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| Minutes for the Church Council Meeting
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| On: Wednesday 14th November at 20h00
| At: The Chaplain's Apartment
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| Present:
| Stephen Coffin (Chaplain), David Bailey (Churchwarden), Elizabeth Cherhal (Secretary), Suzanne Bréant, Dante Thomas, Neil Brownrigg, Alison Coulavin, Penny Vincent-Sweet, Howard Diehl
| | Excused:
| Alan and Val Golton, Richard Sheppard (Treasurer), Marie Colbert (churchwarden), Jason Kern
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Minutes:
| | 48.
| Prayers and Apologies (please inform Stephen or Elizabeth)
| | 49.
| Approval of last meeting's minutes & any matter arising from these (& not otherwise on the agenda)
- Suzanne reported that the “Friday” group was organising a postcard rota for Mark and Carine.
- Marie has prepared a parcel for them, but it is too heavy. 1 kg needs to be sent at a time.
| | 50.
| Report from Churchwardens, Treasurer & Chaplain of their meeting re finances :
Stephen reported on the meeting held between Richard, himself and the churchwardens.
- There is a big gap between our income and expenditure. People have left, the dollar has gone down and we are getting less money from the States. We have a bad deficit.
- Richard has transferred some money from our deposit account to the current one.
- Suzanne asked if we can get any help from ICS. Stephen explained that ICS was committed to paying the chaplain once we’ve used up all the money available. This is not the case, as we have an apartment and money in deposit accounts.
- Dante proposed a stewardship campaign. This will work in with the current 10 commandments teaching: be faithful to God, do not steal from God. Information will be given to the congregation immediately, but the campaign should start after the Christamas holidays. People will be approached and asked to pledge money. It will be explained that if N people gave N euros a month, our finances would be even.
At this point the council spent a moment in prayer.
| | 51.
| Procedures for applying for extension of ICS support agreement, which expires in 1 year, including review of Chaplain's appointment
Stephen explained that ICS (International church society) is an organism devoted to planting (english speaking) churches round the world. In the past ICS has helped us to have a chaplain full time and has lent us money for the apartment. ICS support is renewed every 2 ½ years, and it is nearly time for us to renew it, if we want to. ICS asks that if you renew demand for support, you also think about renewing the chaplain. ICS then promises to underwrite the salary (1/3 of the salary over the whole period). ICS supports the cost of changing chaplains (moving costs), and also pays state pension in the UK. However, ICS is in upheaval at the moment, the last director Ian Watson is moving on and a sucessor has not yet been appointed.
Stephen explained that if he was to move on to another job, he should do it now. If not, he would stay another 4 years, until he reaches retirement age. Should we organise a review? Should we ask the congregation for their opinion? At this point the council asked Stephen to leave the meeting, and discussed the matter. Our unanimous decision was that we ask Stephen to stay on. It was thought by all that we represented the congregation in this decision. We will write and inform ICS about this.
This discussion had taken up most of the evening. The following points were agreed on.
| | 52.
| Children's Ministry: Health and Safety Policy and Procedures
Agreed to.
| | 53.
| Hospitality Preparation policy and Procedures
| | 54.
| Past & future events
| | 55.
| Continuing discussion on our Church's vision & future
This was what we had been talking about all evening !
| | 56.
| Any other matters
- The Bishop has asked that every church appoint an “environment officer”. What does the church do to reduce its pollution output ? Jean-Philippe Vincent-Sweet was suggested. Stephen will approach him about this.
- Marie wanted to suggest we had more communion helpers, as we are all quite often away. Elizabeth, Dante and Howard were suggested, and accepted.
- A short discussion took place about the christmas choir. As we have not much time, people need to commit seriously to practicing. No one who has not attended at least 3 practices should be allowed to participate in the carol service choir. Students should come immediately after their lunch, and not stay for the following bible study.
| | 57.
| Closing prayer
The council committed to God all they had shared this evening.
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