9 attendees: OC = Owen Clutton (chairman), DB = Diana Betts, PL = Peter Lowe (part-time), JA = June Adams, BF = Breda Ford, GT = Geraldine Thompson, TW = Teresa Wells, FB = Fr Bryan (part-time), RW = Roger Wright (secretary)
Apologies were received from: David McCabe, Clare Fisher, Simon Howell, Mary O’Mahony.
Agreed actions shown in bold red type.
1. Minutes of meeting on 23 May
There had been no further discussions with David about how we might restart the Traidcraft stall. FB was suggested that a 12-18 month rota should be devised on a bi-monthly basis. As previously noted, this would require 6 volunteers per weekend. There was also discussion about running a specialised stall in the hall after the 11am Mass, concentrating on items with short use by dates such as chocolates and sweets.
RW noted that the nub of the problem was not in the volunteer rota, but issues such as ordering, storage and stock monitoring. DB then offered to investigate the possibility of taking responsibility for the stall which was warmly accepted by the meeting. FB advised that a deputy should be sought, and GT generously agreed to assist DB in the venture. DB would contact David to get all the necessary information and report back at the next meeting.
2. CAFOD LiveSimply award – progress report
RW said the LiveSimply Group had met for the sixth time on the previous evening. The CAFOD process was being followed and the Group had reached the stage of producing a draft “Action Plan”. This is the document which has to accompany our application to register. The draft will be sent to CAFOD for an initial assessment. It will then be fine tuned following consultation with the parish groups which have provided suggestions. The plan will be discussed in full with Fr Bryan before registration is sought.
RW explained that the scheme embraces three principles, namely:
living Simply,
living Sustainably,
and living in Solidarity
We have to offer one Substantial and at least two Supporting actions for each.
Each Action is classed as representing:
Reflection & Worship
Practical
or Reaching Out
OC asked RW to outline the activities classed as substantial. These ones have been suggested for the draft action plan:
Simply Create wildlife garden and worship space
Sustainably Switch church energy supply to a green supplier OR buy carbon offsets to reduce church and Presbytery footprint by 10% over a 12 month period
Solidarity Adopt CAFOD Connect2 or other overseas community project
RW explained that, all being well, the scheme would be launched on the weekend of 29/30th September.
3. Orpington Foodbank
OC had purchased a box, for the back corridor of the church, into which parishioners could donate items on a regular basis should they wish. This was in response to a suggestion from Joanna Longhurst. Note that this is not a substitute for the three main collections, but an additional opportunity for those who would prefer to donate in this way.
RW would produce the list of items requested by Foodbank which could be placed near the box.
Every so often, BF or JA would take the contents to the food bank in Tillingbourne Green.
JA offered to call in to ask if they had a poster we might use for publicity near the box, and also if they were able to provide a speaker or perhaps the script of a talk we could deliver at church.
4. Connect2
RW apologised for not having had time to speak to CAFOD directly to obtain further details of this scheme which enables parishes to support overseas communities in six countries with dialogue and finance. After giving some information gleaned from the CAFOD website, he agreed to contact CAFOD, J&P members supplying the following questions listed below. Answers to these would enable the Group to make a decision on whether or not to proceed:
If the countries listed are being supported by all dioceses, would this mean us being one of many several parishes supporting a particular community?
Can we find out how many parishes are supporting each community?
Is there just one community in each country?
Is there any minimum period of commitment required?
Does CAFOD monitor the use of funds we might raise for a community?
What kind of projects are typically supported?
Would it be possible for our donations to be targeted towards a particular project – and would it be ours solely?
Could we have details of the communities in each country, to help us make a choice?
The website gives a lot of information in terms of blogging and programme officer reports but it is difficult to compare them or get a sense of where support is most needed.
It was agreed that Connect2 might not be a suitable scheme and that alternatives should be researched before the next meeting. RW suggested that ideas and possibilities might be forthcoming from sources such as mission societies, Internet research, and family contacts – an action for everyone. OC mentioned two projects his sister was aware of in South Africa. GT spoke about a niece’s involvement with an orphanage in India. BF said that Fr Webster might know of some communities in his capacity as a Columban Father.
5. Asia Bibi
Members had signed the petition to save the life of Asia Bibi, a mother in Pakistan who defended her Christian faith against mocking co-workers trying to make her convert to Islam. She was later convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death for saying “Our Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins. ... Our Christ is alive”. There was no further news of Asia who has been on death row since 2009. The petition had been signed by 615,000 people from around the world including 150,000 in Pakistan.
6. Amnesty International (AI)
JA had kindly researched the idea of using AI as a vehicle for writing, to government representative and victims, in support of prisoners of conscience. She passed round copies of a typical letter. JA explained that membership of AI was £24 per annum, which included a regular magazine in which causes were reported, and that she was prepared to become the member at her own cost.
RW was concerned that AI had effectively been disowned by the Catholic Church because of the organisation’s stance on abortion from 2007. He suggested that we should therefore not work through that agency. OC wondered whether there would be an objection as we would merely be using a mechanism made available by Amnesty, and would not become members but suggested we ask Fr Bryan for his views.
No firm conclusion was reached except that Fr Bryan’s views should be sought and we might also consider alternative equivalents to AI. One mentioned was founded in Australia soon after the controversy, namely the Benenson Society (Peter Benenson was the Catholic founder of AI and was its leading light until 2005).
7. Other possible J&P projects
Suggestions made included:
Support for Aid to the Church in Need (booklets on a recent vigil at Westminster Cathedral were handed out). This organisation works to reduce persecution of Christians throughout the world.
RW agreed to circulate all Southwark J&P newsletters and reports (not more than 1 or 2 appear each month). There are often useful ideas and causes which might attract our Group’s attention.
How ethical is our church? Not an attack on individuals or Fr Bryan but an honest attempt to review our practices to ensure we don’t inadvertently act inappropriately.
We could also look at the list produced by David McCabe when the group was set up in 2008.
Review our Fairtrade status to ensure the parish is complying with the criteria of the Fairtrade Foundation.
8. Any other business
TW showed an email offering free collection and disposal of old computer equipment. Other members had also received messages from the same company which had obviously taken the J&P distribution list address from the parish website. It was decided the organisation may not be appropriate for us as there was no mention of donation to charity. Bromley Council has an effective recycling facility for such waste. [RW has subsequently attempted to unsubscribe the J&P address.]
Bruce Kent and Valerie Flessati will be leading a Peace Trail walk starting at Gandhi’s statue in Tavistock Square. It will take place on Monday 6th August at 1.30pm. There is another walk starting at 10.30am on Saturday 18th August. A booklet written by Valerie entitled “Peace Trails through London” describes various such walks. RW will obtain a copy.
It was agreed that meetings should start at 7.45pm rather than revert to 8.00pm.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at approximately 9.35pm.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th July at 7.45pm.