Chairman                                                                              Paul Hornsby, 129 Davies Road, West Bridgford, NG2 5HZ. Tel. 914 1471 (p.hornsby@ntlworld.com)

Vice-Chairman
Fr Matthew Jakes, 29 Charnwood Grove, West Bridgford, NG2 7N, Tel. 981 0320 (Jakesdnl@aol.com)

Secretary                                                                                                                                            
Mrs Sheila Christophers, 12 Killerton Park Drive, West Bridgford, NG2 7SB. Tel. 984 5377 (sheila2409john@aol.com)

Treasurer
Mrs Kay Taylor, 53 Candle Meadow, Colwick Park, NG2 4DW; Tel. 987 0811; (kay.taylor2@ntlworld.com)

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT FRIARY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

ON WEDNESDAY 5 JANUARY 2005

The meeting was opened with prayers by Alistair Kent and Fr Matthew.

PRESENT: David Bignell, Judith Booth, Tony Bray, Richard Burrell, Sheila and John Christophers, Marian Crawford, Charlotte Foote, Monica and John Heard, Carol Hodgkinson, Paul Hornsby, Fr Matthew Jakes, Alistair Kent, Veronica Lawrence, Eddie Mason (Tear Fund), Paul Phillips (Rushcliffe BC), Brian Spencer, Rosemary and Bob Stanley, Steve Sylvester (part of meeting), Kay Taylor, Peter Walsh, Paul Wells, (part of meeting), and Margaret Walker.

APOLOGIES: Andrew Barker, Elaine Buckley, Angela Dougan, Helen Fyall, Derek Hopkins, Liz Jepson, Mark Rice, and June Turner.

MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2004 were agreed and signed with the exception of the following:

            Page 2, ‘Sowing and Reaping’, should read 1 December, not 1 November.

MATTERS ARISING: Tony Bray was grateful about the take-up on the Batiks.  It is proposed that they will be at St Luke’s during the Easter period. 

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CAROL SERVICE: In Steve’s absence, John Heard said it was excellent and Steve was to be congratulated in getting it all together.  Paul Phillips, as a representative of the Borough Council, said how much Rushcliffe appreciated the event.  When Steve arrived he said his only complaints were not enough carol sheets and the lighting wasn’t bright enough.  He praised Andrew Rootham’s input with organising the music.  Nicola Pearson from Rushcliffe had said “if you want anything to go well, involve the church!”

WEEK OF PRAYER – 18-25 JANUARY:  These had been outlined in the Agenda and a copy is on a separate sheet for you to photocopy and distribute to your congregations.  ALL ACTIVITIES ARE OPEN TO ALL DENOMINATIONS.  An addition is a Prayer Walk round the Central area of Bridgford meeting at Friary United Reformed church on Monday 7.30pm.  It is proposed to walk round Musters Road, Rectory Road, Bridgford Road and Millicent Road praying for specific issues and returning for refreshments at Friary about 8.30 pm.  Those who do not wish to walk can remain in Friary to pray.

TEAR FUND:  Eddie Mason gave a short talk on the work of  Tear Fund explaining that it works ‘on the ground’ with the church in those countries of need rather than send sending out people from this country.  They do not work outside church environments.

In talking about Make Poverty History he said that a lot of the money given for the earthquake disaster would be giving them what they owe us.  In other words, unless debts are cleared, these countries would never be out of debt.  They are working with all organizations towards removing the debt.  30,000 a year die  in the third world through poverty related illnesses.  Money still needs to be sent to Africa and Asia to help with poverty issues. 

He would welcome being invited to churches, organization, youth clubs, etc. to speak about these issues

LENT AND EASTER:  (Details on a separate sheet will be sent as soon as I have details which can be circulated to all congregations.)

            Holy Spirit – Paul said that because their church was being renovated they would have no premises to hold midweek events until after Easter.

