THORNTON METHODIST CHURCH
MINUTES OF CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY MARCH 11TH at 7.30 p.m.
Rev Stephen Dunn led worship at the start of the meeting. Apologies were received from Anthony Woodhouse.
Present:
Chris Albury, Pat Gregory, Gillian Mathews, Esther Mathews, Julie Marsh, Eileen Harper, Jean Casson, Rob Singleton, Bernice Smith, Brian and Anne Robbins, Stephen Breese, Viv Johnston and Rev Stephen Dunn.
It was noted that – as the new safeguarding officer – Jacqui Bailey is now a member of Church Council and will be forwarded a copy of the minutes from this meeting.
Rev Stephen expressed the sadness of Church Council at our loss of Lesley Butterworth and also acknowledged the very many ways in which she quietly worked to keep everything running smoothly.
Correspondence
We have received a CCLI (broadcast license) which permits us to broadcast media such as worship songs, and for which we pay an annual fee.
Minutes of the meeting held on Oct 5[th] 2020 were approved, with one correction noted.
Matters Arising
Wifi – This is now up and running in the building and will allow things such as Facebook Live sessions and the streaming of worship. It will also be very helpful for youth work, enabling leaders to quickly access Bible passages and videos from the internet. The provider is Vodaphone, although Rev Stephen pointed out that the wifi is intended for organisational – rather than personal – use.
Church Council Membership – Stephen Breese will ask Geoff Roberts if he would be interested in serving on Church Council.
GDPR
GDPR is a privacy law designed to protect the personal data of individuals.
Rev Stephen asked that all correspondence sent out by the church secretary should be addressed to him, with all other email addresses included as 'BCC' in order to keep them private. Stephen Breese pointed out that 'CC' is permissible for members who agreed.
This led to a discussion about permission, with Rev Stephen stating he has received a 10 point checklist asking us to review our procedures. In effect, we need to 'cleanse' data, destroying any
information we have about individuals that we no longer require. We need to make sure that all contact information we hold is correct and review current consents.
Eileen said that Geoff Bottomley has offered to assist in understanding and implementing whatever is necessary. Rev Stephen said that we need someone to take charge of this and that it is something that should be reviewed annually, but should only take a few hours.
It was noted that GDPR was something that had been handled in the past by Lesley, and Julie said that Lesley had previously created a form just for TMC. This form might be on Lesley's laptop, so Julie will ask Lesley's family to check. If the form is available, it was agreed that the quickest solution would be to have everyone to fill it in again, rather than review old forms.
Safeguarding
There are no updates on this at present and the safeguarding policy won't need renewing until October.
Circuit Stewards Report
This was circulated prior to the meeting and is attached to the official minutes.
As stated in the report, there have been discussions regarding a potential merger between the North Fylde, South Fylde and Blackpool circuits, amalgamating at least two or possibly all three. This is being put to the vote in an upcoming circuit meeting.
Welcoming Katie
Our new Reverend Katie Leonowicz will be arriving in the summer, with a welcoming service on 5[th] September at 6.30 pm. Rev Stephen believes this will be held in Pilling. This service will also welcome Sarah Lamb, who is joining the circuit as a probationer and will be living in Pilling. It is unclear at this point whether Katie will live in Rev Stephen's former home, or in Anchorsholme.
It was agreed by Church Council that Rev Katie should be made an Authorised Person to conduct weddings.
Rev Stephen said that it would be nice to send a few emails welcoming Katie and asking if she would need any help with her move – Viv agreed to contact her in this regard.
Bernice asked about Rev Stephen's leaving service – this will be held in conjunction with Ruth's in Fleetwood, on 18[th] July at 6 pm, although it was noted that we could do something locally too. The date of Rev Stephen's move to the Great Eccleston Free Methodist Church has yet to be confirmed, but if there is a gap before Rev Katie arrives, it will be short.
Finance and Property
Stephen Breese said that the tradesmen appointed to do the work highlighted in the risk assessment were waiting for the go ahead. It was agreed that this should be given and Stephen said he would contact them immediately.
He also pointed out that – although the contracts for the utilities are not due for renewal until next year - he has negotiated new terms to avoid the upcoming price hikes on gas and is currently negotiating in order to keep the electricity bills down too.
It has been noted that the bank we use to deposit cash and cheques in Cleveleys is closing down. There was a short discussion about the idea of opening an account with a different bank in Cleveleys for the purpose of making the deposits, then electronically transferring funds to our original account. Rev Stephen said that it would be a good idea for Church Council to give the Finance team permission to explore banking options. This was agreed.
