1 Aug 2005 - News from <i>The Link</i>
LANDLUBBERS: 1-3 September 10am-12 noon
Come and have fun on a treasure island with LANDLUBBERS holiday club at Highbury Congregational Church. For 4-11 year olds. (Booking forms in church)
LANDLUBBERS Service at Highbury Church at 10.30am on Sunday 4 September.
Please note: there will be no 10am service at St Luke's on 4 September.
June PCC meeting
This PCC meeting on 13th June was attended by Paul Harris, Team Vicar of the West Cheltenham Team, in his role as joint Rural Dean for Cheltenham. We discussed the interregnum at length and thanked Paul for the support we have received from the West Cheltenham Team in leading and preaching at our services. We are also receiving a lot of support from David Lawrence and Margaret Thame from St Michael's Church, Whaddon as well as many other clergy in Cheltenham. Geoffrey Cox and Pete Burke also have done quite a few services.
Paul encouraged us to continue looking outwards not inwards during the interregnum and to strengthen our links with the community. We also discussed the Deanery re-organisation and the role of the Deanery Pastoral Committee and our need for decisions to be made swiftly to enable St Luke's to move on.
We also discussed the arrangements regarding wedding fees and the various charges that are set by the diocese for weddings. Further investigation is to be done to check what other churches are charging.
Chris Foy gave a finance report which was encouraging, but would still give a small deficit at the end of the year. We need to continue to encourage financial giving.
July PCC Meeting
The PCC met on Monday 18th July under the chairmanship of Churchwarden Pete Ralphs. One of the first topics to be raised was the future of The Link newsletter as a paid-for communications tool, and it was felt unanimously that for the relatively nominal income brought to the church via the Cover Price of 30p and the high administrative costs of collecting this money, we should make it a free publication. It was also felt that we might be charging people for the very information we were keen people knew about. Because some people may still wish to make contributions towards the cost of the newsletter, it was agreed we would invite people to make voluntary donations. This motion was carried, meanwhile Guy, Simon and Jonathan promised to meet together in the absence of a formed Communications work group to discuss this and other communications issues.
Chris Foy, Treasurer, ran through the latest update on the accounts which showed a predicted shortfall to the end of the year of nearly £3,500, although giving in the last two months in particular had slowed down slightly also. That said, significant provisions were set aside to cover extraordinary church maintenance, repairs and decorations and this may not be called up in which case a balanced year-end may still be possible. There was a general hope that people individually at St Luke's would each continue to give as generously as they could to the ongoing costs of the church through weekly or monthly giving in recognition of rising costs, every higher Parish Share and general upkeep.
The major item discussed at the PCC revolved around our service to children and youth and for this reason, Wes Bell, Youth Worker shared with Cheltenham Youth for Christ (CYFC), joined the PCC meeting for the evening. Wes had prepared a report for the PCC that reflected the things he had discovered throughout his early months with us, together with his recommended way forward which involved supporting two distinct age-groups, 11-14 and 14+ for whom a separate weekly activity session would be organized for Sunday evenings at the Hall or in the church building. The PCC greeted the recommendations warmly, encouraging Wes's excellent work so far and offered funding for the monthly material costs of £35. It was agreed to proceed with a September start but to review progress early in the New Year. A call for adult helpers was made. It was also stressed that the youth work would be tied in with Highbury and Holy Apostle's youth activity whenever feasible to add to numbers, critical mass and success to the events where appropriate and possible.
Guy Woodcock
FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS
Life goes on apace. We are grateful for the support of the many people who keep things running smoothly. We enjoyed a very successful Family Barbecue on Crickley Hill at the beginning of July and are now looking forward to the Landlubbers Holiday Club at the beginning of September and our Away Day towards the end of September.
You will see from the notes of recent PCC meetings that we are actively talking to the Diocese about plans for our future. Generally in Gloucester Diocese interregna last about 6-9 months but, with the work in the Deanery Pastoral Committee to set a strategic plan for Cheltenham, it is possible that we will not be able to start looking for a replacement for Mike before the end of 2005.
Wes Bell has now been with us for nearly 4 months and we look forward to working with him to develop his plans for youth work from the beginning of next term.
We look forward to welcoming as many as possible not only to our services on a Sunday but also to all the other activities that go on throughout the week. If you have any questions about the interregnum, the running of the church, or any other issues you wish to discuss with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Peter Ralphs (01452 613443)
Simon Barton (01242 515890)
Church Mission Society
C.M.S is a movement of ordinary people, secular and ordained which started in the 18th Century to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to be a channel for Christ's love and compassion all over the World - in cities, among many faiths and sub-cultures, among women and young people, children, and in education, health and healing.
This is possible by the support of people in Churches like us at St Luke's, who through prayer, reading and use of the 'Yes' magazine, regular giving, sponsored walks and attendance at Conferences and meetings, try to be understanding and informed about the spread of Christianity in the World, especially where the name of Christ is rarely heard.
C.M.S produce a monthly tape, and this is listened to be a group of members of Cheltenham Churches and is a good way of keeping up to date with what is going on in the World.
There is also a prayer time and e-mail bulletin. Crowthern Hall in Birmingham has for many years been the centre for training missionaries, but recently it has been decided that this should be sold, and training centres be set up in different parts of the world, in order to be nearer the people who need help.
Mike Lodge, our ex-vicar, was sponsored by C.M.S when he went to Uganda and we have supported several families as Mission Partners whilst they were serving in Kenya and Uganda. We hope we may be allocated another mission partner before too long. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury is our Patron.
