MEETINGS/AGENDA/MINUTES

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JCC Meeting Minutes

Wednesday 30th August at 7pm, St Piran’s Church Hall.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

 

Welcome and Opening prayer

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1.        PRESENT:

Revd. Karen Wilson (KW); Robert Talbot (RT); Martin Davey (MD); Anne Ramsden (AR); Adrian Walker (AW); Ian Halford (IH);      Jane Darlington (JD); Trish Wilcocks (PW); Paul Stuart (PS).

2.       APOLOGIES:

Rosalind Smith (RS)

3..      MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING:

Agreed.

4.       MATTERS ARISING:

AW - Questioned the JCCAGM. KW said it's up to us whether we need this, but it is good practice, whether we have a whole JCC set up or a partial one. AR proposed to hold one, as it represents an opportunity to review our progress. IH thought it could help to spread what we do and provide clarity. Seconded by AW. Carried 6-2. 1 abstention. Suggestion of April 2024 after the 3 PCC annual reports.

AD - Raised the issue of the common cup. All agreed we should carry on as we are.

5.        BENEFICE BANK ACCOUNT:

PW - Treasurers have met and the account is set up and working. Arrangements are that Trish Holmes (Devoran Treasurer) will send monthly statements to fellow treasurers. Each church will pay one third of Karen's monthly expenses. Movement of funds for this will need emailed agreement from one of  PW and Steve Gaut (St. Feock Treasurer) to Trish Holmes. This will proved audit evidence of all movements. This account is purely for payment of clergy expenses. Treasurers have agreed to meet regularly on the first Monday of every month.

6.       MISSION AND OUTREACH - including update on Advent Talk Series. Discuss new ideas for reaching families during Advent                      and Christmas. Joint Missional opportunities.

KW - Advent Talk series reported from the Ministry Team meeting. Discussion ensued in which:

PW - suggested using parish magazines, Facebook links, how do we target young people? what are we trying to achieve?  

IH -  asked who is our target audience, and pointed out that speakers may expect donations.

AW suggested Sunday afternoons.

KW - suggested talks from Butterfly, Street Pastors, St. Petrocs, Foodbank, Samaritans, Organ donation team. Over to Ministry team for decision.

PS - Where do we want to hold these talks? Recording talks to be put on the website for all to see and hear.

7.       AOB:

None

8.        DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

11th October, 2023. 7.00 pm at Devoran

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Closing Prayers

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JCC MEETING - MINUTES

19TH JULY, 2023

ST. FEOCK CHURCH COMMUNITY HALL AT 7.00 PM.

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WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER:

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PRESENT: Revd. Karen Wilson (KW); Patricia Wilcocks (PW); Rosalind Smith (RS); Martin Davey (MD); Adrian Walker (AW); Jane Darlington (JD); Ian Halford (IH); Anne Ramsden (AR); Paul Stuart (PS).

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APOLOGIES:

Robert Talbot

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MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

Agreed and signed.

 

MATTERS ARISING:

PS circulated the questions sent to Bishop Hugh, AD Paul and Rural Dean Marc which came from the previous JCC meeting. The response for all three has been received from Bishop Hugh, and copies were distributed. Saved for later reference.

KW reported that the Trinity Group (Truro) of the On The Way project has collapsed due to financial issues.

 

TOTS AND TOYS:

Comprehensive report from JD, covering all aspects of this weekly outreach work:

     >attendance: 5 to 10 children per session. Parents stay and are responsible for their children. There are children from many                        places other than Devoran.

    >finances: JD confirmed it is not a charity. The bank account is in the hands of JD and she is keeping her own accounts.  Grants                  received have been £244.98 from the Parish Council and £400 from the Spar shop chain. Regular income is from the £2 entry                charge and voluntary donations. Outgoings arise from materials, rent of the hall (currently £12 per session, due to increase to               £14) PW suggested a bowl for donations for tea and coffee at the sessions as every extra penny really counts.

    > JD was advised to make sure she was not alone when handling money that people gave. This is for her own protection and is good          practice.

    >helpers: JD wanted to note the role of older people, as they gain as much from being with the children, as the children do from                 them. The sessions are weekly on Friday mornings from 8.30 to 11.30. All help would be greatly appreciated.

    >future: This is a  good example of outreach from our Benefice, and all agreed we must encourage it. The meeting thanked JD and           those involved for this work. 

