other issues that need clarification
Stage B Proceed with the work
After discussion it was agreed to establish a Re-ordering Committee which would initially comprise of Peter Ladd, David Herbert, Eric Plenderleath and a Treasurer (Rita Grimshaw and/or Richard Orfanelli). They would in the first instance determine the Terms of Reference.

6. Member’s Business:
History Group Presentation – Peter Collins & Mark Wyatt
The group, (Peter, Mark, Jackie & Tony Bland, Eric Plenderleath and Jane Holmes), was set up in July to consider how to develop the display of church artefacts/documents/photographs etc. Links with the Grosvenor Museum, Chester have been established regarding the eventual display of the pieces of the ‘Tarvin Cross’, found during the building of the new housing development, and regarding the Tarvin Silver on loan to the museum.
Artefacts in church and items, such as photographs, belonging to group members have been considered for inclusion in the displays.
The main display area at the end of the North Aisle will house display cases and information boards. Two ‘mock-up’ boards, the result of much research and hard work, were shown and considered excellent.
A second display would be a case, made like a bay window, fixed to the south wall of the foyer area. The total costs were predicted at around £2,500. The PCC gave approval for the plans to proceed.
Peter and Mark were thanked for their presentations and commended for their hard work on the project.

• Bishop Peter’s letter re. Growth Action Planning (GAP)
PCC Secretary reported that the letter, together with emails from the Rural Dean, had given details of the GAP initiative which is to be offered to all parishes from April 2009. It has an overall aim “to set both parishes and diocese firmly on the road to growth”.
Our Deanery presentation will be on April 27th, 2009 (N.B. Need to alter out AGM date)

7. Agenda Item:
“What is Church” – first discussion from SWOT analysis - David
This was deferred to the next meeting as it will need at least half an hour.

8. Deanery Synod Report Mary reported:
There have been two meetings of the Deanery Synod since the last PCC meeting:
• The Synod Eucharist which was here at St Andrew’s on Oct 2nd.

• A meeting on Nov 27th at St Michael’s, Plas Newton
This was the last meeting for our Rural Dean, Bob Toan. With his wife Pam he is starting a new ministry in Cambodia next year involved in support work for their mission partners. No news yet about a new Rural Dean.

The main item was a presentation by Helen Chantry on
Lay Discipleship and Ministry.
She involved her audience by asking us questions and discussing:
The dependency of the congregation on their vicar
What does it mean to be a disciple?
How do you learn?
Diocesan Synod has endorsed the aim to give opportunities for lay people to deepen their discipleship beyond what they learn attending church on a Sunday and would like to see parishes putting on courses and advertising them widely. I have leaflets about the resources available.

The next meeting is on February 26th 2009, at Guilden Sutton, and will be about Youth Work, with several very different parishes giving presentations about their work.


9. Clergy Report David reported:
• Music at St Andrew’s – Following advertisement and interview Michael Reynolds has been appointed to the post of Director of Music. At the interview he played several pieces on the organ and taught a new piece of music to a small group of people. Michael takes up the post after Easter 2009 as he has to give notice to his present church in Whitegate. We are incredibly fortunate to appoint such a talented young musician who also lives in the village. John Winward is to continue to play for Sunday evening services.

• We welcome Alison Linfield from Christchurch, Chester, on placement as a trainee Lay Reader. She will be with us for six weeks from the middle of January.


10. A.O.B.

Tarvin Christmas Market stall – Friday 5th December 2009. We are sharing the stall with the Environment Group. We will be selling raffle tickets - donation of prizes still welcome and also helpers on the night, from 6.30pm onwards.

Yvonne asked us to consider asking for and using the ‘religious’ Christmas postage stamps in preference to the pantomime ones.

The signed lease for the Parish Rooms has now been returned.


