Holy Trinity Church
Minutes of the Parochial Church Council
Meeting held on Monday 13 February 2017
Position Present
Chairman Revd. Roger Wiles.
Churchwardens Alan Jones, David Thompson
Elected members Kate Buddle, Helen Sweeney, George Barnes, Geff Meyer Geoff Lawrence, Paul Lewis, Helen Keningley
PCC Treasurer Chris Walsh
Deanery Synod Reps. Alan Dixon, Ron Kenworthy, Paul Sweeney (scribe) Diocesan Synod Reps. Brian Jones
Apologies Alan McGraa.
In attendance Paul Crowther.
Revd. Roger W opened the meeting with a reading from Colossians 3:12 - 17 followed by open prayer.
Action by
17/1 Minutes of the PCC Meeting 21 November 2016
These were accepted without amendment.
17/2 Matters arising (PCC Minutes)
Nil
17/3 Minutes of the Fabric Committee 9 January 2017
Accepted.
17/4 Matters arising (Fabric Committee)
F576 - Trees. Alan J. confirmed that no decision on removing six trees from the copse had been made as we are still awaiting a Wirral Council report. The Guides group’s plan to plant a tree has been postponed.
F586 - Old audio bench. Roger asked that this be moved to a suitable storage place or disposal.
17/5 Treasurer’s Report
a) Chris W reported on the need to ensure compliance with Data Protection requirements. She is reviewing any documents held by the church and establishing actions that may need to be taken. We need to highlight all data sources that may need to be covered. Action is required to highlight to Chris all such sources.
b) Chris has not yet compiled the year-end accounts as there are some expenditure items yet to be resolved. Thus far, total income for the year was £178,632 and total expenditure £169,055, leaving a surplus of £9,577. This will be reduced further when the outstanding expenditure items are resolved, these being; a. Gas bills, which need checking in detail and any outstanding payments made, and; b. Deane Wiles’ recompense, item c,below.
c) Chris reported that she was now in a position to finalise the employment contracts of Deane Wiles and Anita Ward, which had required some additional consideration on account of the job share element.
d) Chris reported that the subject of pension auto-enrolment was now complete and that we are fully compliant. Contribution level from the church is currently set at the statutory minimum. Chris will bring forward a proposal for the next meeting on whether this should be increased to a greater amount.
17/6 Vision Update
Paul C reported that the first evening service given over to the ‘Vision Implementation Prayer’ meeting was well received and constructive. The next such meeting will be held this coming Sunday. A recent meeting of the oversight group for this project had taken place but there is no further action to report at this stage.
Roger reported that the position of youth & children’s worker had been advertised. To date, two enquiries have been made and one application received. The closing date is 31 March.
17/7 Passing a resolution under the House of Bishop’s Declaration
Alan J All Chris Walsh Chris Walsh Chris Walsh Chris Walsh
Holy Trinity Church
Minutes of the Parochial Church Council
a) The following is the agreed text of the resolution under discussion: The resolution.
1. The Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity, the Parish of Poulton Lancelyn, in the Diocese of Chester, requests on the ground of theological conviction, as well as the need to support its clergy and maintain congregational unity, that arrangements be made for it in accordance with the House of Bishops Declaration on the Ministry of Bishop and Priests.
2. We are united in our faith and are entirely content with our current arrangements and have no wish to change our relationship with either, Bishop Peter as our Diocesan Bishop, or Bishop Keith as our Suffragan Bishop. We pray that our Diocese may always continue to have similar oversight in future and that this will maintain the unity of our church family.
b) At the commencement of lengthy discussion, Roger asked that the subject be treated with sensitivity and this was observed throughout. He outlined his position that this is an area based on theological interpretation and that he doubted that it was ever possible to reconcile the differing views, summarised as the ‘complementarian’ and ‘egalitarian’ positions. He circulated a discussion document which might be useful to set the context of discussion and that, should the resolution be passed, this should be used to add explanation of the church’s position. This document forms part of these minutes and is included as Addendum 1, with slight amendment agreed at the meeting.
c) Discussion by those against passing the resolution centred on the views that:
It is unkind of us to bring disunity within the church over something that is unlikely to happen and this is unhelpful at a time of developing our new vision
it is not necessary to pass the resolution now, it is hurtful to some in the congregation and can be addressed at a future date when appropriate at either an interregnum or the appointment of a female bishop to Chester Diocese.
d) Discussion by those in favour of passing the resolution centred on the views that:
Passing the resolution effectively restores the long-held position of Holy Trinity which has been changed as a result of C of E legislation. The previous position held did not cause disunity within Holy Trinity so why would restoring the position be any different?