 

SAFEGUARDING:

KW reported that she meets Jo Pomery (diocesan Safeguarding) regularly. The Safer Recruitment Hub is now live. It is showing that level 2 is a compulsory requirement for all churches. Currently, one of the Waterside Churches needs work to reach that level. KW and Jo will work with them to achieve that. Safeguarding Officers in our churches will be sent requirements. KW to meet Lorraine Rogers (Safeguarding Officer for the Waterside Churches) to discuss needs and achievements.

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BENEFICE BANK ACCOUNT:

PW reported that this has now been set up. The money held by her has been transferred into it and Trish Holmes will ensure the remaining £98 follows suit. The income has come from the Gentlemen's Breakfasts. There is only one signature on this account and the meeting felt that this should be changed so that 2 from the 3 Treasurers becomes the minimum requirement. The account is purely to cater for the payment of clergy expenses. PW noted that KW claims very little expenses. KW said it is her choice to only claim for petrol, but the cost of her phone may have to be included as has increased. The meeting thanked KW for her generosity. KW  said she felt the Treasurers should meet regularly and the meeting agreed. PW to deal with.

PW said that the monthly figures that Treasurers receive from the Diocese show that Devoran have paid no MFF to the end of June. PS noted that if true it could be that they have decided to keep money "at home" to gain as much interest as possible. He said if this is the case, the other two churches should be told in order to avoid misunderstanding. AR and AW expressed surprise at the situation and said they would investigate it with Trish Holmes (Devoran Treasurer). To be reported at the next meeting. KW suggested that our 3 Treasurers should meet regularly. PW said she would follow that up. 

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MISSION AND OUTREACH:

Discussion about the outreach and mission which is happening in our churches. There is much good work happening, but general agreement that we cannot afford to be complacent. We need to not only look after and provide for our current congregations, but also find ways of touching those in our communities who do not engage with our faith or the church. KW raised the point that when we advertise our services in village magazines, on noticeboards and elsewhere the important point to highlight is not who is taking the service, but what the service actually is. PS confirmed that St. Piran's services appear in Perran News without details of who is taking each service. Attendance at our services should not become a popularity contest. Special appearances by people other than our usual clergy and Lay people are obviously are an exception.  RS expressed the opinion that people should know who is due to take services so they can choose where to go. There was discussion about the definition of the role of the JCC and our PCCs. Our agreed profile showed the position and this has not been changed. Perhaps this is a discussion for the future, because some JCC members said they would investigate the situation.  

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COMMON CUP:

The CofE is looking to offer the opportunity to return to the common cup. Feedback from the churches show that Devoran and St. Feock are evenly split over whether to do so or carry on with current practice of intinction. St. Piran's view is to continue with intinction as practiced at present. There was agreement that each of our churches are able to deal with the issue as suits them. KW said she would ask for the views of the AD do some research about he issues. 

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AOB:

The need for an JCCAGM was raised. RS said she could not find any written evidence that it is a necessary meeting. The meeting felt that we need not have one, unless it is proved to be required by "officialdom".  

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DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Wednesday 30th August at St. Piran's Church Hall at 7.00pm.

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The meeting closed with The Grace.

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MINUTES OF JCC MEETING ON 24th MAY, 2023

AT 7.00PM AT ST. PIRAN'S CHURCH HALL

OPENING PRAYER:

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PRESENT:

Revd. Karen Wilson (KW); Jane Darlington (JD); Adrian Walker (AW); Anne Ramsden (AR); Martin Davey (MD); Robert Talbot (RT); David Simmons (DS); Ian Halford (IH); Paul Stuart (PS). 

APOLOGIES:

Rosalind Smith

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:

Agreed and signed, with the amendment, raised by RT, that we agreed to be "moving towards" joint Safeguarding Officer arrangements. It was noted, however, that this point was correctly recorded in the minutes per the proposal made by PS "that the Waterside Benefice moves towards the appointment of a Safeguarding Officer."

MATTERS ARISING:

None

SAFEGUARDING:

KW reported on her meeting with the newly appointed Diocesan Head of Safeguarding, Andy Earl (AE) and Joanne Pomery (JP), who is the new Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Officer and Cathedral Safeguarding Officer. St. Piran's and Devoran will move immediately to being under one PSO, Lorraine Rogers. (LR). She will have a nominated link from each church. PCCs to name them. The new Hub and IT package was detailed. All churches across the Diocese will be included. These new arrangements, which use up to date IT with Dashboard, will ensure timely training, DBS checking, and reminders and records for all safeguarding related matters. AW asked how specific cases will be handled. KW said hard copies are to be kept in a safe, accessible only to herself as Priest in Charge and LR, at St. Piran's Church. St. Feock's move to join the arrangements in the Waterside Benefice will be handled by AE and JP as a matter of urgency. AW asked whether this is part of a national initiative to which Truro Diocese has been committed. KW confirmed. RT asked whether other diocese are using it. KW confirmed it is a national roll-out.