Dates of next PCC & Standing Committee meetings

PCC Monday 2nd February 2009 at 7.30pm
Standing Committee Wednesday 14th January 2009 at 3.00pm

Tarvin Environment Group

It's good to see how quickly the Tarvin Environment Group is developing.
The website is well worth a visit. That includes the aims of the group and the dtaes of meeting, as well as contact details.

Network

Here's this Sunday's Network sheet
Seeing if this is any more successful than sending through Google.
Please add comments if you think it is a good way of sending.

Art Exhibition

 

 

 

 

St Andrew's Painters' Group had their annual exhibition at the Parish Rooms this last weekend. There was lots of colour and signs of real progress made by the painters of the group. The group began four years ago and meets weekly. Some new members have joined in that time, but, by and large, the group has remained intact over the years. These photos were taken by Edna Smith on her new camera!!!

Another special one

Thank you to Hannah for this photo of Isabella Jenks from her baptism on October 12th.
As we say at the beginning of the baptism service "we receive this child with joy". From now on she is Friend Isabella. Thank you Friend Hannah.

Will there be Food?

Jim Wigan is a member of St Andrew's Church and of Initiatives of Change.
On October 7th he addressed a Greencoat Forum in the London centre of Initiatives of Change on the subject of "Will there be Food for All".
'We are meeting in troubled times,’ he said. ‘About 35,000 people died of starvation and related illness in the last 24 hours: nearly one every two seconds.’ Scientists had predicted a year ago that ‘if we don’t act decisively within the next 18 months climate change would eventually push civilization over the edge.’ Now the financial markets were in crisis and more and more farmers were reporting that they were at the end of their tether.
A report of his speech is here.

Celebrating Trevor

Trevor and Rita Slater are pictured here with David Poulter, Musical Director of Liverpool Cathedral. Trevor has been organist at St Andrew's Tarvin since 1974, so an evening to celebrate his music and his contribution to lifting the music of praise was long overdue.
David Poulter said he was privileged to give a recital in honour of Trevor, who himself was described as passionate, patient, inspirational, gifted,. It happened to be World Mental Health Day, so a retiring collection was taken for a local mental health charity. One person thought this was the best evening we have had for a decade!

Eco School

Headteacher, Paul Hudson reported to Governors that the school is going to get a greenhouse "to further knowledge and understanding of the environment and linking with our development of the school as an Eco-School." Children have also been busy planting salad crops and vegetables to grow through the autumn and winter. This will help children undertsand how food grows (salad leaves don't grow mixed and in bags!) and help them understand diet. Compost bins have also been supplied to recycle school waste.

Wedding Bells

Congratulations to local Methodist Minister Ann Kenton on her marriage to Paul Rigby-Jones. The wedding took place at Tarvin Methodist Church "announced" by the bells ringing from St Andrew's Church. Members of both churches were there to celebrate - and to show just how far relationships have developed between the two churches. (Well there's nothing like a bit of romance for bringing people together).

September's Pinch of Salt

Love and Marriage - from September's Parish Grapevine
Jo Richards introduces important themes in the Genesis story in this month’s introduction to the Old Testament. Coincidentally I came across this sculpture from the Ratner Museum of Adam and Eve at one and hopelessly in love and rooted in the tree of life.
It celebrates relationships—as does the story of God’s creation of Adam and Eve—and I know that many couples celebrate their relationships in September (as Jeanette and I do) with this month being one of the most popular times for weddings.
The spirit of Genesis is captured in the wedding service with the actions of the service (exchange of rings symbolising their embrace, the joining of hands and the wrapping of those hands by the priest’s stole.) It is captured in the words of the prayer: “God our Father, from the beginning you have blessed creation with abundant life. Pour out your blessings upon … and … that they may be joined in mutual love and companionship”.
There was a rift in the relationship between Adam and Eve as they argued about who was to blame for what went wrong in the Garden of Eden. The consequence of that was that they each went about their own work. Heavy manual work for Adam and painful childbirth for Eve. Relationships have been difficult ever since! The stories of Genesis are written up to be typical.
Christian marriage recognises that and sees that the work and love of God is to help people find their better side (in the Adam/Eve story one was formed from the side of the other) in another to love and be loved. This is a sign of God’s mercy and love and shows that the gates of Paradise are open. It’s a long road to travel from our egocentric way of life and we are often slow to change our way of thinking. We have to make love because love doesn’t come naturally.
Recognising the differences between us, and the difficulties of our relationships and the inclination to want our own way, we need to hold hands and link arms to resist the pressures which might make us live separate lives. Only by wrapping ourselves in one another do we ever once again become one flesh.
David Herbert

