Feedback from the Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Posted bypaulworledgePosted inNotices

At our annual meeting on Thursday 25th May, we had an encouraging turn out, and a positive discussion.

Jemima Brown the Regeneration Officer shared all the many initiatives that had begun in her first six months in the role.

We then shared and gave thanks for what was going well:

  • A growing profile in the town
  • Looking forward to 2027, the 200th anniversary.
  • Encouraged by the number of people who visit the church when the door is open.
  • Regular services with Eucharist every Sunday
  • Beautiful music every week
  • Continuing Sunday School
  • Fellowship and welcome to new people and visitors
  • Opportunity to be friends with St. Luke’s
  • The lantern being lit every evening
  • New faces in church
  • Our two fantastic organists
  • The Christmas tree festival
  • Now having coffee after the service
  • Engagement with the local community
  • Claire’s ordination

We elected Mark Ogden to serve for another year as Church Warden and gave thanks for the years that Sue Martin has served as Church Warden. We elected Giny Lowis, Sue Martin, Derek Tench and Janet Reid to the Parochial Church Council. They will join the two Deanery Synod representatives (Jean Mayton and Maureen Claringbold ), the clergy and Church Warden to form the PCC.

We ended the meeting by considering questions you might want the vicar to consider during his Sabbatical as he reflects about St. Luke’s. Suggested questions included:

  • Could there be wider use of the building and even the vestry?
  • Could the lights on the church tower change colour for special occasions (Like the Eiffel Tower)?
  • Could we keep most of the pews, but enlarge “the social area” at the back of church?
  • Is there a way of integrating the Sunday School more?
  • How can we mix more with St. Luke’s?
  • Can we hold other types of service? E.g. Short worship or a healing service?
  • Can we find ways to respond to the questions that people in the congregation have in occasional sermon series?
  • What can we do for people who have no familiarity with church language and practice?
  • How can we be fully inclusive?
  • What are we here for?

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