Parochial Church Council

EASTER VESTRY

1. Election of Churchwardens for 2002/3

The Vicar thanked John Norris and Carolyn Cazenove for serving as Churchwardens. Since they had said that they were willing to stand again, it was proposed by Jenny Moseley and seconded by Francis Reeks that they should be re-elected (passed nem.con.). Norah Smith was thanked for her work as Deputy Warden at Reach, and it was proposed by Jan Robinson, seconded by Jen Holmwood that she should continue for another year (passed nem. con.)

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

1. Electoral Roll

A new Electoral Roll to last for the next six years had been established. Swaffham Prior Electoral Roll had dropped from 52-43, and Reach from 16 to 12.

2. Churchwardens’ Report

John Norris presented the Churchwardens’ report He highlighted the fact that the vestry refurbishment was now complete, and that the wall at the bottom of 47 High Street had been rebuilt. The wall next to the Vicarage had still to be repaired by East Cambs District Council. He reported that the Family Services had flourished under Jan Petersen’s leadership and there were plans to build on the foundations he had laid when he left us in May.

3. Treasurers’ Reports

a) Reach

Laura Luckyn Malone presented the accounts as examined by Paula Ingram. She remarked that expenses had exceeded receipts but the legacy has made Reach solvent. We do need to increase our day-by-day income, however. The Social Group raises quite a lot, but an ongoing commitment to church giving needs to be made. The cost of the work for the vestry and screen re-ordering will be taken out of the legacy, but the cost of this must be kept down to a reasonable figure.

b) Swaffham Prior

Michael Cazenove presented the accounts for Swaffham Prior as examined by Paula Ingram. He said that we were trading at a deficit and needed to find ways of increasing giving. It was decided to have Thanksgiving Day instead of Gift Day next year. There had been an increase in Free Will Offering and Gift Aid had raised the income of the church because of recovered tax.

 

4 Social Working Groups’ reports

a) Reach

Jan Robinson presented this report. She said that, although the age profile of those running events tended to keep getting older, we were recruiting the help of some youngsters in Reach, which is very encouraging. Last year a Moveable Feast, a Family Barbecue and Harvest Supper were arranged, as well as St Etheldreda’s Fair. Another social event needs to be added next year to raise the funds of the church.

b) Swaffham Prior

A written account was distributed of the social events of the last year. The Vicar gave thanks for some very enjoyable occasions, and especially thanked Elisabeth Everitt for organising the superb “Music on the Move” performances by “Cambridge Voices”.

5 Bellringers’ Report

Peggy Stanier reported that they were just managing to keep Sunday service bells going with the help sometimes of ringers from Swaffham Bulbeck. She needed to have more notice of those who were coming to ring, and ringers needed to be regular. Practice nights were on alternate Wednesdays, helped by ringers from Bulbeck, Bottisham, Brinkley and sometimes Burwell or Fordham.

6. Deanery Synod Report

The Vicar presented this report. Attention was drawn to the proposal to form a group ministry, comprising the parishes of Chippenham, Fordham, Isleham, Kennett and Snailwell, to be known as the Three Rivers Group. Also a new deanery of Fordham and Quy was to come into being in June, comprised of our own ten parishes (11 churches) and nine parishes (10 churches) of the old Quy deanery.

7.Vicar’s Benefice Report

The Vicar drew attention to highlights of the year, ongoing work outside the church, the monthly pattern of worship, and worship attendance figures. He felt that attendance had become more fragile, and certainly the attendance at communion services was diminishing, although family services were attracting large numbers, thanks to the ministrations of Jan Petersen. More reciprocal attendance was needed at Reach and Swaffham Prior churches.

8. Election of PCC 2002/3

Last year’s PCC had said they were willing to stand again, except for David Thomas and Eric Day. The following new members were elected:

Dan Tucker, proposed Norah Smith and seconded Jan Robinson

Patricia Harrison, proposed Elisabeth Everitt , seconded Ruth Scovil.

Jan Robinson, proposed Jen Holmwood seconded Norah Smith.

It was proposed by Ruth Scovil and seconded Norah Smith that the following members be re-elected en bloc:

John Norris (churchwarden), Carolyn Cazenove (churchwarden), Michael Cazenove (treasurer), Jenny Moseley (secretary), Norah Smith (deputy churchwarden), Doreen Robinson, Laura Luckyn Malone (treasurer- Reach), Rosalind Woods. One more person could be co-opted during the year.

PCC meetings for the following year:

Wednesday May 29^th (Reach), Monday July 22^nd (SP), Wednesday September 25^th (Reach), Monday November 25^th (SP), Wednesday January 22^nd (Reach), Monday March 24^th (SP) APCM.

9. Election of Deanery Synod Members

Jan Robinson had said that she could not continue. Patricia Harrison said she would continue, and was duly elected. Another person was needed, but none came forward.

10 Election of Sidesmen

Sidesmen were re-elected en bloc, except for those who had withdrawn from last year.

Thanks were due to Andrew Camps, our Sacristan and Verger, who was appointed to serve again.

11 A.O.B.

Future of Reach Church

Philip Lewis gave his perception of how he saw the church and its role in view of its dwindling numbers. He did not see the church relating to the villagers. Others disagreed, and there was some discussion about how Swaffham Prior and Reach could join services.

Jenny Moseley