Minutes of the Meeting of the Parochial Church Council held on
Tuesday 12 May 2015 at 8 p.m. at the Court House
Fr Tim Pilkington was in the Chair
Present: Fr Tom Plant, Alan Conway, Amanda Newman, Barbara Groet, Carole
Dell, Christopher Green, Hilary Elliott, Jane Bartholomew, John
Abbot, Jon Lee, Julian Dawson, Kate Hennessey, Liz Jackson, Richard
Hackworth, Tim Hennessey
Fr Tim started the meeting with an Act of Worship.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Clive Freestone, Stephen Lally, Mark
Grego and Peter Matthews.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PCC MEETING HELD ON 17
MARCH 2015
Fr Tim signed the Minutes as a true record.
3. COMMITTEE AND GROUP APPOINTMENTS
A List of PCC Membership, Officers, Committees and Groups for 2015-2016 is circulated with these Minutes.
4. COMMITTEE/GROUP REPORTS
Finance Committee
Richard had circulated the Financial Report.
Resolutions
 The PCC resolves to allocate the legacy of £15,000 received from the estate of the late Miss Amy Chowns to the Building fund to be used for a specific improvement to St Peter’s dedicated to her memory.
Proposed by Richard Hackworth and seconded by Carole Dell

The PCC resolves to annul its requirement that the All Saints Roof fund transferred to the Anglican Methodist Association (Berkhamsted) Ltd. must be held in a Restricted fund.
Proposed by Richard Hackworth and seconded by Jane Bartholomew
Further to his Finance Report Richard reported that gifts of £2,000 and £12,000 have been made to the PCC by donors who wish to remain anonymous. He recommended this money should be placed in the Building Fund and the PCC approved this.
The committee had met with Fr. Will Gibbs, Vicar of St Mary’s, Redbourn, who had run an effective Stewardship Campaign. They had found the meeting very useful.
Buildings Committee
Christopher Green said the Notice Board on the High Street will be in place in the
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next couple of weeks. 4 LED lights will be placed in the choir area. It was agreed that 2 LED lights will be placed near the Font.
Resolutions

The PCC is resolved to accept the Cristus Rex offer to the Church by Fr
Tim Pilkington for use above the High Altar.
Proposed by Christopher Green and seconded by John Abbot

The PCC is resolved to proceed with the various stonework repairs.
Proposed by Christopher Green and seconded by Richard Hackworth
A structural engineer will be invited to give a report on the structural problems in the Lady Chapel. A gas detector has been fitted in the Court House to prevent the gas being left on in error. An engineer has been called as the heating in the
Church is not working at present.
Youth Committee
Nothing to report. Fr Tim said they have managed to secure a replacement for Alice, the intern. Her name is Lex. She is fully trained as a youth worker and will begin in
September.
Worship & Liturgy Group
Nothing to report. The Director of Music is looking at new settings for Mass. Adrian will teach the congregation the new Litany.
Pastoral Group
Carole reported that the group is meeting regularly. Members were supporting the clergy with Baptisms and making pastoral and bereavement visits.
Petertide Fair
In Stephen Lally’s absence, Julian asked for helpers with the Market Stall on Saturday
6 June to sell raffle tickets for the Petertide Fair.
Courthouse Group
There was nothing to report.
Your Berkhamsted
There was nothing to report.
5. PERMISSION FOR TRACY ROBINSON TO ADMINISTER HOME
COMMUNION
The PCC were happy for this to happen.
6. DIOCESAN & DEANERY SYNOD MEETINGS
Nothing to report.
7. VETTING OF CHILD & YOUTH ACTIVITIES FOR THE INSURANCE
POLICY
Liz said the child protection policy has to be altered slightly. A copy needs to be displayed in the Court House and the Church.
8. PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE – SWOT ANALYSIS PART 1
Members of the PCC split into 4 groups to discuss the Strengths of the Church, under the headings of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. For this meeting
Strengths were discussed. The other topics would be covered at the June meeting.
The following points were identified once (or more as shown) by the different groups.
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
Our location which is central and a beautiful building (x 2)

Our liturgical tradition (x 2)

Anglo-Catholic churchmanship which is hard to find elsewhere

Walsingham cell group is growing

Wednesday morning Mass attendees increasing

The music and singing that supports the Church (x 3)

Regular and consistent pattern of worship

A venue for concerts which draws different people in

We are liberal and tolerant

We have skills, experience and expertise within the congregation
 Pastoral care (x 3)

Welcoming to regular worshippers as well as newcomers (x2)

Number of clergy and lay preachers

Court House

Church is open all day

Sunday School

Connection with Church Schools

Excellent website
9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 16 June at 8 p.m. in the Court House.
10. THE GRACE
Fr Tom closed the meeting with prayer.
The meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.
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