Cheese and Wine

Friday night may have been very wet, but that didn't put anyone off coming to a Cheese and Wine Evening held in Lillian Nicholas's garden. (Fortunately there was a marquee handy - and there was a lot more than cheese and wine!) With a raffle over £600 was raised for Duddon's Churchyard Fund - a fund important to the villagers of Duddon and Clotton but not so easy for a towny like me to understand. A great evening - thank you Lillian and all those who leant their lamps and helped in other ways.

Great evening

A great evening last night with the Collectable Swing Band - complete with a trumpeter who looked the image of the previous Bishop of Chester - Michael Baughen. (Is this not Tony Tucker aka Michael Baughen?)
£746.80 raised to protect our stained glass windows from nuclear attack.
Thanks Sue for the idea and Peter and Val for organising the concert.

Songs of Praise

Songs of Praise seemed very popular on Sunday night (31/8). Led in very relaxed fashion by Richard, the normal numbers were trebled for the service of readings and favourite hymns.


Hymns included:

Angel voices ever singing
Colours of Day
In heavenly love abiding
Jesus, good above all other
God is love, let heaven adore him
Do not be afraid
How great thou art
Let all the world in every corner sing.

Now we have to decide how often we should hold these services. Should they be on every 5th Sunday of the month? Should we have them every other month - including a couple at St Peter's?
What hymns would you want to sing?

The curious incident of the painted cows

For some reason local p**s artists painted local cows! Their work shows a distinct lack of imagination using only white paint (will it be magnolia next time?) and showing nothing of the flair of Banksy’s work. An advertising slogan could be "Milk is good for you" - but then, on the other flank (as suggested by friend Ceri) - "but Guinness is better".

Grenville's Life of Serving

Grenville Phillips is 80 this August and he has decided it's time to call it a day as a server at St Andrew's.
Grenville began "serving" at the tender age of 11 - in 1939 - at St Werburgh's Church, Derby. He was also server at St peter's Chellaston in Derby Diocese from 1958, and became server at St Andrew's when he, Shirley and the family moved to Tarvin in 1971.
Besides being altar serveer, Grenville has helped with the hospitality at St Andrew's ensuring that everything is ready for the Sunday celebration.
Well done Grenville.

Sermon - July 20th 2008

Stefan Collier preached at last Sunday's service at St Andrew's.
Stefan is an ordinand on placement with us. A lot of people said how much they had enjoyed Stefan's sermon on the wheat and the weeds, so here is a chance to refer back to it, or read it for the first time. Reading a sermon is very different from listening to one - but, hey, we can't go back in time.

HOPE IN A SUFFERING WORLD (PARABLE OF THE WEEDS AMONG THE WHEAT)
Mat 13:24-30, 36-43; Rom 8:12-25

I remember trying to help my parents in the garden once. First, there was the piercing Noooo... from the other side of the garden as I reached down to pull out what I thought was a weed, but was in fact a rather nice plant. Then, there was the rather shifty look on my face accompanied by an Oops when, too eager to help, I pulled out a rather large weed but also half the flower bed and its flowers at the same time. I think, at the time, I exclaimed “Mum, look at what the rabbit has done!”. Alas, I don't think she believed me.

Reflecting on these experiences, little did I appreciate the theological significance of my gardening incompetence until recently. For, in a similar way that our garden depended critically on it's head gardener, my mum; to recognise the weeds from the flowers and tend the garden towards its potential.

