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| Minutes for the Church Council Meeting
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| On: Wednesday 14th March at 20h00
| At: St Marc's Church Centre
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| Present:
| Stephen Coffin (Chaplain), David Bailey (Churchwarden), Jon Bateman, Alan Golton, Val Golton, Elizabeth Cherhal (Secretary), Marie Colbert , Penny Vincent-Sweet , Howard Diehl
| | Excused:
| Alison Coulavin, Mark Lewis (Churchwarden), Richard Sheppard (Treasurer), Gloria Ugonwali
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Minutes:
| | 103.
| Prayers and Apologies (please inform Stephen or Elizabeth)
| | 104.
| Approval of last meeting's minutes & any matter arising from these (& not otherwise on the agenda)
- Marie wondered if it was right to ask the wardens to sign a statement of faith and only require of the councillors to say they agree with the historic creeds. It was thought that the roles of the wardens and those of the councillors not being the same, it was normal that “more” should be required of the wardens. David asked why the statement of faith was not on the website. Probably because no one had thought of putting it there ! It will be be done.
- A short report was made on the men’s supper. There were 16 people, and they all appreciated the food and John’s talk. Should we go on asking the catering committee to cook ? Do some people prefer to go out ? Some people cannot afford to go out !
- Three different propositions for easter invitations were circulated, one was chosen.
| | 105.
| AGM matters + Prefecture registration
AGM matters:
- Candidates: David and Marie will stand for warden. Names were cited as candidates for council. It seems that there are quite a few candidates.
- Reports: if possible put the different reports on the website before the meeting, and inform congregation where they can be found.
- Video for the children during the meeting ? If possible.
Préfecture Registration: The authorisation to deduct our donations to the church from income tax expired in 1999. A letter must be written giving all details of the association and of the last authorisation, and informing on the current “bureau”. Elizabeth will write and send the letter.
| | 106.
| Jim Perryman's visit & "twinning" with his parish in Kent
Various benefits from the twinning were cited: exchange of prayers, possibility of welcoming people from that church here (and being welcomed there), linking the websites. It was added that the parish has already voted support for Mark and Carine. All were in favour of twinning.
| | 107.
| Teaching programme for coming months
The teaching programme is going to move from Luke to Acts. It is hoped all the bible study groups will continue to meet dans continue the new studies. Approximate figures for the different groups were given: Sunday 6, Monday 8, Tuesday 9, Wednesday 6, Thursday 9, the Friday group had not got off the ground.
| | 108.
| Children's work as Tony Vessa leaves
Tony is leaving. Their last Sunday in the church will be April 1st. The other teachers are David, Monserrat and Loreena. Maybe Dona would agree to teach ? A meeting will be held with Stephen about this. David reported that they had been using material brought back from the States by Tony. They all found it very good. Better than the Scripture Union material previously used. A presentation on Sunday school could be made to the congregation, and we could stress that parents can sit in. We also need to pray about proper bilingual organisation.
Marie brought up the matter of child protection regulations. She has been trying to tone them down a bit. Alan thought that it was necessary to distinguish between safety regulations and prevention of abuse. Maybe two documents should be drawn up. Also some simple rules of behaviour need to be written. Find the rules written by Claire (coloured paper) a few years ago. Marie asked about insurance. We have one ! Marie proposed to strike out all the specific points of the regulations, and make copies for all teachers and crèche helpers.
| | 109.
| Treasurer's report & Bookmarks
The auditor is going through the accounts with help from Richard. Probably no change will be made before the AGM. A good donation has been made throught pecusa, but regulare collections are down. We have to realise that a large part of dour donations come from the US, and that there a ptentially less people able to give a lot.
Alan showed the bookmarks, which are going to the printers ASAP.
| | 110.
| Mark & Carine update
News has come that St Michael’s church in Paris will support Mark and Carine. They have now half met their financial needs. The church is paying for their mailing.
| | 111.
| Youth group "environmental issues" leaflet
Penny reported that 3 years ago the youth group studied environmental issues. They had produced a leaflet, which had never got to the printers. This has been resurrected dans made beautiful by Dona, and will now be distributed.
| | 112.
| Proposal to change telephone/internet supplier for chaplain's number
The proposition is to update the chaplain’s phone and Internet supplier. The current one is considered too expensive. Various options were envisaged, and it was generally thought necessary to keep the official France Télécom number and get a better ISP deal including free outgoing calls.
| | 113
| Any other matters (please inform Stephen or Elizabeth of these in advance)
- As the building is being totally redone, the rooms may be renamed. In particular the “red” room definitely needs a new name ! Various suggestions were made, but none wera adopted.
- Jon Bateman said that the family were soon to go back to the States and said how much he and his family had appreciated being part of the church. When you move around a lot, finding a new church is very important, and he was grateful to St Marc’s for its welcome and fellowship. In turn we thank the Bateman family for all they have given to our church. They will be badly missed.
| | 114.
| Closing Prayer
The meeting ended in prayer.
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