CHURCHES TOGETHER IN LICHFIELD
MINUTES OF ENABLING MEETING, TUESDAY 7 TH MAY 2024 AT 2.00 P.M. IN THE COMMON
ROOM AT ST. JOHN’S
Present: Lilas Rawling LR (Chair), David Mason DM (Minutes), Pat Maguire PM , Sharon
Greensmith SG, Richard Henshaw RH, Diana Pearson DP, Liz Ridler LiRi, John Preece JP,
Danielle Leigh DL
Opening prayer – Led by SG
Apologies – Hugh Ashton and Abbie Walsh
Minutes of previous meeting - Accepted
Matters arising from the minutes - None
Treasurers report – As at 29 th April 2024
Book
Balance b/f 3697.27
Plus income 150.41
Less expenditure 1347.10
Total 2500.58
Statement
Current 527.86
Deposit 1997.72
Less unpaid 25.00
Total 2500,58
DL and LiRI presented a request for a grant of £200 towards the cost of the annual Baseball
Camp and this was approved by the other members of the group.
Regular Events
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18 th -25 th January 2024) – Approximately 50 people
attended the excellent service at St. Michael’s led by SG.
Lent Groups (14 th February – 28 th March 2024) - Two groups were led by PM and RH and the
material from John Birch’s ‘Faith and Worship’ website was considered very good.
Good Friday Walk of Witness (29 th March 2024) – This was described as ‘a triumph’
Approximately 30 people started from Whitiington, they were joined by approximately 100
people at Boley Park and approximately another 100 at Backcester Lane. It was felt the
presence of additional stewards contributed to the success of the event. The service at the
Methodist Church after the walk led by Steve Speight was also praised.
Good Friday service at Lichfield Cathedral (29 th March 2024) – A very moving service was led
by SG and was attended by 58 people.
Thy Kingdom Come (9 th -19 th May) – Although no local Churches have specific plans for Thy
Kingdom Come this year consideration will be given to planning an event next year.
Lichfield Bower (27 th May 2024) – We now have six people who have volunteered as buckets
collectors but no volunteers have offered to take part in the ‘Walking Float’ for which we
planned to have two people carrying the banner and representatives walking behind it from
all the different churches. DL will check to see if anyone from Wade Street would like to
help.
Carols in the Market Square (12 th December?) – It is planned to hold this again on Thursday
12 th December at 4.00 p.m. Andrew Rushton has agreed to lead it again and DM will book
the Market Square. It is hoped that groups from other churches might take part. The idea of
holding Carol Singing events in other areas of the city was also discussed. This could be part
of a larger project to make contact with people on the new large housing estates in Lichfield
and JP expressed an interest in helping with this.
Christmas Day Together – This will be going ahead although someone who is qualified is still
being sought to prepare the food. It was though that wording of the request for a volunteer
discouraged people for applying. PG will discuss this with the organisers and a revamped
message will be circulated around the churches.
Items to be included in the agenda for the Annual General Meeting to be held in the
Community Room at Holy Cross at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 18 th June – Lindsey Hall,
Partnership Manager, Church Action on Poverty, has been asked to speak at the meeting
which will follow the same format as last year. PG also announced that she will be resigning
as Clergy Co-chair at the meeting. Ideas raised at this meeting will also be included in the
agenda for general discussion.
Any other business – DL suggested setting up a Facebook Group, but it was eventually
decided that instead all future correspondence that is circulated would be posted in the 'News' section on the website.. DL also sought clarification
regarding the constitution and the appointment of members of the Enabling Group, and
also suggested setting up a networking group for all the churches so that they could provide
help and support to each other when required. RH also raised the question about
organising and supporting a General Election Hustings event at Lichfield Cathedral when a
date has been announced. It was agreed he will contact the Interim Dean Jan MacFarlane
about this.
Dates and venues for the next Enabling Meeting and Forum Meeting – The next Enabling
Meeting will be held at 31 Stowe Street, Lichfield, WS13 6AQ at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday 10 th
September, and the next Forum Meeting will be held at St. Chad’s Church at 7.30 p.m. on
Thursday 24 th October.
Closing prayer – The meeting ended with all saying The Grace