Minutes of St Cuthbert's
Parish Pastoral Council Meeting

Present: Fr A.T. Currer, C. Kear, M. Harvey, M. Doyle, A. Doyle, G. Bolton, M. Bolton, J. McLean, S. Milner, D. Hughes, S. Brown, M. Laing, J. Marsland, Frances Simmons, Susan Penswick, A. Davis, M. Davis, H. Hunt

Apologies: D. Crookes, J. Urquhart, B. Faulkner, A. Purvis

The meeting opened with prayer.

1. Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.

2. Matters arising: – None

3. Reports from sub-committees/groups:

Building committee report to St Cuthbert’s Parish Pastoral Council
Period ending 6th October 2011

The building committee has met twice since the last PPC meeting.

Programmed and essential work

Choir loft balustrade and refurbishment.  The main balustrade is still under discussion.  The carpet will be fitted to the extended step in the near future.

Church Lighting.  Proposals will be drawn up.  No further movement. (Ongoing).

Works carried out since the last PPC.
The vestry has been redecorated.
Some decoration has been carried out in the choir loft.
Damage to church decoration as a result of the ingress of water has been made good.
A new larger rainwater pipe and hopper has been installed above the vestry.
A new wc pan installed in the Parish room toilet.
Locks fitted to several doors in and around the narthex to facilitate extended church opening times.
All statutory testing and inspections are on programme.

Work in progress.
During a roof inspection it was noted that the pointing to the flashings on the church roof has broken down.  This has to be rectified before winter and a contractor has been engaged to carry out the work.

Gale damage.
During the summer gales some slates became dislodged on the church roof, repairs will be done in conjunction with the flashings.  Yes more scaffolding.

Stonework.
Susan Penswick attended a seminar hosted by a Church of England group who invited representatives from other denominations.  English Heritage was represented and as a result of this seminar has showed a renewed interest in St Cuthbert’s to the point where we have now been placed on the Places of Worship ‘at risk register’ and we were advised to re-submit our bid for funds. 
Susan took the lead and the bid has gone forward.  Thanks yet again to Susan for giving her time to attend the seminar and in assembling the new bid. 

Harry Clarke Window.
It seems that English Heritage does not fund stained glass therefore a separate bid will be put to the Worshipful Company of Glaziers as a starting point to restore the Harry Clarke window.  If this is successful funds can be sought from other grant providers to aid this restoration work.

General maintenance continues as and when required.


4. Catholic Society: The report was presented by Helen Hunt who is a 3rd year Theology student.  130 Freshers have signed up so far.  Membership fees are Basic £2, T shirt £5 and T shirt plus Bible £10.  Various events have been arranged including a retreat at Ministeracres.  There will be two Chaplaincy dinners this term.  The Prayer Group meets weekly at 9p.m. on Tuesday and the Rosary Group after the Wednesday Mass.

5. Churches Together in Elvet & Shincliffe: No Report (meeting next Thursday)

6.  Churches Together in Durham:

One world week is the last week in October.  The New Year’s Eve procession will take place as usual.  Two children from the Church will process with lanterns.

7. Liturgy & Music:  There was a discussion on more formal ushering in the church.  There are problems for the choir when the choir loft is used as an overflow area.  The bookcases need to be moved to make more room and the lighting is not very satisfactory.  There are new settings for the new translation of the Mass.  An appeal was made for a second organist to share duties.   The choir badly needs new members.  There are three new servers.  There have been some very positive comments from visitors to the church.

8. Justice and Peace:  No report.  The timing of the meeting is under review and possibly will take place after Sunday Mass.

9. Financial Report:
 We currently have £51,524K on deposit and £16,877K in the current a/c.  

10.  Diocesan Meetings:
Margaret Doyle presented the report. 
Diocesan Strategy Group:
There is a lot of work being done by the Spirituality and Formation Ministry
The Diocesan Education Centre needs safeguarding
There will be a quarterly programme of events
Clergy and Lay formation should be integrated
Roles of Councils, Lay and Youth should be one Council.  Has to be Council of priests under Canon Law
Reviews of Sacramental guidelines for Communion and Confirmation.  Confirmation should be Year 9 and above.  The Bishop is not in favour of early Confirmation.
There is a Festival of Youth next June. Possibly 800 in total at events.
There has been no response in the Diocese to the Eucharistic Congress in Ireland next year. Too expensive.
Bishops Common Strategy is being looked at.

11. Items from the Parish Priest:
Bishop Seamus will be here for the morning Mass on 4th December and the evening Mass on 11th December.  We have 24 candidates coming forward for Confirmation and these will be presented to the Bishop on 4th December.  Mandy Hampshire and Marianne Fleming were commended on their great work in getting the Youth Group going.

12. Any other business:  There will be a Christmas party for the children and families on 17th December.
Forms need to be returned for the Receptive Ecumenism questionnaire.

13. Date of next meeting: 2nd February 2012.

The meeting closed with prayer.