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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 on Saturday 1 December 2007 at 10.30 a.m.
in the Vestry, St George’s Church
Present: The Rt. Revd. David Hamid, Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Europe.
The Revd. Peter Wolfenden, Chaplain and Chairman
Rosella Parmiter, Chaplaincy Warden.
Jennifer Vernon-Smith, Congregational Warden, Malaga.
David Harrison, Congregational Warden, Malaga & Lay Vice Chairman
Cate Horabin, Congregational Warden, Torre del Mar
Patricia Luce, Synod Representative
Michael Smith, Hon. Treasurer
Jean Roberts. Hon. Secretary.
Apologies: Denise Heyes, Congregational Warden, Torre del Mar
Claire Whiteman, Congregational Warden, Torremolinos
Lisa Hurt, Congregational Warden, Competa
Paul Gath, Congregational Warden, Competa.
The Chaplain opened the meeting with prayer.
The minutes of the meeting of 2 November 2007 were accepted as a correct record and duly signed by the Chaplain. Proposed by R. Parmiter and seconded by J. Vernon-Smith
Matters arising from the minutes
12/2007c The opening of the Church during the week. Work is progressing on the information leaflet and a trolley for the hymn and service books.
16/2007 A new venue has been found for the group that has been worshiping at Alhama - although not yet finalised - in the village of Moraleda. It is hoped that this will be completed by 15 December 2007. Search for a venue for worship in or near Iznajar are ongoing.
21/2007 Chaplaincy Warden. Mrs. J. Giles's resignation has now been formally accepted and nomination papers have been put out. So far there are no nominations.
NEW BUSINESS
26/2007 The Chaplain welcomed Bishop David Hamid to the meeting.
Bishop David said that he was delighted to visit the Chaplaincy, and that this was his first visit to the Council.
The first six months had been difficult for the Chaplain and the Chaplaincy. The Bishop wishes to know if the Council Members have any ideas about how to address the problems being faced by the Chaplaincy. Many of the problems predate the appointment of the current Chaplain. The Bishop confirmed that the decision to contract a full time priest was the correct one and said that, Father Peter is able to be tough and gentle, and has energy and vision. Should there be a financial shortfall due to any changes, that the Council should let the diocese know, in which case the diocese may help to meet the shortfall.
The Bishop informed the Council that he intends to write a pastoral letter to clarify the status of The Revd. J. Tayler and the Revd. S. Langdale. This will be sent to every one whose name is on the electoral roll of the Council.
The Council needs to be clear about its priorities and to articulate these. Decisions have to be made about which congregations are to be developed and resources committed to fulfilling them.
There is a huge challenge facing the Church due to the large number of people settling on the coast and there is much work to be done.
The Bishop invited questions.
Patricia Luce said that Peter is very much appreciated and has the Council 100% behind him but, she asked how long he could continue at the current pace. Patricia also asked if Raymond Taylor has a PtO.
The Bishop agreed that one person cannot do everything and reiterated the need to identify priorities. The work has to be sustainable, as building the Church of God is a very serious business and not a whimsy. Raymond Taylor has a PtO.
Peter said that he has had discussions with Raymond, and also that Cyril and Margaret Jarman are going away for 2 months.
Cate Horabin said that she was concerned to move on, that the situation at Torre del Mar is not pleasant and that there is much gossip and rumour. There is a feeling that if one supports Peter one has joined the "opposition". Other members of the Council made points also; that the decision to appoint a full time priest was taken on the assumption that help would come from Torre del Mar; that there is a very strong group operating against the interests of the Torre del Mar congregation and the Chaplaincy. There seems to be a lack of understanding of the concept of Chaplaincy. James and Michael Meredith are still being introduced as Priests from Malaga.
Bishop David responded by saying that if it is felt to be right to invest in Torre del Mar, then the Chaplaincy must do so. His Pastoral letter should be sent to Gloria at Lux Mundi, to local Catholic Clergy and to the Bishop of Malaga.
The Revd. James Tayler, having resigned, is still a priest in Holy Orders but has no pastoral duties assigned to him in the name of the Church of England. He has not requested Permission to Officiate and is allowed to take Church of England services only if he has a PtO, and under the jurisdiction of the Chaplain. The job of a priest is to build up the Body of Christ, not to split it up.
The Revd. Stephen Langdale has never held a licence in the Diocese of Europe.
The situation with regard to Mrs. Kate Morris´s resignation still needs to be clarified.
The good news is that St George’s Church now welcomes a large number of Nigerian worshippers and there have been two baptisms. They have a prayer meeting of their own after the service once a month.
David Harrison referred to paragraph 24/2007 in the previous minutes and asked for the Bishop´s view regarding the payment of expenses. The Chaplaincy has never paid an organist, however payment is supported by the Royal College of Church Music as a legitimate expense incurred in the running of a church. Furthermore, wardens travel considerably on Chaplaincy business and do not claim mileage costs.
Bishop David replied that it is good practice to have items like these budgeted, even if the person gives the money back to the Church.
Priests undertaking ministerial and pastoral duties are entitled to claim expenses;
Readers are not entitled to expenses for funerals;
Wardens. There is no precedent for wardens claiming expenses.
There needs to be a Chaplaincy policy for covering expenses incurred on particular assignments on behalf of the Chaplaincy.
Michael Smith said that the Chaplaincy Scheme had resulted in power and control being taken away from the centre. The present Chaplaincy Scheme had been devised to deal with a situation which is no longer the same, and maybe the Scheme is no longer "fit for purpose".
The Chaplain suggested that the rest of the agenda be deferred until the next meeting.
A written report from the Malaga Congregational Wardens was tabled.
A financial statement from the Hon. Treasurer was tabled.
The Bishop closed the meeting with prayer.
Date time and venue of the next meeting. To be advised.
Jean Roberts
Hon. Secretary,
10 December 2007
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