• The Chaplain, Stephen Coffin,
• Elected members: Elizabeth Cherhal-Cleverly and David Bailey (Churchwardens), Alison Coulavin and Valerie Golton (Synod representatives), Richard Sheppard, Fanny Bélanger, Shona Gillespie, Lilia Ledent, Bill Paul, Lilan Peng, Thomas Vincent-Sweet
• Co-opted members: Alan Golton (Assistant Chaplain), Howard Diehl
• Alison Coulavin was elected child protection officer, Richard Sheppard Treasurer, and Elizabeth Cherhal-Cleverly Secretary.

The council has met ten times this year. 89 items have been on its agenda (some of them recurrent, see below). Attendance at meetings is generally good. 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 2 committees, which provide items for discussion in nearly all meetings ! :

• Events, lead by John Stinton
• Catering, lead by Val Golton

The Evangelism and Finance committees, mentioned in previous annual general meetings, no longer exist as separate committees, but their business is discussed at length in almost every council meeting.

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

Church finances:

• Richard has kept us regularly informed of the situation. Presentations have been made in church. We have been left with a deficit at the end of this year. Our membership has changed, which naturally has repercussions on the finances. We decided a specific day of prayer for this, at which we encourage you all to come and pray.
• Different other means of raising funds for the church have been discussed : Tshirts, recipe book, concert.
• We discuss the charities which we support, and vote on the amount of money to be given to each.

Spiritual Topics :

• Teaching: we have discussed the general teaching in the church : the series of sermons, in particular the one about being a stranger in a strange land, the possibility of an alpha course.
• Small (home) groups were updated. Thanks to Shona and Tom for continuing the « round twenties » group. Other groups take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
• Sunday school, crèche and other topics related to our children. This has been widely discussed, with reports from parent teacher meetings. Following the re-setting up of a youth (teenagers) group last year, we praise God that this has really come into being, and particularly thank Linda for this. !

• Away weekend at Champfleuri lead by Howard. The weekend was very much appreciated by all attending.
• vision and future :
  • There was a « stock taking » meeting, where people said what they liked in the church and what needed changing. We have tried to apply the changes suggested !
  • Items on our changing membership have often been discussed. We are eager both to welcome and help grow our new young members and not let the older ones feel they are being left out.
• We have also discussed special care needed, for instance Jean-Pierre and Josette and Jean-Pierre's funeral.

Outreach Topics

• The main topic this year has been our service in French. Held on the first sunday of every month, this has got off to a slow start, but we do note the presence of different people every time. We are blessed in having two first rate french preachers in Fanny and Pierre, and just pray for more people to come and listen to them ! We are resolved to continue with this.
• The carol service and children's play was well attended and appreciated by all.
• leading of the JMP (journée mondiale de prière) is becoming a wonderful occasion of fellowship with other christian women.The service this year went particularly well, thanks to Val, Fanny and all who took part !
• We also took part in other oecumenical events, such as the week of prayer for Christian unity.
• All through the year, Lilan, aided by Howard and Dona, has been reaching out to asian students via various activities in the FEU (foyer évangélique universitaire). Echoes of this reach us often, including making food for a young chinese girl's wedding !
• Howard, Dona and Lilan's trip to China has been discussed, as well as the joint service with ICG to ask God's blessing on it.
• During Christmas, members of St. Marc's provided and packaged goody bags for L'échoppe.
• As usual, the banque alimentaire collection was well supported.
• We have discussed getting our facebook page better organised, and Howard should soon take steps about this.

Church Fellowship

• This continues to be a recognized and strong mark of St. Marc's. Heartfelt thanks are given to John and his colleagues who continue to think up ways of enjoying fellowship together : Karaoke evening, bush dance, skiing outings, garden parties, cheese and wine evening, and so much more.
• The catering committee is also to be thanked for the countless meals they provide for all occasions.

Ordination Candidate

• We continue to to support Fanny Bélanger in her training for ordination. Regularly we are kept aware of the different stages this is going through and endeavour to give her the support she needs.

Alison

• The council has lost its oldest and most faithful member. After the loss and sadness we all still feel, we had to see that the so many roles she held would find people to fill them : Of course no one person could do it ! Elizabeth will liaise with the échoppe, with the help of Craig, Suzanne will edit the magazine, Marie will take over ACAT, Sam is now helping in the crèche, and other people will be chosen for the synod and for child protection officer after this annual meeting.

The council is blessed in having the input of mature and committed Christians, of whatever age or origin, and they are all to be thanked here.

Elizabeth Cherhal-Cleverly , 11th March 2011