            Methodists had organized two evenings – Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30 pm -on Icons

            St Paul’s are studying the Diocesan Lent course on ‘Ubuntu” on Wednesday evenings at 8 pm

and Friday mornings at 10.00.  Full details will be sent later

            Holy Rood.  David decided that they would invite the Church of the Holy Spirit to join them and host their study

It was suggested that churches let Sheila know of their Holy Week services and events so that they can be published.  Judith Booth said that the Friary was looking to do a musical production on Good Friday evening at 7.30 pm.

Holy Rood and Wellin Lane would hold their Good Friday act of witness in Edwalton.

No arrangements were made for Saturday Eve. 

AGAIN ALL THESE ACTIVITIES ARE OPEN TO ALL CHURCHES  I need to have your details please as soon as possible. 

It was agreed that we put an article in Wot’s Wot and also West Bridgford Local News and advertise the times of our services for Holy Week.  (David and Sheila to organize)

EASTER DAY – There would be the usual Sunrise service on the embankment – details to follow.

PAUL PHILLIPS – ECO-CONGREGATIONS:  Paul is the Community Environment Officer for Rushcliffe and his task is to enable us to become a cleaner, greener environment and how to protect our environment as a community. Together we can achieve more.  I attach documents which he has emailed me. 

There are various ways this can happen and Paul wants to encourage churches to look at themselves to see what they can do to be more eco-friendly i.e. using low energy bulbs, recycled paper, using third world goods i.e. Traidcraft, making their churchyard a place for wild life with shrubs, etc.  Churches need to be seen to practice what they preach   Resources are available free to churches but the agreement of a church decision-making meeting is required.  Paul would be happy to help with the Audit and also willing to come and speak to churches/organizations. 

ROUND THE CHURCHES:

            CATHOLIC CHURCH – apart from the physical changes to their buildings, there are also plans to change the structure of the Catholic churches in Rushcliffe.  At the moment, West Bridgford joins with Keyworth and Cotgrave, but soon Keyworth will join East Leake and Cotgrave will join with Radcliffe on Trent.

            METHODIST Brian said that they had finally completed their fundraising  for Focus 21and they were grateful to all those who had helped in any way.  They were now concentrating their energies on the spiritual life of the church.

            The Methodists are organising a year of prayer from July 2005 to September 2006 -24/7.  Prayer would be said somewhere in a Methodist church in the country.

            WELLIN LANE – The service geared for young people will now be bi-monthly – 2^nd and 4^th Sundays at 6.30 pm

            COMPTON ACRES – Paul Wells came to speak about his aspirations for Dibleys and the part it plays in his life and that of the community.  Although it isn’t advertised as being ‘Christian’ they maintain Christian ethics and he often has opportunities to share his faith story.  He is looking for a part-time member who could work chiefly daytimes, but occasional evenings, who would have the maturity to represent him and Dibleys ethos when  he isn’t there.  If you know of anyone, please contact Paul on 981 0245

            FAITH AND LIGHT – Marian again invited us to attend the celebration at the Methodist Church Sunday January 30 from 3 pm followed by a sit down tea.

            FRIARY DROP-IN.  Sheila said that help was needed on the volunteer’s rota for Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings early or late shift.  Please ring 982 5448

            ST WILFRIDS are having a new curate in July – wife of the Rev. Rob Bushyager at St Luke’s.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

            Crime Prevention – Tony mentioned the meeting he had been to about Crime Prevention and how to deal with the 15-16 year olds. 

            Alistair drew our attention to the programme on Saturday night called “Jerry Springer - the Opera” and suggested we contacted the BBC about our views.

            One Family, One Word  - Sheila gave details of this Seminar to be led by Canon Brian Pearson at the Methodist church on Saturday 19 March from 10 am to 4 pm.  This is mainly for those involved with ministry or who would like to exchange experience and discover more about the ministry of the word in the context of all age worship.

            David Bignell suggested that because of the pending General Election, we contact our local MPs with a view to holding an Any Questions evening.  David and Sheila agreed to look into this.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY 7 JUNE 2005.