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Chaplaincy Council Minutes
Please note that these minutes are posted one to two months after the meeting because they must be approved at the next Council meeting before they are shared publically.
MEETING OF THE CHAPLAINCY COUNCIL
held at 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday 20 May 2008 in the Vestry
(The meeting was preceded by a celebration of the Eucharist at 10.30 a.m.)
Present The Revd. P. Wolfenden. Chaplain, Chairman
Denise Heyes, Chaplaincy Warden, and Congregational Warden, Torre del Mar
Rosella Parmiter, Chaplaincy Warden and Synod Representative
Jennifer Vernon-Smith, Congregational Warden, Malaga
David Harrison, Congregational Warden, Malaga and Lay Vice-Chairman
Patricia Luce, Synod Representative
Adrian Wilkinson, Congregational Warden, Competa
Stuart Smith, Congregational Warden, Torre del Mar
Michael Smith, Chaplaincy Hon Treasurer
Jean Roberts, Chaplaincy Hon. Secretary
Apologies Paul Gath, Congregational Warden, Competa:
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 25 March 2008
The acceptance of the minutes as a true record of the meeting was proposed by Denise Heyes. The minutes were duly signed by the chairman.
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
Distributed to Chaplaincy Council members for information.
Matters arising from the meeting of Tuesday 25th March 2008
6/2008. Fees and expenses
Following a discussion about the issues involved in the payment of fees and expenses, Adrian Wilkinson proposed that the Council needed to develop a clear policy.
17/2008. The hole in the ground
The hole in the ground in the cemetery is now covered and this item is finished.
NEW BUSINESS
18/2008. Welcome to new members
The Chaplain and members of the Council welcomed Adrian Wilkinson and Stuart Smith.
19/2008. Times of services for July and August
The Chaplain asked members of the Council for their views on this issue. In response to a question from Mike Smith, the Chaplain said that if the time of the service at Malaga was moved to 10.00 a.m. not all services could be Eucharistic services.. Rosella Parmiter asked the Chaplain if he had any help available, and the Chaplain replied that he had been in contact with a woman Priest but that discussions were still at an early stage. He hopes to obtain a Permission to Officiate for her. The issues discussed included the difficulties of parking, heavy traffic on Sundays during the summer months and the difficulties experienced by the congregation at Torre del Mar in changing their access times to Lux Mundi. However, Denise Heyes said that the congregation would be flexible regarding whether the service was The Eucharist or Morning Prayer. David Harrison said that he would prefer to stay with the present pattern of services at Malaga and have a Eucharistic service every other week.
Having listened to the discussion the Chaplain said that it would be his responsibility to make a decision.
20/2008. Chaplain’s report.
The Chaplain´s report is attached at the end of these minutes.
The Council confirmed and accepted the appointment of Ged Harrison as Child Protection Officer.
It agreed in principle the allocation of a budget of €500 for a publicity campaign.
21/2008. Reports from Chaplaincy and Congregational Wardens.
Rosella Parmiter reported that she had attended the service at Torre del Mar on 20 April and had stayed for the Fellowship Breakfast. In the evening she attended the service in Competa. On May 10 she attended the service at Villanueva de Tapia.
Denise Heyes reported that she is trying to attend service at other places as much as possible and was pleased to report that she sensed a growing feeling of unity and of “Chaplaincy”.
On the issue of repatriation insurance for the Chaplain and Mrs. Wolfenden, the Chaplaincy Wardens are working with the Hon. Treasurer, Michael Smith.
22/2008. Treasurer’s report
Michael Smith reported the good news that the Chaplaincy is currently running to its approved budget.
Referring to financial information sheets which had been sent out prior to the meeting, Michael went on to explain that the thinking behind them was to try to get away from the dependence on the subsidy from Chaplaincy reserves.
Discussion and questions followed and some concerns were expressed that the information given on the sheets did not reflect previous agreements with regard to congregational assessments and that the balance from the previous year had not been brought forward.
The Chaplain said that he was disturbed to hear that the Council was so worried about money and said that this was sending out the wrong messages. The real issue is that the Chaplaincy as a whole needs to be thinking more about people and increasing the Congregation by being welcoming and supportive. The Chaplain said that when the people come, the money would follow. The Chaplain expressed a plea that the Council should not worry about money.