Differing theological positions were both understandable but that passing the resolution would allow unity whereas not doing so would leave some, including our vicar, in a position of ‘discomfort’ and that the issue may ‘fester’ while unresolved
There was a clear danger of this unresolved issue resulting in misunderstandings and that these could even be misinterpreted to cause distrust among church members, which would be unhelpful and upsetting to church unity. Just as ‘careless talk costs lives’, so careless treatment of this issue and misrepresenting others’ genuinely held positions is upsetting and damaging to church unity
There was a clear demographic pattern whereby those opposing the resolution tended to be older while those in favour were younger; and that our church needs more younger people to flourish in future
e) Following discussion, it was clear that a consensus was not possible. A decision needed to be made one way or the other. Thus the resolution was put to a vote. It was passed by 12 in favour and 3 against with no abstentions.
f) Notice of the resolution is to be delivered to the following: 1. Diocesan Bishop
2. Archdeacon 3. Diocesan registrar 4. Registered patron
Roger agreed to undertake this task.
g) Roger outlined that there would need to be a small group to represent the view of our church and preferences for oversight as outlined in the resolution and the associated notes, Addendum 1, to the Bishop following the passing of the resolution. He offered to coordinate this activity and Helen S and Geoff L were nominated to act in support. h) Roger will present the detail of the passing of the resolution to the church family at the
next Sunday morning service.
17/8 Interest Portfolios
Mission Support Groups Youth Services Nil report Nil report Nil report Nil report
Holy Trinity Church
Minutes of the Parochial Church Council
Evangelism
Paul L reported that:
Charles Thompson’s (Mission) is supported by the Land Registry staff charity and Helen K reported that her school’s charity collection had also generously supported this work.
Wirral Gospel Partnership meeting at St Andrews on May 10 will be led by John Wyatt
Wirral Gospel Partnership meeting at St Catherine’s church on July 5 will be led by Debbie Flood, a Christian Olympian rower
More participants were required before another Christianity Explored course could be run – there have been a couple of enquiries.
Technology
The new desktop for the church should be in operation soon.
Paul L reported that a Web Policy had been prepared. This was circulated with a view to approval by individual PCC members at the next meeting.
George B reported that he is still sorting out the new Laptop One radio Mic. needs repairing
17/9 Church Anniversary
Roger W reported some ideas for the 40th anniversary of the Parish.
a service to recognise Paul C as Associate Minister involving Bishop Keith may be held, subject to his (K’s) availability.
A display highlighting historical information about the parish and buildings may be organised
Paul C is preparing ’30-gospel days’ readings during September for church members to undertake for spiritual encouragement in the gospel work
Paul C made the suggestion of a ‘secret santa’ version of spiritual encouragement among church members might be possible. Roger stated that he had experience of this in Edinburgh and it worked well.
Helen K suggested that a social event such as a ceilidh would be good idea
17/10 Deanery Synod 15 February 2017
Roger noted that there is a Deanery Synod this week, St Chads, Irby
17/11 Any other business
a) Date of APCM to be 30th April
17/12 Date of next meeting
20 March 2017 Roger W George B Roger Paul C Paul C
Review of tonight’s meeting – comments made
What worked well?
Honest and open discussion in a sensitive manner
What could we do better? Timekeeping
Holy Trinity Church
Minutes of the Parochial Church Council
Addendum 1
A note further clarifying the Resolution.
1. Our church family, whilst largely Conservative Evangelical in ethos, consists of people from varying theological backgrounds. There are many who hold to a complementarian view on the roles of men and women and many who hold to an egalitarian view. We acknowledge that both views are sincerely held and the result of careful study of Scripture.