BENEFICE BANK ACCOUNT:

KW reported that the joint bank account had still not been set up. The meeting agreed that action was needed and directed that the three Treasurers meet as a matter of urgency to resolve the matter, There is £98, currently held by Trish Holmes (Treasurer at at Devoran), which should be moved across to be with the other money held by Trish Wilcocks (Treasurer at St. Piran's). If no bank account is in operation by the time of their meeting, JCC directed that a new account be set up using another bank. It has been 2 years since the agreement to set up such an account and that is far too long. The situation cannot continue.

PARISH PROFILE - REVIEW

KW reported that it is her understanding that the review of the Benefice will take place in nine months' time. It will look at whether we are delivering what we agreed to at the outset, our vision for the future, whether we are sustainable and fruitful, how we are meeting our commitments to mission, ministry and outreach. The meeting discussed each of these issues. Each church listed activities which are successful and plans for the future. The situation across the Benefice was also discussed. Thoughts concerning the factors which influence and shape what we do, how we do it, as well as factors beyond our control were forwarded. There was much concern about the review and points were raised about what form it may take, what criteria will be used, who will be included as assessors and participants, and what could happen if the three year period was deemed not to be a success. IH raised the worrying matter of reports of groups of churches being put together in large and unworkable groupings. This has been reflected in several media reports. Also, in view of uncertainties listed above and differing details being received, PS proposed JCC should write to Bishop Hugh, Archdeacon Paul and Rural Dean Marc to ask for clarification on all matters relating to a review, seeking  definitive and clear timeline and set of details. AR seconded. PS agreed to write the letter. (AFTERNOTE: Letter is at the end of these minutes).

AOB: 

June 4th noted as the Sunday of Point Regatta. Devoran and St. Feock churches will be attending the service there, to be taken by The Bishop. St. Piran's will therefore provide the Holy Communion service for the Benefice, with KW presiding and a Methodist preacher visiting.

KW noted that there will need to be a JCC Annual Meeting. Date and venue to be decided. AR suggested a cheese and wine event for the JCC Annual meeting. There must be a published agenda as well.

Also, rotation of JCC reps was noted. PW and IH are now new reps for St, Piran's. JCC thanked Janet Thomas and David Simmons for their work. AW recognised the rotation policy. St. Feock and Devoran to deal with ready for the next meeting.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

19TH July at St. Feock at 7.00pm. RT to check availability of their Church Hall.

CLOSING PRAYER.

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AFTERNOTE: LETTER FROM JCC. 

Dear Bishop Hugh, Archdeacon Paul and Rural Dean Marc

On 24th May 2023 the Waterside Benefice held a JCC meeting. One of the items discussed was the much talked about “review” of the performance of the three church benefice. The outcome of the discussion was a motion to write to you seeking detail. The motion was carried unanimously and I was tasked to write to you. 

There appears to be a good deal of confusion and misunderstanding, from a variety of sources, and this letter is designed to seek a definitive, unified set of details from you to the issues below.

1/.          Are there plans for a review of the benefice? We seem to have differing answers to this question, depending upon who we ask.

2/.          If a review is planned, please let us have a definite start and end date.  We have been given a   variety of time scales, which makes planning ever more difficult as time passes.

3/.          If a review is planned, we believe it should reflect the third anniversary of the start of Karen’s appointment, which would be July 2024. Your thoughts on this would be helpful.          

4/.          If no review is planned it would be most helpful to have that stated for the record.

5/.          If a review is planned, please set out in reply to this letter the form it will take, who will be involved, what consultation will be involved and any other details you have.

6/.          If the benefice is reviewed and is found to be sustainable and fruitful, please confirm that it will then continue with the current three churches involved and Karen as Priest in Charge.

7/.          If the benefice is found not to be sustainable and fruitful in its current form, please respond to this letter with details of what would then happen to the three churches, and to Karen.

8/.          Please confirm that when the current benefice model does come to be reviewed, our concerns will be taken into account.

9/.          Are there wider diocesan plans for the Waterside benefice?

