BALLYMACARRETT PARISH CHURCH
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL EASTER VESTRY
PRESENT
Rev John Cunningham Anne Allan Catherine Allison Catherine Bradley Linda Cunningham Betty Duckett Myrtle Fitzsimmons Brian Hilton John Holland Kevin Holt Jennifer Jemphrey Edith Magill Geoffrey McConnell Isabelle McKendrick Lillian Stokes Irene Vance Philip Vance Roy Vance
OPENING
The Rector opened the meeting with Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Lent and prayers.
APOLOGIES
Elaine Bickerstaff, Alex Cooke, June Cooke, Catherine Neill, Beverley Russell Browne,
MINUTES OF THE 2022 ANNUAL EASTER VESTRY
Proposed and unanimously agreed that the minutes be taken as read.
MATTERS ARISING
None
CHAIRMAN’S REPORTT
The Rector began by thanking everybody for attending the meeting. He reflected on his time in Ballymacarrett and the progress that has been made since he began his ministry in the parish. The parish has enabled numerous projects to take place, such as The Larder in St Christopher’s and The Gathering in The St Martin’s Centre. The Divine Healing service on a Thursday night in the church is well attended. The buildings belonging to the parish have been improved over the past 12 years with
tower, roof, organ and heating in the church renovated. The boiler in the rectory has also been replaced.
The Rector reported that the congregation is aging and there is on average about 50 people attending worship on a Sunday. There is a lack of young families in the congregation but there has been five new members attending in the past year. This 10% growth in attendance is hopeful for the future.
The Bishop who visited the church recently, assured the congregation that the church would not be closing but there would be changes when the Rector retired. The Rector completed his report by saying that he was optimistic for the future of the Parish.
FINANCE
The Hon. Treasurer began by thanking Gemma Hilton, our book keeper, for all her work and guidance in the preparation of the accounts. This year has been her first complete year and her experience and guidance have been invaluable. She, unfortunately, cannot attend tonight and sends her personal thanks to the Vestry for allowing her to continue looking after the books. Her prayers are with us as a Church in the year to come. The treasurer also thanked Beverley Russell-Browne, who has been in the background helping and guiding both Gemma and herself. Thanks was also given thanks to the counters, Beverley, Betty, Irene and Edith and (tea-maker John)who meet every fortnight to count the envelopes and do the banking. Our best wishes and prayers also go to Cathy Neill, who has not been able to be with the counters due to illness.
The Hon. Treasurer reported that the year ended with a balance of £75,871; last year’s figure (2021) the balance was £92,854, leaving a deficit of £17,983. This was partly due to the FWO being down by £6,532 and Gift Aid down by £1,788. There has also been a substantial increase in utility bills, especially the cost of oil. Last year we paid out £7,911 for oil for both St Martin’s and St Patrick’s. This year to date we have paid out £6,536 and we have still 9 months till the end of the year.
Utility costs is a big concern and the treasurer ask everyone to be vigilant in making sure lights are switched off and meters, controls and clocks, etc., are checked on a regular basis.
The Treasurer did not wish to paint a negative picture, as we are in a good position financially, thanks to our parishioners, but wanted to make everyone aware as to what the future may hold regarding expenditure.
Lastly she thanked the parishioners who, when an appeal is made, are more than generous with their giving.
A copy of the accounts is attached to these minutes.
APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS
This being a triennial year, the Rector outlined what Nominators and Supplementals do.
The Rector appointed Jennifer Jemphrey as his Churchwarden and Kevin Holt as his Glebewarden.
People’s Churchwarden: Roy Vance: proposed by Anne Allan and seconded by John Holland
People’s Glebewarden: John Holland, proposed by Kevin Holt and seconded by Roy Vance.
The following were nominations were elected by ballot. The ballots were counted by Linda Cunningham, Catherine Bradley and Brian Hilton
Parochial Nominators: Anne Allan, Kevin Holt, Geoffrey McConnell, Lillian Stokes
Supplemental Parochial Nominators: Alex Cooke, Betty Duckett, Brian Hilton, John Holland
The following were proposed and elected to stand
Diocesan Synodsperson: Anne Allan, Kevin Holt
Supplemental Diocesan Synodsperson: Irene Vance, Geoffrey McConnell
Select Vestry: Anne Allan, Elaine Bickerstaff, Catherine Bradley, Alex Cooke, Betty Duckett,
Brian Hilton, Jennifer Jemphrey, Edith Magill, Geoffrey McConnell, Isabelle McKendrick,
Irene Vance, Philip Vance, Roy Vance.
Auditor: Anne Allan proposed that Richard McClay of McCreery, Turkington Stockman Ltd. be reappointed auditor. This was agreed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Lillian Stokes on behalf of everyone present, thanked the Rector and Linda Cunningham for their dedicated ministry in the parish.
There being no other business, the meeting was closed with The Grace.
Signed:_____ Date:____