2. It is recognised that we are not able to agree theologically with each other on this issue.
3. It is not the only area where there are sincerely held divergent opinions. Some in our church family hold strongly to the idea of believer’s baptism whilst others feel just as strongly that infant baptism is correct. 4. What we do all recognise is that this is not a salvific issue. Thus it is our desire to find a way forward in
which, whilst we disagree on this more secondary issue, we can remain together as one strong loving church family. The desire of us all is to serve Christ to His honour and glory.
5. The path to a resolution has been a painful one. The PCC recognises that because of the peculiar make-up of our church family whether we pass a resolution or don’t pass a resolution – some will be hurting and for that reason we regret having to act one way or the other.
6. The PCC has nevertheless decided by a majority vote to pass a resolution asking for arrangements to be made for us under the House of Bishop’s Declaration. Thereby we allow those among us who hold a complementarian view of ministry to flourish. Those who hold an egalitarian view of ministry in our church family would prefer not to pass a resolution, yet because it is agreed by the majority of the PCC that they can also flourish under male headship, we trust that out of love for their brothers and sisters, they will accept this protection given to those who hold a complementarian view of ministry.
7. Where we say we “are entirely content with our current arrangements and have no wish to change our relationship with either, Bishop Peter as our Diocesan Bishop, or Bishop Keith as our Suffragan Bishop” we mean that until such time as there is a change in person of one or other of these bishops we do not wish to change anything.
8. If any future change results in one or other of Bishop Peter or Bishop Keith being replaced by a female bishop, it is our request that the arrangements made for us would ensure that the remaining male bishop in Chester Diocese exercise episcopal ministry for us.
Holy Trinity Church
Minutes of the Parochial Church Council
Notes of interest taken directly from the
House of Bishop’s Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests
(HBD),
the Guidance Note from the House
(GN)
and Passing a Resolution under the House of Bishop’s Declaration
(PR).
1. The complementarian view of male headship is the reason a Conservative Evangelical parish church would seek to pass a resolution.
“It may be that a clear majority believe this, but it could be only a minority (the Declaration does not specify a minimum proportion). The PCC can tailor their proposed resolution to meet their particular circumstances.” (PR first paragraph on page 2)
2. “The responsibility for signaling that a parish wishes to take advantage of arrangements… rests with the relevant parochial church council (‘PCC’). (HBD page 4 paragraph 18)
3. “In considering whether to pass a resolution it is for each PCC member to consider what weight to give to his or her own theological conviction as against the conviction of others in the church community.” (GN page 3 paragraph 11)
4. “… any resolution should have the support of either (a) a majority of those present at a meeting at which at least two-thirds of the members of the PCC who are entitled to attend are present
or (b) a majority of all the members of the PCC.” (GN page 2 paragraph 9 and HBD page 4 paragraph 19)
5. “… a copy of any resolution passed should be sent to the diocesan bishop, archdeacon, diocesan registrar and registered patron.” (GN page 3 paragraph 12 and HBD page 4 paragraph 20)
6. “If a resolution is passed the PCC needs to be able to articulate for the bishop the nature of the conviction which, in its view, underlay the decision.” (GN page 3 paragraph 11 and PR page 5)
7. “It is for the PCC to nominate one or more of its members to articulate on its behalf to the bishop the
particular needs of the parish in the light of the theological conviction that underlies the resolution, so that the resolution can be implemented effectively.” (GN page 3 paragraph 13)
8. “In relation to episcopal ministry, it is for the diocesan bishop to decide who should minister to a parish where a resolution has been passed. … the diocesan bishop will seek to ensure that pastoral and sacramental ministry is provided in a way that maintains the highest possible degree of communion and contributes to mutual flourishing.” (GN page 3 paragraph 14)
9. “Parishes which have passed a resolution may rescind it at any time.” Using the same procedures as above for passing a resolution. (HBD page 4 paragraph 21 and GN page 4 paragraph 22)
10. “…a PCC that has passed a resolution is expected to review it from time to time especially when a vacancy arises in the benefice.” (GN page 4 paragraph 22).
In the light of 5,6 and 7 above please see the note further clarifying the resolution which is a suggested guide for those who will speak to the bishop, (a note to accompany the resolution)
