PCC Matters

PCC "AwayDay"

Some years ago the PCC decided that it would be worthwhile to go away as a group to devote a day to bigger topics than can be tackled in a few hours in P&J on a weekday evening. Last year it was decided that the cost of this Away Day – although only in the modest facilities of St John’s Church in Hook – could be avoided by holding it at P&J! So once again this year, in November, for the PCC “Away day” we just took a step back to look at the bigger picture.

Richard Buller, Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee, took us through the budget for next year – from April 2011. These plans are built up from the expected costs and income from the different PCC committees. We didn’t discuss the 2010 results - which will take place early next year. Suffice it to say that 2010 has been a truly momentous year with the sale of Fernhurst, the construction of the new Fleet Parish Community Centre, the completion of the All Saints Lighting scheme and the Funding our Future Campaign.

The best estimate of the costs of the P&J extension works for 2011 are £170,000 together with the costs of replacing the P&J heating system at £30,000. However, the South Aisle Ceiling repairs for All Saints (£30,000) and the Arch Painting (£10,000) have been postponed from 2011 until 2012 - the 150th Anniversary of All Saints’ consecration– and it is hoped that much of this will come from fundraising and possibly from English Heritage.

The main issue for the PCC as Trustees is that when we “press the final button” to start the P&J extension works we will be supporting a possible cash deficit in 2014 - or to put it in blunt layman’s terms ‘the money runs out’ - although the Funding our Future campaign and other initiatives could postpone this happening. This is not a new issue because we have discussed it over several years. However, now that we have invested in the FPCC, starting the work at P&J brings the day of reckoning closer and in sharper focus. Consequently we have to continue to think and pray about our future.

On a positive financial note Nick Doran reported on the success of the Funding Our Future campaign. This got off to a good start with the meetings in the spring, but there has been a very good response to the sermons on the theme of giving through October. This has turned around the decline in Parish Giving and we should reach £86,000 next year – up from £76,000 this year. However this still remains short of the level needed to sustain the Parish’s mission.

Jennifer Sistig talked about the Children's Ministry. We have many groups for the Young in the parish, from the Baptism team, Praise and Play, Junior Churches with the link to All Saints School, through Confirmation classes to the Youth Group. It was felt that there need for a coordinator between the groups, to make sure that no child “fell through the gaps” and provide a firmer path for transition between the stages.

On a more practical note we planned meetings and services for 2011. At last year’s Away Day, this was done by placing post-it notes onto a large wall chart – many of which peeled off when the calendar was moved to the Parish Office. This year Andreas automated the exercise writing the events onto his PC, which magically synchronised with the Parish Diary on the website as soon as he connected to the internet.

Finally, as the building work at All Saints draws to a close, we discussed the use for the Parish Community Centre. This pulled together ideas from the July PCC meeting and All Age Worship. There has already been a lot of demand from our regular Hall bookers, from dance groups to karate. However the PCC wanted to ensure that we kept time for use in outreach – and on a more practical level with the Café - to draw the community into the life of the church and to achieve our objective of having a Seven Day Church.

Nic Evans

 

18 October 2010 at Ss Philip & James

We started by discussing arrangements for the PCC Away Day on 20 November. On that day we will be updating the online calendar which, from now on, will just include public events making it less cluttered and more accurate. We will also be discussing the future use of our new facilities. It will be important to make sure we have the right balance between lettings and availability for church and outreach activities.

With so many church projects on the go at the moment, it was decided that we would not set up a Natural Church Development steering group at present. Instead, the four key areas identified for action by the NCD process have been transferred into the relevant sub-committees for follow up. The process will be reviewed again after Easter 2011 with the possibility of another survey towards the end of 2011 or early 2012.
Churches Together has suggested that the format for the Good Friday Walk of Witness needs refreshing, with a later start, and with each church group walking from their own church. Everyone would meet at midday in Fleet Road, near Branksomewood Road, for a combined act of witness including drama. The PCC was enthusiastic about these proposals as it will make us more visible.

A Local Training Group is required for John Simson’s preparation for ordination in 2012. This comprises Jenny Sistig, Mary Goodson, David Worthington, Camilla Deane, Sue Huddie and Anthony Jones. They will be informing the Parish about John’s progress on a regular basis.

Snippets from the reports from the Sub-committees:

  • Our insurance company will pay for the specialist removal of the unpleasant graffiti which was spray-painted on to the brick work at All Saints church.
  • The PCC will need to decide in January whether to take out a maintenance contract for the new Community Centre. We will be contacting people with similar buildings to determine if the contract is worthwhile.
  • We are in the process of obtaining quotations for a new heating system at P&J.
  • Plans for the extension to P&J have been posted at both churches.
  • A cleaner’s sink is to be installed in P&J Hall.
  • We are aiming to improve links between all our activities for young people by appointing Jennifer Sistig as Children’s Ministry Coordinator.
  • As we achieved a very good price on Fernhurst, the outlook for this financial year is better than expected, even before we take into account the increase in planned giving of £11,500 p.a. due to the Stewardship campaign.
  • The clergy were thanked for their sermons on this difficult subject.
  • We discussed and approved new hire rates for both halls
  • 83 people had attended the Harvest Supper.
  • Magazine advertising rates are to be increased by 2.5%, but the price will still be 50p.
  • P&J Focus Group had held a brainstorming session for ideas for 2011.
  • We discussed the timing of this year’s Christmas services. This year the Christmas Eve service at Ss P&J will start at 10.30 pm, with carols from 10.00 pm. There will be no 11.30 am service on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day there will be a joint 10.00 am service at Ss P&J.

    The meeting closed with the Grace at 9.10 pm.

    Anne Smith