Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting
Held on 12 May 2021 at 7.07 p.m.in Saint Margaret’s Church
Present: Chair – Fr. Anthony Moore, Incumbent; and 21 Parishioners
Apologies for Absence: Ann Hayes, Duncan Ward, Gerry Rooney, Marie Wilcockson, Lyndsey Delow, Bob Baldock
Minutes of Meeting held on 23 September 2020:
There were no comments or questions.  Fr. Anthony thanked Bernie Baldock for her work as PCC Secretary.  The minutes were unanimously accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

Election of PCC Representatives: there being no objections the following were elected for a three year term: –

PCC: Nominations for re-election; Ann Hayes, Duncan Ward, Lorna Coleman, Bernard Clark.

Nomination for election:   Mary Hanna

Fr. Anthony welcomed Mary and mentioned that she does a lot behind the scenes and will be a valuable member of PCC. He thanked everyone for their willingness to stand and for their commitment in the last year.

Deanery Synod: Nomination for re-election; Michael Maddox, who is already serving, was elected for a further period of two years.

Fr. Anthony advised there are two current members standing down, Anne Frazier who has served two terms (6 years) and recently served as Deputy Safeguarding Officer.  Fr. Anthony thanked her for her time on PCC and advised that Anne has agreed to take over from Elaine Bowden as the Electoral Roll Officer (which is not a PCC role).  Many thanks to Elaine for carrying out that Roll on and off for the past few years.  If anyone wishes to join the Electoral Roll, Anne is now the person to speak to.

Bernie Baldock is also stepping down from PCC having served 9 years and carried out the role of PCC Secretary.  Fr. Anthony thanked Bernie for her support and contribution and presented her with a floral gift by way of appreciation from the PCC. 

Fr. Anthony advised that Susan Sparks, who is a member of our congregation, is joining the Electoral Roll and is willing to be co-opted onto PCC as an ex-officio member in six months’ time and thereafter take over the PCC Secretary role and be properly elected to PCC at the next APCM in 2022.  Fr. Anthony expressed his thanks to Susan for her willingness to take on this important role.

The PCC held 4 meetings since the last APCM in September which were mostly held via Zoom due to Covid restrictions.  Fr. Anthony thanked all the members of the PCC for their patience, input and time.

Sidespersons:

Mary Wallace asked to step down as a sidesperson and the remaining list stays the same as there were no further requests to step down.  Fr. Anthony thanked Mary for all the work she has done for St. Margaret’s.

Independent Examiner:

Fr. Anthony advised that Woodgate Accounting Services Ltd were originally appointed at the EGM on 16 September 2018. Phil Woodgate continues to provide an excellent service and fees are very reasonable.  As our auditor, he keeps a close eye on church finances and works well with our Treasurer.  The recommendation is to re-appoint as Independent Examiner for the completion of 2021 Accounts.  There were no objections from the meeting. 

Financial Statements:

Fr. Anthony thanked Jo for her very concise and enthusiastic report.  Fr. Anthony referred the meeting to the report and Accounts in the published document that was made available in advance of the APCM.

Jo spoke briefly to the congregation remarking that generally we are doing really well and luckily we were well prepared due to our investment in technology which was a great help during the pandemic.  Fr. Anthony confirmed we are financially in a good place and due to our planned giving and stewardship campaigns we were not overly affected by the pandemic.  He thanked everyone for their continued generosity and good stewardship which allows us to continue our work and ministry without worry for the next twelve months.

There were no questions or points of concern raised by the congregation.

Electoral Roll:

At the time of writing there were 162 names on the Roll, 93 of whom are resident in the church parish boundary and 69 non-resident, i.e. not within the ecclesiastical boundary.  This is a healthy number.  Rowland and Fr. Anthony reckoned that, including numbers attending church services and devices tuning in online, we are reaching c.130 people each week.

Fr. Anthony recorded his thanks to Elaine for her work throughout the year and for her report.