10/.    Is the Powder Deanery Plan the basis upon which future decisions are made?

11/.    Are there any changes to parish or benefice groupings planned which are not currently in the Deanery Plan?

12/.      If one of the three churches in our benefice expresses reluctance to continue within the benefice, how would this be handled? What would happen to each of the three churches?

 

I realise these matters are challenging, but I think moving forward in meaningful ways calls for openness and co-operation from all concerned.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours in prayer

 

Paul Stuart

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MINUTES OF JCC MEETING AT 7.00PM AT DEVORAN PARISH CENTRE 13th APRIL, 2023

AT 7.00 PM AT DEVORAN PARISH CENTRE

Opening prayer

PRESENT: Revd. Karen Wilson (KW), Anne Ramsden (AR) Adrian Walker (AW) David Simmons (DS) Martin Davey (MD) Rosalind Smith (RS) Robert Talbot (RT) Janet Thomas (JT) Paul Stuart (PS)

APOLOGIES: Jane Darlington

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:  

1/.     Summative notes from the Extraordinary meeting of 26th October, 2022, agreed and signed.

2/.     Full minutes from the Extraordinary meeting to be circulated with the minutes for this meeting, for agreement.

3/.     Minutes of meeting on 22nd September, 2022 agreed & Signed. 

MATTERS ARISING: 

1/.     Waterside Benefice bank account still not in existence. It is now at least a year since the JCC agreed for the Treasurers to set this up. Trish Holmes (Treasurer at Devoran), was designated by the Treasurers to deal with the matter. AR reported that Trish Holmes has been having problems with the bank. Trish Holmes has now applied for an account by herself. She will use the £98 from the first Gentlemen's Breakfast to do so. AR's understanding is that this will be done within the next 4 weeks. All agreed that this cannot continue and that if this is not resolved in that timescale, KW will meet Trish Holmes.

SAFEGUARDING: 

KW proposed the appointment of a Benefice Safeguarding Officer, who would be i/c Waterside safeguarding matters. All paperwork would be given to the new SO and kept in a locked box in the safe at St. Piran's, as the SO would be Lorraine Rogers. This would mean current SOs from each church would no longer need to have the responsibility of safeguarding and all that entails. AR expressed support as she does not want to continue in the role for Devoran. Access to the paperwork for any current and past cases will be available only to the Priest in Charge and Lorraine Rogers as SO. Transfer of documents to take place by 23rd May, 2023. The new SO will ensure all DBS and Safeguarding Training and certification is brought up to date. The JCC members from St. Feock expressed opposition to the move.  KW said we are a benefice and should act as one. AR noted that confidentiality would not be compromised by the move and there could well be future cases. She seconded KW's proposal. KW confirmed that she has consulted the diocese and there is nothing to prevent the move happening. MD said he would be in touch with Simon Vaughan at the diocese.

PS asked whether KW had seen any paperwork which referred to any cases in the benefice, as she is entitled to do. KW said she has not.

AW and PS noted that the JCC is the governing body of the Waterside Benefice and must be able to discuss changes, vote on them and move forward. There is therefore the matter of JCC decisions being hamstrung by any minority, which would not be a good precedent.

RS said that she feels there is an implied criticism of her performance as St. Feock SO. KW and other members disagreed. AR said she felt no implied criticism for her SO work at Devoran.

PS proposed an amendment: That the Waterside Benefice moves towards the appointment of a SO. When the move is made it will included paperwork being kept under the auspices of the Priest in Charge and the Waterside SO. Seconded by DS. The Benefice SO will work to become known and trusted in all our churches. Any new cases to go to Lorraine Rogers as the proposed new SO as they arise. 6 IN FAVOUR, 3 AGAINST. No abstensions.

There will now be a period of deliberation about how best to carry out the agreed action.

REVIEW OF MISSION AND OUTREACH SINCE LAST MEETING AND IN FUTURE

Devoran: Messy Church; Youth Group 8-13 about to start; improving proactive relationship with the school; Parish Council Coronation plans, Tots and Toys initiative.

St. Piran's: Craft and Activity group for Junior aged children; Easter Trail, Garden, tomb, cross, bonfire and fire service; Lent studies; Fellowship Group; Lent Lunches; Cornwall Hospice Care; Breakthrough with school; coffee stop; Easter eggs; Oggymen concert, Will Keating and John Dowling concerts, Proposed welcome packs for new properties.

