8 July 2025, 7:30pm
Present: Mike Campbell (chair), Father Kevin, Deacon Stephen Parker, David Bellamy (minutes), Jen Benzies, Maria Levesley, Stephen Spooner, Sian Price, Ben Ryan, Sue MacDonald (Youth leader for the diocese) and her guest Ben.
Apologies: Sarah Lynch, Eva Kaltenthaler, Richard McQuinn, Sam Caldwell, Richard Bushell.
Opening prayer: led by MC
Minutes of the last meeting: passed without debate
Matters arising:
- Jubilee pilgrimage to Padley Chapel: Choices: 1. 30th August, 2. 6th September. Hopefully Fr Kevin will say Mass. Fallback is Fr Patrick Harrigan
- Confirmation Programme in September: no returns yet
- Draft Budget: see below
- Boundary wall: the diocese has a quote, Hallam FC’s quote is pending. Once in, there will be a meeting of all interested parties.
- Buzzing speaker: DB invited a technician from a local AV company to inspect the current system. All components are 30+ years old. The radio mic was bought before changes in radio frequency regulations and is now operating on illegal frequencies including wifi and emergency services. A replacement will be trialled in the forthcoming weeks. The mixer is a potential fire hazard. The speakers have no complaints, but could be improved with new directional ones. The elements to be replaced has not been decided yet.
- Tour de Hallam: Ruth Sheldon, dressed as a bee arrived and was greeted by around ten parishioners.
Action: would Alan Wenham write an article for the Chronicle?
- Welcome sheet/committee: BR has submitted suggestions to renew our mission statement, our synodal processes, communication around the parish and parish council structure.
- There will be a new group formed of SP, SS, BR, JB, DB and Father Kevin to consider welcome group training and future planning of parish activities.
- There was much discussion about Synodality. There was dismay at the lack of diocesan response to our (all) parish submissions. We need more training in the process as we have only seen a small part of its implications. We favour a parish retreat day with training. Possible resources from the diocese and above could include School for Synodality. www.schoolforsynodality.org.uk/
- Communications will be experimented with by BR with WhatsApp groups initially.
- The new group will discuss reorganisation of subgroups of the council and BR wishes to make meetings more fluid with online discussions and less formal timings.
Spirituality & Liturgy:
No report
Justice & Peace:
There is an upcoming treasure hunt in the garden. It is hoped that this with create more friendships particularly in the younger youth.
SP updated us on Live Simply including details on the Toilet Twinning initiative.
The Covenant with the Poor was noted. DB will compute the parish offertory income and start distributing to the nominated charities.
Youth Ministry: as RB was not present a report could not be presented.
There was a discussion about making the parish more welcoming for youth and children, particularly spaces mixing inclusion in Mass and age appropriate play. A creche was discussed. Some wanted more children involved in the music group. We can open the Assisi Hall for youth activities around Mass.
Finance Committee:
DB updated the meeting on the debate at PFC where it had been decided NOT to make a detailed budget. We are in a relatively sound financial footing and drafting a budget would be more work than necessary. Upcoming expenditures outside normal are for the rebuilding of the wall, repairs to the roof and replacing parts of the PA system.
Maintenance:
Wall: see above
Roof leaks: we are no further on, but DB has written to John Clarke (diocesan property manager) for an update.
Father Kevin’s concerns:
Fr Kevin suggested a group to assist with the weekly Bidding Prayers/ Prayers of the faithful.
Any other business:
Sue MacDonald thought we had a well organised meeting.
Closing prayer: led by Father Kevin
Next meeting: 9th September 7:30 pm in the parish room