Church News

The meeting followed a prayer time for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Chairman, Revd. Ian Blyde, talked about churches needing to get the bigger picture of what the Christian faith and its relevance is about.

Present were Revd. Ian Blyde (Chairman), Helen Barrett, (Vice-chair), Eileen Hulme (Treasurer), (Fore St. Methodist) Pete Busby, Pearl Young (Higher Brixham Methodist), Revd. Anne Burden, Chris Carroll, (St Mary's), Revd Tim Deacon, Beryl Harding, Bridget Cusack, Phyllis Jordain, (All Saints) Robert Marley, (Churston), L. White, P. Taylor, (Anglican), Fr. Paul Connor, Betsy Howe, June Radcliffe, Penny Houghton, Daphne Ellis, Annie Jago, Anthony Parker, Alan Lott (R.C.) , Revd. Phil Marsden, Len Lucas, (Baptist), Revd. Chris Searle, Ruth Allen, Babs Rubensaat, Jonathan Oliverio, (U.R.C.), Envoy Russell Wyatt, Thelma Evans (Salvation Army), M. Skeggs, Tony Sharp (Beacon of Light), Mike Dalamoore and Sue Watkins (secretary.

Apologies were received from Mary Fallon, Barbara Vond, Lynne Wright and Michael Atwill.

Minutes of last meeting were distributed, confirmed and signed as a true record of the meeting.

Matters arising:-

Bringing Christ back into Christmas- the whole project had gone extremely well, with 50,000 labels being printed and the majority being used. Some were even taken to New Zealand by visitors. Window stickers were also circulated around 180 shops and businesses, about 30 were displayed in shop windows.

Pete Busby and his group were thanked for all their hard work.

Pete asked if someone could help organise the Easter stickers- Anthony Parker of the R.C.Church offered.

Pentecost service - the service in 2007 outside the Methodist church in Fore Street had been very well received and supported. Bubbles had been let off by children and many passers-by stayed and participated- also Ian had visited the shops beforehand telling them what was going on and that was well received. Stewards handing out service sheets were appreciated. Last year's service was during Brixham Heritage Week but this year it is not; it will be on Sunday 11th May- hopefully again in Fore Street.

Chairman's report

Ian said that for him, the year had been a real blessing- he could have the ideas and other people would carry them out. The Carol Service in St Mary's Square was very successful with more schools and many more people participating. People had expressed to him that it was good to see churches working together and especially so with faith celebrations. Sadly, the behaviour of some adults in the crowd was unhelpful but it was felt that little could eb done about that.

Year 6 books was a very positive scheme and much appreciated by the children as changing schools from a small one to a large one can be very daunting.

The questionnaire gave an unprecedented opportunity for people to express their opinions. As a result of this, the Week of prayer had been handled differently with teams going out into all the churches with drama to challenge people to think about the ecumenical vision.

Ian then commented on the need for someone for the position of secretary as Sue Watkins is retiring. It was suggested that several people share the load but eventually Anthony Parker offered his services. This was proposed by Helen Barrett and seconded by Eileen Hulme, a vote was taken and passed.

Christian Aid report was read by the secretary in the absence of Mary Fallon. Last year £12,629.76 was raised in Brixham mainly due to Mary's energy, enthusiasm and persuasion. This included a St Patrick's Day Ceilidh, Churston Ferrers Grammar School pupils holding a Fam/Fast for HIV/AIDS orphans in Ethiopia, a campaign about global warming in Fore Street, a World AIDS Day service at the Barn Chapel as well as Lenten lunches and Saturday coffee and lunches during Christian Aid Week and, last but not least, the people who collected door-to-door spreading the message and collecting

Last year it had been suggested that we drop the charity connection altogether or drop the Christian Aid connection as it could well stand alone and Mary Fallon had already suggested this. Looking at the results of the questionnaire showed that many people felt that it could be dropped as all churches support their own charities already and there did not appear to be much enthusiasm about a joint effort. . Phil Marsden suggested that this would streamline the CTIB work. If CTIB and Christian Aid committee separated completely, Helen Barrett pointed out that the only things that would change would be Lent lunches and the Saturday of Christian Aid week coffee and lunches in the Community Centre and there would be no Christian Aid report to CTI B meetings.

Phil Marsden was asked to make a proposal; this was: - I propose that CTIB does not support a charity as a corporate body. This was seconded by Chris Searle. A vote was taken, the result was: - For- 10, Against 12- Abstain- 3.

The proposal failed the result was that CTIB will support an un-named charity.

A second proposal was made that the named charity should be Christian Aid for this present time- This was proposed by Ruth Allen, seconded by Beryl Harding. The result of the vote was: - For 11, Against 7, Abstentions 6. The resolution was passed that for this year the named charity will be Christian Aid.

Phil Marsden pointed out that it was sad that we did not take the opportunity to move on so that all the churches in the town could participate which they will not do, if Christian Aid is supported.

Treasurer's report - see attached sheet. Eileen Hulme gave the major highlights. At the present moment we have £160.04 in the bank with money due in for labels and Lent course payment to the Diocese- this will be returned once the course has started. Acceptance of the report was proposed by Anthony Barker, seconded by Ruth Allen and passed unanimously. Thanks were expressed to Eileen.

Election of Officers.

Chairman - Revd. Ian Blyde for one more year. Proposed by Revd. Chris Searle seconded by Jonathan Oliverio and passed unanimously .

Vice-chair - Helen Barrett. Proposed by Eileen Hulme, seconded by Penny Houghton and passed unanimously.

Secretary - Anthony Barker (See Chairman's report)

Treasurer - Eileen Hulme, proposed by Helen Barrett, seconded by Ruth Allen and passed unanimously.

The date of the next AGM is Monday 26th January 2009 at 7.30.pm following 7.pm prayers.

Ian then closed the meeting with a time of prayer.