There were no questions or points of concern raised by the congregation.

Churchwardens’ Annual Report.

Fr. Anthony thanked Dawn and Heather for the reports on the Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Church, the church interior and the churchyard and their work throughout the year.

There were no questions or points of concern raised by the congregation.

Safeguarding Report:

Fr. Anthony expressed his thanks to Kerwin Hack who took over from Jan McFadyen. 

Kerwin is doing an excellent job to make sure our policies are in place and training of all PCC members and clergy is up to date. 

Safeguarding if not just the private domain of the safeguarding officer and senior officers of the church.  It is something that we are all responsible for.  As members of the church community, we all have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children; young people and vulnerable adults; and anyone who comes through our door.

There may be opportunities in the future to do some training to make sure we are all aware of our collective responsibilities in safeguarding.  It is incumbent on the church to exercise the highest standards of care and due diligence.

Fr. Anthony thanked Sue Leaney for her willingness to step into the role of deputy safeguarding officer to support Kerwin. 

No questions or additional matters raised. 

Children’s Church:

Fr. Anthony noted that lack of events in the past year gave time to reflect on what we might do in the future and there is an opportunity to think more creatively about how we engage with young people in parallel to the religious education and worship they receive in school.  As the report mentions, Jonathan Hodgson, our Director of Music has suggested that we set up a Musical Theatre Project as a way of engaging children, young people and their parents.  Fr Anthony asked for comment or question and if everyone was supportive of the proposal.  There were no objections and Fr. Anthony advised that the PCC was also unanimous and enthusiastic.

No further questions or comments made.

Pastoral Care:

Fr. Anthony emphasized his thanks to Marie Freeman, our parish visitor, for all the hours she spent behind the scenes, talking to and supporting members of the congregation, particularly those who are alone and thanks to Sue Leaney for taking on taking on part of the focus as well.  He also thanked Lorna for doing his shopping for well over a year, which he much appreciated.

Thanks to our stewards Dawn, Heather, Mike Laslett, Rev Gail and Elaine Eardley who have been here welcoming people.  To enable that to happen thanks to those who helped with cleaning, Elaine, Mary, Maggie Glenister and everyone else who helped and put themselves in the front line and at risk during a pandemic.   Fr. Anthony thanked all church volunteers for their help and commitment during what has been a strange year.

No questions or additional matters raised.

Deanery Synod:

Report attached with thanks to Michael Maddox.  Fr. Anthony said it is important to remember we are part of a bigger story and our Deanery comprises 22 parishes.  Some have fared well and others have seriously struggled.  As we go forward, we hope we will consider our mission and grant giving and bear our Christian neighbours in mind as well. We need to look at ways to support other parishes, either financially or with our time.

No further questions or comments made.

Report on the Church Development Project

The pre-published pack included plans and drawings of the church in it’s proposed developed form which have only recently been made available to Fr. Anthony.  The information has now been sent to everyone on the Electoral Roll. Thanks to Mike Laslett for his help preparing the packs for distribution.

Fr Anthony asked for questions relating to Michael’s Report.   He confirmed he has invited our Architect, John Bailey to give a full presentation after 21^st June and to address concerns and questions.  Fr. Anthony talked though the drawings and pointed out some mistakes on the plans relating to the layout and a suggestion to swap the kitchen and new store/flower room around.  

Please do speak to Fr. Anthony if you have any comments or question.

Fr. Anthony drew attention to a letter of support in the pack from Michael and Maureen Chowen.  Michael stated he and Maureen are happy to explain, to anyone who wishes to ask, the reasons they are happy to support the new development as he appreciates there will be people who have very genuine concerns but feels that we really do have to do something to safeguard our church building for future generations.

Elaine Eardley confirmed that despite her initial reservations she is now supportive of the proposal but her worry is how long it will take, what will happen when the church is closed, how will we keep the togetherness of the congregation as the cottage will be closed.  How do we propose to keep our congregation together in the interim during the development?