The garden of the world, the world itself, depends critically on its head gardener, Jesus Christ. We may weep, get angry and frustrated at the continued presence of evil and suffering in our world today; not understand, and disagree with the methods of the head gardener. But, it is Jesus Christ who gifts us a place in his garden, patiently perseveres in its desecration, while bringing it to the fullness of its beauty at his appointed time – not ours. So, within Jesus' illustrative story of the wheat and the weeds there lies tremendous hope, expectation with confidence, that the garden of the world will win the Chelsea flower show by some considerable margin.

So, let's look in more detail at Jesus' story of the weeds among the wheat with an attentive ear. The start of the story is important though it is really easy to gloss over it or indeed any story for that matter. I think of the films I have watched recently, how they quickly turn to the action and special effects, glossing over the start or building of a story as if it is so inconsequential? Perhaps, here it would be easy to focus on the apocalyptic imagery of the last judgement with the weeping and gnashing of teeth for those who do evil alluded to in v42. But, I think, to do so here would be disastrous because it would distort what this story has to say about God.

The story starts in v24 with its particular explanation in v37. The Son of Man sows seed, sons of the Kingdom, into the world. This cuts to the heart of the gospel message, as detailed in Isa 53:5. Jesus, the Son of Man, died on a cross for our denial, turning away from God. His death sentence brought us peace. His wounds heal us AND bind us to himself forever. If only we turn towards God and accept his gracious invitation. A new community or Kingdom is established in the here and now – in this world- of which we are sons and daughters. In Rom 8:14-15 we read “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, `Abba! Father!'”.

OK, so what? Can we skip to the weeping and gnashing of teeth now? No, because once planted we become an integral part of the garden forever. Rom 8:1 “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” The start of the story, is foundational. It enables us to expect with confidence, hope, that the garden, despite the weather and rampaging rabbits and alike, will be well tended for and brought to its intended state of glory, as detailed in v43, “Then the righteous will shine like the Sun in the kingdom of their Father”.

This is of considerable comfort and support, a typical British understatement, when clung to in the face of persistent evil and suffering that pervades our world and touches so many of us deeply, acknowledged in v25. “We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now” (Rom 8:22). Some of this evil is more readily recognisable – we hear about it in the news – the hardship, torture, and even death of many Zimbabweans largely enabled by a corrupt government. But much,as revealed in v26, remains hidden from our eyes. It was only when the wheat sprouted and formed ears that it became distinguishable from the weeds.

The malpractice of sowing weeds into someone else's field was actually sometimes done both in first century Palestine and today in some parts of India. Jesus spoke a language his audience readily understood. By the time the wheat and weeds were distinguishable their roots were so intertwined that to uproot the weeds was likely to pull out the wheat. Eventually, however, they would have to to be separated for the weed, likely called, Darnel in Jesus' day was slightly poisonous and would spoil the harvest.

So, it is today. And clearly God, the head gardener, understands the danger for our world, his garden of creation.

Here, the story says at least 2 things. First, it teaches us to not judge others, since just as the wheat and weeds cannot be distinguished until just prior to the harvest so can we not distinguish between those who do good and evil. As Jesus said in his sermon on the mount. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged”. Do we remember the tragedy of Harold Shipman? Many of us, some 8 years ago, would have though Harold Shipman was a good man. After all he was a doctor and to all intents and purposes a respected man in the community. A 2002 report following his imprisonment concluded that he had killed 215 of his patients between 1975 and 1998.

The second thing this story teaches us, and I was relieved to see this mentioned in the NETWORK sheet, concerns the patience and compassion of our God. Characteristics that are guided by his sovereignty in tending to his world that per haps, for many, will be deeply frustrating, a source of anger, and as illustrated in v27-28 not how we would tend the garden. The owner's servants ask “Do you want us to go and pull them up” - the weeds?