St. Feock: Treasure Hunt; Knit, knot and natter, bi-weekly; Village Lunch bi-weekly; minibus - over 2000 uses; Coronation Lunch; Esater Eggs; Monthly coffee and cake; Monthly film club. 

MISSION, STRATEGY AND OUTREACH:

RT referred to his idea of working on these matters, which was discussed at an earlier meeting.

RT said that he meant we need to identify a destination, describe how to get there.

KW reminded the meeting that AD Paul Bryer had already dealt with the issue at the Extraordinary meeting when he read out our agreed profile, which is part of the "About Us" work completed over a long and careful Transition period. There is therefore no need to to revisit it. We just need to get on and deliver!

JT stressed the need for balance within each community. We must be careful not to overload people who volunteer and give so generously of their time. She wanted to maintain the individuality of each church and reminded the meeting that we are not a benefice within an urban setting, which is easier to deliver. She said that she believed the Ministry Team should deal with rotas, leading worship, and how that is done. Sharing experiences and helping each other must be at the forefront for that group. She questioned the need for the Ministry Meetings to be formal gatherings. KW replied that issued within the benefice had meant that minutes are necessary. 

AR expressed support for having more JCC meetings and the need to relieve KW of some of the burden of administration.

DS talked about planning services and pointed out that PCC input does not seem as strong as before we joined as a Benenefice.

KW reiterated that the Ministry Team are responsible for rotas for services.

AR stressed the need for improved commiunication. 

TIMING AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS:

PS said that we should have a clear vision of what each group is set up to do, and make sure the timings of meetings enable better communication. He reminded the meeting that AD Paul Bryer had expressed his view that more meetings could be useful. 

PS proposed a meetings structure as follows: PCC every 12 weeks, Ministry Meetings every 12 weeks, Church Wardens meetings every 6 weeks, JCC meetings every 6 weeks.  The meeting agreed to this.

AOB:

None

NEXT MEETING: 24TH MAY 7.00PM AT ST. PIRAN'S

Meeting closed with The Grace.

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EXTRAORDINARY JCC MEETING ON 26TH OCTOBER 2022

AT 7.00PM AT DEVORAN PARISH CENTRE

Opening prayer

PRESENT: 

Archdeacon Paul Bryer (ADPB); Revd. Karen Wilson (KW); David Simmons (DS); Janet Thomas (JT); Anne Ramsden (AR); Adrian Walker (AW); Martin Davey (MD); Robert Talbot (RT); Rosalind Smith (RS); Chris Ryall (CR); Paul Stuart (PS);

Jane Darlington (JD) VIA Zoom.

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This meeting was a mid-term review of the Waterside Churches, including the Pastoral Situation, Vision, Ministry and Mission.

It noted the need for better communication, a more open approach and more frequent meetings of the JCC.

Also, the important role that Church Wardens play and their need for more meetings. 

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The meeting finished with a Compline Service, followed by The Grace.

 

Minutes of JCC MEETNG ON 22ND SEPTEMBER 2022

AT 7.00 PM AT DEVORAN PARISH CENTRE

Opening prayer

PRESENT: Revd. Karen Wilson (KW), Anne Ramsden (AR) Jane Darlington (JD) Adrian Walker (AW) David Simmons (DS) Martin Davey (MD) Rosalind Smith (RS) Robert Talbot (RT) Janet Thomas (JT) Paul Stuart (PS)

APOLOGIES: None

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:  Agreed & Signed. 

MATTERS ARISING: 

JCC bank account still not live. Now at least 6 months since it was agreed. PS to follow up for JCC.

SAFEGUARDING: 

Lorraine Rogers has now done the Leadership Course and has agreed to become the overall Benefice Safeguarding Officer. KW noted that there should a locked box in the safe of each church in which to keep confidential safeguarding paperwork. Keys for these boxes must ONLY be held by the vicar and the church's Safeguarding Officer. AR & PS confirmed compliance for Devoran and St. Piran's. RS said there is a locked box for Feock in a locked filing cabinet. She confirmed this is in the church but did not refer to who has keys to the cabinet or box.

LOGO: 

Discussion about usage of the logo. Ideas about line drawing versions, banners, posters, letterheads and more. PS said he could arrange any of the above and asked that people let him have their ideas.

