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| Minutes for the Church Council Meeting
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| On: Wednesday 10th October at 20h00
| At: St Marc's Church Centre
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| Present:
| Stephen Coffin (Chaplain), Marie Colbert (Churchwarden), Elizabeth Cherhal (Secretary), Richard Sheppard (Treasurer), Alan and Val Golton, Suzanne Bréant, Alison Coulavin, Howard Diehl, Jason Kern, Dante Thomas, Penny Vincent-Sweet
| | Excused:
| David Bailey (Churchwarden), Neil Brownrigg
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Minutes:
| | 39.
| Prayers and Apologies (please inform Stephen or Elizabeth)
| | 40.
| Approval of last meeting's minutes & any matter arising from these (& not otherwise on the agenda)
- The minutes were approved, with corrections of a few mistakes.
- The Square dancing evening was thought too expensive and has been replaced by Scottish dancing.
| | 41.
| Financial report from the Treasurer
An encouraging point is that people gave very generously for Tearfund, and the sponsored walk also raised a good amount of money, but globally, church finances are down. Our income does not cover expenses. Even at the harvest family meal the giving was down. We can cover expenses with our savings account for about 9 months, and at that point, we will have to rethink. When asked what “rethinking” might entail, Richard said that in the end it could come to selling the apartment or sacking the Chaplain. The council is very concerned about this and suggested that first a graph should be shown in church showing that in 6 months time we will have not much left. The need to pray about this and especially for Richard, Stephen and the wardens as they make decisions was stressed.
| | 42.
| Supporting the Lewis family
The Lewis family has now moved from Ouaga to Fade (more information is available on their blog). They are starting out in the mission guest house, before their house is ready. Mark is going to start by doing a survey on the youth work going on. It is probable they will be needing more money. They are trying to save on house installation. Alison brought up the fact that the Tuesday bible study group has a small collection going, which used to be given for Tilly, and now will be given for Mark and Carine. It was suggested they hang onto it for the time being. Richard opened a separate account for supporting Mark and Carine. It was decided to put up a picture of them every week, and pray for them. Marie has set up a prayer calendar and will remind people on which dates they have said they would pray for them. A postcard rota should be set up for sending a card every fortnight once we have the correct postal address. The idea of a Christmas present was discussed. Richard suggested a money transfer, as a package might never get there. The children in Sunday school will make a big card for Anaelle.
| | 43.
| Update on chaplaincy apartment & policy issues
- Chaplaincy apartment : the kitchen has been delivered. The fitting is starting on Monday, the fuse box has been changed. A plumber is needed to fix one of the radiators, and the gas pipe needs to be moved. One of the toilets also needs replacing, which will cost 300E. Everything should be done by the end of the month, and then the insurance and billing problems will need to be fixed.
- Policy issues: Marie has drawn up all the policies. Most of them are in accordance with the diocese ones. A vote was held on the Children and Youth ministry policy. All were in favour. The other policies (parents, teachers, children’s behaviour) will be dealt with also.
- Nell was suggested as deputy CPO, and we still need to identify the person who trains the teachers and reports back.
- There is a need to address the 1 adult-1 child situation in crèche. Sometimes there is only one child. Is it really necessary to keep 2 adults in there? What about references ? Who needs really refereeing? People who are new or inexperienced.
| | 44.
| Past & future events
- Sponsored Walk: about 2000E were raised. There were 24 walkers.
- Harvest lunch: thanks to Val and the catering committee. Thanks also to Levi for looking after the small children. There was a complaint from someone in the ERF about leaving the tables in the corridor (safety regulations).
- Awana has started again. There are 45 children.
- 13th: Women’s breakfast. Marian will be speaking at one soon.
- 20th: Talk on Islam from 10 to 16H. This is by Nick Van Wingerden and is based on how to understand Islam and respond to it.
- 19th: At the “temple”, celebration of 200 years reformed church in Grenoble.
- 21st: our service will be held in the temple.
- 10th November: Scottish dancing evening. Tickets are available.
- 24th November: Banque Alimentaire, some (not really serious) suggestions were made for the boycott of Intermarché Vizille, whose director refuses to have the collection in his shop.
- Mens suppers: Alan is reinstating them and looking for a speaker.
- Christmas choir: so far 15 people. Practises start on 2nd week in November and will take place after every service up to the carol service date.
| | 45.
| Continuing discussion on our Church's vision & future
Howard shared some thoughts he’d had going back to his old church. In his church attendance is down a bit and the church has gone a bit “wooden”. Generally people are very busy but not growing sprititually. This has lead him to reflect on the situation of churches: ours, ICG, etc. All churches go through cycles (ups and downs). Howard came across a book from Willow Creek called “Reveal”, which addresses how to get people to follow Christ and live a meaningful life. They suggest very small groups (3 people) who are really concerned about each other: not only spiritual growth, but also everyday life, health, relationships etc. He sees this as a challenge to the “regular” church leaders (the ones who don’t move out of Grenoble every 3 years).. We need to be accountable to others in the group. Dante reported that he, as a teacher, “looked out for” a few people, and suggested others did likewise. A discussion followed about the proposed “triplets”. Marie thought that it sounded like a “men’s thing”. Women naturally care for each other’s well being. Stephen suggested we pray and think about it.
| | 46.
| Any other matters
- Tilly’s orphans: They have been taken on by an Italian nun.
- Alison has a friend (friend’s daughter?) who has adopted a child from Lithuania. This person has promised to raise support for the orphanage the child came from, and is getting a lorry (van ?) ready for the Easter holidays. Can we turn our attention to this for about 6 months: for instance, giving clothes and other useful things ? Yes !
- Concerning giving clothes, Alison will take any men’s clothing directly for l’Echoppe. Women’s clothing can be given to the “remise” (122 Avec J Perrot). It would be good to publicise this opportunity to people.
- Individual Prayer: Marie said we need to reinstate this on a regular basis. A pair of people is needed every week; one man one woman. It is not necessary they pray together.
| | 47.
| Closing prayer
The meeting ended in prayer.
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