Jottings from Church Council - March 2011
A great deal of work regarding the new kitchen has been undertaken recently. Grant application is in the process of being made. Work cannot commence until the grant application has been approved and we are very hopeful that it will be. Therefore it is likely that contracts will be signed mid-April and that building will start in May.
New chairs for the church sanctuary are to be purchased. These will now be metal chairs as the wooden samples that we tested were too heavy and did not stack very well.
Rob Hitchens told the meeting that he was very excited about all the Youth Work that is going on at Berkswich, a lot of which is not known to most. For example:
The supper club is going well. Not many people are participating at present and the Pastoral Team would like to recruit more. Barbara Goodwin is finishing as Pastoral Secretary as from the AGM in May and therefore a replacement is needed.
David Beadle reminded everyone about Easyfundraising – an online fundraising scheme. He had just received the first payment of £20.96 from the proceeds. He encouraged us to use Easyfundraising when doing internet shopping.
50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS: weekend beginning Friday 30th September 2011
Chris Cooper has already presented his ideas for this in the news sheet and he hopes that there would be “something for all”. On Friday 30th September there will be a Songs of Praise style event when we remember some of the history of the church and its members, interspersed with hymns and songs.
On the Saturday there will be something for the local community – reliving 1961, the year our church appeared on the map, with amongst other things, a fashion show from the sixties, a sixties style coffee bar and a display of our history as well as what we offer now.
Sunday morning will be our Harvest Festival and all age worship, followed by a ‘bring and share’ lunch.
The meeting felt that all these events would be suitable for all ages and would be advertised for the whole community.
Chris emphasised that all this could only happen with involvement from lots of people. Ideas will be welcome for sidestalls and activities for the Saturday event.
Ian and Joyce Bearne showed the meeting a design for a wall plaque to commemorate the 50th anniversary. This is to be purchased with the proceeds from John Reed’s funeral, donated by his family.
Tim asked us to keep Max Reynolds and Jean Harrison in our prayers as they prepare to become lay preachers.
The next Church Council meeting is on Wednesday 29 June and the Church Annual General Meeting is: Wednesday May 18 at 7.30 p.m. at the Church.
Margaret Hale
Church Council Secretary.