How many times have we acted hastily only to regret the consequences thereafter? I am not totally convinced, but offer the question, did the war in Iraq illustrate this danger? In seeking to do good and bring peace and stability to the Middle East, large numbers of innocent people have lost their lives and been displaced. Moreover, the consequences have reverberated throughout the Middle East and beyond. Reminding us of the interconnectivity of God's creation and the need for patience, compassion, and wisdom.

How many times have we lamented to God, why do you not do something? Be assured God, as we speak, is doing plenty as revealed in his story.

Jesus responds “No” in v29 knowing the danger of displacing the wheat when drawing out the weeds. I have wondered whether this is one of the reasons why our Archbishop Rowan Williams, at this time of deep stress for the Anglican Communion over, e.g., issues of human sexuality, examples a Christ like patience, compassion, and tolerance. Knowing that to act and speak hastily could be to rip out the wheat with the weeds within the Anglican communion, and not give time and space for Christ's ongoing reconciliation of this world to himself.

God's compassion, on the other hand, knows no bounds giving time and space for forgiveness in a broken world. Calling us to communion and reconciliation in and through Christ's life, death and resurrection. We have a God who seeks the return of the lost Sheep (Mat 18:10-14). A God who deliberately goes out to those marginalised and detested by society. For Jesus these were the tax collectors and prostitutes, who are these people for us? We have a God who wants to continue to plant new, good seed, people, in his garden right up until the harvest – the blooming of the garden. Let us return to the Cross, where Jesus hung between 2 criminals (Luke 23:39-43).

“One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying , “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong”. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”. He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.””.

It was not too late for one of the criminals to be planted into Jesus' new creation or garden. It is not too late for us.

Perhaps Jesus' compassion and patience is in part motivated by the gravity of the final consequences for those who do evil and cause sin. We finally reach the furnace of fire and the weeping and gnashing of teeth, v42. Here, we are challenged to example Christ's compassion and patience for those who reject and work against him. To proclaim and live the Gospel message and thereby participate with the gardener, Jesus Christ, in planting new, good seed here and now.

So, let me conclude with some questions for us as a community. Will we participate in contributing to the glory of God's transformed, splendid garden of creation – the one that wins the Chelsea flower show? Will we not judge but rather have patience and compassion in a world bereft with evil and suffering? A compassion that seeks to point people towards God, is marked with a deep love for our neighbour, and is energised by not wanted to see anyone lost to a life without God. Will we rejoice in the hope, expectation with confidence, that Christ in his mercy offers and bestows upon us. “For in this hope we were saved” (Rom 8:24). A hope that enables us to bear patiently with the realities of our everyday live's. Continuously remembering that his rule on earth has already begun and will be consummated “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear”. Amen

Wedding Photos

PCC Draft Minutes - July 7th 2008

Parish of St Andrew’s, Tarvin with St Peter’s, Duddon

Draft Minutes of the PCC meeting
7th July 2008
St Andrew’s Parish Room

David welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly the five new members;
Hilary Banner, Bill Turner, David Ferguson, Karyn Bright & Barbara Shilton,
and Stefan Collier, an Ordinand on a four-week placement in the Parish.
Before leading our prayers Margaret asked us to consider the organisation of the early church with Stefan reading from The Acts of the Apostles.

Present
David Herbert, Alex Henderson, Jane Holmes, Margaret Marr, Mary Burgess Peter Ladd, David Ferguson, Michael Burgess, Yvonne Albon, Richard Tuckwell, Hilary Banner, Bill Turner, Jane Parker, Barbara Shilton, Ron Fuller, Karyn Bright and Stefan Collier.

1. Apologies
Eric Plenderleath

2. PCC membership
Michael proposed the co-option of Richard Orfanelli as Assistant Treasurer, in preparation for Michael’s retirement in 2009. This was unanimously agreed.
Judith Brown’s resignation was accepted as she had moved away from the area.

