APCM Meeting Minutes 2023

 3

Elections

Dawn advised the congregation of the current ruling for elections, which is that, if there are the same number of applications for each post as there are available positions, then there is no need for a vote and the applicants are automatically appointed. Both Helen and David had been proposed and seconded previously and were automatically appointed.

 Election of Churchwardens

The Chair thanked Elizabeth and David for all they’ve done over the past year, particularly regarding the new church building of All Saints Church, Great Harrowden. Dawn gave Elizabeth a present for all her help and support over the last six years.

·         Elizabeth has served the maximum number of terms (6) so had to step down this year. However, she has agreed to be Assistant Churchwarden.

·         David Wells was elected to continue as Churchwarden.

·         Helen Cracknell was elected as the second Churchwarden. She is stepping down from being PCC Treasurer.

• Heidi Ellson is continuing as Deanery Synod rep. The current term ends 31/06/2023 but under the rules she can be re-elected for a further three-year term.
• Helen Cracknell has stepped down from her role as Deanery Synod rep this year, having taken on the role of Churchwarden.
• No reps were appointed at the meeting but there is one vacancy. Dawn asked anyone interested in this role to contact her for completion of the appropriate application paperwork.

PCC members can serve up to three years. None of the existing PCC members have served three years and they have agreed to continue for another year. However, Jackie Bello has moved away from the Parish and has, therefore, stepped down from the PCC leaving three lay vacancies, filled by: –

• Melanie Hartung
• Alan Palmer
• Elizabeth Holbrook

Each of these had already been proposed and seconded and were automatically appointed.

The duties are split as follows:

• John Gilyead is responsible for DBS, training, and safeguarding.
• Amanda Allen (Parish Administrator) is responsible for Safer Recruiting. If someone moves into a role Amanda collates their applications, references, etc.

• No Questions were forthcoming regarding the Finance Report.
• Dawn encouraged giving regularly.
• Lis Wells is taking over as Treasurer as Helen is stepping down.

Dawn reminded everyone that we are the body of the church, and each have roles to play.  She said that people have lost sight of God’s supernatural presence and that in 2022 we needed courage to go forward. 2022 was a year of two halves with the second half being more hopeful as we learn to live with a new normal, and to rebuild the church community by:

• Glenvale Park Community days
• Weekly church at Glenvale Care Home
• Coffee, Cake, and Chat – which has now stopped, as it did not fulfil its purpose, but nevertheless allowed us to engage with the community.

Regarding the reordering of All Saints, there will be further news at the end of summer.

Dawn reminded the congregation of the encouragement from the prophesy given to her, which indicated that the Lord is preparing and equipping his church to be more spiritual and to make new disciples. The Church of England has seen a 70-year decline, experiencing birth pains as God reshapes His church. Throughout history, there have been significant changes/ reformation to the church roughly every 500 years. The church nationally is now in that phase. 2023 is a growing year.

As we emerged from the pandemic, we are the remnant, and it is taking time for us to adapt and reorder ourselves.

From the prophesy, we are in the third year with the winter past and spring on its way. This year we will start to grapple with what the church will look like going forward.

We will be focusing on shaping Connect Groups to fulfil our vision of, ‘Connecting: with Jesus, with each other, with the community.’ We will do this by:

• Connecting with Jesus:
  • Through study
  • Prayer for one another
  • Prophesy
• Connecting with each other:
  • Building friendships
  • Being honest about our home lives
  • Mutual support
  • Mutual discipling

Acts 2 describes actions of early biblical community meetings in small groups, in each other’s homes, and caring for each other.

Connect Group leaders will now become facilitators, and we will be looking at how Connect Groups work.

At present there is a very small Care Team attempting to watch out for everyone. Due to the very limited numbers this team may cease to exist. We need everyone caring for everyone. We all have things to offer each other.

There are currently only four Connect Groups, and this number will need to increase.

Belonging to a connect group will look different for every one of us:

• Some will take an active part and physically attend the meetings.
• Some will just use the group for communication.
• Some will only attend the social events.

Everyone will receive an invitation to join a group and can try another group if the allocated group does not suit their needs.

Through Connect Groups we can learn to love and care for each other and gain a feeling of belonging.

• One person wished to know what measures were being taken to make sure that All Saints is accessible for disabled people. Dawn advised that: –
  • There are two accesses, one with steps and the second a slope.
  • The flooring inside is level, except for a step up to the bell tower, which will be ramped to allow access to the disabled toilet that will be constructed within.
  • There are a few steps in the Chancel and an auto-platform will be installed.
• There were no other questions.

There being no other business the Vicar thanked everyone for attending and the meeting closed with prayers and a reading from Hebrews 12:1-4.