Minutes:
|
| 71.
| Prayer,Apologies
Apologies from Frank Jenkins, Val and Alan Golton
|
| 72.
| Approval of last meeting's minutes
The minutes were approved
|
| 73.
| Matters Arising
It was asked if anything special would be done about armistice day. It would be mentioned in the service.
|
| 74.
| Letter from the Grenoble council of churches about asylum seekers (copy sent by email)
We are asked to approve this for circulation to the Prefect & other authorities
The council was rather critical of the letter as formulated. It was not clear what the letter was really aiming to achieve. The letter seemed more of a statement than actually asking anyone to do anything. It was supposedly addressed to civil servants, but looked more like being addressed to christians. If civil servants are addressed, it would be better to quote the déclaration des droits de l’homme than the bible. Stephen was to report this opinion back to the grenoble council of churches.
|
| 75.
| Christmas presents for prisoners or others
Stephen reported on the contact he had had with D Facchin. The secours catholique along with the diaconat protestant had had a scheme going, but there was a change of prison governor and the presents were sent back. There also exists an organisation for support of prisoners, but it is thought difficult to get in touch with their families. John reported that when he was in the US the Rotary Club had a policy of adopting prison families, which apparently was quite successful.
Claire spoke of the “happy bithday Jesus” party planned on the 10th December. Each child must bring a gift they would really like to get themselves. Another idea for christmas presents as well as l’échoppe, would be to give them to a refuge for women and children, such as those managed by “solidarité femmes”.
|
| 76.
| Committee Reports
- Children’s work : (from now on this is being reported on like a committee). The prayer support is getting organised. 30 families are involved, and 30 people have volunteered to pray for those families. There are 8 teachers and 8 pray-ers for the teachers. 3 or 4 assistants have been (will be?) taken on. Walkie-talkies have been bought, and a proving very useful. Volunteers are willing to set and clean up. The crèche now takes place in the red room, and the youngest Sunday school group uses the room upstairs. Small tables and chairs have been bought for this group. John Stinton brought up the fact that among his contacts several were facing problems with their adolescent children (boys) who refused to come to church, sometimes causing the whole family to stay at home and not come either. This brought up the question of what we do with our children/families, and it was thought that the families as a whole needed support and prayer. Claire also reported that when on 1st Sundays in the month kids worship is organised, the parents are reluctant to make contact with the “teachers”, and hardly come into the room.
- Rising from this, a long discussion took place about budget, prioirites, etc... Excess money could be used in a “parable of talents” way. Claire suggested we pray about hiring a new person (part time or whatever) for family ministry. Someone(s) could also follow a course in pastoral care.
- Events committee: John reported that some members of the committee are moving, and they might need more people. Volunteers were asked to set up things for the scottish dancing evening.
|
| 77.
| Proposal to invite Daniel Couzens to church away weekend...
Proposal to invite Daniel Couzens to church away weekend and to lead an evalgelistic “night of coulour”. The away weekend is planned for 6th-8th may. We agreed to invite Mr. Couzens for a night of coulour on Friday and then Saturday through monday would be the away weekend.
|
| 78.
| Report from Lyon weekend with Robert Calvert
Thanks to Claire and Marian for organising childrens activites during this weekend. Stephen and Alison went.
|
| 79.
| Past and future dates
- Men's supper on 18th November.
- A family ski weekend is proposed. After a bit of discussion it transpired that the weekend was more a “parents and children” weekend.
- Stephen proposed to organise during lent the study of “the purpose driven life” by Rick Warren. The idea is to propose the idea to home groups and include some sapects of it in sermons. This would start on 5th March. People generally were in favour of he study. (see also a few emails which followed up on this topic).
|
| 80.
| Treasurer’s report (this point was discussed early on because the treasurer had to leave)
The church is solvent. The money from Pecusa comes in more regularly. The treasurer said that he had received a bill for stationery that was more than a regular weeks collection.
People pointed out that a weeks collection was not much to go by, as the sums varied quite a lot. It was agreed that the finance committee should hold a separate meeting and really discuss things.
|
| 81.
| Any other matters
Dan suggested a sort of “fellowship committee” be set up, which would specifically welcome new people and connect families up together. Joseph and Claire said that Barbara (former warden in the church) was sorely missed, as she devoted a great deal of time to “following people up”. We need another Barbara! Either someone has the time to do the job she did, or we hire someone.
Dan reported that one of his contacts had said our church looked dreary, and lacked ambiance! (should have seen it before !). However another said the church was very open in letting people set up projects and getting people together.
|
| 82.
| Closing Prayer
The meeting closed with a prayer.
|
