Fairfield Methodist Church

PROVISIONAL Minutes of Church Council Meeting Monday 25th February 08

 

Present

Rev. Colin Smith(JCS) (in the chair), Mrs. J. Lawton (JL), Mrs T Bainbridge (TB), Mrs. A. Evans (AE),  Mrs J Bletcher (JB), Mrs E Stanton (ES), Mrs A Getliffe (AG),Mrs Pat Evans (PE), Mrs E Wilmot (EW), Mrs M Brittain (MB), Mr N E Brittain (NEB), Mrs A Baker (PAB),  Mr R. Baker (RSB) Secretary

 

Apologies.  Mrs P O’Gara (PO’G), Miss M Ford (MF)

 

Who are members of this committee? The list kept in the minute book is correct.

 

Minutes of previous meeting

Were agreed without amendment it was noted Mrs Bletcher was recorded twice.

 

Matters arising.

  • Pepperpot Café now open as a commercial venture.
  • The signage issue is still to be resolved.

 

BUSINESS PREPARED FOR THIS MEETING

1. Possibility of having a Deacon at Fairfield. JCS met Sue Jackson the head of the diaconal order to discuss the issue further. The Circuit leadership team are looking to secure funding if possible. To sum up if finance available and if a suitable deacon identified, Fairfield could have a deacon in September 2009. It was noted that it was worth revisiting the Anglican support for this in due course.

 

 

4.Reports

 

4.1 Church Family

 

4.1.1Tuesday Club. AE said that about 8 or 9 meet every two weeks and enjoy fellowship together. The program continues on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday in the month until the AGM in May. The funds held at the end of the autumn session were donated to Buxton Mountain Rescue & Riding for the Disabled.have a variety of interesting speakers

4.1.2 Midweek Fellowship (JL). Meet on the second Wednesday of each month.

4.1.3 Pilgrim Group EW. Meetings start again in April with one of EW’s famous meat & potato pie suppers. It is hoped to persuade Al, Colin & others to speak to us.

4.1.4 The Easter offering Service will this year be at Flagg. The service is on April 28th at 7:30pm..

4.1.4a  Prayer Group ES. 2 to 3 meet at Edith’s flat at 4pm on Monday all welcome.

4.1.5 Safeguarding was discussed. We have a large policy document in the vestry and JCS will act as a point of reference.

4.1.6 JCS mentioned Al Henry’s work in Fairfield. His enthusiasm shone through and his work in Fairfield was well received by all. Note Al is to be stationed in Leeds from September this year. Good luck Al.

 

 

4.2 Pastoral

 

4.2.1 JCS has 26 members and 81 on the community roll for Fairfield. In October 2007 18 was the average worship number.

 

4.2.2 Cradle Roll. The secretary is AG. Who was thanked for her work.

 

4.2.3 Pastoral Visiting was discussed and it seems that this is covered in an informal way but with everyone having a named visitor. It was seen that this was seen as a strong part of the Fairfield Community.  JCS asked us all to remind him to visit as appropriate.

 

4.3 Neighbourhood concerns

 

4.3.1 It was agreed that we need to maintain closeness to ROFA if possible and JCS and EW will meet with them. There was also a discussion on how we advertise our presence better in Fairfield .

 

4.3.2 Roger’s Christmas event which was well supported here at Fairfield was a success but it was difficult to offer an immediate follow up. Rogers work in Buxton was welcomed.

 

4.4 World Service & Missions

4.4.1 World Church JCS recently conducted a service specifically for this.

 

4.4.2 Home Missions work ongoing

 

4.4.3.1 Social Responsibility. It was agreed that as a matter of Church policy that Fairfield Methodist Church would only use fair trade tea & coffee. This was proposed by RSB seconded by AE and carried unanimously..

 

4.4.3.2 Christian Aid collection as usual would be in May. JL commented on the fantastic result from last year.

4.4.3.3 NCH boxes are collected by EW and we also send contributions at Christmas to this worthy cause.

 

4.5 Property

 

A verbal report was given by RSB. The only real outstanding issue is the shared leaking wall in Church where we are still in discussion with Johnnie Johnson Housing Association (JJHA) about where the problem lay. It is difficult to find the reason for this but JJHA are hiring a boroscope to carry out more tests. Progress is slow and ES gave her experience of trying to resolve issues with JJHA. Secretary’s note: On Friday 29th February 08 JJHA did further tests at Wesley House / FMC to try to locate where the water is getting into the Church. Unfortunately this proved negative in so much as no wet areas were found in the shared wall.  Further work is to be carried out by Trevor Gilman (TG) to whom we remain grateful for his support. Secretary’s second note from the 5th March TG is to carry out a number of damp tests on the affected wall in the Church where the paint has been damaged, Results  to follow.

