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| Minutes for the Church Council Meeting
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On: Wednesday 11th January at 20h00
| At: St Marc's Church Centre
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| Present:
| Stephen Coffin (Chaplain), Alan Golton (Asistant Chaplain), David Bailey (Churchwarden), Mark Lewis (Churchwarden), Alison Coulavin (Synod Rep),Valerie Golton (Synod Rep), Elizabeth Cherhal (Secretary),Marie Colbert, Richard Sheppard (Treasurer), John Stinton, Joseph Agu, Frank Jenkins, Dan Wilhelm
| | Absent:
| Stuart Wilkins
| | Excused:
| Claire Naylor
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Minutes:
| | 94.
| Apologies and prayers (a little longer prayer time was taken)
| | 96.
| Approval of last meeting's minutes & Any Matters arising
The minutes were approved, with a minor change.
Matters arising: Richard asked that point 91 (finding out what is involoved in employing anyone to work for our church) be discussed further. Tha chaplain reported that he has investigated into the matter: He has visited the URSSAF, who suggested the “association cheque” (chèque emploi associatif). If this is used all the social security charges are taken care of. Otherwise the possibility of using “cavimac” was investigated. Cavimac is a state social security organisation for the clergy, however it was thought it was originally designed for catholic clergy, the retirement subscriptions are minimal, and the catholic clergy are taken care of when they retire. It was thought it would be difficult to use this. At this point, it was put forward that rather than discussing how to pay someone, we should focus on why ?
Wo do we want to employ? What to do? How much would we be willing (able) to pay? A small group comprising at least one good french speaker is to put something together before the AGM. The group is composed of Richard, Marie, Stephen, and Mark. Other members of council were encouraged to discuss this further by email to the council mailing list.
| | 97.
| Youth & children’s ministry: report from Claire
As Claire was not able to attend the meeting, the report was put back to the next meeting. David reported on some matters concerning Sunday School. The teachers have held a meeting. They want to do something special over Easter (between palm Sunday and easter). The meeting discussed topics such as discipline, involving parents, helpers and music songs. They would like to compile a set of songs for Sunday School. The Sunday school now has an official name: “stepping stones”.
The council expressed its gratitude to all Sunday school teachers and hope they feel appreciated.
| | 98.
| Committee reports
- Evangelism: a long but fruitful meeting had been held, and another is planned soon. Daniel Cozens has now been booked for his “night of colour” event, prior to the church away weekend (May 5th->8th). This event has to be prayed about. Norma Fogelsong has taken this on board.
- Social committee: comments on the carol service, too many people (which is good), but not enough food. The (traditional?) maundy Thursday meal was discussed, and it was generally thought the accent was too much on the meal and not enough on worship.
- Events committee: will meet on Feb. 1st.
| | 99.
| Pastoral care of members (prayer chain, support for Tilly, lists of contacts, visiting...)
- Alison reported that Tilly (Tearfund coordinator in demcoratic republic of congo), was engaged in a very dangerous job. She has personally been assaulted, and lives in an area where violence is an everyday thing. She has undertaken to “adopt” (care for) 16 orphan girls. She was able to return to Congo with clothes and shoes for them, which l’échoppe had in stock and didn’t need. The Tuesday ladies group wants to provide direct support for her, and has set up a small fund. It is thought that sending it via tearfund is probably the best idea. Elizabeth will contact her sister who works in tearfund headquarters to see if such “individual” funding can be given via them. Tilly says she is very much supported by our prayer, and so we need to enlarge it. Emails for Tilly could be circulated to all home groups (prayer groups?) for instance.
- Marie inquired of the prayer chain. Only 5 forms (questionnaires given out in church, cf minutes from... meeting?) came back. The questionnaire seemed too vast for most people, and it probably needed anrrowing down. Alison and Marie are prepared to persue this.
- List of contacts: Various council members made reports of thir list of contacts: generally it was thought that the list was a good idea because it made people feel some responsibility for others. However some people feel rather inadequate “contact followers”. They felt it was unlikely that their contacts would turn to them for help. Mark remarked that we should not confuse pastoral care with contact lists. Joseph understood the council members to be like antennae among the congregation and could maybe report on anyone they though might appreciate a visit, or help or prayers. A pastoral team for visiting people needs to be set up. People outside the council must not be overlooked in this. The matter of council members who themselves may be in need of help was also brought up. For instance who do you ask for prayers? sometimes home groups, sometimes others. What about people who do would not even think of asking for prayer? Stephen reported that the Paris church wanted to organise a day on this: first level “How do you talk to/pray with people” ?
| | 100.
| Treasurer’s Report
Richard distributed report (attatched), which was discussed and accepted. It will be given to the accountant. It was thought that the report might be clearer if the opening and closing balances were added. It is time for a “finances” presentation to the church stressing the need for regular giving. It was proposed to prepare a hard copy for anyone really interested, and otherwise have a few slides with pie and bar charts stating simple facts. The report should be givin in church before the end of february. As sums need to be set aside to finance Sunday school and evangelism, the people responsible need to tell Richard in advance to help cash flow.
| | 101.
| Future Dates
- Friday 24th March, session with G Lings (see CCM Minutes 20051012) We are invited to send as many people as possible to this event.
19th March: proposed date for AGM
| | 102.
| Any other matters
- ACAT meeting after the service on 5th feb in red room.
- We have taken note of the proposal to organise a meal for the needy next Christmas.
| | 103.
| Closing Prayer
The meeting ended in prayer.
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