3. Minutes of meetings held on 7th April and 28 April 2008
The minutes were accepted as true records.

4. Matters Arising
7th April
• Finance / Building – Michael reported that the Nicholas donation had paid for the painting of the S Aisle ceiling. There was some money remaining which would pay for a small plaque and the remainder going towards the Window Protection fund.

• United Utilities - As some of you may be aware, the Water Companies are ignoring churches charitable status and starting to charge Churches for the amount of area (i.e. roofs and car parks) that will collect rainwater and discharge it into the sewer network. This will effectively raise most churches water bills by hundreds if not thousands of pounds, which could be ruinous for some. There is an online government petition that you can register on, please sign up and pass this onto anyone else you think will sign! http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ChurchWaterBills ....... petition deadline 6 Dec 08.

• St Andrew’s Foyer – it was agreed to leave any more work until next year.

28 April No matters arising

5. Electoral Roll
Two applications had been received from Mr John Edwards and Mrs Annie Kaira. Both were accepted.

6. Development Groups
David asked all, but particularly new members, to consider joining any of the groups.

• St Peter’s – met 23rd June Report received
Peter highlighted the Quinquennial work status and the Churchyard Fund overspend.
A ‘cheese & wine’ evening to be held on 5th Sept in aid of the Churchyard Fund.
Next meeting – 20th October

• Finance – had not met
Michael reported items of significant cost – S. Aisle Ceiling £5,600;
Boiler repair £700; new mower for Z team £300.
Parish Share has been reduced by 25% due to David’s Diocesan work.
Legacy received from Les Lewis estate –
£500 to St Peter’s and £500 to St Andrew’s.
Next meeting – tba

• Buildings – had not met
Alex reported that three quotes had been obtained for the N. Aisle Roof work and for the re- pointing as per the 2003 Quinquennial report. There was a great spread on both but the likely figure would be £10,000. A WREN grant would now be applied for and the result will be brought back to the PCC.
It was agreed that Alex would obtain ‘slippery path signs for the main and side paths expressing the need for “Caution – path may be slippery!”
Parish Rooms – a Cleaner has been found for one hour per week. Jane Parker to organise the details with Eric.
Next meeting – 4th August

• Health & Safety - met 14th April Report received
Yvonne reported that she was working on the risk assessments.
David said how good it was to have a group whose remit was the H&S of all our Parish buildings. We were also reminded that all accidents should be reported in the Accident books and any H&S issues such as trip hazards brought to the attention of a Churchwarden.
Next meeting – 22nd September

• Worship – met 29th April Report received
Richard reported the main areas of discussion:
Hymn planning and music;
Evening services – possible ‘Songs of Praise’ with focus on M.U., Youth, Cell Groups etc;
Sermon series – possibly at the evening service.
Next meeting – 16th September

• Pastoral – met 18th June Report received
Mary reported that the meeting was mainly concerned with the planning for ‘Holiday at Home’ – 5th – 7th August. Coffee Morning had raised £170.
Suggestions of people to invite and volunteers to help most welcome – let Mary know - 740716.
Next meeting – July, date to be confirmed

• Mission & Ministry – met 3rd June Report received
Ron reported on the main areas of discussion;
Bible reflection; Church growth; Holiday at Home.
There had also been a discussion regarding the crossover between the Mission & Ministry and the Worship group meetings. However it was concluded that there should be no change at present.
Next meeting – 3rd November

• Tarvin Ecumenical – met 21st April Report received
Living Hope – Hope for the Future with Gary Charnock & colleagues from Ashton Hayes. Hilary reported that there had been wide publicity in the village and a diverse group of about twenty had attended. A meeting is planned for September, ( possibly 11th ), to take the ideas forward, working with Ashton rather than mirroring what they had done.
Next meeting – 23rd September




7. Agenda Item
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of/for/to the Parish

David introduced the discussions and then divided us into four smaller groups who reported back to the whole group. Stefan compiled a composite list which will go to the next Standing Committee. The small groups were particularly useful as new members had opportunities to contribute and all could listen in a more relaxed forum.