STRATEGY FOR MISSION & OUTREACH FOR THE COMING YEAR:

KW distributed material for discussion and placing in our churches. Where do we go from here? What have we done right/wrong? What do we want? Need to be proactive. KW detailed the 5 marks of mission. Children's mission also discussed. Various Advent Course options were mentioned and one to be agreed. All Souls is a Benefice Service at St. Feock. Each church to provide a list of people to be remembered. St. Feock to let us know what is needed for readers and prayers. KW is working on the December Rota and will let us have it once Christmas Day is arranged. AD has agreed to take the service at Devoran; KW to be at St. Piran's. Other services and events discussed: Craft for Christmas at St. Piran's, Christingle, Carols. St. Feock to confirm when they wish to have Christingle and Christmas Communion. St. Feock confirmed Christmas Lunch at 12.30 on 16th December. St. Piran's events include Table-Top Sale on 15th October in the Perranwell Centre, Will Keating & John Dowling Candlelight Concert in church on 4th November, The Oggymen in church on 24th November. Possibility of Bible Studies starting in the New Year: Volunteers to lead? Ministry Team to be asked to look at Prayer Groups. Home Groups - St. Piran's want to restart Fellowship group fortnightly. (JT). Book Club to restart? (PS). Lent Course - to be looked at. (JD) Holy Week & Easter - KD and KW to look at Walking the Labyrinth. RT stated the need for an overall strategy within which to deliver these events and services. Emphasis on outreach. RT, AW & PS to deal with as a sub-group.

UPDATE ON CHILDREN/YOUTH MINISTRY: AR & JD - Need helpers to get things moving. Tots & Toys mentioned as in need of help, as well as Messy Church. PS asked to be sent all details for the website.

AOB: Gentlemen's Breakfast is on 29/10/22 at The Perranwell Centre at 9.00am.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 8th December at Devoran. 7 pm.

 

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MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 23RD JUNE 2022 AT DEVORAN

Opening Prayer.

PRESENT: Revd. Karen Wilson (KW); Anne Ramsden (AR); Adrian Walker (AW); David Simmons (DS); Janet Thomas (JT); Jane Darlington (JD); Martin Davey (MD); Robert Talbot (RT); Paul Stuart (PS)

APOLOGIES: Rosalind Smith

MINUTES: Signed as an accurate record of last meeting.

MATTERS ARISING:

1/. Correction to Rosalind’s surname.

2/. JCC bank account still not in place or working. Previous meeting was informed the account was live. KW to chase up.

3/. Orders of Service for Service of the Word have been worked on by KW and JD. Now ready. OoS does not require churches’ approval as this is the prerogative of the Priest in Charge. This is an authorised service of the word, from the book of common worship, therefore does not need approval. AR will be printing copies of the service for Devoran. KW will print rest.

4/. RT asked about the request for a diary on the website. PS confirmed it has been in place since the day after the last meeting.

5/. KW said website is proving very useful to our people and others.

6/. Thanks to all who helped stage the Worship Without Walls services. Archbishop Welby very grateful.

REVIEW OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES:

KW stressed that Holy Week is a journey and the offerings in each church must reflect the breadth and depth of its meaning. It is not enough to reflect the triumphal arrival of Christ on Palm Sunday and then jump to the joy of Easter.

St. Piran’s held a Palm Sunday service, Maundy Thursday Agape Meal and vigil, Good Friday Walk of Witness with a service at the cross, Easter Saturday Egg Hunt for the children followed by Garden making, Bonfire and service of Light in church, communion on Easter Sunday. KW and JT recognised the need to evaluate the St. Piran’s Walk of Witness, due to diminishing numbers and increasing mobility problems of the participants.

Devoran held a children’s event on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, a Tenebrae service, Maundy Thursday service, Good Friday service and an Easter Communion. There was also a very impactful and moving Saturday Sunrise service, and a CUTC Walk of Witness, with more than 50 people attending, followed by a buffet at Penpol.

St. Feock held a service on Palm Sunday and an Easter Sunday Communion. KW said she was extremely distressed by the experience of preparing services for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday at St. Feock, stripping the altar and nobody attending on either occasion. AR thought the situation was rude and unacceptable. KW pointed out that not only was there no congregation there was no organist/readers/intercessor. The church officers had not arranged for the service to be supported in any way, despite them being on the rota of worship services. She stressed that these are essential for the smooth running of a service and must be provided.

