Your new PCC meets for the first time

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting at the end of April approved the appointment of Hilary Jolly and Catherine Mann as new members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC). Your new PCC met for the first time on Tuesday 14th May. 

So what is a PCC and what does it do? And why would you want to become a member?

The PCC is the governing body of our church. It includes the clergy, the churchwardens, and members elected by the whole church membership at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Together, the team is responsible for the overall wellbeing, practical as well as spiritual, of the church, the church members, and the church buildings.

As well as Reverend Jane and churchwardens Kay Haffenden and Nix Cuthell, our PCC’s current membership includes a Treasurer, Secretary and a further 10 members. It will also include the Vicar of the Benefice, when the new person has been appointed. PCC members typically undertake various additional roles, including Safeguarding Officer, Stewardship Officer, Lay Reader and Deanery Synod representatives. Fiona Hendry is also co-opted onto the PCC as our Children and Families Coordinator.

PCC meeting on 14th May

The first meeting of the new PCC was a busy one. We agreed the appointment of the Treasurer, Secretary, church Standing Committee and Welcomers team. 

A very encouraging report on the church’s finances was received. We also discussed and agreed matters relating to the church premises, including incremental improvements to the sound system (see Nix Cuthell’s article on page 6 for more on this). 

It was very exciting to give the go-ahead to the planned repair of the Memorial wall, funding for which has been raised largely by Dave Worrall’s incredible Rogationtide sponsored walk. 

The PCC approved the adoption of a Grievance Policy, in line with one adopted by St Mary’s church. We also approved the renewal of Sally Excell’s Permission to Officiate, or PTO, as Lay reader for a further three years, and the admission of Stephen Coke to our team of Lay Ministers of Communion. 

We received various reports about church activities, including those for children and families, fundraising, our involvement in this year’s Sand Dance, and church communications. We also received a report on progress in the appointment of a new Vicar for the Benefice – our Churchwardens are involved in this, along with those at St Mary de Haura.

Why be a PCC member?

I have been a member of the PCC on many occasions over the past 20 years or so. As well as being interesting and exciting to help shape the church I love, it’s also a way I feel I can serve God and the church, having been involved in various committees over the years, both professionally and as a volunteer. As new PCC member Catherine says, “as probably in all churches, there is always a need for volunteers and God has given us time and skills for a reason.” 

Catherine joined this church from one in which she had many roles, and had planned to step back for a while; but, she says, “although I may have been reluctant to take on more, I think God has other plans and it felt right to accept Jane’s invitation to join the PCC. I hope I can do the role justice and serve God in this way.” 

If you think this is a way in which you could serve, please get in touch with Reverend Jane.

Jo Edwards
PCC Secretary