- Joint Annual Report
For 2008
In 2008 St Mary’s PCC has had five regular meetings and two extraordinary meetings, the Standing Committee has had five meetings, one of which was a joint meeting with St Anne’s Standing Committee to hear a presentation from Andrew Mottram.
At the APCM Jeff Isaacs, Jenny Livermore, Adam Maclean, Robert Slater and Angus Watson were elected to serve on PCC for three years, and Helen McNicoll agreed to fill a one year casual vacancy. Becky Greenhill attended meetings regularly until eligible for PCC membership in November 2008. The Revd Joan Griffin retired in March 2008, Jonathan Hodgson withdrew in accordance with the policy for only one lay reader to be a PCC member, Claire Johnson resigned, Jennifer Holloway, Mark Simons, Catherine Newcombe and Jenny Isaacs retired by rotation; we are very grateful to all of them for their invaluable contribution. Rosemary Berridge, Rob Brown, Michael Hell and Mike Stocks were elected to Deanery Synod.
Following the training day on security given by Nick Tolson in December 2007 a security working party was set up and regular reports on its work were presented at PCC.
In January PCC accepted a quotation from English Clocks for the refurbishment of the clock and the work was completed during the summer.
Finance has been discussed regularly at PCC, please see Treasurers’ reports for more information. PCC has received regular reports from the Properties Committee and approved its proposals to assign the lease of Retro Bizarre to Sage Wholefoods, and to renew DeMaines’ lease.
As part of our drive to reduce costs PCC discussed ways in which we might economise on heating; we are grateful to Mick Perrier for his help in re-negotiating contracts for gas and electricity supplies. Stewardship has also been discussed at PCC, please see separate report for more information.
Lis Sparrow announced to PCC her intention to resign as Children’s Groups Co-ordinator from the end of the summer term, she was warmly thanked for her exceptional contribution to work with the children. Chris Abbott took over the co-ordinator’s role in September; please see separate report for more information.
Among topics for small group discussion have been reviews of Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and Easter services, and Children’s Work. In addition all members of PCC were invited to attend discussion evenings on one of the four Vision subjects: Worship, Learning, Communication and Hospitality.
Bells — a letter from Sharon Wall informing PCC that the tenor bell had collapsed from its bearing, and alerting it to the need to make a decision about the future of St Mary’s bells was read at PCC in July, and Sharon, with Richard Grimmet, Master of St Martin’s Bellringers and Simon Adams who was involved in the installation of the steel bells with Ralph Vines in 1991 attended PCC in September to talk about the options open to us. After their presentation and questions PCC accepted their recommendation that we should bid for a peal of redundant bells from a church in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. Rob Brown offered to act as negotiator; he reported to PCC in November that no decision had been taken about the disposal of the Hanley bells.
Ann Andrew, PCC Secretary.The PCC of St Anne’s has met on five occasions since the last APCM on March 9th 2008. The group consists of 10 elected members, the two church wardens, three clergy, one representative from St Mary’s PCC and the secretary. The meetings have taken place in April, June, September, November and February.
Ongoing discussions have concerned the bells project, which has now been completed, the pews, and the vision process. It has also considered various special services and proposed changes to the pattern of worship during the year, particularly for Lent and Christmas. Regular reports have been received from the various groups particularly the Youth Group who have been given PCC approval for various residential projects and trips.
There have been discussions about fund raising, education and nurture, social events, issues relating to the buildings and maintenance thereof, the use of different hymn books and the peace garden, Rosemary has reported on the formation of her think tank group reports have been received from St Mary’s PCC.
All necessary budget reports have been received and decisions made about the mission giving for the parish.
Janet Thorne Secretary to St Anne’s PCC