KW stressed that next year there needs to be services/events during the week in each church. MD said the congregation number at St. Feock on Easter Sunday was halved due to the time having been changed to 11.00am. He stressed that many regular attendees and annually attending visitors were unaware of the new time. Also, the choir held a practice at 10.00am and people thought that meant the service was due then. Many did not return at 11.00am. KW pointed out that people need to check arrangements rather than relying on unchanged circumstances. AFTERNOTE: MD’s e-mail difficulties about KW’s messages going into his Junk box and being immediately deleted were solved on 24th June, 2022. RT stressed the need to involve people in planning and publicity. There was discussion about publicity, advanced notice, and e-mail difficulties.

KW noted that next year we will not have two ordained ministers to cover Easter Sunday, so we need to plan and publicise whatever is arranged well in advance and much more “loudly”. JCC will consider how to provide a Eucharist on Easter Sunday for each church, especially as we shall only have one ordained minister. Suggestion was made that each church needs to take its turn with regard to times for Easter Sunday service.

KW stressed the importance of each church making sure there is an organist, readers and intercession provision for every service, as there have been “problems”.

MISSION AND OUTREACH:

KW highlighted the fact that we do not yet have a strategy and therefore a programme for mission. There are undoubtedly numerous initiatives and activities under way but they are not linked to a defined Waterside Churches strategy.

She referred to Faith, Hope and Love which is one already available for use. We must address the need to draw people to church. Our churches need to become the hub of our mission. JT pointed out that we have looked after ourselves for the best part of 12 years, without proper support and recognition from the Diocese and Deanery. Our achievements should be noted, valued and built upon.

YOUTH MINISTRY AND SCHOOLS:

AR and CR are working on this. AR to send details to PS for the website.

KW said that Devoran school will be attending end of year, harvest and Christmas services in church. She also has arrangements in hand for Perranarworthal School.

JD raised the idea of becoming involved with the Tots and Toys project in Devoran. She gave details, which will be e-mailed to JCC members, and asked for support in principal. Meeting agreed for JD to follow up and send details to us.

BANK ACCOUNT AND FUNDRAISING: See Matters Arising.

ON THE WAY UPDATE:

KW summarised the current situation. The Deanery Plan was agreed at the recent Deanery Synod. The Waterside Churches will remain as a ring fenced project for the two years left. KW asked for views.

AR thought that there has been a great deal of work with not much real outcome.

AW said he was unclear about the “guild” and is sure he is not alone. The explanation given in the plan is unnecessarily complicated. DS asked what happens after the end of our 3- year project.

KW has discussed this with Archdeacon Paul and Marc as Rural Dean. Neither has any intention of disturbing our arrangements during this time, or as we move into the ensuing years, with the proviso that we are successful! i.e. Fruitful and Sustainable.

JT said she is unclear as to whether the driving factor is a paucity of priests or lack of money. She also pointed out that the roles and work of our churchwardens is not being properly understood or valued.

JD said she saw The Waterside Churches as a journey, which we must see and use as an opportunity for change and improvement.

MD pointed out that roles in the Deanery Plan may be difficult to fill. This is especially true of the role of Treasurer, which is crucial and, in his opinion, not really a job for a volunteer. Secretary will also be important. He said the setting up of the Deanery Plan and its arrangements should be taken more slowly that is currently in writing. MD wondered whether we will be moved into the Truro group at the end of our three years. Already answered above. RT was thankful we are ring fenced and that KW has worked to protect us in this way. 

PS raised the difficulty of finding a “leader” for each church. Preparation and discernment takes at least 18 months. Care must be taken not to undervalue the commitment of our current LWLs in this regard. PS noted that Marc Baker promised the PCCs that sustainability would be discussed before the plan was published. That promise has not been delivered. Therefore, if the Deanery plan fails for any reason, that could be highlighted as a weakness. PS asked how many abstentions there had been at the recent Deanery Synod, as he could find no record. PS pointed out that our future depends on The Waterside Churches working together and being considered a success, especially towards the end of the three years and AD Paul and Marc Baker having promised we will continue as we are with the proviso of fruitfulness and sustainability.

AOB:

All three churches confirmed that their PCC’s have agreed to the 20% increase in optional fees for services. This will therefore be in force as new bookings are made.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 22nd September 2022. 7.00pm at Devoran.

 

CLOSING PRAYER

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SUMMATIVE NOTES FROM JCC MEETING – 9TH March, 2022

Welcome and opening prayer

PRESENT:

Revd. Karen Wilson (KW), Anne Ramsden (AR), Jane Darlington (JD), Paul Stuart (PS), Martin Davey (MD), Janet Thomas (JT), Robert Talbot (RT), Chris Ryall (CR), Adrian Walker (AW)

APOLOGIES:

Rosalind Weaver

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

Accepted as accurate.