23/2008. Future plans and priorities
With regard to the development of Torremolinos, The Chaplain is intending to contact Clare Whiteman. Jennifer Vernon-Smith said that the venue for services in the Salon de Fiestas in a hotel was not suitable and the Chaplain agreed that finding a church in which to hold worship services was crucial. Jennifer said that there are many very nice churches in the area.
24/2008. Recipe book
Adrian Wilkinson and Jean Roberts spoke to this item. Having collected recipes, typed and illustrated them the next step is to have the book produced. Adrian had obtained a quote for printing and the Council was asked to consider granting a loan of €3190.00 to cover the costs of printing, to be paid back from the sale of the books. The Council asked for alternative quotes to be obtained and agreed in principle, to grant the loan.
David Harrison proposed that the Council agree in principle to a loan to print 1000 books, subject to obtaining more quotes. This was seconded by Patricia Luce and carried by a unanimous vote.
25/2008. History of the English Cemetery
Rosella reported that the stocks of the English edition of this booklet are running low. Rosella will take this up with the Gatehouse Shop Committee.
Date, time and venue of the next meeting of the Chaplaincy Council
Thursday 3 July 2008, in the Vestry at 11.00 a.m., to be preceded by a celebration of the Eucharist at 10.30 a.m.
The members of the Council said the Grace together and the meeting closed.
Jean Roberts
Hon. Secretary
Chaplain’s report to the May 2008 Chaplaincy Council Meeting
I must begin by recording with sadness the death of Brian Patey, until recently a member of this Council and a Congregational Warden at Lux Mundi. Brian was also choirmaster of the Taize choir and organist for the Congregation of the Good Shepherd.
A memorial service for Brian will be held in Lux Mundi at 5.00 p.m.on Thursday, 29 May and I hope Council members will attend if they are able. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carol and Brian’s sons at this time.
A number of random points to draw to the attention of the Council:
1. Child Protection Officer. Ged Harrison has kindly offered to be the Chaplaincy’s Child Protection Officer, and whilst at the moment we have few children involved in the life of the Chaplaincy we do need to have someone in place to fulfil this role. I hope the Council will accept the offer and confirm Ged’s appointment.
2. The Revd Sheila Mitchell. Sheila has been attending services at Lux Mundi recently, and is willing to be involved more directly in the worshipping life of the Chaplaincy. She has been an incumbent in Crewe after curacies in New Brighton and now lives in Mondrian following the early retirement of her husband. She is 55 years old and has much to offer.
I propose to ask for Permission to Officiate for Sheila for this Chaplaincy and will agree a code of conduct with her which will enable both of us to understand what is expected of each.
3. SOS and Private Health. There are currently some problems in these areas (through no fault of anyone here) but the Council needs to be aware of the situation. The Diocesan Handbook makes it clear that chaplains and spouses should have private health care and repatriation insurance and at the moment that is not the case here.
4. Publicity. Now that the venues are more settled (even if the timings are not), we need a professionally produced, colourful and informative leaflet which gives details about the whole chaplaincy. I am calling a meeting of those who have been involved in various ways in publicity in the past to try to move this forward, but would ask the Council today to agree in principle a budget of €500 for this task.
5. Funerals and weddings. I have been surprised (but not, I have to say, disappointed) by the small number of funerals I have been asked to conduct since I arrived. I had expected James Tayler to pass these on to me, and certainly once he resigned that should have been the case. Recently there has been movement in this area, thanks to Rosella and to Bishop David’s letter, and I am expecting to be more involved in these in the future. I have agreed to donate the fees to the Chaplaincy.
6. Nigerian Anglicans. Whilst this applies mainly to St George’s, I think it important that the Chaplaincy as a whole recognises the significant number of Africans who now attend but who do not yet play a full roll in the life of the congregation. It may be that they do not wish to, but we are duty bound to find ways of encouraging them to be more integrated and to contribute actively to our worship. Jerome is great, but we should engage more with them.
7. Environmental officer. The Diocese is encouraging chaplaincies to appoint someone to have oversight of our ‘carbon footprint’, and if anyone is interested in this I’d be happy to pass on some information to them.
8. Calendar. I am keen to establish a Chaplaincy calendar which identifies important dates. I attach a draft version for your consideration.
I apologise for this lengthy list, but it seemed easier to itemise the points. Otherwise I would be happy to listen to any concerns or issues members would like to raise with me, either on their own behalf or on behalf of other people.
Peter Wolfenden
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