8. Clergy Report

Margaret reported that she and Donald would be retiring as Chaplains to the Scilly Isles at the end of October. We would therefore be seeing more of them!

Richard thanked everyone for their support in preparation for his ordination, in attendance at the Cathedral service and for the wonderful reception on the Sunday. He was looking forward to continuing his work in the Parish and was grateful to Bishop Peter for allowing him to do so.

David reported
Peter Collins has been asked to lead a group which will develop the historical displays in St Andrew’s. The Saxon Cross, found on the new development site, will be accommodated together with the present artifacts in the N. Aisle.

Duddon School Governors – Pippa Williamson has resigned as a Foundation Governor and Mary Lightfoot, at present a Community Governor, was proposed as her replacement. The PCC unanimously agreed.


9. Deanery Synod
Report received of the meeting held on 27th May at St. Paul’s, Boughton.
Yvonne and Mary reported that Donald Allister gave an interesting talk, ‘What is the future of the parish system?’ . There are some interesting changes being made in some Dioceses but at present Chester has no plans to reform.

Dates for future meetings
Thursday 2nd October Synod Eucharist at St. Andrew, Tarvin – Rt Rev Colin Bazley will be preaching.
N.B. Support in providing refreshments/attending the service would be most welcome.

Monday 24th November St. Michael, Plas Newton


10. A.O.B.
• Jane gave notice of The Friends ‘Big Band Concert’ to be held on September 6th, tickets £5.
• Parish Rooms – Michael asked for the PCC to reassure the new tenants, Barbara and Jeanne and their ‘Massage for Health and Healing’, of our support. It was unanimously given.
• Historic Cheshire Churches Preservation Trust – Saturday 13th September
We have said St Andrew’s & St Peter’s Churches will be open and manned, 10am – 4pm. The date does coincide with Heritage Day.
• Yvonne reminded us of the TMC Away Day on 27th July. Coach to Blythe Bridge and Trentham Gardens. Cost £7. List in St Andrew’s to sign up.
• Ron is organising an evening visit to Liverpool Cathedral on 9th September. A coach will leave Tarvin at 6.30 and the visit will include a meal.
• Grenville Phillips is 80 in August and is retiring from being a Server. We are celebrating these achievements on 3rd August after the 10.45 service.

• A reminder that the Archdeacon is coming to our 6.30 service on Sunday, July 13th, to install Eric and Jane as Churchwardens and members of the PCC.


Date of the next meetings
Standing Committee Wed 20 August 10.00am
PCC Mon 8 September 7.30pm

Geting married

New regulations for qualifications to getting married in the marriage come into force in October 2008. The Measure is here. Clearer details are on the parish website.

Jokes

Not exactly news but ...
While walking along the pavement in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton wool, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: 'Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goooes.' (I want this line used at my funeral!)

A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. 'Mama, look what I found,' the boy called out. 'What have you got there, dear? 'With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, 'I think it's Adam's underwear!'

Richard Tuckwell's Ordination

 
 
 
 

Tarvin History

Peter Collins is conveing a group to look at developing a more professional dispaly of the historic artefacts we have at St Andrew's. Joining him on the committee are Eric Plenderleath, Jane Holmes, Mark Wyatt and Tony & Jackie Bland.

Christian Aid Week

The Christian Aid Week collection last month raised a staggering £2,389.89.
This included £201.78 raised from the soup lunches held at the Methodist Church. A very good result - thanks to all collectors (only two roads were uncollected) and to organisers John and Brenda Savage.

Run for Beulah

Sponsorship money for the Half Marathon which DH ran has amounted to £550. Thanks to everyone who supported this. The money is for Beulah Institute in Kenya.

