ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH, ASTON-ON-TRENT

A MEETING OF THE PARISHIONERS

WAS HELD IN THE CHURCHYARD VESTRY

ON MONDAY 21st APRIL 2008 AT 7.30 PM

            Rev. Tony Luke began the meeting with prayers, and welcomed everyone.

1a)       MINUTES OF PARISHIONERS MEETING HELD ON 23 APRIL 2007

Minutes read and signed as an accurate record.

1b)       ELECTION OF CHURCHWARDENS

Joe Nutman agreed to stand again. Mike Edge was willing to act as Churchwarden again unless there was anyone else who wished to.  He said that both Joe and he were aware that it was an honour to be Warden and didn’t want to deter anyone else from standing.  He mentioned that he was often away and had to ask someone else to stand in on Sundays.  It was suggested that it is always good to have “deputies” and that Ken Warrender and John Wellings helped on a regular basis.  Should anyone else consider assisting, please have a word with Joe or Mike. There were no other nominations. Proposed by Ken Warrender, Seconded by John Wellings and accepted unanimously.

Tony thanked the Churchwardens and Ken and John for their work.

The admittance of Churchwardens at the Visitation Service for Melbourne and Repton Deaneries will be held on 10^th June, all welcome.

Agm-pcm

29 April 2007

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

2a)       MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 23 APRIL 2007

Read and signed as an accurate record.  Tony suggested that for this year Minutes be e-mailed out to PCC Members, put on the Aston Village website and some copies be placed in church closer towards next year’s meeting.  This would save time in reading out the Minutes at the Annual Meeting 2009.

2b)       MATTERS ARISING

·         Personal invitations to everyone on the Electoral Roll were circulated.

·         The ‘Men’s Group’ had seemed a good idea in principle, but challenging to implement.  However the ‘men’ had risen to the occasion for the Well Dressing weekend.

2c)       ELECTORAL ROLL

Joe Nutman, Electoral Roll Officer reported that there had been no new additions since last year.   It was suggested that regular attenders at church might like to be invited to join the Roll.

2d)       SECRETARY’S REPORT    See attached.

2e)       TREASURER’S REPORT & AUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR 2008

Copies of the audited accounts were circulated.

Bob Foster reported –

Our finances had been boosted by donations in memory of past members of our congregation.

The Hymn Book Appeal raised £528 (+ Gift Aid) which covered almost the total amount.

‘Special Efforts’ despite no autumn concert or Beetle Drive the overall amount raised was similar to the previous year.

The tax return on Gift Aid was to remain at 22% for a further three years.

The Annual Accounts were accepted.  Proposed Joe Nutman, seconded Tony Razell – all in agreement.  Bob was thanked for his excellent and efficient work.

2f)        REPORT ON THE FABRIC, GOODS & ORNAMENTS

The report was given by Joe Nutman on behalf of the Churchwardens.

All items in the church are in good condition, the annual clean being carried out a few months ago.

The ramp into the church, partially funded by the Aston Welfare Trust, is completed and has made a huge difference to access – those arriving in wheelchairs can now gain entrance without difficulty, similarly, should the need for a rapid evacuation of the building ever become necessary this could now be carried out swiftly.  At services where a very large congregation is usual, particularly at Christmas, there is no longer any danger of people tripping over steps.  There is now a plaque indicating the involvement of Aston Welfare Trust on the back of the pews in the north aisle.

A new porch light has been fixed by Roger Twiggs which comes on automatically when the doorway is approached and remains on to help locking up.  This too is a great improvement on what was there before.  Our thanks to Roger for this.

The musical instruments that were taken away for refurbishment have now been returned and are back in the case on the wall next to the tower.

A new side altar frontal and “Faithfinders” banner have been completed, both by Margaret Saxby.  The latter is still to be dedicated.  Our thanks go again to Margaret for her superb work.

Both the piano and organ are regularly maintained.  The organ fund continues to grow slowly.  Whether it keeps pace with the (probably) increasing cost of the eventual organ refurbishment is a moot point however.

