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MINUTES OF SEEDFIELD METHODIST CHURCH ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING Sunday 10th May 2009 Mark Roper in the chair, 35 members present.
1. Opening Worship The meeting opened with worship led by Janet Vipond: Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord, Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise, Verses from Psalm 45 Holy Spirit, come 2. A Prayer Worship was concluded with a prayer offered by Mark Roper asking the Holy Spirit to be present to guide us, to help us banish our own agendas, to conduct the meeting with love and tolerance and throughout to seek God’s will and give to Him the honour. 3. The Purpose of the General Church Meeting Mark Roper explained to members the purpose of the meeting: ‘The meeting shall be held for fellowship, for mutual counsel respecting the condition of the Local Church, including its financial affairs, for the election of Church Stewards and Representatives and for any other purpose which the Conference may direct’. (There was nothing this year from Conference to be considered.) 4. Apologies for Absence Please see attached list. 5. Minutes of 2008 General Church Meeting These were signed as a true and accurate record. 6. Matters Arising Bequest - the final figure from the bequest arising from Dr. Margaret Timpany’s will was £79,500. Church Council was taking into consideration the submitted suggestions concerning how it should be used. (The meeting was reminded of the concerns over the boiler). Charities Commision Registration - the process is in its initial stages with Circuit Treasurer Jeff Barker in consultation with Church Treasurer Jem Wood. At some stage all members of Church Council will have to be registered. 7. Receiving of the Written Reports & Conversation on the Ministry and Witness of the Church Written reports had been made available prior to the meeting. The Secretary and Audrey Wood were thanked for preparing, collating and printing all the documentation prior to the meeting. There were no matters arising from the reports. It was suggested that in future years the house groups be invited to submit reports as they also were an active part of the church’s life. 8. The Appointment of Church Stewards The meeting was unanimously in favour of the following members being appointed to serve as Church Stewards:- Norma Bowker, Rachel Carr, Paul Denney, Dorothy Fletcher, Lesley Frost, Cath Hulbert, Richard Hulbert, Ian McKernan, David Poytress, Brian Sharples, Sue Sharples, Paul Vipond, Mark Walsh, Elaine Wood. Brian and Sue Sharples will serve jointly as Senior Steward. (Stewards appointments are from 1st September.) 9. Election of Representative to Church Council For churches with over 49 members there should be not less than six Representatives nor more than fifteen elected annually by the General Church Meeting. Core Group Leaders act like Representatives to Church Council at Seedfield.The following members were unanimously elected to serve for one year as Church Council Representatives:- Denise Johnson, Will Layfield, Christine Morecroft, Paula Wroe. 10. Election of the Leadership Team Annually one member of the Leadership Team steps down and this year Ken Jones was stepping down, although he would now attend as Church Council Secretary. Nigel Thompson was also stepping down and there was no replacement. Janet Vipond would be stepping down as Senior Steward and would be replaced by Brian and/or Sue Sharples or both. Sheila Warner had joined the team in the middle of the year as agreed at Church Council to replace Janet McKernan. The following were unanimously elected to serve for one year: David Roscoe, Sheila Warner, John Westwell, Jem Wood. Those stepping down were thanked for their contributions to the Leadership Team. 11. Annual Agreement of the Church’s Safeguarding Policy The Church’s Safeguarding Policy needs to be agreed each year. There had been revisions to both the Church Policy Statement and Procedures and Good Practice Guidelines with the addition of vulnerable adults throughout and particular reference to the use of 12 Linton Avenue and the crossing of the road between there and the Church. The revised documents were read out in full by one of the Safeguarding Officers, Tia Danning. The meeting voted in favour of accepting these. Revised copies will be posted at the two entrances and Guidelines should be made available to all group leaders. If any malpractice has to be reported, it should be reported initially to either Tia or Paula Wroe, the other Safeguarding Officer, who then have further recourse if needed to Circuit and District. Eleven more new verification procedures have been completed for CRB with 3 outstanding. The District Officer is running a training course at Seedfield on Saturday, 27th June – this has been in the Notices. In the future all will have to undergo training and a future training session is planned within the Circuit. From September 2009, additional verifiers can be nominated to help local ministers with the form filling. It was unanimously agreed that Tia Danning be nominated. This will prove very beneficial for Mark and it will become a part of her job remit. 12. The Sharing of Personal Testimony The meeting was invited to spend some time in small groups sharing what God had done in their lives over the past year. At the end of this time individuals were invited to share with the meeting. Andrew Clowe shared how he felt things were coming together with for example “Quiet Waters”, and the blessings that had been received at that event. Tia Danning thanked the Church for the home and welcome she had received. Anne Rigby referred to the way in which Tia’s appointment had come about. There had been frustrations with apparently suitable applicants and appointments and Tia’s application had not even been received! John Westwell referred to the encouragement seen through the event held at Whalley last November with 20 people very serious about needing to follow Jesus more closely. Tim Boaden had received a message to “go out and multiply” and instanced a couple of occasions on which he had had the opportunity to “go out”. 13. Previously Notified A.O.B. Treasurer’s Report. Thanks to John Wroe for looking after the Covenanting Scheme. Thanks to John Duxbury for auditing the accounts. Referring to the half yearly summary (see accompanying reports) of the church’s expenditure and income, a very rough indication of progress against budget could be seen by doubling the first column and comparing with the second. A study of the last three years shows a drop in income but an increase in expenditure. (refer to accompanying report). There is a separate Capital Account. With regard to “Gift Weekend” donations – these should be passed to the Treasurer. (There has not been a Gift Weekend this year, although it is hoped to arrange something (around talents) later in the year). Jem was thanked for his work as Treasurer throughout the year and for preparing these reports. Jem notified the meeting that he would be stepping down after 5 years in 2010. He was thus giving warning and the opportunity for anyone interested in taking over to chat with him. Property Thanks to Brian for co-ordinating the Property Group. He will be stepping down as he takes on responsibility as Senior Steward. Brian referred to the Property report and re-emphasised that if the model that is currently operative is to continue and succeed it needs to be co-ordinated by someone who is available during the week and able to look in on the building on a regular basis. Church Worker Janet Vipond has volunteered as a Church Worker on a part time basis – 20 hours per week based at Seedfield with some availability to Circuit. She will initially focus on areas of training, worship leading, prayer ministry, small groups. This position has been passed by Church Council, the Circuit have accepted it and the application to District has been passed. Ratification is required at the Circuit Meeting. 14 Closing Devotions The meeting closed with a hymn and everyone sharing the Grace. 15. Invitation to a Faith Tea The meeting was followed by a Faith Tea
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