Co-ordinated Parochial Church Council held on 11th November 2024 in Church Cottage, Wheldrake
Present: The Revd. J Doyle-Brett (Chair), Mr P Botting(W), Mr E Smith(W), Mr N Black(W), Mr I Broster (E), Dr A Stead (E), Mrs M Rawet (W), Mr K Jaynes(W),Dr A Hodgson(W), Mr S Reilly-Usher(S), Mr S Fell (T), Mr G Denby(W) (Minutes)
Apologies: The Revd. D Long, Mrs J Crowder(T), Mrs J Patrick(T), Mrs R Smith(W), Mrs A Dodd(W), Mrs E Sherbourn-Spence (S), Mrs B Urwin (W), Mrs T Martin (W) Mrs B Carter (W).
Resignations: Dr D Mawer (as he has moved out of the area). Mrs E Garnham (please see priest in charge report)
Opening worship: Prayer was led by The Revd. J Doyle-Brett
| COMMENT | ACTION | |
| 40/24 | Declaration of Interest: None | |
| 41/24 | Correction and adoption of minutes from 19th September 2024. Two minor typos were corrected in 30/24 cost should have read “costs” and in 37/24them should read “then”. The minute were then accepted as a correct record proposed by Dr A Hodgson and seconded by Mr P Botting. | |
| 42/24 | Action points from last meeting: There were none | |
| 43/24 | Priest in Charge’s report. The report had been circulated and was taken as read. It was noted that across the Partnership there had generally been an encouraging turnout for Remembrance Sunday. Under the plan for growth programme, it was proposed to develop “church at home”. This would reach out to those who are housebound or temporarily unable to attend church, by offering home communions. This is currently being developed in the Escrick group by Eucharistic Ministers, and will be further spread across the Derwent Ings benefice to develop what is already in place. November and December are such important months in our church calendar. One marks the end of our church year and the other the beginning. We have a significant time of endings and beginnings. They also create incredible opportunities of welcome and inclusion. Our Remembrance services are important both locally and nationally and give us an opportunity to include and welcome local groups and parishioners into our church spaces. It is such an amazing opportunity to show the positive side of the Church of England. We also have our services to remember our loved ones that have died. What we do this month really matters to so many people so, thank you for all the effort that goes into these church services. Then we have the waiting and watching of Advent as we wait to welcome the Christ Child with joy and hope. Again, what a gift this month is to us to make connections with new people and welcome back others. I want to thank all those involved with Christingles, Crib and Carol services. Our presence in our villages – matter, these are our opportunities to make God’s Love Visible as we Live Christ’s Story. Since our last CPCC we have welcomed Robert and Ruth into our community, please continue to pray for them as they navigate their personal endings and beginnings. Damian and Betty have stood down from their respective PCCs and they go with our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for their witness and service and our prayers as they continue their discipleship journeys. We give thanks for new volunteers (although we need more) for Messy Church which goes from strength to strength as Emma in her pioneer role presents the Gospel to so many people – we give thanks for her amazing ministry. We have had our new style family service ‘Together at Elvington’ begin, please pray for the team led by Debbie. In January the family service at Thorganby will become an all-age holy communion. New beginnings to include in our prayers. Bryony Beresford has become the new co-ordinator of the Tend Team which have met and are putting in place the Church@Home initiative (to discuss at CPCC) Also as part of our Plan4Growth the Wheldrake/Thorganby magazine group have met to talk about ‘reimagining the magazine’ and feel that following the Escrick Group model would be a positive way forward (to discuss at CPCC) At Escrick on the 14th of November will be the funeral for Maurice Vassie. Maurice lived his life as a follower of Christ, a true disciple and his testament is an example of how to live Christ’s story making God’s love visible to all in a myriad of ways. His family described their privilege of being able to share the joy that his life has given them. This reminded me of the book written by the Pope called ‘The Joy of the Gospel’. We need to be like Maurice and share the joy of the Gospel and in these times of endings and beginnings the joy of the Gospel is very much a message of renewal and hope. As we journey towards Advent let us remember that the Incarnation is a time to rejoice that God is with us and never leaves us – and that is both our hope and our joy. | |
| 44/24 | Deanery Partnership Report. This report was not available for the meeting. A meeting had recently been held to consider the issues of disability and equality in our church buildings. This has been recognised by the national spokesperson for disability and Jackie is to have a meeting with her. | |
| 46/24 | Fees Structure across the benefices. Most fees are fixed by the national Church and it is proposed to standardise those fees which we charge across the partnership as far as possible. It was agreed to adopt the following charges: Organist £75 for funeral, £110 for a wedding; Verger £70; and bells for wedding £50. Heating and lighting fees for Wheldrake and Thorganby to be £40, and for Elvington and Sutton £60. Adoption of the charges was propose by Mr K Jaynes and seconded by Mr N Black. Accepted nem con. The Revd J Doyle-Brett is to discuss with Deanery chapter colleagues, fees charged in other churches. | |
| 47/24 | Safeguarding: Mr Mike Beresford is the Safeguarding Officer, Mrs Michol Rawett will continue to maintain the Dashboard until early 2025. Please note Safeguarding wee starts on Monday 18th November. | |
| 48/24 | Any Other Business. There were no items. |
Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 16th January 2025 in Church Cottage 7.30 pm, refreshments from7.00pm.
