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Approved Minutes
of the Church Council Meeting |
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On: |
At: The Chaplain’s Apartment |
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Present: |
Stephen
Coffin (Chaplain), Lara Confort (Churchwarden), David Bailey (Churchwarden), Richard
Sheppard (Treasurer), Alison Coulavin (Synod Rep.), Valerie Golton (Synod Rep), Alan Golton, Claire Naylor, Elisabeth Cherhal, Craig
Alciati, Mark Lewis (Secretary). |
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Absent: |
none |
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Excused: |
Troy
Simoni, Segun Odunlade |
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Agenda: |
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13. |
Prayer
& apologies |
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14. |
Approval
of minutes of last meeting and any matters arising |
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15. |
Aims,
goals & direction for our Church |
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21. |
Discussion
of idea of a second Sunday service & how to proceed with this |
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24. |
Advancement
of the Video Projector Purchase |
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26. |
Church
project(s) 26a - House Decorating (chez Cécile F.) |
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16. |
Treasurer's
report |
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18. |
Helping
“the asylum seeker”
–follow on from item 11d |
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17. |
Committee
reports 17a - Finance committee’s Report |
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28 |
Closing
Prayer |
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Meeting: |
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13. |
Prayer & apologies The meeting
opened in prayer. |
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14. |
Approval of minutes of last meeting and any matters arising The minutes from
the last meeting were accepted by the Council. There were no matters
arising |
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15. |
Aims, goals & direction for our Church The discussion
was structured by two documents. The first document, drawn
up by a previous Council, was put forward by the Chaplain. It portrays a tree
and attempts to outline the main areas of activity within the Church. The
document also includes a brief “statement of faith” and the “resulting
emphasis” within our community. This
document is supposedly well known by all and is permanently on the church
notice board. The second document was
read to us by Claire from a book by Rick Warren called “The Purpose Driven
Church”. The passage underlines 5
areas on which a church should build in order to be healthy. Leaning on “Who
God is” (Psalm 19), Jesus summary
of the law (Mk 12 29-31) and the Great Commission (Mt28v18-20) amongst other
things Rick Warren puts forward: 1-Worship: celebrating in wholeness (Rom 12v1) 2-Ministry : meeting needs with love 3-Evangelism : reaching out with the Gospel to non believers 4-Fellowship : welcomed, known, cared for, held accountable,
encouraged 5-Discipleship : the strengthening of believers towards
Christ-likeness We then discussed the need for a church: that
is welcoming, that attracts people, that people can
relate to, that reaches out to people with no faith. We restated our original
mandate: to Minister to English Speakers as an ICS Chaplaincy. It was suggested that our
French contacts could also be invited to ecumenical services as Bishop Geoffrey
encourages us to do in order to interact with the French. Some objected that
they themselves found such occasions pretty boring and therefore would
not tend to invite their friends to them. We commented on our near ignorance
as to what the local French Churches offer and/or how to introduce French
friends to them. But we also underlined the importance of being able to
answer these questions and needs in the future. It was thought that our
church had at least one strong point: It welcomes and caters for all ages,
all church backgrounds and all nationalities.
This is something we would like to maintain. As our discussion went on
it became clear that all our concerns fitted into the items outlined by either
of the two documents mentioned above. Also these documents appeared to be almost
parallel statements although very different in style. The 5 areas brought up in
the book by Rick Warren, provided they were sufficiently defined, were agreed
to be the more pertinent of the two documents. It was thought that the 5
areas should serve as a streamline or guideline with which we could evaluate
our church. It was also suggested that the “tree document” be kept in
place for the congregation, without modification, as it seems less
threatening and open to all. We shall attempt to evaluate our Church using these 5 guide lines at
our next meeting. It was suggested we attempt some form of community
referendum using the same guidelines. This was immediately turned down as it
seemed premature and needed a lot more preparation and thought. |
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21. |
Discussion of idea of a second Sunday service Claire was asked to
introduce this item and queried at first the timing of such a subject. A
little more background work and preparation may be needed in order to present
something worthwhile to the Council. However, the second Sunday service would
be contemporary and destined for ministry and outreach. It would not be a
social event but a real church service.
The service could be built for example around “theme based projects
that run for several weeks”. The second service would be a distinct, separate
service allowing all parishioners to choose the way in which they would like
to worship. The frequency of such a
service is unsure but it was felt that it could build up to once a week as
soon as “things get going”. The service would not
necessarily be held on a Sunday although some suggested having 2x45 minute
back to back services in order to enhance fellowship and organise Sunday
School and other activities. A second service would also
be an answer to our limited seating capacity. A less crowded room may also be
more welcoming for new comers. Many a suggestion was heard
and in the end all agreed that the 2nd Service should be given a
“burst” and a work group set up (11 votes for, 0 votes against, 0
abstentions). It was thought that a trial period of a few weeks would give us
enough feedback to see where we were going. The work group will be preparing
a range of options concerning the alternative service and will report back to
the Council. It should make suggestions on areas such as Guidelines,
Logistics, Timing and Content. The Group is made up of the Chaplain, Claire,
Alan and The existing Sunday service
format will not be altered for the time being. |
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24. |
Advancement of the Video Projector Purchase The video Projectors used
in the church so far are not the one we have voted to purchase. The
video projector should be bought in the More discussion is needed as to the installing of the projector and
the need for a secure cupboard) |
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26. |
Church project 26a - House Decorating (chez Cécile F.) The “helping out” has been put off until
the Workmen officially hand over the house, Possibly the end of
the Summer. |
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16. |
Treasurers’ Report A new bank account has been
opened: CBF credit +/- 20 000£ This money will act as a reserve. Interest
should amount to +/- 750£/year (paid quarterly) and will be transferred to
the Diocese account. |
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18. |
Helping “the asylum seeker” (follow on from item 11d) Alison brought the Council
more information concerning the situation of “the Asylum Seeker”. The man’s
debt with his lawyer amounts to a total of 1950€. A motion was proposed and seconded: The church should clear the legal
debts of this man. An amendment was heard and seconded: The church should clear debt by
1000€ and ask lawyer to follow through the case. This amendment was voted on first (4 votes for, 5 vote againsts, 2
abstentions) The standing motion was then voted on (2 votes for, 4 votes against ,5
abstentions) Neither the amendment nor the substantial motion was passed by the
Council. |
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17. |
Committee reports 17a - Finance committee’s Report The Council voted
to accept Paragraph 2 a-e of the Financial Committee’s Report. (11 votes for,
0 vote against , 0 abstentions) Paragraph 2 a-e of the report was accepted by
the Council. Paragraph 1 & 2f will be more thoroughly discussed and voted
on at a later date. |
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28. |
Closing Prayer The meeting
closed at |
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Accountability: |
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The 2nd service work group (2SWG) |
The 2SWG will report back to council with suggestions on how to go
about setting up the 2nd service. (item 21) |
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Agenda Topics to be sent to Secretary. |
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Mark Lewis Secretary for the
Church Council |