ASC APCM 27.4.25
Apologies received from Mthr Nicola, Adam Chivers, Charlotte and Isabel Hopkins, Swarna Simpson, John Davenport, Paul Roberts, Paul and Sandy Gale, Bob and Jenny Bell, Marnie and Jonathan Frere, Georgina Harford,Mike Benton Christina Biggs 27 people present.
Prayers
Minutes of last year’s meeting
Accepted. Proposed : Vicky Gordon, 2nd Sue Perry.
New Electoral Roll, (reconstituted from new every 6 years) was received. There are 91 members on the Roll, 62 are non-resident, 29 resident. Others have completed a form to be included on the ER since it was closed a few weeks ago. It is an important document, so please complete a form if you have not yet done so, it is now open to revision and. Tellers were appointed in case of votes: Sue and Paul H as tellers
Meeting of the Parish
This meeting is open to anyone who lives in the parish. Annette Young is stepping down after 5 years. We have been blessed with such high quality and willing volunteers over the years. Fr Charles thanked Annette for all she has doe.
Nominations for new church wardens: Martin Robinson (continuing in post) and Vicky Gordon. Both duly elected.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
Deanery Synod Annual Report was received. Our Deanery Synod reps are Elizabeth Thomas, Bob Bell. There is a vacancy for a third representative. Fr Charles is Area Dean 4 PCC members Paul G Mary, John D and Eric T standing down. We have 4 nominations: Annette, Paul, John, Mary nominated. Proposed: Jessica Smith, seconded: Christine Ostler. Casual vacancy: James Norman has stood down, we thank him for his service. New vacancy will run until 2027. Nominated: Simon Davison. Prop Janice H second Liz. Agreed Cooption of LLM to PCC. Liz Vicky Sue. Helen is already on PCC as Deanery Lay Chair, Fr Charles
Annual report and financial statement. Went to 8.4 PCC.
Pcc had 1.5 hour pres. from ET
PG covers P share
Lettings cover gas and electricity costs. The rest of running costs comes from our reserves, either interest on investments (which has done well) or other reserves.
ET has looked at where we could reduce our income. This is not possible without significantly cutting down on our activity, (eg dispensing with a Parish Administrator, turning off the heating). We need to increase our pledged giving in order to
MB: Are we charging enough for letting? Eg, candlelit concerts which charge high ticket prices MR: there is an upper limit to what people are prepared to pay. As Candlelit concerts are heavy users of the room
ET: income from Randall Room lets has come down, income from letting the church has gone up. £70,000 is our PG, 10 extra would only be 7,000 extra.
We have taken a view that we have a standard rate for letting a room. Janice H: How much have we lost through not having an open plate collection? ET/MR : we need to put something in the pew leaflet every week to how to give Richard: it’s a visible sign of giving, whether you are a regular giver or not.
AM: Many of the benefits we now enjoy are a result of the generosity of past worshippers. Remind people to consider the church when writing their will.
VS: maybe make the anniversary Sunday an opportunity for considering our giving. appointment of independent examiner.
ER Charles: ET is finishing his time as Treasurer. He has done exemplary professional work, in policies and practice, regulating the activity of the Incumbent and CWs in financial matters. Reappointment of Balfour as independent examiners Helen second, ET prop
Chair’s remarks
We thank the previous generations for what they have given.
50.000 left to us a few years ago. Curate spoke to the sitting on wall. Hugely important to talk to ppl
We rely on using our space to increase our income, eg more daytime letting. Need to ensure we maximise the letting of Randall Room. Church is a lucrative space, but some lets require a minimum of 18C. We lose bookings
We cannot take part in the Warm Space initiative with BCC because we don’t have an accessible toilet.
Fees for candlelit concerts are reviewed on a regular basis.
We need to run a Stewardship Campaign, a team will be appointed to look at revenue streams, in the course of the coming year.
Sunday worshippers do not get a full picture of how the church is used through the week. Eg, Fr C has talked to a young-ish couple who come in on a regular basis. They don’t come to services, but the church is very important to them. They see AS as their church, and come in regularly to ‘be’. They had used the Food Point. This morning when church was being opened before the 9 am service, 2 ppl waiting to come in and light candles.
Last night FC was going to lock up, there was a group of Pakistani Christians praying. A member o the family at home was seriously ill and they couldn’t find any other church open. FC prayed with them. Encouraged to speak to ppl or let them be, make a judgement.
During this week, there was queue to speak to Wendy. Our Parish Administrator is magnificent. She describes herself as agnostic, FC i hear the heart of God beating within her. Between us, we make this place live for others in so many ways. When we look at the numbersmoney or attendance at services, easy to wish things were different, but we do so much for others in so many ways. I thank God for it.
Opportunity for questions
Brendan: Diocesan Synod heard a presentation by Caroline Plaice of HT Horfield about using Sharesy, a web-based system which uses search engines to promote our plant for room bookings. Is this something for us to look at?
FC: We did look at this. It could be a solution, particularly when Wendy retires. At the moment, the commission paid does not make it worthwhile.
MB: this has also been discussed at Diocese TCT meetings.Sharesy does not necessarily give you control over who books the building.
HS: Hubchurch (we use them for the website) offer other services, eg for room booking. Free, a Christian organisation. Not sure if they have the same capacity to optimise through search engines.
JH: optimising use of buildings does demand management by someone. It can provide extra burden on CWs and clergy.
VS: Doors Open day? It happens every 2 years, should be happening this autumn. Preachers are not always audible if they stand at the chancel steps.
Andrew Morgan: an important part of the ministry of our church is how smart the outside of the church looks. Alistair the gardener does a magnificent job. Thanks to him and the Endowment Trust who make it possible.
We have a problem with a drain PCC will pay for the necessary drain works PCC members and Deanery Synod meeting Appointment of PCC secretary Vicky, Chris all in favour Appointment of Treasurer: Karen Haigh has provided advice to Church Commissioners on ethical inestments Proposed: Sue, seconded: Vicky Administrants and Sidespeople: Annette, Mary Accepted Thanks to Church and Community group for sandwiches. Close with prayer led by Jessica
Next APCM: 26.4.26