8 attendees: DB = Diana Betts, AM = Angela Martin, RW = Roger Wright (Secretary), OC = Owen Clutton, MM = Mary O'Mahony (Chair), JA = June Adams, GT = Geraldine Thompson, FD = Fr David (parts).
Agreed actions shown in bold red type.
1. The meeting opened with the LiveSimply prayer.
Apologies for absence: Peter Lowe.
2. Minutes of last meeting
All actions had been completed.
RW agreed to speak with new parish administrator Elizabeth Melling to ask if there would be a skeleton parish diary for 2016-17 which could guide our time-tabling discussions at the September meeting. It would be very useful for all parish groups if an outline diary was made available on the website.
3. Parish project
On the agenda, RW had included a schedule of the funds raised so far which showed a current total of £6,878. This included two anonymous donations totalling £750. These would be retained until the next special collection had been held.
OC had circulated an email from Fr Alex which included an image of the chapel now almost complete. RW agreed to add this to the Peru web pages. Everyone was delighted that feedback had been received.
Before the meeting Fr David had mentioned asking Fr Alex if he would be making a trip to the UK. He had not received a reply as yet but if this happens then St James’ would surely be on his itinerary.
It had already been decided to continue supporting St Helen’s until July 2017. OC would write to Fr Alex to ask what our future donations might help to support.
Fr David had also noted that he has many other missionary contacts that could be used for the next project, including ones in the Philippines. It was agreed by him and everyone at the meeting that we would not be able to include Fr Ivan in any future discussions. The main reasons for this were lack of feedback and general concerns about supporting a mission without knowing the persons involved.
4. Foodbank
The ad hoc donations continued to be generous and these are taken most weeks to the Foodbank. DB would deliver for August and RW during September.
The July main collection had been less than hoped for which was of concern because it affects poorer children who normally rely on school dinners. It was agreed that next year, flyers would be distributed in advance to explain to the many parishioners who might not appreciate this particular collection’s importance.
5. Manna Society
It was estimated that parishioner Martin Smith had raised about £1,500 with his successful effort to run the British 10k event on 10 July. The J&P group had been thanked by Martin for its support without which the parish contributions would probably have been much diminished.
Fr David had agreed that the main Manna Centre collection for food would be at the weekend of 15-16 October.
There had been some confusion with a CWL collection of pasta for the Manna Centre and the Foodbank ad hoc donations. DB had eventually unravelled the result by talking to CWL chairperson Barbara Bridle. This discussion led to the proposal that the J&P group should collaborate with CWL as far as Manna Centre donations are concerned. This could lead to improvements in quantities, collaboration with dates, and the general benefits of parish groups liaising with one another.
6. Traidcraft
The sales for 03-04 July had amounted to £297 which was good considering the competing activities at the back of church that weekend. Raffle tickets, Tea Party and Fun Run organisers were all in evidence. The space available is very restricted and could be greatly enhanced by removal of the drawing cabinet in the corner of the entrance lobby. MM would raise this issue at the Parish Pastoral Council as it could benefit all groups and enable displays to be more accessible to viewers.
The next stall would be held at the weekend of 17-18 September. DB would circulate requests for stall volunteers.
DB described Traidcraft’s Trade Justice Campaign petition which everyone at the meeting signed. The issue centres on a loophole in British law which allows companies to abuse and exploit people in developing countries without penalty. There was discussion about how best to present it to parishioners. The meeting proposed that a parish wide email with the online petition link http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/campaigns might be permitted. RW would enquire but he no longer has access to the email address list and needed to speak to Elizabeth Melling (as well as Fr David). DB would ask for an item to be put in Briefly and also mount a poster.
7. Any other business
Calendar 2016-17
MM suggested that J&P key dates for 2016 should be discussed at the September meeting so these can be communicated with the Parish Pastoral Council to minimise the possibility of event clash.
Leave the Car at Home Weekend
Fr David agreed to this being held on 24-25th September.
LiveSimply
There was a discussion about reviving LiveSimply in some form as several parishioners had asked about various aspects of this. Members recalled how effective the project had been in building community spirit and cooperation.
Fr David was supportive of the LiveSimply aims and recognised the popularity of the garden and other aspects. RW mentioned its important relationship to Laudato Si' because the principles of LiveSimply follow that encyclical perfectly. Fr David felt that an intensive programme like LiveSimply would not be appropriate. However, he asked the group to organise a seminar on Laudato Si'. This would be one of several sessions he hoped would stimulate the Education aspect of the Community Centre.
SVP/J&P collaboration
Peter Benson is promoting a scheme for children at St James’ school to have dialogue with an overseas school community. This is following a national SVP initiative. He had been in discussion with Head Teacher Mrs Bosher who is supportive of the idea. Dialogue would either use the English language or could be pictorially based. Peter will address the J&P at the meeting on 26 October.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.45pm.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 28 September 2016 at 7.45pm.