Wheldrake Parochial Church Council meeting held on 11th November 2024
Present: Mr K Jaynes (minutes), Mr P Botting, Mr E Smith, Mr N. Black, (Chair), Dr A Hodgson (Chair), Mr G Denby, Mrs M Rawet
Apologies: Mrs A Dodd, Mrs T Martin, Mrs B Urwin, Mrs R Smith, Mrs B Carter, Dr D Mawer (see Correspondence)
| COMMENT | ACTION | |
| 62/24 | Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest | |
| 63/24 | Minutes of the meeting 19th September 2024: The minutes were accepted nem. con. as a true and accurate record of the meeting, subject to three corrections: 48/24 Minutes of the previous meeting related to July 24 not September 24; Action Points 46/24 replace “sort” with “sought” and 50/24 (iii) Tearfund Big Quiz is not an online activity. Following corrections, adoption was proposed by Mr E Smith and Seconded by Mr N Black. | |
| 64/24 | Action Points: from Minutes of the meeting on 19th September 2024: 50/24 Tearfund Big Quiz: Dr A Hodgson is prepared to continue to run this event and has the necessary materials. However, work commitments make this impossible before the New Year. The suggested date is 08.02.2025. The venue would be the church with tables and chairs for pub-style seating. Tea and coffee and nibbles to be provided with the option for participants to bring their own drinks. 50/24: Deanery / Diocesan Synod Vacancies: Mr. P Botting asked the meeting to be mindful of any who may be prepared to act as representatives in the future. 50/24: Halloween Books: In response to Mrs E Mawer’s request to the CPCC, Mr P Botting had co-ordinated the donation that was requested, which was also supported by other parishes and the books had been purchased. | |
| 65/24 | School Governor Vacancies: Mrs B Urwin and Mrs E Mawer will not be extending their positions as Governors and it is the responsibility of the PCC to offer replacements. Mr P Botting noted that Thorganby had received expressions of interest from Chris Cannon and Gareth Davis who had both been interviewed by Revd. J Doyle-Brett at the time. If they are still in agreement, Mr. P Botting will complete the applications and submit these to the Diocesan Board of Education. He also noted that Mrs Shirley Hodgson will not be renewing when her term of office expires, which means an additional replacement will then be required. He is investigating potential replacements. | PJB |
| 66/24 | Magazine: Mr P Botting and Mr K Jaynes summarised the proposals from the Magazine Committee regarding changes to the content; format and distribution of the Magazine. Mr S Fell was in attendance for this section to represent Thorganby PCC: This would remain joint between Wheldrake and Thorganby and would be published bi-monthly and distributed free of charge to all houses in both villages. Distributors for all streets / households would need to be established It would be funded from advertising sales with a budgeted production cost for 6 issues per annum of c.£4,500. The Escrick Magazine is funded in a similar way It would contain either 4 or 8 colour pages to increase the value of advertising space. A version would also be available on-line using auto page- turning software. It would represent all village organisations and activities to increase readership and provide a full community focus rather than a church focus. It was suggested to launch in April 202 The meeting discussed the proposal, and it was agreed that Community should be the focus but that it was important to get as many different organisations and more advertisers on board as soon as possible. Meeting delivery deadlines for copy preparation, print and delivery was essential. | |
| 67/24 | Correspondence: At the start of the meeting, Mr P Botting announced that he had received a letter of resignation from Dr Damian Mawer who has moved from the village to Pocklington. The meeting thanked Dr Mawer for his valued contribution to the PCC and asked Mr P Botting to communicate this to him with a card or letter. Mr Botting confirmed that little correspondence had been received and this had all been circulated to PCC Members by email. | PB |
