CHURCHES TOGETHER IN LICHFIELD
DRAFT v2 MINUTES OF AN ENABLING MEETING - TUESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2024 - 2.00PM - 31 STOWE STREET, LICHFIELD
PRESENT: Lilas Rawling (LR) - Chair, David Mason (DM) - Secretary, Abby Walsh (AW), Danielle Leigh (DL), Diana Pearson (DP), Liz Ridler (ER), David Clarke (DC) - Minutes
- OPENING PRAYER – LR opened the meeting in prayer.
- APOLOGIES – Sharon Greensmith (SG), Hugh Ashton (HA), Richard Henshaw (RH), John Preece (JP)
- MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (07.05.24) – subject to removing ‘that is circulated’ and replacing it with ‘would be put on the website’ (in AOB), the minutes were approved
- MATTERS ARISING – DL thanked CTIL for supporting the Baseball Camp at Wade St Church. This had been very successful, focusing on Christ, family, and community
- TREASURER’S REPORT – AS AT 27.08.24 – included in ‘Income’ in the summary below, are Church subscriptions £654, and Christmas Day Together £800.
- Book
- Balance B/F 3697.27
- Income + 1687.87
- Expenditure - 1778.90
- Total 3606.24
- Statement
- Current A/C 1600.06
- Deposit A/C 2006.18
- Thanks were expressed to RH for securing grant of £300 from the Staffordshire Community Foundation (SCF), and £500 from Lichfield City Council (LCC). Likely expenditure will be on Late Night Listeners and Christmas Day Together (CDT). ER was thanked for continuing as Treasurer. (Action: LR to write and thank SCF, DM to write and thank LCC, LR to consult with the CDT committee as to financial support required)
- CHARITY ACCOUNTS AND OUR CONSTITUTION – Further to ER’s paper ‘Proposed Changes to the Constitution of CTIL and District’ (a copy of which is held on file by the Secretary), the Enabling Group approved in principle that the accounting year should change to March. ER noted that this must be agreed by 75% of member churches at the next Forum Meeting (24.10.24). The additional clauses ‘Not for Profit’ and ‘Dissolution’ were both approved in principle. (Action: ER to send DM a shortened version of her paper setting out the proposals, and for DM to circulate this with the agenda for the next Forum, urging all member churches to send a representative).
- FEEDBACK ON ITEMS DISCUSSED AT AGM
- Networking Group – churches should share resources where possible
- New Housing Developments – it was agreed that folders and leaflets were a medium unlikely to appeal to younger people buying houses, and that Facebook groups (e.g., school and community groups) would be a better option. AW already belongs to some. A list of such forums to that churches can join is needed. (Action: AW to send a list of Facebook forums of which she is aware. DM will circulate it with the next CTIL Forum agenda, encouraging churches to add to it).
- Carol Singing – the Market Square is booked for a CTIL event. It was recognised that most churches would be holding their own outdoor events – hopefully including new housing estates. (Action: DM to include on next Forum agenda, creating a list of events with venues and dates, so that CTIL churches can support one another)
- BACK TO SCHOOL BANK – This is a CTIL success story and is now ‘owned’ by Lichfield City Council, ceasing to be a CTIL initiative and being removed from the agenda.
- PRE-ELECTION HUSTINGS – c500 attended this very successful CTIL event in Lichfield Cathedral. Learnings are uprated Cathedral broadband, early notice of the LichfieldLive question, a separate timekeeper, and keeping the CTIL banner.
- REGULAR EVENTS
- Carols in the Market Square – booked – 1600 – Thursday 12.12.24 – Cathy or Andrew to lead but drop ‘Kings Head Carol’
- Christmas Day Together – thanks to Pat Maguire for coordinating this. There is still no cook. This will be an ‘afternoon tea’ event and attendees will go home with a traditional Christmas ready meal for Boxing Day. Invitations will go out at the beginning of November and the onus will be on churches to provide names of attendees - and volunteers. (Action: ER to coordinate lists of attendees)
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Thursday 23.01.25 (Action: LR to book St Chad’s for 1900, with tea/coffee)
- Lent Groups – 05.03.25-17.04.25 - it was questioned whether there is still an appetite for these. (Action: DM to add to next Forum agenda for a decision on whether to continue)
- Good Friday Walk of Witness – 18.04.25 – the ‘procession’ will be discussed at the next Enabling Meeting. The Methodists will be asked to lead the service. (Action: AW to get clergy together to plan worship and who will support in the service)
- Good Friday Service at Lichfield Cathedral – 18.04.25 – (Action: DM to book Cathedral, LR to advise Chris Davies of St Chad’s that he will lead – with support)
- Lichfield Bower – Monday 26.05.25 – Zoe leading CTIL presence
- ITEMS FOR THE NEXT FORUM AGENDA – Themes suggested were ‘Evangelism’ and ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. (Action: LR to discuss with SG)
- SPEAKER FOR FORUM MEETING – AW suggested Jan Firth who would speak on Net Carbon Zero, talking about engaging people rather than the technical aspects. (Action: LR to write to Jan and AW to find out if there is a speaker from the Church Army as an alternative)
- ANY OTHER BUSINESS – None
- DATE FOR NEXT MEETINGS – Enabling - Tuesday 7 January 2025 at 1400 was proposed. (Action: LR to consult with SG). Forum – w/c 24 February 2025 (Action: DP to check if Methodist Church is available Monday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings).
CLOSE – the meeting concluded with all holding hands and saying the Grace