2025 AGM - MINUTES

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN LICHFIELD (CTIL)

MINUTES OF THE 2025 AGM - WEDNESDAY 18^TH JUNE 2025 - 7.30PM – HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH COMMUNITY ROOM - FINAL

PRESENT: Robert Mountford: RM (CLASP) – Acting Chair, Liz Ridler :LR (Wade St) – Treasurer, Michele Gerard: MG (Society of Friends), Richard Henshaw: RH (Catholic Churches), Judith Henshaw: JH (Catholic Churches), Danielle Leigh: DL (Wade St), Diana Pearson: DP (Lichfield Methodist), Warren Bardsley: WB (Lichfield Methodist), Roger Hartley: RHa (Wade St), Hugh Ashton: HA (Cathedral), Pat Maguire: PH (observer), Ken Howcroft: KH (Methodist Church), David Clarke: DC (St Giles’, Whittington) - Minutes.

1. OPENING PRAYER – In the absence of both Clergy and Lay Chairs, Robert Mountford kindly took the chair and opened the meeting in prayer.  In welcoming everyone to the meeting, Robert noted that after many years of stability, CTIL was now in a period of huge change, with key officer vacancies at Clergy Chair, Lay Chair (for at least a year), and Secretary.

2. APOLOGIES – Lilas Rawling (St Chad’s) – Lay Chair, Abbie Walsh (St Michael’s), John Preece (Wade St), Jonathan Iddon (Shenstone & Stonnall), Linda Atkin (Christ Church), David Mason (Cathedral) – Secretary.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM (18.06.24) – all agreed that these were an accurate record.

4. MATTERS ARISING – none.

5. TREASURER’S REPORT AND ACCOUNTS – LR read out her report for the 15 months to 31.03.25, a copy of which is on the CTIL website. On a proposal by RH, seconded by HA, these were unanimously accepted.  The Independent Examiner, Jemimah Reid, is standing down, and LR asked for volunteers (Action – all).  LR was thanked for her diligence in preparing the accounts.

6. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION – LR noted the need to change the wording around the date of the AGM resulting from the change of the financial year from January-December to April-March., and the change of accounting methods to ‘Receipts and Payments’.  The changes will also reflect online authorisation of payments.  The proposed wording had been circulated prior to the meeting.  On a proposal by RH, seconded by HA, the meeting unanimously supported changes to the Forum section of the constitution, and on a proposal by DL, seconded by HA, changes to the Finance section were also supported unanimously.  LR noted that we need 75% of member churches to agree to this to effect the changes. (Action: LR). 

7. CHAIR’S REPORT – no formal report was available.  The ‘Annual Report’, available on the CTIL website, serves as a useful summary of the year’s activities.

8. PROPOSED OPEN LETTER TO THE LICHFIELD MP REGARDING HARDSHIP – the meeting felt that MP Dave Robertson is well aware of hardship in Lichfield and the surrounding district, and that a formal letter was unnecessary, although he would be made aware of the discussion. (Action: RH)

9. ELECTION OF OFFICERS – Following informal discussion, and a short explanation by KH of his wide ecumenical background, the following decisions were made:

• Clergy Chair – on a proposal by RH, seconded by DP, Ken Howcroft was unanimously elected for a period of two years.  This would be renewable for further two-year blocks.
• Lay Chair – there were no nominations or offers from the floor to take on this role on a temporary basis, pending Lilas’ return.
• Secretary – it was noted that the Secretary role could be split into two (general admin and website).  There were no nominations or offers for either role.  (After the meeting, David Mason confirmed that ‘I agreed with Lilas that I would stand down as Secretary and member of the Enabling Meeting with effect from the date of the AGM.  I am happy to stay on as an editor of the website for the Cathedral only. I am also happy to continue to organize the participation in the Lichfield Bower procession’.  Further to this, David Clarke has offered to take on the ‘general admin’ part of the Secretary role for up to one year).  David Mason was warmly thanked for ten years’ service in the role.
• Treasurer – LR was unanimously re-elected on a proposal by HA, seconded by RHa.
• Minutes Secretary – DC was unanimously re-elected on a proposal by LR, seconded by JH.
• Enabling Group – was unanimously re-elected en masse with the addition of KH, on a proposal by RH, seconded by DL. RM noted that this group would need to look at what CTIL is about and develop a structure to deliver its objectives. Whilst the previous Enabling Group minutes were still in draft, they would be circulated to members (Action: DC).

An extraordinary General Meeting may be called to elect a Lay Chair and Secretary should nominations be received.

10. ANNUAL EVENTS – previously posted reports on the CTIL website were noted but not discussed.  These were received with thanks on a proposal by JH, seconded by WB.

11. REPORTS FROM AFFILIATED GROUPS – are held on the CTIL website.  Reports have been received from Late Night Listeners, City of Sanctuary, Concern for Palestine Group, Christmas Day Together, Lichfield Foodbank, Places of Welcome, World Day of Prayer, and Christian Schools Work Trust.  These were received with thanks on a proposal by LR, seconded by RH.  HA noted that Late Night Listeners has played an important role in Lichfield being officially recognised as having a ‘safe late-night life’. WB spoke about City of Sanctuary, a very active group of 100, with an emphasis on support.  A grant of £24k had been received for a Community Co-ordinator. There are six ‘faith’ places of sanctuary, and schools are the next target.  A speech about Gaza from the Concern for Palestine Group will be circulated (Action: WB).

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

12.1 – A welcome card will be sent to Laura Macfarlane, new curate at St Michael’s. (Action: HA)

2.  - HA noted that the term ‘Fairtrade City’ no longer exists, having been replaced by ‘Fairtrade Communities’, including climate justice.  HA is talking to the new leader of Lichfield City Council, who is enthusiastic to support this.
3.  - KH asked about action to support new housing estates. This would be added to the agenda for the next Enabling Group (Action: DC).
4.  - The Methodist Women in Britain group holds a weekly meeting on Tuesday at 2.00pm at Lichfield Methodist Church.
5.  - RM outlined a three-day pilgrimage to mark the 1700^th anniversary of the first ecumenical Council of Nicaea, starting Monday 28 July at 8.00am from Lichfield Cathedral to Bannersgate.  On Tuesday it would end at St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham, and on Wednesday at the Serbian Orthodox Church in Bourneville. More details can be found on the Birmingham Churches Together website.

13. FUTURE MEETINGS – the Enabling Group will meet on Tuesday 8 July, at 2.00pm, at 76 Christchurch Lane.  This will be a key meeting to look at the future of CTIL.  Other meeting dates will be agreed at this meeting. (Action: all Enabling Group members to attend if possible).

CLOSE – the meeting closed in prayer at 9.00pm.