Present: Mike Campbell (chair), Eva Kaltenthaler (minutes) Stephen Spooner, Father Kevin, Sian Price, Maria Levesley, Richard Bushell, Deacon Stephen Parker, Anne Shepherd, Lindsay Reynolds and Paul Middlemas.
Apologies: Richard McQuinn
Opening prayer was said by Father Kevin
Parish Council E-mail address
Paul explained that the Parish Council has an e-mail address that is currently being managed by Anthony Rossiter, who is no longer on the Parish Council. A discussion was held as to whether or not it was necessary to keep this e-mail address as it was not used much at all. It was agreed that the Parish e-mail address would be used instead and all relevant e-mails received would be directed to the Parish Council. Paul will make the necessary change to the website to reflect this.
Matters Arising
Minutes of the meeting held on 13 Sept 2022 were approved.
Church hall hire:
The checklist is under development. At present only the History Society is renting the Hall and as this is run by a Parish member a checklist is not required.
Church maintenance
David Hughes is replacing some lamps with LED ones. However, the purchased lamps do not work with the current fittings. The fittings may need to be replaced.
The flooring in the church is worn and stained in places. Replacement of the carpet will be considered in the future.
Lifts to Mass
Clare Morgan has kindly agreed to coordinate lifts to Mass. One person came for two weeks and Clare transported them. Currently there is no one offering or needing lifts to Mass. Information on lifts to Mass will go on the website. Paul will organise this.
Parish Walk
The Parish Walk took place on 6 November and was attended by 23 people. It was agreed that walks for the Parish would be held about three times each year. The next one will take place after Christmas and then around Easter organised by Mike and Nikki Kearsley
Spirituality
A number of Spirituality activities have been planned:
- A Lenten day retreat run by Deacon Stephen Parker will be held on 4 March 2023.
- A Taize evening in Advent to be led by Maria Levesley, date to be announced shortly.
- The Big Picture course will be held in the new year. This is a 12-week course and may be split into two parts.
There was some discussion about holding an evening session on the Synod. The evening would be focussed on listening to each other and how we would continue with the Synodial process. In the first instance the Parish Council might meet to do this.
Pastoral Care and Community
Events are starting to happen again across the Christian community in the area. There will be a Carol singing and coffee event on 28 November at Stephen Hill Methodist Church.
On 11 December Tapton Hill Congregational Church will have a Carol Service at 2:45pm with the Loxley Silver Band.
St Luke’s has a new vicar. Anne Shepherd will keep us up to date on planned events in the area and how St Francis Church might contribute to these.
Justice and Peace
Maria talked about the Eco church movement. The Justice and Peace Group had recently agreed to sign up to this scheme. However, as a Catholic church we will need to follow Live Simply instead. This will be taken up by the Justice and Peace Group at their next meeting in January.
Stephen S spoke about raising funds for a CAFOD World Gift this Advent. He suggested a water supply costing £750. He will make a poster of a Christmas tree and sell stickers after Mass for this. A JustGiving page will be set up for this. Information will go into the Franciscan soon.
Youth Ministry
The youth group now has seven members and they meet once a month. They will be running a Youth Mass for Christ the King on the 21st November. The group will be working on a Board Games event for the Parish in the New Year.
Stephen P and Richard will discuss Confirmation. Other Parishes have started Confirmations again. We may have joint Confirmation classes with St Williams.
Other activities
The Screen will remain open at the back of the church for the time being as it is still being used by Parishioners who feel vulnerable. It was agreed that there should be a standard procedure each Sunday as follows: the door to the Narthex should stay open and the screen remains open. The main door to the church and windows will remain closed. Welcomers should be informed about the standard procedure.
Action: Mike to e-mail Alan to ask him to inform the welcomers of this decision.
At the beginning of Advent the Offertory procession and collection will resume.
There has been a price increase for the gardeners who look after the grounds around the church. The cost will now be £24.50/hour. This was agreed to be acceptable.
There may be another cake and Foodbank drive after Mass between Epiphany and Lent.
Father Kevin read the Closing prayer.
Date of next meeting 10 January 2023 at 7pm.