St Hilda’s Church
Minutes of a meeting of the Parochial Church Council, held on Sunday 20th November 2016
Present: Rev. Neal Owen (Chairman), Margaret Chapman, David Mann, Prue Meehan (Treasurer), Kathy Lefroy-Owen (Secretary), Margaret Robinson (Churchwarden,) Hilary Jamieson (Churchwarden), Brian Wood
The meeting began with prayers
Apologies: Joyce Mower, Barbara Foster
Declaration of Member’s Interest – No declarations were made.
1 Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 20th September 2016 were accepted as a true record. Proposed: Margaret Chapman, seconded: Margaret Robinson, all in
2 Matters arising
Toilets – David has found a motion sensing light which he will buy and install in toilet.
3 St John’s PCC Items
No report as St John’s next meeting is on Tuesday 22nd November.
4 Churchwardens’ Report
• BEST – to check the lightening conductors early next year. Cost £125 + VAT
• Margaret R is in discussion via email with Jessica Thomas at Church House Leeds regarding permission for the works on the roof etc. Margaret is to contact Ploughcroft to get this information. The architect requires more detailed information ie lime mortar specifications etc. The architect will have to charge for any future work.
• Margaret R now has 3 quotes for the removal of the asbestos in the cellar:
MCP Environmental – £5100.00 + VAT
Amulsite – £5690.00 + VAT
BLS Asbestos Removals – £3340.00 + VAT
She has informed companies that work will be done next year. Discussion followed as to which quote to accept. Prue proposed and David seconded that we take up the one from BLS as they were the cheapest and had been on site before quoting.
5 Treasurers Report
• The Parish share has been paid this is before the Gift Day. Prue expects that there will be an excess of income over expenditure at the end of the year and suggests we designate some or part of it to the “Prayer Fund”. A rise in giving, greater Gift Aid and rental by playgroup and for elections have all helped. An announcement is to be given in church next week.
• Payment of £40 per month to Aaandaban Hospital via the Leprosy Mission – payment has been set up and Prue has checked money will go specifically to this project.
• Margaret C, Margaret R and Kathy had a training session about applying for grants from Uwell from Church House. He was very encouraging and enthusiastic about all that is going on at St Hilda’s and urged us to think of the future. He suggested that the PCC discuss National Lottery Funding. A discussion followed regarding the issues involved.
• Resolution – The PCC of St Hilda’s Church agree to apply for grants available through the National Lottery. Proposed by Margaret C, Seconded by Prue – 7 in favour, 1 against – Motion passed.
6 Clergy Items
• Community Choir began on Thursday 17tyh November. They are to be joined in the New Year by a group organising a choir for refugees – currently in Hebden Bridge but wanting to expand in Halifax.
• Interfaith meeting – Neal met the Imam from the Gibraltar Street Mosque. They would like to do a community project with St Hilda’s.
• Faithful Neighbours – Neal has been asked to sit on this diocesan group following observations he made at a meeting.
• Web Site – is up and running. John Harrison has worked very hard and there is a lot of information on it. Please forward info to John for inclusion. A big thank you to John.
• Advent Praise – to be at St Hilda’s on Tuesday 6th December.
• Joint service at St John’s on 4th December at 10:30 and afterwards a joint lunch. St Hilda’s to provide deserts.
• Sunday attendance is increasing.
7 Deanery Synod Report
• Parish share is to be fixed for 3 years.
• CICS is wanting to have involvement with Warley Road School
• A presentation about all the work being done at St Augustine’s.
• Stephen is retiring as Rural Dean. He has presided over a difficult time in Deanery history with churches merging etc. There is to be a presentation next year.
8 Churches Together
• Carol singing in West View Park –
• Possible carol singing at ASDA
• Prayer for Christian Unity service at St Hilda’s on 22nd January followed by a shared tea.
• Lent Group – To be discussed at next PCC meeting.
9 Pre 5’s
• All payments have been made.
• Currently 3 mornings 10 – 12am until funding comes through in the New Year
• Prue has discussed issues with Mahreen and she has promised to keep to arrangements re nappies, furniture.
• Windows – Mahreen has applied a product to make them safe however they are not all done to the same standard. The situation will be monitored.
10 St Hilda’s events
• 21st Nov – decorating the church with angels
• 23rd Nov – putting up Christmas tree
• 28th Nov – choir and dancers from Parkinson Lane Sch
• 23rd Nov – Hannah Robins from the Bible Society is to visit the Wed afternoon session.
• 3rd Dec St Nicholas Market – Queens Road Neighbourhood Centre
• Christmas Eve 12 – 2pm Pie and peas
11 Christmas
• 4th Dec – Joint Service at St John’s followed by lunch
• 11th Dec – Leprosy Mission speaker & 12 – 3pm church open for Angels for Advent.
• 18th Dec – Nativity/Carols/Communion followed by cake. Mince pies and cheese.
• 24th Dec – Midnight service Christmas eve 11:30
• 25th Dec – Christmas Communion 9:30
• 8th January – Epiphany
• 15th January – Christingle
12 Leprosy Mission
• Previously discussed
13 Mara
• An appeal has been launched to pay for clergy travel expenses to attend training by the new Bishop.. It was agreed we send £50.
14 Any other items
• Christmas collections – to be given to the homeless project by Ebenezer.
• Christmas cleaning – window ledges to be done when angels put on display. All offers of cleaning are welcome and a thank you is to go in the next magazine. The church will be given a spring clean in the spring.
15 Date of next meeting
After the Service – Sunday 29th Jan 2017
St Hilda's Church, Halifax 