ANNUAL PARISH MEETING NOTES- 2007
What Happened at the Annual Church meeting?
We thanked lots of people for their work over the last year, especially John and Debbie stepping down as wardens having done a terrific job between them.
We elected some new people to key roles in the church:
2 Church Wardens to be the Bishop’s officers in the parish and to have legal care of the buildings: Brenda Kick and John Hallal
and a deputy warden to help them especially on Sundays: Fred Rowley.
A Deanery Synod Representataive to link us in with the other 20 churches in Brent: Ben Arul
4 new PCC members to share in the general leadership of the church: Mark Lillywhite, Sackle (Juliana) Storey, Debbie Niccholls, John Aird.
Lots of people as welcomers / sidespeople.
We received the accounts which are in a good state but we also noted that common fund payments will only go up from now on and that the effect of the income tax reduction in the budget means that we will be 8% worse off in gift aid claims in 2008. (Thanks Mr Brown!)
The new electoral roll has increased to 152 plus two late additions. This means we have grown by 58% in the last 5 years, (and that is without taking into account those who have died and moved away).
We reviewed the year noticing that making a priority of children and young people’s work has been positive and we have seen a big increase in children this year. Their enthusiasm is infectious!
We celebrated the good spread of events and services through the year from concerts, bouncy castles, pizza and ice cream parties, barge trips, and toilet painting sessions to confirmations, first communions, and all-night prayer vigils.
We heard that the Lottery First Round Application has been received and that we will hear if we have gone through to the second round in September. The bid is for 375 thousand pounds which is the maximum we can apply for. Because costs have risen dramatically (one of the effects of the Olympic Games) we have to revise our plans downwards and plan for a stand-alone hall rather than the one which the architect designed for us.
And we laughed at the best typo from last year’s minutes which said: “The vicar’s report contains the dullest account of year’s events” (hint: ‘d’ is next to ‘f’ on the keyboard)
Please support those taking on new roles. It always takes time to learn a new role and we all need a bit of affirmation. Please pray especially for Brenda, John Hallal, and Fred.
If you weren’t at the meeting but would like to be involved as a welcomer / sidesperson we would love to include you. In a growing church the welcome at the front door is really vital and we need people who are committed to giving a sensitive and inclusive welcome to everyone – however late they come and whatever needs they might have.
Thankyou to all for your love and support over the past year. May God be with us in the coming year.
Felicity