St Hilda’s Church
Minutes of a meeting of The Parochial Church Council, held on Monday October 30th 2017.
Present: – Hilary Jamieson, (Chairman, Churchwarden), Margaret Chapman, Barbara Foster, David Mann, Barbara Robinson (Secretary), , Brian Wood.
Observers: Rev Martin Russell, Daniel Russell, -St Hilda’s
Rev Russell opened the meeting with prayer. He then took the Chair before the arrival of Hilary Jamieson.
1 Apologies Margaret Robinson (Churchwarden), Prue Meehan (Treasurer),
Joyce Mawer John White, -St John The Evangelist, Warley
2 Declaration of members’ interests None declared
3 Minutes – The minutes of the meeting held on September 5th 2017 were adopted as a correct record subject to clarification of the Revs. Russell work at St Thomas’ Claremount being normally one service per month, not two.
4 Matters arising
It was noted that 48 wooden chairs had been sold, raising £480 for Church funds. Brian Wood was thanked for his work. It was reported that there had been discussion with Janet Sullivan and Barbara Smith about changes to the Choir Vestry. It had been agreed that one desk and one office chair should be kept. Project Colt was to remove some office furniture shortly.
There was brief discussion of the celebration of the first year of Saturday Gathering, West. It had been a well-attended joyous event.
It was noted that there had been some problems with the church Sound system recently, possibly connected with the increased use. John Harrison had requested that PCC consider buying a replacement mobile microphone. After discussion it was agreed that the whole sound system should be reviewed, with a view to improvements, because several people found it inadequate after many years of service. The sound engineer working with HLOS was to be asked to report on the system. Training in microphone use was suggested by Daniel Russell, who had found it helpful elsewhere.
5 St John’s Items
John White had sent a written report. The PCC had agreed that he and Anita Swingler would be their representatives during the Vacancy procedures. There had been two successful fundraising events at St John’s – afternoon tea/Pimms and Flower arranging, raisingd £500 for church funds, and a shared Churches Together in West Halifax event to raise funds for The Leprosy Mission. The amount raised, £703, would give a total of £2,812 due to matched EU funding.
6 Churchwardens’ Report
Vacancy Notes of a PCC Section 11 meeting held on Oct 15th were tabled and accepted. The Parish Profile and Booklet, required under the Vacancy procedure, were approved as ready for submission. The booklet would be combined with St John’s work and be forwarded to the Archdeacon as a joint publication.
Building – It was reported that PAT testing had been completed with 2 failures – a portable lamp and an extension flex. David Mann requested the removal of the 2 items. PCC members recorded their thanks to Carole and Tim Coleman, who had replaced the extension flex, given a new vaccuum cleaner and arranged for the old vaccuum cleaner to be serviced.
PCC membership from 2018 – there was brief discussion of the need to encourage new members from the 2018 APCM.
Hilary Jamieson reminded members that an official First Aider had not yet been appointed. Training could be offered. It was suggested that Jennie Scholefield might be asked.
7 Treasurer’s Report
Prue Meehan had provided a written report. The Parish Share for the current year had been paid in full and there was likely to be money available, e.g. to buy some smaller folding tables. Members welcomed the report but felt that improvements to the sound system should be the priority for spending any surplus.
8 Development Group – The group was to meet before Christmas to recommend the next stage of Quinquennial work
9 Clergy Items
Rev Martin Russell reported that the monthly Common Worship Holy Communion service had been well received. Two matters of Pastoral Care were discussed.
David Mann asked for clarification of the Christmas services:
Sunday Dec 3rd – 9.30am David Mann, Christingle and Nativity (Brian Wood to
prepare script)
Christmas Eve – 9.30am Archdeacon Anne; No Midnight service
Christmas Day – 9.30am Revs. Martin & Madeleine Russell
Sunday Dec 31st – Carol Service
10 Deanery Synod Report – No report – Meeting on Nov. 7th
11 Calendar of church activities – Barbara Foster reported that £176 had been raised at the Wayfarers event. November 28th, a Praise Service with the Benefice Band, at St John’s.
12 Mara – No report
13 Any other business
Register of contacts – There was discussion of a proposal to ask the congregation to volunteer relevant contact details, e.g. names and telephone numbers, which could be used in the event of an emergency. It was generally agreed to be a very useful idea. A card index should be built up, to be held securely.
A confidential Pastoral matter was raised and appropriate action was agreed.
14 DTNM
It was agreed that the January meeting should be held on Sunday Jan. 14th 2018 at 11am, to follow the morning service.
The meeting closed with prayer at 8.55pm.
St Hilda's Church, Halifax 