Minutes

• 1. Apologies for absence & prayer
• Present : Stephen Coffin (Chaplain), Elizabeth Cherhal-Cleverly (Churchwarden), David Bailey, (Churchwarden), Richard Sheppard (Treasurer), Alison Coulavin, Thomas Vincent-Sweet, Lilia Ledent, Lilan Peng, Fanny Bélanger, Bill Paul, Howard Diehl
• Excused: Alan Golton (Assistant Chaplain), Val Golton, Shona Gillespie,

• 2. Swearing in of Churchwardens
  • Elizabeth and David were sworn in, following the Anglican regulations.

• 3. Confirmation of appointment of Richard as Treasurer, David at Vice Chairman, Elizabeth as Secretary
  • All were confirmed.

• 4. Confirmation of co-option of Alan & Howard
  • Both were confirmed.

• 5. Appointment of Deputy Churchwardens to help Churchwardens
  • Marie Colbert and Alison Coulavin were proposed. This was accepted.

• 6. Appointment of Child Safety Officer – Alison
  • Alison was nominated Child Safety Officer, but normally she shouldnt do the crèche as well. It was thought that as long as she always had a helper in the crèche with her this was OK.

• 7. Minutes of last meeting & AGM to be corrected & approved (see links)
  • 2 corrections were made.

• 8. Any matters arising from these to be discussed
  • Specific action for students should be discussed → postponed until next meeting.

• 9. Treasurer's report
  • We are still solvent and managing quite well. So far (in 2010) income has been 23K, expenses 18K (plus 8 already in), but we must look for the rest of the year. Giving goes down in the summer. Some money has been given from the US by former members and 30 family units have pledged 3370E/month.
  • Fanny stressed that when approaching french members of congregation, caution must be used. They are not at all accustomed to giving to the church. We must not put pressure on them. Some people have stated they cannot give 10% of their income, and asked if they should therefore leave the church. Of course not ! Fanny will explain that there is no obligation to give, and membership is not correlated to it.
  • Richard asked what do do with the UK pension fund payment (2300£ per quarter). Should we take it out of our UK account or transfer from here ? All agreed to use the money in the UK account.
  • The walk made 1300E for missions.
  • Several people suggested more fundraising events.

• 10. Comments on survey result (sent to you previously)
  • Funnily the survey shows a lot of presbyterians. This could be from Korean visitors, who are often presbyterian. We also can note more young people and less children.
  • A general trend for the whole of Europe is more « indigenous » (ie french for us) members.

• 11. Mark's ordination candidacy - minute to be recorded
  • The Chaplain and members of the Church Council of St Marc's have met with Mark Lewis during the first three months of 2010 to discuss the possibility of his candidature for ordained ministry in the Church of England, following his meeting with Sonia Taylor, Diocesan Vocation Advisor, in Paris. We believe that Mark has gifts and abilities which are discussed in the Diocesan document which summarizes under nine headings the criteria for discernment of vocation prior to training for ordained ministry.  However we have agreed with Mark that we should not proceed further along this path at present. We have encouraged Mark to use his gifts more fully in the life of our Church and to share with Church members in seeking God's will for his life and that of his family. We will be glad to reopen the possibility of Anglican ordained ministry for Mark in due course if he so wishes.

• 12. Fanny's ordination candidacy'
  • Following the meeting with Bishop Pierre, Fanny will stay in France and do her masters in theology. She will have to go to different parishes and finish her training by a stay in the UK or the US. She will also make regular trips to Paris to meet with her supervisor. She thinks it is necessary to discuss exactly what jobs she shoud do in the church, as she is afraid of getting rather overwhelmed. A «Fanny support group » should be set up. Stephen asked for a small fund to be set up. Richard suggested it be called « ordination fund ». It was also suggested contact be made with the Anglican church in Strasbourg about lodgings.

• 13. Should we start a French language service in the autumn ? (suggestion that it be monthly on Sunday evenings)
  • We have so many people in the church who are more comfortable in french that we feel we should offer a service in French :
    • inviting friends
    • ex Catholics
    • more Asians
    • more young people (or skiers/hikers).
    • quite « classical » in format (ex catholics could feel at home).
  • Stephen thought that once a month in the evening would be good for a start. It was stressed that if this was the case it should be a date people can remember: ie the 1st sunday. Lilia suggested once a week, otherwise it might not take on. She also said Pierre would be happy to participate.
  • It was suggested Fanny do a survey among french speakers as to what might suit them.
  • Some Korean christians meet in Bethel sunday evenings so maybe it could be in the prayer room ?
  • Should some sort of food be offered ? Maybe a goûter ?

• 14. Church Council Committees (Segun raised this at AGM)
  • Only the Events and the Catering committees have fully functioned this year. Most of the finance business has been brought to the council. The outreach committee needs to be reinstated, perhaps there are members of the congregation who are specially interested in this and have good ideas. We need to await the return of Alan to talk more about this.

• 15. Past & future events
  • Date for Pierre to do a presentation to the church about his work as an army chaplain in Afghanistan. Some time before the summer vacation and end of June. Saturday 12th june was decided, with maybe some coffee and cakes !
  • The other churches in St Marc's are organising an evening about Christians suffering persecution. Lilan and Fanny agree to participate in the preparation of this meeting.
  • Alan and Val wil host a student meal and walk on 23rd May.
  • Walk in Vercors on the 14th (jour férié)
  • Distillery visit and tea chez Paul on 30th May.
  • Church lunch & book sale on 6th June
  • Chartreuse monastery museaum visit and picnic on 13th june
  • BBQ chez Stinton on 3rd July
  • Swim and picnic at Petitchet on 17th July
  • Picnics and walks on Aug 1st, 15th and 29th

• 16. Any other matters
  • Some communion helpers need to be officially approved by the diocese. Stephen has sent an official form off.
  • Back to church Sunday ? It was decided to go for a different sunday to the one in the UK, and do our own material.
  • Next meetings : 9th June, 7th July.