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1
Welcome & Opening Worship
The Lay
Chairman welcomed members to the meeting, and one minutes
silence was held in memory of the Revd Clive Tompkins.
Worship was lead by members of Christ Church Parkwood,
with Michael Mc Laughlin commenting on John 16:1-15.
2
Apologies for Absence
11 members of the House of Clergy, and 16 members of the
House of Laity were recorded as being present. Apologies
had been received from 4 members of the House of Clergy
and 4 from the House of Laity.
3
Approval of Minutes
The minutes
of the last meeting held on the
4
Matters arising from the Minutes
2. Women
in the Episcopate.
The
Chairman confirmed to the Revd Michael McLaughlin that
Parishes would have the opportunity to debate this later.
10
Social Evening
The Revd
Robin Williamson thanked Lionel Marchant and All Saints
Maidstone for kindly hosting a very enjoyable Social
Evening on the 11 November.
5
Deanery
a)
General Discussion on Parish Initiatives
The Chairman invited representatives from parishes to
say what new initiatives were takingplace:
All
Saints with St Phillip,
Godly
Play was being introduced, and some Taise Worship had
been held at a service at St Phillip’s which had
received a fair response.
St
Andrew’s
The weekly Sunday children’s activities had been
suspended due to low numbers, but a new meeting for
children “Wayfarers” had been introduced
St
Faith’s
The
Junior Church Club has restarted twice a term for 20
children on a Saturday morning, and there is now a Youth
Club with 26 on the books. Both are happily resourced.
St
Luke’s
Euphoria Lounge – a midweek coffee bar for the 18 to
30 age range re-launched in the autumn, and is a place
where people can enjoy a social time and meet friends.
Elevate for the 11-15s is a fortnightly event on Sunday
evenings for about two hours and seems to be much enjoyed.
A Children’s Holiday Club is being held for 2 days
during half term, for the first time for many years.
Godly Play has been introduced; a Musical Director and
small choir have recently been established, and the
parish are in touch with up to 100 children.
A Mind Body and Spirit day was held recently; the Non
Stipendiary Curate is visiting Baptism Families and
hoping to be able to start a Parenting Course soon.
St
Nicholas
New House Groups are becoming established: the Rector,
Jim Perryman would be keen to learn of any House Groups
run by other churches in the Allington Parish that it may
be possible for St Nicholas members to integrate into.
The Hosanna Service on Sundays is being built up and the mid
week Hosanna which started small has now grown to 15- 20
children plus parents who are new to church. Jim Perryman
commented that it was enjoyable but exhausting. There are
some after School Clubs, and the Holiday Club “Story
Keepers” is running again at Easter. St Nicholas appeared
in the parish over St Nicholas tide, and a competition
for school children drew 300 entries.
Hospital
Chaplains
The Day Nursery attached to the hospital enjoyed a
Nativity experience; there are volunteers working
alongside Accident and Emergency making cups of tea; and
at
Details are included in the Parish Report which came
later in the meeting.
All
Saints Loose and St Michael’s
No report was given as representatives were absent.
The
Chairman invited Parishes to continue meeting and
discussing these initiatives within their clusters.
5b.
Deanery Initiatives report and 5c. Pastoral Plans Report.
These
reports by the Area Dean were read by the Chairman as the
Area Dean was absent attending General Synod. Copies of
the reports are attached to the file copy of these
minutes.
5d.
Fremlins Chaplaincy
The Revd
Ian Crofts in giving his report said that representatives
of Maidstone Baptist Church, the United Reform Church,
Manna and St Faith’s had been meeting for some time
to consider the possibility of establishing some form of
Ecumenical Chaplaincy in the Fremlins Walk Shopping
Centre. Ian distributed copies of an explanatory leaflet
(a copy is attached to the file copy of these minutes)
and said that the group had visited
5e.