| 68/24 | Treasurer’s Report: This was circulated on the PCC OneDrive before the meeting, and the current financial situation was summarised briefly by Mr K Jaynes who then elaborated further on points two and three from his report: Apportioning Expenses: The salary cost of Multiply is shared between the Diocese and the PCC of St. Helen’s Wheldrake and, as such, he felt there was no justification to pass this on to other parishes in the Benefice. However, the costs of hall rental and catering / activity provisions were carried solely by Wheldrake although the other parishes are also engaged in and benefit from Multiply. Similarly, the cost of Parish Office / Partnership administration needs to be reviewed, since funding for this is only partially offset by a contribution from Escrick and their justifiable observation that this cost should be shared equitably. We do need to find a solution for both. Budget Presentation: The 2024 comparative figures to 31.10.2024, on which the full year 2025 budget is based, have been prepared although Mr K Jaynes, Mrs M Rawet and Mrs R Smith have not yet had the opportunity to meet to draft the budget to be presented to the PCC. This will take place before the end of November with the resulting Budget to be presented to the PCC via Zoom shortly after. | KJ KJ |
| 69/24 | Christmas Fayre Update: Dr. A Hodgson and others involved updated the meeting with the latest arrangements: The Fayre was now reduced to a single day – Saturday 23rd, to ensure adequate helper cover. Catering had been finalised by Mrs M Rawet who was making arrangements for food purchase, soup and cake donations with support from Mrs T Martin and Mr & Mrs Jaynes. Mr E Smith will manage the Cake Stall and Mr P Botting the Christmas Stall. Additional help was required for Bric a Brac, Toys and Games and The Candy Stalls. External Craft Stalls: It was agreed to give space to the Elvington Explorer Scouts to sell paracord bracelets and Christmas decorations to support the costs of attending the World Jamboree. Two further craft stalls had booked space as listed previously. Music: Dr A Hodgson has organised hand bellringers from 11.00am and Graeme Urwin and Robin Black have been approached to play keyboards. It was agreed that the focus for the raffle hamper should be on quality. Mr P Botting agreed to arrange repair or purchase a replacement water heater for the Cottage before the event. Set-up: Friday 22nd was agreed with PB to move the pews in advance to accommodate the tables. Access for stall set up was scheduled for Saturday 23rd before 10.00am, with the Church set back to its usual seating configuration on Sunday 24th. Risk Assessment: Dr A Hodgson agreed to conduct the on-site assessment and pass findings to Mrs M Rawet who will prepare a specific version for this event. | MR PB AH/MR |
| 70/24 | Lent and Easter Arrangements: It was agreed that the soup Lent Lunches should go ahead as usual and a walk should be planned. | PB |
| 71/24 | Policies: It was noted that there were no current policies in place for the churchyard. | |
| 72/24 | Warden’s Report: This was circulated before the meeting and action on the following points noted: Church leaded window repair: The window broken by vandalism has been repaired. Live Streaming of Services: Although the live broadcast was functioning, the subsequent YouTube upload is not. The Hilltop technician has been contacted to address this. Brick and Tile Sales: Mrs Rawet asked for further information about availability and pricing subsequent to a potential purchase. | |
| 73/24 | Safeguarding/H&S: Nothing to report | |
| 74/24 | Insurance Notifications: Nothing noted . | |
| 75/24 | Information Sharing: Nothing noted. | |
| 76/24 | AOB: None, and the Meeting closed at 9.55pm |
Date of next CPCC/WPCC 7.30pm Thursday 16th January 2025 – At Church Cottage
Secretary for WPCC: Mr P Botting
WPCC meeting Chair: Mrs B Carter