P.C.C. February 21st. 2012

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parochial Church Council
of St Nicholas' Church Shepperton held in the Parish Centre
at 8.00 pm on Tuesday 21st February 2012.

PRESENT: Nicki Searle, Nicky Addy, Guy Blythman, Howard Watson, Fiona Stevens, Val Ralph, Sue Smith, Jo Child, Sylvia Carter, Jane Davies, The Rev Harold Nicholson and the Rector in the Chair.

Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Rob Lee, Jayne Proctor, Neal Adolphus and Ian Passingham.

2. Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of 18th January were approved and signed, with the correction of the year of the meeting.

Matters Arising

Friends of St Nicholas Church Association
The Secretary reported that the Friends’ first event had been a very successful evening, largely thanks to the participation of the Choir
SmartWater Lead safeguarding process
This matter is to be dealt with jointly between the Church and the Centre. The Centre Manager and Maintenance Officer were meeting to plan the operation.
Tree Surgery
The Rector reported that with the return of one more document the matter should reach a conclusion.

4. Finance Report – Setting a Budget for 2012.
The Treasurer presented a detailed statement showing the financial position over the previous three years, and for 2011, the predicted and actual figures. Against this background the forecast for 2012 was set out, which presently looked like being a year of significant deficit. The members were asked to consider whether any opportunities for increasing the church’s income had been overlooked. It was agreed that the wedding fees had been set and could not be changed. Baptisms did not attract a fee in themselves though sometimes generous offerings were made at the services. It was suggested that the idea of regular giving could be built into the programme of Baptism preparation. Again the recent departure of one major donor was noted, together with the lack of legacies. The Rector repeated his wish to avoid fund-raising as a means of fulfilling the church’s regular obligations, except in special projects such as support for the ministry of music or for particular charitable giving. He had good hope for the strengthened administrative infrastructure provided by the new membership forms which many people seem to have completed. Various methods of encouraging regular giving were reviewed. Mary Spredbury, the Area stewardship adviser, would be consulted about schemes that had been successful recently. We agreed on the need to adopt and adapt such ideas, looking for an approach that was honest, open and ambitious. It was proposed that by mid-Lent a working group should be formed, to include possibly people with a background in marketing, which would work on an Easter campaign to increase stewardship. The Rector thanked the Treasurer for the very detailed work she had put into illuminating our situation.

5. The Situation with the South Transept – Fundraising Strategy.
The Rector reported that Colin Barnard of the Building Group had promised to press the architect about the estimates for the extended scheme, with additional works to the south transept included. The Rector agreed to contact Ian Stewart also. Regarding fund-raising for the project, Fiona Stevens proposed that it might be worthwhile to publicise the need in the local press. The Rector, drawing on unsatisfactory past experiences, expressed a preference for initially addressing the matter through the Shepperton News, where editorial control was more reliable. The new publication “Shepperton Matters” was also to be considered. A very wide discussion followed touching on the possibilities of a Gift Day, with various activities based in the High Street, possibly the school, and the church itself. Our patronal saint was invoked, with a proposal to “Give Santa a Present”. Saturday 7th July was considered as a possible date for the event and a group will be formed to work on the details. Approaches to local businesses were also considered and will be followed up.

6. Outward Mission – what should our priorities be in our MAP?
To rectify the omission of Outward Giving in the MAP the Rector outlined an ideal framework which might involve a local project, along with another bringing us into contact with the world wide church. Looking at our relationship with Mozambique he questioned whether it might at some point draw to a natural close. The distances involved were so great that it made the warmth of personal contact very hard to maintain. The Van Koeverings formed the strong link in the chain and they would leave Niassa in 2015. We would also need to find a local project to support, perhaps both actively and financially. These commitments would be subject to review every 12 months. In concluding this overview the Rector offered a definition of an institution which had been quoted at a recent study day at St. Paul’s Cathedral: “An institution is a place where people are faithful to one another over time”.

7. Support for the Van Koevering Trust Fund.
The Rector circulated a leaflet describing the mechanics of the Fund. An annual total of £22k would be needed to support Mark and Helen for their final three years in Niassa. It was proposed that a portion of the money raised for educational work in Milange might be contributed, as no scheme for the school presently existed. The PCC agreed to this unanimously. We would discuss with the Treasurer of the Trust whether a gift of £1,500 would be more helpful as a lump sum or in staged payments.

8. Renewing our Baptism Policy and Approach at St Nicholas
The Rector reported that the proposed changes would hopefully take effect after Easter. Nicky Addy described to the meeting the present format for Baptism preparation, with a home visit where the service was explained and the necessary information for the registers taken, followed by an evening in the parish centre with a discussion led by the clergy. In the new scheme it was possible that we would concentrate all our efforts on the gathering in the parish centre, which would be more substantial, using a mixture of media, and stressing baptism very much as start to active Christian discipleship rather than as just a setting for a family event – though maintaining our present warmth of welcome.

9 Lent and Holy Week 2012.
The Rector placed before the meeting a leaflet setting out the programme of study, special events and services for Lent and Easter.
10. Report from the Children & Families Worker Group
In the absence of Neal Adolphus the Rector reported that Elizabeth Harrow was doing excellent work on the Eucharist at the School and Margaret Bennet had been offering great support for Messy Church.
Report from the Communications Group
Nicki Searle explained to Fiona Stevens that plans for a new notice board outside the church had foundered under the weight of administrative complexities; however it was added that it was possible that the idea might be revived as part of the larger work to be undertaken on the whole church building. A coach was to be booked for the Evensong in Arundel Roman Catholic Cathedral at which the Choir will sing, and numbers were needed very shortly to confirm the booking. She also reported that the pitch had been booked for the Village Fair on 2nd June. The Rector suggested a small scale effort this year in view of other planned commitments, but Nicki said that there was enthusiasm for repeating the successful teas that were the main attraction of last year’s stall. There was also a useful stock of bottles for the tombola left over from the Winter Fair.
11. Correspondence
There was no correspondence, but the Rector wished to mark the end of Fiona Stevens’ term of service on the PCC. He commended the depth of her knowledge and the passion of her commitment to the work. He recorded his thanks to Neal Adolphus – “a tremendous colleague” – who was also retiring.

12. Any Other Business
The Rector was pleased to announce that Caroline Button was willing to become a Foundation Governor (non-parent) at the School. Her background in accountancy and occupational therapy, together with her personal experience, doubly qualified as an excellent candidate. The PCC approved the appointment.
There being no further business, the meeting closed with the Grace at 10.00 pm