This is a summary of the main points from the meeting:
- Heating System Update: The Diocesan Advisory Committee requires that we install a type of self-standing radiator which looks like the existing radiators. This involves an additional cost of £16K. An anonymous member of our congregation has donated £5K and also agreed to provide and interest-free loan to cover the VAT (which will be re-fundable). The contractor has agreed to stagger some of the costs over the next two years and the meeting agreed to a plan which will enable us to get the right radiators and stick to the February installation dates. Of course we still need to raise the money!
- Seven Marks of a Healthy Church: the meeting explored an church evaluation model and committed to using it to review all aspects of our Church life. We will examine one of the seven marks at each of our meetings over the next year.
- Fund-Raising: the meeting considered new ways we could sell our Christmas Cards, finalised arrangements for the Christmas (Snowman) Concert, discussed possible stalls for the School/Church Summer Fete (13th June) and decided to apply to run the raffle at the Hog Roast next year. Responding to a report from the fund-raising Sub-Committee, the PCC resolved to establish a longer-term funding policy set against our Mission Action Plan. This will enable us to apply to foundations to fund new initiatives. Finally, it was agreed to invite those in receipt of the Winter Fuel Allowance to donate it to our heating fund this year if it is not needed at home.
- Burnham Christmas Fair (5th Dec): Volunteers are needed for the ‘Churches Together’ stall to help set up, clear up and make mince pies (sign up sheet at back of church for next two weeks)
- First Newsletter to be delivered to all homes in Taplow: This was distributed; list at the back of church for signing up to deliver different roads. The emphasis this time is on the Christmas Services. It is expected that the next newsletter will be produced prior to Easter (with the Holy Week services) and it will hopefully be funded by local advertisements.
- Civic Service: We have been asked to host this service next year (Sunday, 15th March at 2:00pm). It was considered that this was an appropriate and useful opportunity for us to serve our wider community.
- Health and Safety: final arrangements are made for a fire drill one Sunday morning.
- Treasurer/Finance Report: The PCC was made aware that in recent years, our income is failing against our expenditure and that we are reaching a crisis point when we may not be in a position to pay our Parish Share. It was agreed that we needed to find all ways to alert our Church Community to this situation and particularly to encourage an increase in regular giving. A donation unit is to be installed by Christmas incorporating the card reader and the finance sub-committee will produce a document outlining the situation and suggesting ways we can help; eg leaving money to the church in our wills.
- Worship: the Sub-committee continues to work through the outcomes of the Worship Survey and they have looked in detail at our Parish Communion service. A two question survey form will be issued to the congregation on Advent Sunday as part of this review.
- Mission and Outreach: This new sub committee has met and set the scene for the sort of things it would like to explore. Evidence was shown of greater involvement in community life which we want to build upon.
- Social Activities: the meeting welcomed a report from the Social Committee highlighting the successful Harvest Lunch and the Quiz night, both of which raised significant funds for the heating. Given the heating situation, for our Patronal Festival (8th Dec) our morning service will be followed by hot drinks and mince pies (rather than a lunch).