Tony offered his thanks to the Churchwardens for their continued vigilance.

2g)       REPORTS FROM ORGANISATIONS AND COMMITTEES

Copies of reports prepared by Convenors of sub-Committees (see attached) were read out.

Buildings Group - Martin Nicholson reported. 

Secretary to send a letter of thanks personally to the workman who did the ramp so well (Martin has his details).

We are grateful to John Holloway and Bob Read of the Aston Local History Group for the “word-bashing” done towards obtaining grants for the vestry refurbishment – and hope and pray that money will start rolling in to enable this exciting project to get started. Stop press: Written confirmation from SDDC of the £25,000 for professional fees has now been received.

Social - Thanks to Margaret Saxby and to all involved for their 20 years of work on the Social Group.

Worship - Thanks to Mike Edge and team who meet 3 to 4 times a year.

Christian Nurture and Sunday School – report from Gail Hudson

This report masks all the collation of material used – young families are made aware of events.

Faith Finders – Their input into the Good Friday Service was appreciated.  A thank you letter for £250 received from Water Aid.  FF contributions to AYCE (Aston’s Young Community Extra – published in the Acorn) are welcomed.  Thanks to all who support this group.

Pastoral  - Report from Suzanne. 

Tony emphasised that the team do need information to be passed on to them and that the church cares for all.  Tony’s ‘fast-off-the-mark’ visits are appreciated.

Outreach – Tony is having a fresh look at a Benefice welcome booklet.

Deanery Synod - Report from Carole, Richard and Margaret. 

Their next meeting to which all are welcomed, will be held at Weston on the subject of Church Schools.

Diocesan Synod – Ken Warrender, our Melbourne Deanery representative reminded us how fortunate we are in the running of our church.  We are grateful to Ken for continuing his term of office until July 2009.

CAMEO - Janet leads this ladies outreach group.

 Mothers' Union – Report from Margaret Allan, Branch Leader.

 Bell Ringers – Colin reported that numbers have reduced, they need at least four people to ring and would welcome new blood.  Had any thought ever been given to bringing the bell ropes down to floor level to save the difficult climb up to the tower?.  Everyone agreed that the church bells ringing was a ‘joyful sound’ on a Sunday morning.

Organ/Music – Thank you to Mike Crocker for the responsibility of playing throughout the year and to Joe for stepping in when needed.

Thanks were offered by Tony and the PCC to all the sub-committees and for their reports which give a view of how varied our church life is.

2h)       APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR/INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

All were in favour of re-appointing Ron Milner as Auditor.  It was voted that a remuneration of £25 be offered to him.

2i)        ELECTION OF PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

One member of the PCC, Andrew Field retires by rotation and was thanked for his service.  Denise Crocker, nominated by Margaret Saxby and seconded by Cath Wellings, agreed to stand.  There were no other nominations.

2j)        ELECTION OF SIDESPERSONS

The present list of ‘Ministry of Welcome’ people was approved and accepted.

Anyone wishing to be added to the list to contact Joe.

2k)       ELECTION OF DEANERY SYNOD REPS

Carole Bagnall and Richard Coates agreed to continue.  Margaret Allan would step down if anyone else wished to fill her place. Thanks were extended to them and they were re-elected.

2l)        ELECTION OF VERGER

Ken Warrender agreed to continue for a tenth year as Verger.   Thanks were offered to Ken and Pat for their regular maintenance work in the church and vestry.  Tony added that he relies on him so much.  Thank you.

2m)      REPORT FROM THE RECTOR       See attached

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

1)    The Question of Faith meetings are so wonderful, allowing everybody a voice.

2)    Christian Aid.  Joe needs one helper to collect on Posey Lane and part of Weston Road.  Tony Luke will encompass it within his area.

3)    Joanna is to be Ordained Priest on Saturday 28^th June in Ashbourne – 80 people are  invited to support her. After our United Benefice Service on Sunday 29^th June to be held here at All Saints’ in Aston, there will be a ‘bring and share’ outdoor buffet lunch for everyone.  Tony offered the use of the Rectory garden.

