Church News

Present were Rev. Ian Blyde, (in the chair), Helen Barrett, Barbara Vond, Eileen Hulme, Pete and Carol Busby, (Methodist), Mary Fallon, Daphne Ellis, Penny Houghton, (R.C.), Rev. Anne Burden, Christine Carroll, (Anglican), Michael Atwill, (URC), Rev. Phil Marsden, Len Lucas, (Baptist), Tony Sharpe, (Beacon of Light), and Sue Watkins (Secretary).

Apologies were received from Rev. Gerry Wilson, Pearl Young, Sophie Bower and Gill Sharp.

Minutes of the last two meetings, June and August, were circulated. Barbara Vond proposed they be accepted, seconded by Helen Barrett. Passed and signed.

Matters arising-

a) Questionnaire- Helen proposed that, as we developed our ideas in the years ahead, we must keep in mind the suggestions from the churches. The Day of Prayer was well supported and people had made an effort to be there- Saturday afternoon seems a good time to hold such a venture. It would be worth considering on a regular basis. Helen was thanked for all her planning and work.

The only criticism has been that there was not more recognition of the negative side of Devon life like the plight of farmers and unemployment. However, it was felt as a first attempt it was excellent.

Perhaps we should consider another prayer afternoon in the spring.

b) Treasurer- Eileen Hulme has agreed to take on the job. This was proposed by Helen Barrett and seconded by Barbara Vond- vote was unanimous!

Secretary post needs to be filled. Sue Watkins will give up in January. Please look around your churches and see if anyone might consider doing it- they do not have to be members of CTIB at present.

c) Coffee morning on Saturday 20th October 10-12 at Christian Community Centre, Fore Street - Eileen Hulme is co-coordinating it. Be there at 9.30.please.

Need helpers and cakes- there will also be a bric-a-brac stall and one showing the type of work we do in the town.

d) One World Week- is at Beacon of Light on Sunday 21st October at 6.30.pm. There will be a Fairtrade stall. It was felt that access to the outside is difficult so we need to consider again the whole issue of accessibility. It was felt that clergy could take services other than in their own church if their own is not easily accessible- collections normally do not go to the host church anyway, being either for a charity or CTIB so the money issue is not relevant.

Suggest asking hospital if we can park in their car park- From Sue- not possible as they have evening visiting and staff on duty.

e) Christ in Christmas. - Pete and Carol Busby gave out bags of labels and posters for all the churches- they, with their sub-committee of with Michael Atwill, Len Lucas and Sophie Bower, have done an amazing job.

Posters are self-explanatory- please get the info. into all your churches. The labels are £2.50 per roll (250- 1p per label) There is also a message to be read out by the clergy from the pulpit. There has been some confusion with Eric Gibson over Methodist labels- Helen and Barbara will sort it out within their church.

There are also small green stickers going out to all the retail outlets in the town asking them to display them- they say either 'It's Christmas. Thank God!' or 'Keep Christ in Christmas!' There will also be a press release in the Brixham News plus a photo.

The labels are already paid for from CTIB funds (£400) and also the stickers which cost £63.20.

The A3 posters for all churches, similar to that of last year, will cost £30 for 20- hopefully each church will pay for their own in due course.

We need details of all Christmas services by the end of October to get them to the printers for the Bay Monthly-either to Sue Watkins or Tony Sharp

There was also discussion as to whether we would be better reverting to Churches Together rather than Christians Together- needs to be on the agenda for AGM in January.

£30 was allocated to Brixham News.com to cover the cost of posters. Proposed by Barbara Vond, seconded by Eileen Hulme.

Also £100 to cover cost of poster plus Christmas service times plus short note from one of the clergy for inclusion in December Bay Monthly. Proposed by Anne Burden, Seconded by Penny Houghton. Passed unanimously.

If churches run out of labels, more are obtainable from Pete (855783) or Mike (882036). Reinforcing note!!! Labels are 1p each and are for putting on Christmas cards and parcels etc.

Treasurer's Report- Eileen pointed out that at present we have £169 in the bank. £100 + £30 will go to Brixham News.Com but we have the Coffee Morning on 21st October which will replace it.

Schools' Carol Service is in hand for 11th December 2007 at 7.pm in St Mary's Square . We need help from the churches by having small groups, maybe their choirs, who will be at the back to help the singing and also give out service sheets to late comers. Please ask your members and choirs and then contact Sue Watkins (853077).

We need better co-operation between groups doing similar events- Mary Thompson organising a Christmas Parade on 8th December- details enclosed. Mary Thompson and Sue Watkins will liaise.(see enclosures)

Roadshow- possibly going into the different churches during January 08 to challenge people about what working together is about.

Small group will organise- Ian, Sue, Barbara, Penny, Tony and possibly Gill Ellis, (Paul Ellis' wife who does a lot of drama at the URC ). Meeting on Friday 2nd November at 7.pm at Churston Vicarage.

Ecumenical Lent Course will go ahead. Shrove Tuesday is the 5th February so we need to get organised. Anne, Helen and Barbara will organise and Anne will take it to the ministers' meeting.

AOB

Sunday Service Rotas - there have been difficulties with the visiting at the hospital experienced by two different churches. Sue will meet someone from there but the suggestion is that, now that the Chaplaincy team of URC and Anglicans go in every week, we stop the Sunday's services here and go to another residential home. Sue will call a meeting of the reps from the churches next month to discuss new rotas.

Casino- Barbara asked permission to write on behalf of CTIB stating our concern at the new Casino proposed for Torquay She will write in conjunction with CTIPaignton and Torquay. Proposed by Eileen Hulme and seconded by Michael Atwill. Passed unanimously.

United services-- Week of Prayer united service January 20th will be at Fore Street Methodist Church and the Christian Aid Week service will be at Churston Church .

Hope 2008- Michael Atwill asked whether we can consider participating in the Hope 2008 venture. Possibly use the Lent Course to use some of their ideas.

The meeting ended with the Grace.

Date of next meeting. Monday, 21st January, 7.am prayers, 7.30. AGM followed by Committee meeting.