Minutes of the Co-ordinating Committee Meeting held at 29 North Lane,
Buriton, on Tuesday, 22 June 2016 at 7:30 pm
Purpose of Meeting: A forum for ‘communion’ and communication between PACT churches, PACT organisations and local Christians, to facilitate events aimed at increasing opportunities for joint worship, witness and work between PACT churches.
Present: Tim Concannon, Simon Mason (Co-Convenors), Paula Hudson (Secretary), Christine Tully (Treasurer). Carolyn Barton, David Barton, Hilary Bonney, Rosemary Davies, Brian Edwards, John Studd.
1. Introduction: Tim Concannon opened the meeting with a reading from 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9, and with prayer.
2. Apologies for absence: Received from Judith Bee, John Callaghan, Max Cross, Emma Dean, Peter Hollins, Will Hughes, Helen Mason, Linda Read, David Rice, Richard Saunders.
3. Items for discussion under Item 9 (Any other business):
- PACT Prayer times – John Studd
- Parish Masses – Tim Concannon
- August Bank Holiday – Hilary Bonney
- Christian Aid – Tim Concannon
4. Minutes for last meeting: Minutes were agreed and signed by Simon Mason.
5. Matters arising: John Studd outlined problems with Petersfield Post Faith Comment article dates. These comprised: articles not received in time; articles not published on dates relevant to the content (eg Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations); no article published though sent in time. John asked each church to send him an article that was not time or event sensitive so he could submit one of these if an article is not received from a church on the rota in time to meet the copy date.
6. Report on events since last meeting:
- IMC Funday: 11th June 2016 John Studd read report from PACT website. The aim was to raise the profile of the charity, which helps street children in Colombia and their families, as well as raising funds. £1073.36 was raised, the most for several years. The Mile of Pennies in Rams Walk raised over £300 and sale of jams £80. A new event was the Static Cycle sponsored ride.
- Salvation Army 130th Anniversary celebration - 11 and 12th June 2016: Brian Edwards reported that the services at the Salvation Army were well attended (standing room only); there was a lunch between the services on Sunday. The 2 singers on Saturday were wonderful.
- Messy Church: Simon Mason said they had changed the start time of the monthly event from 3.30pm to 3pm to accommodate younger children. 67 were fed at this week’s Messy Church, and all the food provided was eaten. This is the last event till September because of school holidays. More helpers are needed. Holiday Club will be held on the last week in July (see 8. below).
7. Constitution: Simon Mason brought details of the amendments to the PACT constitution as discussed by PACT Ministers and these were agreed unanimously by the Committee - (motion proposed by Hilary Bonney and seconded by David Barton.) In response to an enquiry, Tim Concannon outlined procedure if PACT ceased. John Studd will post new constitution on PACT website. *The updated Constitution will be formally adopted by PACT membership at the AGM held in January 2017 (added by HM 8/7/16)
8. Reports
- Treasurer’s Report: The Foodbank now has its own Bank Account at the Natwest, and £1270.69 has been transferred into their account. Account records have also been transferred. Any money received for the Foodbank in future which comes into PACT will be transferred to the new account.
- Holiday Club: will be held 25th-29th July 2016. Regular support meetings are being held with the member from St Laurence details will be circulated to keep the churches in the loop. John Studd offered to supply email addresses to assist in contacting people who had helped before (contact currently by word of mouth.) The King’s Arms is running a separate event for the top junior age group to assist their transition to secondary school.
- Men’s Breakfast: Carolyn Barton offered an open invitation to the monthly URC breakfast to all men for a cooked meal, prayer & discussion. It is held at the Barn, Nursted, (Ted & Pam Dowdeswell’s house) 8am-10am of the first Saturday of each month except August & January. The aim is to encourage prayer & fellowship among men. (It was pointed out that Men United is a separate organisation.) John Studd suggested that the organisers make a request to the Committee to be affiliated so details of their events can go on the PACT website, and he will email Tony Phillips re. obtaining more recent pictures.
- Dementia Friendly: Six weeks ago Helen Mason invited to a meeting of this organisation. Simon handed out leaflets & forms to committee members. The aim is to help make Petersfield Dementia Friendly. The Ministers Fraternal was in favour of PACT supporting this initiative. Website: www.dementia-friendly-petersfield.org.uk. Support pledges can be made on-line. Training will be given and lead trainers will train others (video training.) John Studd will add page on the PACT website under External Events & Campaigns.