 

4.6 Finance

NEB produced a comprehensive report for which thanks were given. Our balance prior to this meeting was £6979 which was £1432 less than at September 07. This is mainly due to £700 less income from lettings. Looking forward to 31st August 08 our income will be in the region of £1500 less than we would like. However, since the report had been prepared PAB had presented NEB with a cheque for £647.15 from her knitting which went a long way to ensuring our balances were comparable with last year. PAB was thanked for continuing to support the Church in this way. It is hoped our fundraising effort to be arranged in May would balance our savings.

 

4.7 Other Committees etc

 

It was confirmed by PE & EW that the present steward team were able to maintain service to the Church with support from the congregation. JCS on behalf of the council thanked them for their work.

 

4.8 Ecumenical Involvement

CTIB

The Chair of CTIB was our own AG. She told of good things happening in Buxton. Full details can be found in our Church Magazine and on the notice board. Special mention was made of Riding Lights forthcoming production.

 

St Peter’s

The recent untimely death of Jonathan Cooper had hit the community hard and in the discussion that followed much was said of the positive loss of a good friend. His funeral tomorrow would remember his life. JCS talked of Jonathan as a man of real faith and commitment. Secretary’s Note: FMC & the Methodist Church was well represented at Jonathan’s funeral service which was a very moving experience.

 

B SPECIFIC QUESTIONS & APPOINTMENTS

 

5.1-5.2 There was discussion on Worship and different views shared on the Peace. There was a discussion on different worship styles and JCS said Roger Mallard had this gift and was happy to share it.

5.3 Special Services

  • For this plan the Church Anniversary on 4th May 2008 with Al -AM & Roger PM
  • For later plans Harvest Festival 21st September preachers not yet identified. Secretary’s Note: It has now been confirmed that Mr Peter Wadsworth will do the morning service and Mr Peter Dawson do the evening service.
  • Christmas Services 18th December 6;30pm a Carol Service led by JL supported by EW
  • Carol Service Sunday 21st preacher left to JCS to allocate.
  • Christmas Eve Communion 6pm December 24th  ask Leslie Allaway to preach. Secretary’s Note: invite extended

 

6.1 to 6.2 Mentioned

 

7.1 Local preachers. There is a real and urgent need to recruit local preachers. If you are interested speak to Colin. No one recommended from this meeting to be given a note to preach. JCS is worryingly the youngest preacher in the circuit.

7.2 No candidates for Ministry but to pray that suitable candidates come forward.

9 to 13 Appointments

The following people agreed to be reappointed:

 

Church Council Secretary RSB

Church Treasurer NEB

Representatives to Circuit meeting for this Church are the Church Treasurer & 2 stewards. AE to act as reserve when needed.

Communion Steward MF

World Church PE

Home Missions JL

Organists John Hayman , AE & ES

Colin thanked everyone involved in the life of the Church.

 

C. BUSINESS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION

14. Parking issues raised by NEB. JCS,NEB & RSB to meet to discuss

15. General Church Meeting. It was agreed as all the Church are invited to the Church Council Meeting being given the appropriate formal notice that this committee act as the General Church meeting.

16. Nil

17. Nil

 

D. FUTURE MEETINGS

 

18a. Next meeting 2pm Tuesday October 28th. 14 days notice will be given.

 

 E. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a. It was agreed that we would hold a fund raising event on the front of the Buxton Church in May if possible. JL to advise suitable date.

b. Date for Autumn Fair agreed as 15th November 08

c. Buxton Newsletter does not always get to Fairfield.

d. Ruth Hayter’s appointment as Circuit Secretary welcomed.

e. Members found our own newsletter useful.

f. Our Church website is visited by 200 people approximately each month.

g. Security of all small portable items marked with “smartwater”

 

Meeting closed with prayer and the Grace. We especially remembered the life of Jonathan Cooper and Ruth Clayton