Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St Joseph, Ware
Minutes of the Justice and Peace Group meeting Friday 27th November 2015
8.00pm at St Augustine’s Hoddesdon
Those present : Fr John Gray, Deacon Adrian Cullen, John Vaughan-Shaw (in
the chair), Denise Vaughan-Shaw, Noreen McCallen, Anne Byrne , Tim
Edwards, Hazel Edwards, Penny Benge, Janet Lampard.
If your name is in bold it indicates that action is required.
1. Opening Prayer and Welcome: Advent prayer from Tim; Penny and
Janet were welcomed from St Augustine’s. John thanked the Parish for
its hospitality.
2. Apologies: Michele Beer, Mary Hallett, Hazel Carpenter, Montse
Casadevalle, Tony Stavrou.
3. Minutes of last meeting Fri 16th October 2015: these were approved.
4. Matters arising: the Parish Justice and Peace news sheet produced by
Hazel C. had been distributed as a NL insert. Thanks to Tracy.
5. Migrant crisis: Adrian updated on Seeking Sanctuary and Caritas; there
is still donation overload at present; also at Emmaus. The results of the
‘shoe box’ collection had been taken to Christ Church. Fr John had sent
back the names entered on the Westminster volunteers form ; he
hoped these people would be contacted once the migrants had been
settled. Adrian will watch the websites and update as necessary.
6. Website: Tony and John had made an initial review and Tony had liaised
with Richard Hayman. A new front page was proposed. Adrian showed a
printed copy. Some felt there were too many headings. John questioned
whether the Pro Life item should be at the top. There was the
opportunity for other parishes to provide a link to the Ware site and
develop new contacts. More discussion will follow. Thanks was
expressed for Richard’s efforts.
7. Visit to Coptic Church: Noreen has checked their site and will continue
to watch out for the Carol Service.
8. Newsletter entries: Adrian will remind Fiona about ‘ethical food’
entries. Denise will do an entry on food waste.
continued
2
9. WOW Bags, School of Joy: Denise had sold about £100 of WOW bags
and will be returning the remaining small stock to Michele; it is for
Michele and Mary to decide on the future. Tony had sent a cheque to
The School of Joy via Friends of the Holy Land; he had no significant
stock remaining. As agreed at the last meeting the FOHL dvd and
possible talk will be held over until the Spring.
10. Prisoners of Conscience card signing: Nov 28/29th : as the Hall will be
out of action, the following was agreed: table near the Font at each
Mass for signing at the end; Denise had obtained cards; John circulated
the prisoner details; there will be a box for donations. Adrian will
mention at Mass; table manning: 6.30pm : Adrian will find volunteers;
8.30am: John plus ? 10.30am: Tim and Hazel, who will also clear up and
post.
11. Proclaim 15: initially focussing on evangelisation, this will merge in
2016 with the ‘Year of Mercy’ and become more prominent in the
parishes. Some specifics are not strictly Justice and Peace, but the
‘reaching out’ element and cooperation with other Churches certainly
is.
12. Food Bank news: Hazel and Tim reported that Tesco now has a
collection point for the Salvation Army, so the Parish collection is less
urgent, though these will continue at intervals organised by the UCM.
Anne said that St Augustine’s contribute to the Hoddesdon Churches
Together collection.
13. AOB : Anne reported on a cold weather night shelter initiative at Enfield
and probably Broxbourne, utilising Church premises. Fr John drew
attention to CAP ‘Christians against poverty’ and the ‘job help’ at Christ
Church. Adrian reminded the meeting of the World Climate Conference
starting soon.
With the group now involving other parishes, John asked that
arrangements be copied to him to ensure consistency.
14. Next Meeting : St Augustine’s Friday February 12th 8.00pm.
The meeting closed at 9.40 approx with a prayer and blessing from Fr John