Fr Anthony advised that, in the short term, we propose erecting a very sturdy marquee on the grass outside the church to enable coffee serving through the summer between services and this can also be used for fellowship and events when Covid restrictions allow. Later in the year, as the report suggests, we have an application in to remove the pews in the South Aisle, create a kitchenette in the flower room and build up a floor with a ramp for wheelchair access which would be our temporary social space. 

The Architect will be submitting the plans for the full project in the next few months and has stated that if all goes according to plan, we will move out beginning of June 2022 and have our worship in the village hall and still have the marquee for fellowship.  It is hoped to be back in church by Christmas 2022. 

The reason we can achieve this is partly because we have worked on this for a long time, although admittedly it is the first time members of electoral roll have seen the plans.  We are confident of the sum of money we will be able to secure from the sale of St. Margaret’s Cottage. We have also been notified (not yet received) of two very significant legacies totaling c£260,000 and we have also received another very generous donation in support of the project.  We are well on our way to fund this project and maintaining our fellowship and our social life has been very much part of our thinking.  There is no chance we will go a long time without getting together, even in the 6 months when the church building is closed we will worship elsewhere and have a facility at front of church to enable togetherness.

Fr. Anthony thanked Elaine for asking a very important question.

Mary Hanna expressed her support for the development and for the welcome and togetherness she has witnessed and being part of since joining St. Margaret’s and agrees that although this is a very significant project we really need to think radically or there won’t be a church here in the future and it is necessary to protect the church for the generations to come.

Fr. Anthony recognizes that it is a significant and ambitious project.  Our architect has advised that he is confident the future of the building will be secured for the next 100/150 years.

By undertaking this development and utilizing our resources and assets, reinvesting the legacy of Reginald Caton and donations of the congregation/community back into this building, we will enable the maintenance and sustainment of a beautiful place for prayer and worship and also for use of the community.

Fr. Anthony concluded by encouraging people to come forward and ask any questions and to attend the future proposed meeting outlining the plans in full.

Questions re Church Matters:

Michael Chowen thanked Anne Frazier on behalf of the congregation for her time on PCC and also time spent organizing coffee rotas for Sunday fellowship.

Services will continue at 10 and 11.30a.m. on Sundays for the next few months and Thursdays at 10.a.m.

Church will re-open from 9 a.m. morning prayer and stay open through the day from Monday 17 May for visitors and private prayer. Evening prayer will be at 6 p.m. after which church will be cleaned and closed.

Fr. Anthony closed the meeting at 7:59 p.m. by saying The Grace.

Held on Wednesday 12 May 2021 at 7 p.m. in St. Margaret’s Church, Rottingdean.  The meeting was for the purpose of electing two Churchwardens for the coming year.

Chair:  Fr. Anthony Moore

Fr. Anthony opened the meeting with prayers.

Fr. Anthony thanked Dawn and Heather for their extraordinary work in the past year saying that being a churchwarden is a formidable task at the best of times but during a global pandemic takes on a new dynamic. They have been of invaluable support and assistance enabling the church to stay open, co-ordinating volunteers and importantly keeping everyone safe. The congregation gave them a hearty round of applause.

Minutes of Vestry Meeting 2020
There were no questions or comments and the Minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting.

Election of Churchwardens

Nominations: Dawn Davidson

Proposed by Mark Danieletto and seconded by Peter Wright Heather Butler

Proposed by Peter Wright and seconded by Michael Greenslade

The nominations were accepted and there being no other nominations, Dawn Davidson and Heather Butler were duly elected.

Fr. Anthony congratulated and thanked both candidates for their willingness to stand for what is a demanding and at times complicated role and said that he is looking forward to working with both of them again in the year ahead.

Dawn and Heather will be sworn in at a future formal churchwarden’s swearing in, the date of which is to be confirmed.

The Vestry meeting closed at 7.06 p.m.

_____________________

Chair:  Fr. Anthony Moore