7 attendees: DB = Diana Betts, MM = Mary O'Mahony (Chair), OC = Owen Clutton, JA = June Adams, RW = Roger Wright (Secretary), GT = Geraldine Thompson, NB = Nick Babb.
Agreed actions shown in bold red type.
1. The meeting started with the diocesan prayer for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation.
Apologies for absence: Peter Lowe.
2. Minutes of last meeting
Any outstanding matters would be discussed as part of the agenda.
3. Manna Centre
NB had agreed to coordinate our support for the Manna Centre and described his intentions in an email to MM. He had agreed in principle two collection dates with Fr David, namely 13-14 May and 16-17 December. After discussion it was agreed that we should try to avoid a date near Christmas so NB would ask if 14-15 October could be used instead.
4. 'Care for Our Common Home' event
It was generally agreed that the event had been a success and several participants had passed on their appreciation for the organising team’s efforts. Three of the people from other parishes had particularly remarked how warmly they had been welcomed by St James’ parishioners on their tables. Several members of J&P had assisted on the day and Fr David had expressed his appreciation to the whole group.
5. Traidcraft
The stall on 25-26 March would also be taking orders for Easter eggs and so three people for each Mass would be preferred. Rota volunteers were agreed provisionally as follows:
6.00pm GT RW (with possible assistance from Pam Lundy/Ellen Wright)
9.15am MM DB
11.00am MM OC (with possible assistance from Angela Martin)
6. CAFOD Lent Fast Day
Fast Day will be on Friday 10 March. RW would ask Fr David to approve of J&P speakers giving the short talk at the end of each Mass the weekend before. Readers were likely to be:
6pm MM 9.15am RW 11am PL or NB
Envelopes would be handed out at the exits after those Masses. The provisional rota was agreed as follows:
6.00pm MM JA
9.15am RW DB
11.00am OC PL/NB
On the following weekend, one person per Mass (probably) would hand out envelopes as congregations arrive:
6pm GT/DB 9.15am RW 11am OC/AM
7a. Parish Project
OC outlined his email exchanges with parishioner Rickie Sankar and Fr Alex with respect to a donation which Rickie may be able to request from the Chislehurst Rotary Club. Fr Alex had suggested that the money could be used to equip a community hall with chairs and a projector with sound system. There had been some confusion about how much this would cost and OC had requested a clarification on this.
MM reported that the Confirmandi were planning an event for Saturday 25 March. This was in the early planning stage but might be an evening of various entertainments such as a quiz, karaoke, bingo, raffle and tombola.
7b. Next Parish Project
The current project supporting St Helen’s would come to an end after nearly two years in July. Various ideas had been discussed previously but the most likely avenue to explore was through Fr David’s missionary connections. NB emphasised how important it was to have a reliable connection at the beneficiary end in order to minimise the possibility of misgovernance. NB also suggested the possibility of sending resources as well as money and this might be explored if conditions allowed.
The Women’s World Day of Prayer service would be held at St James’ on Friday 03 March. Women of the Philippines have prepared the service and the theme is “Am I being unfair to you?” (God's question to the people of the Philippines). This prompted RW to suggest that Fr David should be asked if he had connections with a community in that country. OC would follow this up with Fr David.
DB suggested that whichever community was adopted, it would be a parish project and as such all groups should be encouraged to support it rather than fund-raising solely by J&P. RW noted that coordination would be required and J&P was in a good position to take that role.
NB observed that his experience of working with the Cub pack showed that such groups are usually very pleased to have ready made projects they can support.
GT suggested that the Parish Pastoral Council should assist in promoting the idea of support around the parish.
8. Bromley Borough Foodbank
The date agreed for the second collection in aid of the Foodbank is 01-02 April. This was to fulfil the pledge given to raise at least £500 towards the cost of the Orpington branch to which we deliver our donations of food, etc. RW was in discussion with Geoff Ford about how best to encourage gift aided donations for that special collection.
RW suggested that the second collection should be preceded by short talks at each Mass the weekend before.
[Not mentioned at the meeting but members might be interested in how the generosity of Orpington/St Mary Cray Christians has enabled this Foodbank to continue. This is an extract from a letter written by the Foodbank chair of trustees to local churches.
At the same time as this decision was being reached, two churches in the Crays, St. Barnabas and the Oak Community Church, offered us the use of their grounds and premises to apply for planning permission to place a Portakabin for storage, and then to use the church buildings as outlets from April onwards. The trustees decided for logistical reasons and accessibility to public transport, to accept the Oak Community Church offer, whilst seeking to gain assistance in other ways from St. Barnabas as an emergency back up. Then a Christian business man offered to supply a Portakabin free of charge and a Christian who runs a building planning company offered to draw up the application for planning permission complete with professionally drafted drawings free of charge as well. Needless to say any doubts that we were making the wrong decision, quickly dissolved at this miraculous and astonishing provision of exactly what we needed to continue running a Foodbank outlet in the Crays without the same costs.
On top of that the Oak Church trustees subsequently decided to pay for all the council bills for the planning application; the provision of supports for the Portakabin; the extension of power lines to it; the installation and maintenance of Broadband and a telephone landline, and the ongoing costs of heating and lighting. In the longer term the church is aiming to raise funds to extend its building to provide an exclusive section for Foodbank too.
RW – The government should be very grateful to such good citizens!]
8. Prisoners’ charity
Chris Hairs had emailed MM and RW appraising them of “New Bridge”, a charity founded by Lord Longford. It describes its work as based on befriending offenders in prison, with New Bridge volunteers helping them to reconnect with the world outside. Members had been encouraged to visit the website since the next meeting.
After lengthy discussion the following conclusions were reached:
The website didn’t provide much information although it was clear that the two ways of being involved were (a) befriending and (b) donating.
This worthwhile initiative shouldn’t be regarded as something that was only suitable for the J&P group.
NB suggested that there might be particular parishioners who felt it was something they would like to do.
RW suggested that an item in Briefly might be sufficient to motivate any such person(s).
It was agreed that MM would report back to Chris on the basis of the discussion.
9. Any other business
RW agreed to revise the circulation list for those who had expressed an interest in hearing about the St James’ J&P Group.
DB & GT mentioned they were thinking about offering one or two activities at the plant sale (20-21 May) of interest to children. Members were encouraged to start thinking of any other ways we might fundraise, e.g. a raffle, to run in conjunction with the plant sale since we were unable to hold a social fundraising event earlier in the year.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.20pm.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 22nd March 2017 at 7.45pm.