MINUTES OF ST PETER'S PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY 14 JUNE 2022
PARISH HALL at 7pm
Present: Fr. Thomas, Liz Lally, Cecilia Hubble, Yvonne Rendell, John Newbold, Helen Marsh, Denis Fannon, Paul Hebblethwaite, Mike Hart, Patrick Comer, Frank Fallon, Tim Ryan, Steve Blakemore, John Smart, Adam Billig, Ann Rogers, Angela Johnson. (17)
Agenda
Guidelines for PPCs PPC Handbook Overview Election of Officers Next Meeting
The meeting began with a short prayer asking that the new PPC will be established successfully in the Parish and become an agent of positive change.
Item 1 Fr. Thomas talked through the background to and the guidelines for the setting up of a PPC at St Peters. The PPC is a body that assists the Parish Priest in leading the parish community in discerning the present and future parish direction.
It attempts to place at the heart of the parish a zeal for the mission of Jesus Christ. This then energises the parish to focus on the important elements of parish life:
Evangelisation Worship and Word Community Service and Stewardship Leadership
Item 2 The Handbook lays down the PPC mission and vision, the suggested constitution, responsibilities of members, the role, membership criteria and selection, administration, communication, election of officers, and terms of office, etc.
ACTION: The Council members were asked to read through the Handbook and familiarise themselves with its content, adding that amendments could be made to the draft to suit our purposes.
Some discussion followed on the scope of the PPC and its role as “pastoral” as opposed to a task oriented approach to parish management. There was an important interface to be established with all the various sub-groups that currently exist that make the parish function.
ACTION: John Newbold to provide the Secretary with a list of responsibilities currently delivered by groups in the parish (from cleaners, gardeners, flowers to communion to the sick). In discussion we identified over 20 such groups and current activities
Item 3
The attendees were asked to introduce themselves and their current role in the parish. Fr Thomas asked for nominations for the roles of Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. There were volunteers for each of the officer positions. Chair: John Smart Vice Chair: Helen Marsh Secretary: Paul Hebblethwaite
The PPC agreed these appointments and it was also agreed that the initial term of office would be for one year so that the role and scope of the positions could be better understood.
Item 4 The Next meeting was agreed to be on Tuesday 12 July 2022 in the Parish Hall at 7pm. ACTION: The members were asked to send agenda items that they wished to be considered by the end of June to the Chairs and Secretary.
ACTION: There is a concert arranged for Saturday 16 July at 3pm in the Church. It will be about an hour duration and on the theme of “Bite size Classics” given by members of the orchestra of St John's. A retiring collection will be taken for the Ukraine Appeal. Please help to make it a success – one for our pastoral agenda.
The meeting ended with a short prayer and Father’s blessing.
