The Annual General Meeting of the congregation was chaired by the Revd. Philip Gray and attended by 39 members and friends.
The Report Book detailing the work of our many groups over the past year was received; a request was made for volunteers to assist with the preparation and running of our overhead displays at Sunday worship.
The Treasurer’s report was received and approved together with the proposals for charitable support in 2007. It was Stewart Blair’s last year as our Treasurer and he received a vote of thanks for the work he has done on our behalf over the time he has been in office. Peter Watson has volunteered to be our new treasurer and his nomination was approved unanimously.
Jean Ramsay elected to serve a seventh year as elder and Catherine Storey, Phil Wagstaff and Peter Watson were nominated and elected to the eldership.
The meeting discussed the proposal from the Broadway Nursery to fence off and use an area on the north side of the church as an outdoor educational area. New OFSTED guidelines require safe outdoor areas for educational and recreational use by nurseries. The meeting felt that an area on the south side would be more suitable but would not be available until after our development work is completed. We agreed that the north side be used until such time as a permanent play area could be provided on the south side, serving both the Nursery and the proposed extended community meeting space at the church entrance.
The Mission Partnership was discussed and Philip advised the meeting of the present situation. With a membership roll of over 150, (we have about 140), we would be entitled to call a minister to our sole charge. However, this would leave the remainder of the partnership in great difficulty. The elders will be encouraging our friends to become full members of the congregation both to help us begin to grow as a church and to strengthen our finances and our influence at Synod. We considered the alternatives and agreed unanimously to accept a team ministry and move forward in partnership with our fellow churches.
The Development Project was reviewed; the completion of the vestibule renewal is expected by the end of May. We will hold an Open Day on Saturday 21st June to celebrate this. Our bid for a grant from the Big Lottery Fund is progressing, we have had a visit from a BLF representative and we will be advised of the outcome shortly after 22nd May. The Development Project accounts were presented and approved.
We reviewed and reaffirmed our Mission Statement.
Fred Milligan, Church Secretary
|
