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| Minutes for the Church Council Meeting
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| On: Wednesday 9th May at 20h00
| At: St Marc's Church Centre
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| Present:
| Stephen Coffin (Chaplain), David Bailey (Churchwarden), Elizabeth Cherhal (Secretary), Richard Sheppard (Treasurer), Neil Brownrigg, Howard Diehl (invited), Jason Kern, Dante Thomas, Penny Vincent-Sweet
| | Excused:
| Alison Coulavin, Marie Col bert (Churchwarden), Suzanne Bréant, Val Golton
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Minutes:
| | 1.
| Prayers and Apologies (please inform Stephen or Elizabeth)
| | 2.
| Approval of last meeting's minutes & any matter arising from these (& not otherwise on the agenda)
The minutes were approved. Matters arising were:
- The statement of faith still need to be put on the website.
- Naming rooms: David proposed places or people from the bible.
- Préfecture: a letter has been sent asking to renew the authorization to receive donations. No answer. Elizabeth has found out the name of the person responsible for these matters, but so far has had no luck in getting her on the phone.
- Stephen has changed his Internet/phone supplier.
- We apparently need a SIRET number, and to aquire one we need the “extrait du journal officiel” creating the association. No one (in the church today) has it, but it maybe could be provided by the préfecture. Stephen is pursuing this.
| | 3.
| Election of Vice-Chairman, Secretary & Treasurer for the coming year
The following people were (re) elected: David Bailey: vice chairman, Alison Coulavin: child protection officer, Elizabeth Cherhal secretary, Richard Sheppard treasurer. Dante asked whether anyone could help Richard in his very demanding task. Richard explainded it was an ongoing job week by week. Stephen said that there was a finance comittee, composed of himself, Marie and Richard. This committee meets to preapre the budget.
| | 4.
| Possible co-option of extra members: Alan Golton; Howard Diehl; Gloria Ugwonali; any others?
As many members were absent from the council, it was thought we needed more people present to vote about this. However Alan Golton was unanimously co opted on.
| | 5.
| Clarification of procedures for Council meetings and formation of agenda
Stephen explained that the agenda is prepared one week before the council meeting by himself and the secretary. Any point bought up by council members in the ensuing week gets discussed as “Any Other Matters”, but this should not involve decisions on contentious matters. All agendas and minutes are put on the website, and members informed by email of their location.
| | 6.
| Any matters arising from the Annual Meeting (e.g. Jason expressed concern over our security of tenure in using the Church Centre) (see AGM Minutes 20070325)
- Explanations were given about the building: It is owned by the catholic church and the église réformée de France. The grounds are owned by the mairie. The centre is run by a committee comprising members from catholic, reformed and anglican churches. Our church has always been a partner in the centre, and belongs to the managing board. There is no legal contract, but there are no apparent problems.
- Penny brought up the point of a gratification for our new auditor. It was decided that a FNAC token would be appropriate.
At this point, there was a pause for prayer, before talking about more “strategic matters".
| | 7.
| Vision & direction for the Church
Howard, who had been invited in view of this point, explained the survey we has done last year. (see CCM Minutes 20061108 and CCM Minutes 20061213).
Sheets were given out (these need to be put here).
- People appreciate the teaching
- People need to be equipped for sharing their faith with unbelievers.
- We are making progress, and now need to determine what we are not adressing.
Neil said that he had been thinking recently in regard to St Marc’s about the 7 letters (Revelation) to 7 churches, none of which were perfect, and neither are we. We should proclaim the gospel. Many people are here at a crossroads, they arrive and depart frequently, and a mission we need to consider is equipping these people.
Howard explained that the survey should be conducted as a triad: 2 people (one doing the survey with the other) and God ! Ministry is for people who already are christians but it is also about reaching out.
Dante thought that had the study been done with the whole congregation fellowship might not have come quite so high up on the list. What's going well in the church needs to be better shared with the congregation. He suggested we talk about vision at every meeting.
Stephen stressed the fact that it was right to be aware of needs, but we should always bear in mind what church God wants (ie not get too self centered). He thought necessary to use more poisitively the flow of people.
Penny thought that doing the survey with all the congregation would be good for growth.
Neil stressed the idea of a more balanced church, and the need to pull the pieces together.
| | 8.
| Treasurer's report - update.
Richard explained the situation of our accounts: 1 in England, 2 in France =1 deposit. We need 3600E a month for fundamentals before we even start spending ! A new presentation will be done in June.
| | 9.
| Any other matters (please let Elizabeth or Stephen know in advance if possible)
- Sunday school : Stephen has met with the teachers. We are currently capable of teaching 2 classes, but need assistants. April has volunteered to help with the administration.
- Family service: it is necessary to get a “family service group” going. Stephen feels it is not his forte.
- Youth group: Mark will take over until the summer. Loreena is willing to take over after that if there is no other suitable volunteer (but would need replacing for Sunday school).
| | 10.
| Closing Prayer
The meeting closed in prayer.
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