St Andrew's approach

This is a great picture of the path to St Andrew's. Well photographed by annedm1 who has a few more photos of Tarvin here.
The trees look great - the photo was taken in February. In summre they form a lovely green arch - very effective for weddings! The doors are now a lot lighter. Bill Turner spent many hours stripping the old varnish and centuries old dirt from inside and out to restore the wood to its original colour.

Song

The visit of the City of Chester Male Voice Choir prompts me to reflect on music in our worship - particulalry the highlights of recent weeks.

1. At St Peter's we sang "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God" as a round. The men moved to one side of the church and started the singing off - followed by the women. Once we all got the hang of it there was only one word to describe it - "beautiful". (Seek ye first tends to be as bit boring when it isn't sung as a round)
2. We introduced - at the PCC, St Andrew's and St Peter's - "The Lord's my shepherd" by Stuart Townend. (You can hear a sample of it here)This again is beautiful and hopefully will be seen as a viable alternative to Crimond.
3. To crown it all the City of Chester Male Voice Choir sang "Dona Nobis Pacem" during their concert in Tarvin last night (10/5). As it happens, I had sung it as part of a training session the previous week. Perhaps too complicated to introduce to our parish worship but great to hear again.

PCC Meeting April 28th 2008

Parish of St Andrew’s, Tarvin with St Peter’s, Duddon

Draft Minutes of the PCC Meeting
Following APCM held on 28th April 2008
St Andrew’s Parish Room

Present
David Herbert, Eric Plenderleath, Alex Henderson, Jane Holmes, Jane Parker, Michael Burgess, Yvonne Albon, Richard Tuckwell, Mary Burgess, Peter Ladd, Ron Fuller, Barbara Shilton, Margaret Marr.

It was proposed by Eric Plenderleath and seconded by Mary Burgess that Jane Parker be co-opted onto the PCC as Churchwarden Emeritus. This was unanimously agreed.

The PCC then met briefly to appoint:
Vice Chair Eric Plenderleath
Treasurer Michael Burgess ( notice of retirement in April 2009 given)
Secretary Jane Holmes

Standing Committee
Vicar, Churchwardens, St Peter’s Warden, Treasurer, Secretary

Custodian of the Handbells - the PCC

The membership and officers of St Peter's Development Group was endorsed
Peter Ladd & Janet Joynson (St Peter’s Wardens) Rita Grimshaw (Treasurer)
Lillian Nicholas (Secretary), Shirley Nield, Barbara Shilton, Pat Briscoe, John Edwards, Michael Hawes, David Herbert, Margaret Hawes, Richard Tuckwell, Ruth Banks, Ron Fuller.

The dates for Standing Committee meetings were confirmed as
Wed 11th June 2008
Wed 20th August 2008
Wed 12th November 2008
Wed 14th January 2009
Wed 11th March 2009

The dates for PCC meetings were confirmed as
Mon 7th July 2008
Mon 8th Sept 2008
Mon 1st Dec 2008
Mon 2nd Feb 2009
Mon 30 March 2009 (avoids Holy Week)

Annual Parochial Church meeting 20th April 2009 ( Eric to confirm it does not clash with Parish Council AGM.)

The date of Chancellor’s visitation was confirmed as
Thursday 15 May 2008 at 7.30pm, St Mark, Saltney


Parish Financial Accounts

The PCC unanimously agreed that, following guidance from “The Charities Act 1993 and the PCC 2006”, donations with specific requirements for work on the stained glass windows be excluded items as in 2.4 and 2.9 of the Charities Act and the PCC.

St Peter’s Space Project

As part of the Faculty application the Diocese has asked for the PCC to renew their support of the project. The following proposal was put forward by Eric Plenderleath, seconded by Jane Holmes.

The PCC are aware of the present financial situation, and wish the project to proceed as and when funding is available, and would be prepared for it to be carried out in stages. The Faculty was submitted in order that the level of any objections be gauged, and if approval was given by the Diocese we were ready to commence work when we felt it appropriate.

This was unanimously agreed by the 13 members present ( PCC consists 19 members).