MATTERS ARISING:

KW said that JCC minutes should not appear on the website or in public, and quoted a Church of England regulation. The meeting discussed and will return to the subject. (AFTERNOTE: Church Representation Rules 2017 Appendix II 12(f):

“Other persons whose names are on the electoral roll may have access to the approved minutes of Council meetings held after the annual parochial church meeting in 1995 except any minutes deemed by the Council to be confidential"

12(g) “other persons may have access to the minutes of Council meetings only in accordance with a specific authorisation of the council provided that, where minutes have been deposited in the diocesan record office pursuant to the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978, the authorisation of the council may be dispensed with”).

ON THE WAY:

KW gave a brief update of where we are in the process. All 11 churches in our group have had consultation. The resulting information has been collated and will now form the basis of a draft plan. Feedback to the churches will happen, followed by an exercise to look at sustainability. This process is happening across the Deanery and will end up in a Deanery plan to be submitted to the Bishops Synod. June is the deadline. KW stressed that nothing is “off the table”.

MISSION:

A/. Children and Youth Ministry. KW said that this was an absolutely vital area for all of our 3 churches. Whilst we must not forget the present congregations and their needs, we must ensure we access and build youth and young families’ work. The “Lost Generation” was also noted. Each of our parishes has roughly an equal number of young children. Help was offered by Hugh Barne from Kea. It was also noted that only a couple of children from within our Benefice goes to Kea for youth work. We must work together on this and each church was invited to forward a rep. AR, CR are keen to work on this and St. Feock will look to provide somebody. The idea of a Youth Group came forward. Our ageing demographic is a danger to our sustainability. PS to build a youth section for the website.

B/. Lent and Easter Services. Rotas were distributed. The main issue was the lack of clergy to provide Eucharist on Easter Day. The proposed solution (a “one-off” solution, hopefully) was 9.30 at St. Piran’s with KW, 10.00 at Devoran with Revd. Jeff James and 11.00 at St. Feock with KW. Holy Week events were agreed.

C/. SOW/ Orders of Service/BCP and Occasional Offices. KW asked for views. The general feeling was that they should become more easily accessible in terms of language and rituals to the wider world. SOW could be altered slightly to become more unified. JD and KW to deal with this and produce drafts. Eucharistic services were also discussed. All agreed that this needs a more radical review, whilst keeping the necessary requirements. KW and PS will look at the matter. Particularly detailed work needs to be done on the red book in use at St. Piran’s. JT raised the problem of baptisms in Communion services. Decision made to have baptisms in Service of the Word where possible.

D/. All agreed that we need to modernize our services in order to become much more appealing and accessible to the wider communities we serve. We must look at our mission by improving its visibility, accessibility, identity, communication. Overcoming fear of the church is an issue. Is our language user friendly? Easy to understand and follow? Do we communicate widely and effectively enough? Complacency is not an option.

OUTREACH: Each church gave a list of fundraising events for 2022 and how they fitted in with stated mission aims. PS asked all to send details to be put on the website. The role of the website was noted as vital in all our work. The statistics of page views for January and February 2022 clearly identified where more work is needed and what is more successful. Meeting also recognized the need to ensure other forms of advertising and communication are used, such as parish magazines, notices boards out and about in the parishes, pew sheets where appropriate, local radio and tv.

CHURCH BUILDINGS/HALLS: KW stressed that our churches and church halls must be the focal points for events, as well as services. It could be a case of use them or lose them! Publication of Church Hall booking for each church on the website should happen in all 3 churches, rather than just the one at present.

JCC BANK ACCOUNT: KW reported that the joint bank account now exists and is used to pay her expenses. Any Benefice fundraising events will also feed into this.

AOB: The matter of minutes appearing on the website was discussed. KW said this should not happen, Some disagreement about this. Research to be done to ascertain the proper resolution. KW said that there would be a review of the Waterside Churches after 2 years from the start of the project. PS reminded the meeting that the agreement remains that review is scheduled to happen after 3 years. KW also said that she understood that the idea is to end up with one PCC after the 3-year review. The meeting confirmed that the profile for the group specifically stated this not to be the case. We want to retain individual PCCs and control of finances and assets. RT asked about having a diary on the website. PS to look at that.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Wednesday 15th, June at St. Piran’s Church Hall at 7.00 pm

MEETING CLOSED WITH THE GRACE.