The Scottish Episcopal Church: Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway
St. Mary’s Cathedral
Report: Vestry Meeting on October 4thth 2010
Chair:
The Very Revd Kelvin Holdsworth (Provost and Rector)
Organisation of Eucharistic Ministers, Intercessors and Readers
The Bishop has not yet completed his review of the guidelines for
Eucharistic ministers. Re-organisation of these lay ministries St. Mary’s
will be done after those guidelines have been published. Bishop Gregor is
aware of the situation in St Mary’s and has advised that no further action
should take place until his guidelines have been published.
Choir Visit from Gothenburg
This visit is to take place from Oct. 22nd to Oct. 25th. The Vestry appointed
a small team to make suitable arrangements:
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Irene Ballantine
Andrew Colin
Veronica Colin
Kelvin Holdsworth
Anne Jones
(Information packs)
(Accommodation)
(Transport and provision of one meal)
(Ceilidh on the evening of Sunday Oct. 24th)
(Ensuring Ceilidh Catering is legally compliant)
It was agreed to sell ceilidh tickets for £5 each - £10 per household.
Flower Convener
At a recent meeting of the Flower Group, as reported by Anne Jones,
responsibilities were allocated as follows:
Lynda Kincaid – wedding co-ordinator. She will liaise with
Christine Walker.
Migeun Park – Country Baskets card holder and flower-market supremo,
with help from others as required
Pam Richmond – Rota
Vestry Report
Page 1
October 4th 2010
New Constitution
The Vestry agreed the following timetable for the adoption of the new
constitution:
(All dates refer to 2010)
5-16 Oct:
Text prepared by Diocesan Registrar in consultation with
the Provost
17-30 Oct: Formal consultation with Congregation, Bishop and Chapter
The draft constitution is displayed on the Cathedral
website.
Please send written comments to the Vestry Secretary1
1 Nov:
Additional Vestry meeting to formally propose text
14 Nov:
Final text of new Constitution published
21 Nov:
Congregational meeting to vote on Constitution
5 Dec:
AGM – New Vestry Elected
It was noted that on December 5th the Bishop will be with us to license the
new Vice-Provost.
Report on visit to observe the training of the Trebles
Five Vestry members attended the Choir Practice on September 30th. They
were impressed by Frikki’s energy and musicianship, and by the
enthusiasm of the children, who were clearly enjoying singing. The general
opinion was that the enterprise was a valuable addition to the Cathedral
activities.
1
Andrew Colin, 21 Queensborough Gardens Glasgow G12 9PP . email andrew@crm.scotnet.co.uk
Vestry Report
Page 2
October 4th 2010
Proposal for a Crèche
Andrew Heatlie spoke to his paper on the need to provide a better
environment for very young children at Sunday services. In the following
discussion, it emerged that many stewards are unaware of the facilities
(such as toys) that are provided. Mothers have been seen sitting on the floor
in the Meeting Room to nurse their children.
Kelvin suggested that this should be seen both as a short-term and a
medium-term problem.
In the short term, we should take steps, through Roger Edwards and Alan
Richmond, to make sure that the stewards know about the provisions for
young children, and can direct parents accordingly. They should also be
aware of the furniture stored in the Meeting Room and be willing to set it
out for anyone who needs it.
In the medium term, one possibility would be to move the Choir Library to
the flat area above the Oratory and to glass in the Oratory so that children
could observe the service in progress, but nevertheless be in a sound-proof
environment.
It was agreed that Catharine Young would be asked to take charge of all
children’s’ activities. Pictures of everyone with any responsibility for
Children will be posted on the notice-board.
Invitation to Meetings on Children’s’ Work.
The Vestry noted that two invitations to open meetings had been received
from the Children’s Ministry Network:
 A general meeting on the spiritual nurture of children: Wednesday
3rd November (7.30-9.00 pm) at St. James-the-Less, Bishopbriggs
 A meeting on Children and God , moderated by Dr. Rebecca Nye,
Saturday 20th November (10.30am – 3.00 pm)
Further details are available from Anne Jones, or directly from the
organiser:
Judy Page, 01505 703122, judypage@btinternet.com
Retiring Collection for the DEC Pakistan Flood Relief Fund
Vestry Report
Page 3
October 4th 2010
It was proposed that the Cathedral should hold a retirement collection for
Flood Relief in Pakistan. Before making a decision, the Vestry discussed
the general principles governing the holding of retirement collections. It
was agreed that such collections should only be held for events classified as
disasters by the (National) Disaster Emergency Committee, and for the
Bishop’s Lent appeal.
The NEC has named the floods in Pakistan as a disaster, so the retirement
collection will be held.
In answer to a query about making the collection tax-efficient, it was
agreed that the appropriate envelopes will be provided, and tax-paying
donors invited to enter their details so that tax can be recovered.
Buildings Report
The Vestry discussed the future of the poles that were erected between the
chancel and the nave during the tenure of the previous Provost. Originally,
these poles were supposed to symbolise the East end of the worshipping
area of the Cathedral. Now that the chancel was again in use they were
redundant.
The Buildings committee was asked to look in to the matter of long-term
storage, and to provide plugs for the floor sockets used to hold the poles in
position.
Compliance Report
There were 167 visitors on the recent Open Day – a number far greater than
in previous years. Anne Jones and Irene Ballantine were congratulated on
their work in
organising the event.
Andrew Colin (Vestry Secretary)
(October 2010)
Please note that previous reports can be obtained on request from the
Secretary.
Vestry Report
Page 4
October 4th 2010