- A Memory Club is held at Winton House 3-5pm on 3rd Wednesday of the month.
- URC Outreach: The URC Pastoral Care Co-ordinator Julie Pejnovic is organising events for elderly lonely people who don’t get out or away on holiday from Monday 22nd to Thursday 25th August. There will be worship, lunch, arts & crafts, skittles (outside), talks in the afternoon, teas & coffees, and outings like a Wednesday trip on the Chichester Canal. This is a new event and they hope to open it to PACT in subsequent years when they gauge the support and response. Cost £12 a head including food, activities & trip (costs low due to grant support from Synod.) 10/12 places already filled. Committee discussed how to identify potential participants without severe disabilities.
- Food Share: This is an initiative to save and re-distribute fresh food over its sell-by date. The Manager of Winton House, Sheridan Rocher, and Marks & Spencer have an arrangement to use up items like eggs & bananas to make cakes for the Pop-In Club. Suggestions for other outlets for this food source requested. John Studd uses unsold market fruit in making jams for IMC.
- Christmas Lunch: Hilary Bonney asked each church to send a representative to meeting on 9am Monday 11th July at St Peter’s meeting room (on right through church door) for 2016 event.
- Christmas Card: Langrish School’s turn to do design. Simon will speak to teachers. Chris Tully to advise deadline for design so printing/packing can be done in time. Christian themes to be given for designs (ie no robins, snowmen etc.)
- Carols in the Square: 22nd December date provisionally agreed but Simon to check it doesn’t clash with Carols for Business service at St Peter’s, and if Will Hughes wants to do carol singing round the town beforehand. (If not, perhaps Steve Udall from LCP could lead.) Brian to check with Steve Field if Salvation Army band available on 22nd December.
- Foodbank Vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables from Bryants at market have been given out to those in need over last 2 months – going well. Discussed vouchers for other market stalls selling eggs & bread. Parking problems being resolved with Brian’s help. Foodbank store quite well supplied at present. Propect of issuing vouchers for eggs & bread from other market stalls raised.
9. Any Other Business
- PACT Prayer: John Studd circulated proposals for a PACT church to hold 12 hours of prayer 8am to 8pm once a month on a rota basis. Each church to provide subjects and materials to aid prayer in a similar way to the recent Salvation Army and St Mary Magdalen prayer times. John Studd will prepare prayer cards for Fraternal to approve. These pass from church to church. LCP will go first in September.
- St Laurence invitation: Tim invited members to Parish Masses Father Peter Hollins is holding in various locations as below.
Christian Aid A street collection had been held but there were problems with door to door collections – access to flats, lack of volunteers, etc. There is no Petersfield Co-ordinator since Hattie Hughes resigned. Members invited to come up with new fund raising ideas. - August Festival: Salvation Army stepped in at Spring Bank Holiday Festival as no invitation to do service made by organisers. Need to make plans for August Bank Holdiay.
- Hospital Chaplain: This role filled by Rev Peter Norris – now retired. As it could be up to 2 years before URC has new minister, need for replacement in interim: Fraternal to be consulted. Where he was on other committees URC will need interim representative.
10. Future dates and events: PACT Committee meetings 2016 Thursday 22nd September Wednesday 16th November – Venue TBA Please note amended date (was 9th) PACT Committee meetings 2017 Wednesday 11th January – Venue TBA
Other PACT events 2016
- Monday 11th July 9am St Peter’s – Christmas Lunch planning meeting
- 25th-29th July - Holiday Club
- 22nd December Carols in the Square
- Other PACT events 2017
- Sunday 15th January – PACT Celebration Service – introduction of Convenors Other Events (2016)
- Parish Masses (all on Saturday at 6pm):
- 30th July St Peter’s, Froxfield
- 6th August Holy Rood, Empshott
- 13th August All Saints’, East Meon
- 20th August St Peter ad Vincula, Colemore
- 27th August St Mary’s, Buriton
- 22nd- 25th August - URC Outreach
11. Closing prayer: Tim closed the meeting with a reading from the Dream of the Rood.