Summary of the PCC meeting 26^th September 2024

After prayers, apologies & welcome, the minutes of the meeting of 11^th July were agreed. 

Matters arising

Church windows: currently in week 3, unlikely to be finished by 4^th October, services going OK in the church hall.

St. Francis House: The new boiler has gone in, brickwork required. 

Finance

Windows: The £10,000 gift day target was exceeded. So far £10,166 raised and more coming in from individuals and events. With Gift Aid and legacies, the £53,000 cost should be exceeded to help meet the £6,000 contingency.  Decorating next!

Parish Share: the diocese has requested an 8% rise to £60,903. On current projections this would mean a £9000 deficit in 2025. After discussion we deferred a decision for further deliberation.

Rent increases: On 1^st January rent on St Francis House and car parking will rise 2.5%.  Hall rental will stay the same for regular users (£23.50ph) but any new businesses will be £25ph.  The party rate will rise to £23ph. It was suggested that we could produce a brochure to market the Hall.

Toddler Group donations: The group would like to purchase items for children in church and/or Tea & Toast 

Safeguarding:

All PCC members have completed training, our Safeguarding Dashboard is at 95%. The PCC approved Art-Venture which meets on Mondays in the hall.  The next RCG will discuss a procedure for when someone becomes unwell at church 

Eco Church:  Litter pick: This was a success with 17 helpers, some from the local community. Councillor Taylor provided pickers and hi-vis tabards. Next one is 10am on October 5^th.

Gold Award: Working towards our Arocha gold eco-award, we have Gold in three categories but need more work done on the Land and Building Sections. It will be discussed at the next Eco- group meeting. We will also look at improving our Lifestyle section to make sure our Gold standing is justified.

Heaton Churches Together (HCT):

Heaton Festival was a great success. Our stall was better placed in the main “village”. HCT organised a showing of the film “The Letter” about the Climate Crisis, at St Theresa’s Church. Seven people from St Francis attended.

East Deanery Synod:

The East Deanery Synod is now quite a small gathering! Two Churches have no vicar – St Anthony`s and St. Mary Magdelene, although the latter has self-supporting clergy. There are very few Readers in the deanery. The vicars of St Oswald’s and St Bartholomew’s have asked us to talk to them about Eco-church.

Future dates:

Transitus service                                    6.30pm Thursday 3^rd October

St Francis Day Eucharist                      6.30pm Friday 4^th October      

Litter pick & St Francis-tide Ceilidh  10am & 6pm Sat 5^th October

Dedication Festival                              10am Sunday 6^th October

Stewardship Sunday                              10am Sunday 20^th October

MU coffee morning & gardening      10am Saturday 19^th October      

Christmas Fair                                       Saturday 30^th November

Christmas Carol Service                      6pm Sunday 22^nd December

Crib Service                                              6pm Tuesday 24^th December

Midnight Mass                                        11.30pm Tues 24^th December

Christmas Eucharist                               10am Weds 25^th December

Next meeting: Thursday 14^th November 2024 at 7pm