Benefice Council
PCC Meetings
Children and Young People
Worship Planning

Benefice Council

Minutes of the Benefice Council Annual Meeting 8th March 2011
Annual Meeting Report and Rector's Report 8th March 2011

Points of Note from the Benefice Council Meeting of 6th February 2012

• The Council passed a motion (10 in favour, 0 against and 4 abstentions) to become a member of the Sevenoaks Christian School’s Trust, should the new Sevenoaks Christian School be given the go ahead by the Government. This Trust would appoint governors to the new school and ensure its Christian ethos. The Council expressed concern that the admissions oversubscription criteria might disadvantage local children and urged that the criteria might be fair to local children
• The Council has now received an order from the Bishop permitting people with a qualifying connection to one of our churches to be married in any of the Benefice churches
• The Pilgrim group will be taking a more prominent role in baptism preparation and follow-up. Baptism families will be asked to attend a preparation session before they are given a date for their child’s baptism to ensure that they know what they are signing up for.
• The Council endorsed the CYP’s suggestion of a summer holiday club, provided sufficient helpers can be found.
• The Council noted that whilst a majority of those who attended the “Children and Communion” meetings were in favour of giving Communion to children prior to Confirmation, the low rate of attendance, lack of response by parents to a questionnaire and lack of enthusiasm in the Council itself, did not at this time give sufficient warrant to proceed with the policy of admitting children to communion prior to Confirmation. Council members will solicit thoughts from their PCCs and discuss the matter again if there is a desire.
• The council agreed to invite the Church of Christchurch on the Mead, Hackney, to begin a journey of friendship. Christchurch serves a particularly deprived housing estate in East London, very different to our locality. It is envisaged that exchanges of information, prayer requests and an exchange visit might take place. The aim would be mutual learning, support and friendship.
• The Council agreed the pattern of services for the year and especially commended the new alternative evening worship service as a point of growth. Please see the calendar on the website for details.
• The Council endorsed a draft ‘electoral roll pack’ that would encourage potential church members to prayerfully commit to giving to the life of the church financially and in service.

PCCs

St Martin's APCM Draft Minutes
St Peter & St Paul's APCM Draft Minutes
St Botolph's APCM Draft Minutes

News from the PCCs - February 2012

Eynsford

Among items discussed were:-

• Support for the Christian Free School proposed for Sevenoaks.
• The forthcoming visit of the Bishop, planned for Ascension Day (May 17th).
• New ideas around our charitable giving, to make sure our donations are as effective as possible.
• The Church Reordering Project and how to leaflet the Village about this.
• The church graveyard and future burials when it becomes full in a few years. time.  This is now being discussed with the Parish Council.
• The Easter Fair being organised by St. Martin’s Social Committee for 31st March.

Among items noted were:-

• The theft of the CD player from the Vestry.
• Smart water has been applied to all metal not previously coated.
• The Christmas Children’s Services had been well received.
• Christian Aid activities planned for this year.
• Thanks to David Hilling and Richard Barker for repairs to the bell tower.

• Gary spoke with the Council about the healing of past hurts to Farningham and the hope that we might bless the village for good. The Council plan to meet in church to pray, and climb the tower to look out over the village and bless it.

Building matters:

• The Council agreed to proceed with urgent repair to stonemasonry at a cost of £4,800
• Grass cutting for 2012 was approved
• Various cards and a guidebook will be made available in church for visitors
• Fire extinguishers have been checked
• The Council are keeping abreast of developments with the promised 'Shand Hall'.
• Due to several donations late in the year, the PCC can report a small profit for 2012 (£2,700)

• The WI will be repairing hassocks on 8th February
• Benefice AGM, Tuesday 21st February, 6.00pm in Farningham Cricket Club
• Women’s World Day of Prayer in church on 2nd March, 1.30pm
• Summer Fair on 16th June to be opened by Nick Ferrari
• A beacon will be lit on the church tower for the Queen’s Diamond jubilee

Lullingstone

• To be added

Children's and Young People's Work

Minutes of CYP Meeting 26 Apr 2011

Worship Planning

Notes from Worship Planning Meeting 27 Apr 2011