Rev Stephen stated that circuit has reduced church contributions by 50%, but that we are asking for a much greater reduction on a permanent basis as we have a deficit.
Stephen B noted that we have the quinquennial report coming up, but that the regular checks and proactive approach used to date should mean there are no unexpected problems.
Rev Stephen said that Will Hunter will be meeting with all church treasurers and ministers to discuss the current financial difficulties everyone is experiencing and to assist with working out solutions.
Children and Youth
Because of the pandemic, children haven't been able to meet for worship. The weekly Zoom meeting was well supported for some time but is now receiving fewer and fewer participants. Activities for families have been included on the weekly worship sheet.
It was noted that – whilst church is reopening this Sunday – the children's groups will probably not be restarting until after Easter.
Mission
Circumstances have meant that the opportunities for mission have been quite limited. The sewing of scrubs, bags, caps etc for the Vic continued for some time. Donations of food were made which Rev Stephen passed to the food bank and food parcels were delivered to the needy. People are still doing grocery shopping for those who are shielding and worship sheets have been delivered by Gillian, Esther and Pat. Rev Stephen said that – whilst these have been useful – it is now important to note that it is safe for church to reopen and that people should be encouraged to return when they feel ready.
Prior to the meeting, Gillian came up with the idea of getting the Easter gospel message into schools along with a chocolate gift. Stephen Breese confirmed that there is money in the mission fund for this.
No membership cards have been given out for some time as most pastoral carers are shielding. There was a short discussion about how we should go about delivering them – there were a couple of volunteers and Sarah Dunn will put out a plea for more help.
Future Church Councils – The next meeting is to be held in the week commencing (but not including) 13[th] September 2021. Viv will
contact Rev Katie to see when she will be available, so an exact date that week can be set
The meeting closed with prayers at 8.45 p.m.
ACCOLINTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Thornton Methodist Church Unr¢stri¢ted R?ri¢d Totab this Funds Funds Totals last SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 47.755 47,75S 59,531 a3 52 52 325 a4 Lettin 3,987 5.579 57,373 3.987 39,595 91,389 8,610 26,474 a5 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 34.016 ¥016 a6 la7) SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 33.437 33,437 916 53,500 b3 Donations 916 1,666 Re airs and Maitenance Ulililies (Insurances, water L*8rges. heating & li htin 6.448 18,070 b5 9,242 9242 10,493 b6 b7 Other pawnents TOTAL PAYMENTS 2.997 29.770 29.770 32,767 82.810 29,005 112.734 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ¢1 4.333 4.246 8.579 17,794 Total funds brought foTh¥ard from last year 39.146 8.375 47,521 65,315 Sub total c1+G2 43.479 12.621 56.100 47.521 Transfefs and ad'ustments TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c4) 43.479 12,621 56.11)0 1¢8} 47.521 (c61 SECTION O FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO ExfERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts are not to be Included In totsl recelptslpayments fi d1 Balanc8 brou ht forward frorn last d2 Offerin sIGrfts- received for exlemal d3 OfforingslGifts - passed to extemal (aniSatiOnS BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3)
Nameof Church.... .. .. ... ..Thomton M8thodlst Church Ind•p•nd•nt Examln•r'8 Statement I have completed my èxamlnation. I confirm that no matsrial matters have come to my attentlon In connection with the examlnatlon {other than that disclosed below'l which glve me cause to bellave that in. any material respeot: the accounting records vRre not kept in accordan¢e with sectlon 130 of the A¢t; or the accounts do not accord wlth the accounting records. lthe [the I have no concems and have come across no othèr matters In conn8Ctlon vAth th8 8xamln8tlon to which attention should be drawn In thls report In order to enable a proper understandlng of th8 accounts to be reached. I hewelhave not. obtBln8d Independent verlflcatlon of all investments With the Tru8te88 for Methodlst Churth Purpos9$ or held In olher trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Flnance Board of the Methodlsl Church whlch ar8 indivldually In excess of £10,000 (tsn thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Slgnature of Sndep8ndent èxamlner Name of independent examln8r Relevant profe831onal qualificatlon of independent examlner YICL O Nam8 of firm (where approprlate) Address J 1&hJ L hNQS Post Code Date delete or drcle as approprlate se20 2015 church R and P.xLB Sof5