Nightclub Chaplaincy
Diana
Greenfield, Nightclub Chaplain opened her report by
confirming that the Church Army took over responsibility
6 months ago for employing her as the Diocesan funding
had been withdrawn. She would welcome sponsorship from
any churches or individuals. Diana added that she had
sent two copies of a circular letter to all clergy in
November and asked Synod whether members were aware of it.
A newsletter was produced quarterly.
Diana is
keen to continue to train volunteers to work with her.
There is a small management committee which includes the
Area Dean. In answer to a question from Anne McVittie
from St Faith’s, Diana Confirmed that she currently
has two volunteers and two more are in training with a
further two enquiries. It is however not something
everyone can do: you get back home at
5f.
Email
The
Chairman said that to reduce the cost of postage the
Standing Committee had recommended that members who
wished to have their Synod papers sent by Email should
have them by that means. A sheet was circulated for
members to give details.
6.Churches
Together Report
The Revd
Ian Crofts opened his report by saying that two Advent
Services had demonstrated the variety of Churches
Together activities, and the way we can learn from each
other. Each 1st Sunday in the month an act of
worship was held in a different church, and on Maundy
Thursday a Holy Communion Service was held – (this
year in St Faith’s) and the Good Friday Procession,
(sometimes complete with Fr Paul’s donkeys) was well
established, starting at the Baptist Church and ending
with a short form of worship in the town centre.
At
Pentecost there would be a celebration service in
7.Parish
Report from
In giving
his report (A copy of which is attached to the file copy
of these minutes) the Revd Michael McLaughlin said that
the last Synod at
Children’s
ministry continues to be challenging: the first Sunday in
the month service now starts with a presentation by the
Superkids club, before they return to their club and the
others continue with Morning Prayer. They are privileged
to have a lively group of musicians who lead worship,
with a couple coming from St Luke’s once a month to
give the others a break. Children’s holiday clubs
are held with a reasonable amount of success, and the
last one, in a new format with 2 full days rather than 4
half days seemed particularly successful. Three Home
Groups meet, one which arose from a previous Alpha Course.
Most of the Church attends the Dealing Conference in
August using the eight caravans owned by the church. (The
caravans are available to the wider church if needed.)
Meeting
Point Open Coffee Morning meets every Wednesday followed
by a simple lunch for anyone in the community, but mostly
supported by church members, and there is a Church lunch
after the service on the 1st Sunday of each
month.
Within
the community the Church runs a mother and Toddler Group
weekly and continues to be involved in Parkwood Plus
community living initiative and the Healthy Living Centre
at the Parkwood Shopping Parade. Michael serves on the
executive Committee of this. He is also involved with the
Park Wood voluntary Youth Club which is very challenging.
The church employs 2 part time youth workers for the club
funded from different grants and donations. The local
community are welcomed with leaflet drops to Christmas
and Easter lunches Harvest Suppers, Fireworks and Quiz
evenings. There is an Alpha course which is going well.
The premises are used by the community for various
activities during the week, and although some grants may
be available there are substantial financial challenges
ahead.
In
conclusion Michael said that their vision was to provide
a loving accepting and welcoming fellowship of Christ’s
people reaching out into the community with God’s
love; and seeking to get across the Good News of Jesus in
Word and action, in a relevant and meaningful way,
seeking to work with Him rather than working for Him.
8.Treasurer’s
Report
In the
absence of the Treasurer there was no report as such, but
the Chairman said that there was approximately £3,000 in
the Current Account and £5,000
9.
Diocesan Synod Report
The Revd
Robin Williamson in giving a brief report said that the
last Diocesan Synod had concentrated on Youth Work in the
Diocese, both in
10Area
Dean’s Notices
There
were none.
11.Any
Other Relevant Business
The Revd
Brian Field said that he had been present in the gallery
at General Synod that afternoon when our Area Dean had
spoken powerfully to a full chamber on one on the
amendments to the Women in the Episcopate Bill. He with
others had recently witnessed her being made an Honorary
Canon, at Canterbury Cathedral in a moving service and
she was to be congratulated.
12.Closing
Prayer
The
meeting concluded at