The 2007-2008 church council was composed of :

• The Chaplain, Stephen Coffin,
• Elected members: David Bailey and Marie Colbert (Churchwardens) Alison Coulavin and Valerie Golton (Synod representatives), Elizabeth Cherhal-Cleverly (Secretary), Richard Sheppard (Treasurer), Neil Brownrigg, Jason Kern, Dante Thomas, Penny Vincent-Sweet
• Co-opted members: Alan Golton (Assistant Chaplain), Howard Diehl
• Alison Coulavin was also elected child protection officer.

The council has met ten times this year. 93 items have been on its agenda (some of them recurrent, see below). Attendance at meetings is generally good, considering that quite a few of our members are often away on business or family matters. The agenda and minutes are sent to members a week before meetings, and published on the church website. In addition to the council, there are 4 committees :

• Evangelism and outreach, lead by Alan Golton
• Events, lead by John Stinton
• Catering, lead by Val Golton
• Finance, lead by Richard Sheppard

The council. has discussed, and dealt with, many topics this year:

Administrative Topics:

• St Marc’s Centre business: the work on the building, the naming of rooms, our participation in a “permanence” the centre is trying to set up,...
• Repairing the damage done by the fire in the Chaplain’s apartment. The fire has indirectly lead to a much better and better equipped apartment !
• Getting various numbers and papers to deal with french taxes. We still need to renew our authorisation with the préfecture to deduct gifts to the church from income tax.
• Our church finances (see spiritual topics)

Spiritual Topics :

• Teaching: we have discussed the general teaching in the church, and in particular the 10 commandements.
• Sunday school, crèche and other topics related to our children.
• Prayer meeting: the council has changed the monthly prayer meeting from the evening to lunchtime, which has encouraged more people to attend.
• Church’s vision and future : This has been a standing item at every meeting, and has led to many fruitful exchanges and several propositions for teaching or organisation. A very prevailing sense of unity and purpose has arisen from these discussions, which is encouraging to us all.
• Church finances: This has seen the council very preoccupied. We have always tried to consider the 17KE deficit we were faced with in a spiritual as well as practical way. What is God trying to tell us? A day of prayer and fasting was set up for us to pray for God’s help on this and hear his message to us.
• Outreach: we have discussed how to reach out to people outside the church.

The council has endeavoured to give its full support to Mark and Carine Lewis both before and after their departure to Burkina-Fasso. The council also decides which charities to support (such as Tearfund).

This year we have been encouraged by the rise in attendance at the church, following last year’s drop, but also very concerned by our financial state. We have spent time in prayer, and have sought the Lord’s guidance. We hope the decisions made were good ones.

The council is blessed in having the input of committed Christians. I pray that the next council does also, and takes things forward in love and unity for the glory of Jesus.

Elizabeth Cherhal-Cleverly, March 17th 2008