About Our Church
* GetInvolved*
Sunday Service
Activities
Info
* Church At Large*
:-)
|
| Minutes for the Church Council Meeting
|
| On: Wednesday 13th February at 20h00
| At: The Chaplain's Apartment
|
| Present:
| Stephen Coffin (Chaplain), David Bailey (Churchwarden), Marie Colbert (Churchwarden), Richard Sheppard (Treasurer), Alan and Val Golton, Alison Coulavin, Jason Kern, Dante Thomas, Penny Vincent-Sweet
| | Excused:
| Elizabeth Cherhal (Secretary), Suzanne Bréant, Neil Brownrigg, Howard Diehl .
|
Minutes (taken by Dante):
| | 77.
| Prayers and Apologies (please inform Stephen or Elizabeth)
| | 78.
| Approval of last meeting's minutes & any matter arising from these (& not otherwise on the agenda)
Corrections - 70 - "attendance generally down during Christmas - 75 - clarification that dinner is a charitable one, that should begin discussion in September.
| | 79.
| Dates for 2008 from Events committee + Men's Supper 28th March; Easter, etc.
Bowling report - Saturday popular, all lanes booked, good time by all, a lot of people there, as well as good church turnout. Probably would not do it again on a Saturday
Upcoming dates :
- Mar 2 - Mothering Sunday (4th Sunday in Lent)
- Mar 16 - Auction of Promise (Palm Sunday)
- Marl 7 - World Day of Prayer
- Mar 20 - Meal in Evening (Maunday Thursday) + communion 19h45
- Mar 21 - Good Friday, Service evening 20h00
- Mar 23rd - Communion/Easter - invitations cards have gone to press today
- Mar 29th - 30th Center celebrates 40th anniversary - center around flower, festival end with hour concert 17:00 - of Reformed choir/Boizat choir
- 27th 8:30p - 20 minutes of center history and hopes shared, by vision of 3 churches, 20 minute DVD by Quartier with development of area celebrating 50th anniversary of Mahlerbe district
- 28th Men's Supper - Nick Van Wingerden - speaking from a personal view - spoke earlier on Islam
- 30th Service will be in Grand Volume - ecumenical time of prayer at 17:00 to mark Center's 40th anniversary & conclude Flower Festival
- clocks go ahead, March 30th
- April 5th - Scottish Dance
- April 6th - Annual Meeting
| | 80.
| Annual Meeting arrangements for 6th April
Proposed Menu - Plate with quiche, salad. Children will sit in separate area. Ask 2-3 college student volunteers to oversee children. Tables for children, then go to Red Room to eat & play.
Send reports out in advance: Warden, Chaplain, Secretary, Archdeaconry, and Finance. These will be available for reading in advance, and some comments on the reports will be made during the meeting.
Need to Elect: Wardens - David must stand down for a year - must find a replacement.
Marie - does not think she can continue in present capacity, can't guarantee presence, but will be willing to serve as deputy warden, or continue to serve in any capacity
Comments from Council members regarding Warden and Deputy Warden
Deputy Warden proposed as a good idea, but could be a motion at Annual Meeting. This role would allow for a greater continuity and contributions, and allow a stand-in for the absence of others. With our mobile population, it should be proposed - at least 1 or 2.// One Warden should be fluent in French and French organization. Some problems require resolution in French.// 2,3,4 years for standing position, anything less than that we lose continuity// Stephen agreed leadership continuity is important, Deputy Warden is something to explore // Alan made motion, second by Marie - outgoing council to accept proposal of Deputy Warden - candidates would be presented for agreement and voting at Annual Meeting. Two Deputy Wardens could be elected from the Church council. Will review at next meeting with clear procedures.
| | 81.
| Finances - treasurer's report & initial response to funding campaign
7 pledges returned, 500 Euro/55 pounds pledged per month. The deadline is end February for returned pledges. Reviewed previous accounts of 2006 & 2007:
- A) Amount on 2006 vs. 2007 income diminished, but expenses less in 2007
- B) 2007 actual received 61K Euro, Expenses 71K Euro (does not include 6K Euro charitable giving which shows up in 2008
- C) 2007 accounts do not include money given since fasting & prayer in December 2007 ($10,000)
- D) Donation came in December from various people - they gave immediately in response to prayer and fasting on financial situation
- E) Corrections made to Summary of Income and Expenses form 2007 and 2006
- F) Many thanks to Richard to preparing the documentation and recommend to pass to auditor
- G) Request from Mark and Carine for 2,000Euro for purchase of car - 1,400 Euro part of money from December distribution of charity - we decided to put in the Burkina fund, interest from account was 540Euro and Alison's Bible Study group collected 60 Euro - which totals 2,000 Euro - All of which God organized before fact!
- H) Need to encourage members to return pledge cards
| | 82.
| Children's work (Sunday School, Creche, Youth)
More children and families coming. Ramya (Caroline) will assist with class 3-5. Stephen will set meeting to review direction. We lack a children's ministry director.
Critical issues should be covered in Church council. We were reminded of recommendation to have minimum 2 teachers per class. Another subset of issues include 1) few men involved 2) need teachers capable to teach in English and French.
Suggestion next time for prayer and fasting on children's work. Next Prayer meeting Feb 27th, March 26th - 4th Wednesday at 12:30. Stephen will liaise with teachers on issues then coordinate prayer and fasting day
| | 83.
| Our Church's Vision - how to be more outward looking...
Alan proposed a service for those who have been bereaved as an opportunity to serve (come to God about their grief, or help with unreconciled hurts) - this is an opportunity to bring people in church to minister (perhaps Remembrance Day or All Saints Day). Marriage course, renewal of marriage vows, may be another means to reach out - including the engaged, and those living together but not married (ie as a means of ministry to point to living God's Word). Alpha Courses - for churches, to focus on Grenoble, similar to the splash they did for Paris. St. Marc's specifically can assist with course in English. This event is planned for Autumn. From Sunday Service, the message will contain a question to ask others. We should use this as a means to reach out to others. Alan will coordinate Outreach meeting
| | 84.
| Any other matters
Penny has concert on March 12th, we will move next Church council meeting to March 11th
Copy of Diaconate report available - L'echoppe they worked 51/52 weeks of the years - 36 regular volunteers. Minimum of 250 rations/week, normally 330 rations/week - all on Thursday. Thursday they receive food and on Wednesday they collect food. Praise the Lord for the work they are doing, and Alison's service and representation for St. Marc's.
| | 85.
| Closing prayer
|
|