Tony thanked everyone for their attendance and the meeting closed with prayers at 9.10 pm.

DATE OF NEXT PCC MEETING - Monday 2nd June 2008 at 7.30 pm. in the Churchyard Vestry.

agm-pcm

30 april 2008

SECRETARY’S REPORT 2007/8

At our Annual Meeting in April last year we were pleased to welcome onto the Church Council five new members – Willie Tucker, Matt Day, John Wellings, Tony Razzell and Martin Nicholson, who joined Jean Longley, Margaret Saxby and the other officers.  It has been good to have Matt Day around to voice the views of The Faithfinders. To hear at first-hand from Martin Nicholson on all matters building – more from him in the sub-committee reports. From John Wellings who gives support to the Church Wardens by taking on the responsibility of Evening Services. And to have the expertise of Willie Tucker and Tony Razzell.  This year we only have one retiring member by rotation – Andrew Field who has completed his three years – thank you Andrew – so only one vacancy therefore to fill.

The PCC met four times during the year in June, September, November and February and in May and November jointly with representatives from the other Trent & Derwent Parishes.

In June, the green hymn books “Hymns Old & New” were introduced. We were pleased to have the disabled ramp into church finally completed with such a good job done – can you remember the old rickety board?  Also a further three window guards were fitted on the north windows.  Sadly our application for a grant from the Big Lottery was turned down.

On a happier note in July Joanna was ordained as Deacon and joined our Ministry Team as Curate for our Benefice and our good friend Rev John Lear was authorised by Bishop Alistair to preside at Communion. 

The Well Dressing and Flower Festival was upon us and the church was designated “The Call of the Disciples” to interpret – Suzanne came up with the brilliant idea of asking our new disciples (the new men on the group), if they would take this on. They did a wonderful job – you remember the upturned boat?   Again this whole event was amazing with so many groups taking part, and we thank Suzanne and John Lear for co-ordinating it and of course, for Margaret and her band of ladies with the usual money-spinning refreshments.

Encouragement for our youngest children was enhanced by the Summer Holiday Club.  This is important work and the PCC are grateful to Gail and her helpers and congratulate them on their success and for their on-going work with the Sunday School.

Our annual church Spring Clean finally happened at the end of September this year. The combined Harvest Service in the Memorial Hall with the Methodists was supported - but the traditional produce in church was missed, we are thinking about this for the coming year.  In time for the darker nights a sensor light was fixed over the church and we thank Roger Twiggs for installing it.  We were very pleased to see the Faithfinders proudly carrying their new banner at the Remembrance Day Service in November.

The project to refurbish the Churchyard Vestry along with the History Group and to turn it into a useful Community facility, has taken a roller-coater ride of highs and lows over the past year.  Without the expert help of John Holloway and Bob Read, it would have been difficult to know where to start.  Their continued enthusiasm means we are still hopeful that once we have secured enough grants from the various bodies, planning can begin.  Meanwhile a separate Project Team from the two groups has been formed in preparation.  A joint “Friends of the Aston Heritage Centre” group has also been created to raise and handle any money received for the project.  Meanwhile the Vestry roof has survived another winter, we are ever hopeful that it will be it’s last.

As ever the relatively small Church Council could not perform anything like as well without its “whanau” (that is a Maori term for extended family). You will understand what a wide net they spread when you hear their reports. Thank you from us, to all the unmentioned and willing members of the congregation who do so much to keep All Saints’ Church the happy and vibrant place that it is – the participants in services for readings, prayers and music, the after-service coffee providers, the cleaners and flower arrangers. We feel so, so lucky and blessed to have our friendly and efficient Ministry Team led of course by Tony – long may it last.

We have a challenging and changing year ahead and we hope that you will all continue to support us and Tony with the decisions we have to make on your behalf.  Thank you.

Ann Adams