Pauline Bewsher (St Luke's C.M.S Rep)
Come and have fun on a treasure island with LANDLUBBERS holiday club at Highbury Congregational Church. For 4-11 year olds. (Booking forms in church)
LANDLUBBERS Service at Highbury Church at 10.30am on Sunday 4 September.
Please note: there will be no 10am service at St Luke's on 4 September.
June PCC meeting
This PCC meeting on 13th June was attended by Paul Harris, Team Vicar of the West Cheltenham Team, in his role as joint Rural Dean for Cheltenham. We discussed the interregnum at length and thanked Paul for the support we have received from the West Cheltenham Team in leading and preaching at our services. We are also receiving a lot of support from David Lawrence and Margaret Thame from St Michael's Church, Whaddon as well as many other clergy in Cheltenham. Geoffrey Cox and Pete Burke also have done quite a few services.
Paul encouraged us to continue looking outwards not inwards during the interregnum and to strengthen our links with the community. We also discussed the Deanery re-organisation and the role of the Deanery Pastoral Committee and our need for decisions to be made swiftly to enable St Luke's to move on.
We also discussed the arrangements regarding wedding fees and the various charges that are set by the diocese for weddings. Further investigation is to be done to check what other churches are charging.
Chris Foy gave a finance report which was encouraging, but would still give a small deficit at the end of the year. We need to continue to encourage financial giving.
July PCC Meeting
The PCC met on Monday 18th July under the chairmanship of Churchwarden Pete Ralphs. One of the first topics to be raised was the future of The Link newsletter as a paid-for communications tool, and it was felt unanimously that for the relatively nominal income brought to the church via the Cover Price of 30p and the high administrative costs of collecting this money, we should make it a free publication. It was also felt that we might be charging people for the very information we were keen people knew about. Because some people may still wish to make contributions towards the cost of the newsletter, it was agreed we would invite people to make voluntary donations. This motion was carried, meanwhile Guy, Simon and Jonathan promised to meet together in the absence of a formed Communications work group to discuss this and other communications issues.
Chris Foy, Treasurer, ran through the latest update on the accounts which showed a predicted shortfall to the end of the year of nearly £3,500, although giving in the last two months in particular had slowed down slightly also. That said, significant provisions were set aside to cover extraordinary church maintenance, repairs and decorations and this may not be called up in which case a balanced year-end may still be possible. There was a general hope that people individually at St Luke's would each continue to give as generously as they could to the ongoing costs of the church through weekly or monthly giving in recognition of rising costs, every higher Parish Share and general upkeep.
The major item discussed at the PCC revolved around our service to children and youth and for this reason, Wes Bell, Youth Worker shared with Cheltenham Youth for Christ (CYFC), joined the PCC meeting for the evening. Wes had prepared a report for the PCC that reflected the things he had discovered throughout his early months with us, together with his recommended way forward which involved supporting two distinct age-groups, 11-14 and 14+ for whom a separate weekly activity session would be organized for Sunday evenings at the Hall or in the church building. The PCC greeted the recommendations warmly, encouraging Wes's excellent work so far and offered funding for the monthly material costs of £35. It was agreed to proceed with a September start but to review progress early in the New Year. A call for adult helpers was made. It was also stressed that the youth work would be tied in with Highbury and Holy Apostle's youth activity whenever feasible to add to numbers, critical mass and success to the events where appropriate and possible.
Guy Woodcock
FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS
Life goes on apace. We are grateful for the support of the many people who keep things running smoothly. We enjoyed a very successful Family Barbecue on Crickley Hill at the beginning of July and are now looking forward to the Landlubbers Holiday Club at the beginning of September and our Away Day towards the end of September.
You will see from the notes of recent PCC meetings that we are actively talking to the Diocese about plans for our future. Generally in Gloucester Diocese interregna last about 6-9 months but, with the work in the Deanery Pastoral Committee to set a strategic plan for Cheltenham, it is possible that we will not be able to start looking for a replacement for Mike before the end of 2005.
Wes Bell has now been with us for nearly 4 months and we look forward to working with him to develop his plans for youth work from the beginning of next term.
We look forward to welcoming as many as possible not only to our services on a Sunday but also to all the other activities that go on throughout the week. If you have any questions about the interregnum, the running of the church, or any other issues you wish to discuss with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Peter Ralphs (01452 613443)
Simon Barton (01242 515890)
Church Mission Society
C.M.S is a movement of ordinary people, secular and ordained which started in the 18th Century to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to be a channel for Christ's love and compassion all over the World - in cities, among many faiths and sub-cultures, among women and young people, children, and in education, health and healing.
This is possible by the support of people in Churches like us at St Luke's, who through prayer, reading and use of the 'Yes' magazine, regular giving, sponsored walks and attendance at Conferences and meetings, try to be understanding and informed about the spread of Christianity in the World, especially where the name of Christ is rarely heard.
C.M.S produce a monthly tape, and this is listened to be a group of members of Cheltenham Churches and is a good way of keeping up to date with what is going on in the World.
There is also a prayer time and e-mail bulletin. Crowthern Hall in Birmingham has for many years been the centre for training missionaries, but recently it has been decided that this should be sold, and training centres be set up in different parts of the world, in order to be nearer the people who need help.
Mike Lodge, our ex-vicar, was sponsored by C.M.S when he went to Uganda and we have supported several families as Mission Partners whilst they were serving in Kenya and Uganda. We hope we may be allocated another mission partner before too long. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury is our Patron.
Pauline Bewsher (St Luke's C.M.S Rep)