The Midlands Churches of Christ

MINUTES OF THE SHEPHERDING GROUP WITH COMMITTEE REPS
Sunday 2nd November 2003

ATTENDEES: SHEPHERDS: Andy & Helen Torbet, Warner Baker, Jimmy & Deborah Ogunshakin.
  COMMITTEE REPS: Celia Forbes, Greg Broad, Donna Jarvis, Marlon Francis, Paul Bourke, Monique Buckingham, Roy Arthurs & Lesrine Edwards
  APOLOGIES: None received.

The meeting began at 5.05pm.


  Topic Action
1. Matters Arising from previous Minutes  
  No matters arising.  
2. Worship Committee  
  Those involved in the worship committee were Greg Broad, Celia Forbes, Sophie Charles, Donna Jarvis & Glen Stephenson.

The group had several ideas to put forward:

  
 
  • Regarding charitable work and support (ie Poor Talk on Sundays). It was suggested that we look at supporting local charities as well. For example getting in touch with the Community Services Volunteers and also Acorns as another example. Perhaps we could raise funds for such local charities within our communities. It may be an idea to invite a representative from such an organisation to come and present something to us (ie Poor Talk on Sundays).
Benevolence
 
  • It was suggested that we should put out less chairs as a way to avoid rows near the front from being left empty. It was also suggested that a ‘reserve’ be put on the last two rows for late comers.
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  • As a matter of hygiene it was suggested that whoever prepares the unleavened bread could cut it into individual pieces, so as to save many people handling it during communion.
*
 
  • Different ways of encouraging people to sit nearer the front were suggested – sit next to someone you don’t know very well, greet someone you don’t know.
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  • It was suggested that we move the worship service into the music room as a trial.
 GB
 
  • Xmas carol singing for charity on the steps next to German Christmas Market was very successful last year – it was suggested to repeat this. GB to look into permission from B’ham City Council. The question remained as to what charity we support.
GB
 
  • The Christmas Carol Service for the church would be on Sunday 14th December.
 Newsletter
 
  • WB was able to confirm that Dave Palmer had been training in how to set up the PA system.
  
 

(Monique Buckingham joined at 5.10pm)
(Roy Arthurs joined at 5.15pm)

  
3. Teaching & Social Committees  
  Those involved in the social committee were Sophia Raymond, Enoch & Kumbi, Roy Arthurs, Jacquie French.

Those involved in the teaching committee were Roy Arthurs, Jon & Marelize Yorke, Paul & Sarah Holloway. Neither group had met up recently.

RA was able to confirm that JY and himself would be judging each others study/work before presenting it to the Shepherds Group.

WB suggested that the members of the social committee perhaps need to acknowledge whether or not they can really practically support this committee, if not, it’s fine. It was suggested that perhaps new members need to be called for, who would be able to give practical support, ie, having time to organise the Christmas Ball. Monique Buckingham was able to confirm that she would like to join the Social Committee.

  
 

(JO joined the meeting at 5.30pm)

  
4. Benevolence  
  PB remarked that he felt that the Poor Talks on Sundays had become repetitive. He felt that the HOPE project that had been proposed was a good idea to rekindle the congregation’s enthusiasm. He also proposed that he should take on the coordination of the earlier mentioned local charitable causes suggested by the Worship Committee. This was agreed.

It was suggested that each committee should ‘own’ their projects and ‘advertise’ them to the congregation. This will aid in the communication of ideas and suggestions from the congregation to the correct Committee. It was agreed that a notice board of some type could be put up at the back of the hall for information purposes.

 
 

(Lesrine Edwards joined at 5.50pm)

  
5. Finance Committee  
  Lesrine was able to confirm that standing orders were coming through and this was going well and as a result they would be able to put together a budget towards the end of this month. There would be three separate budgets for Birmingham, Leicester & Coventry. She also confirmed that a policy document was being worked on. Realistically, a first draft would be presented in mid January to the Shepherds Group, with a view to consultation with the congregation in February next year.  
6. Students  
  Marlon Francis was able to confirm that the students had been meeting up regularly for ‘communion dinner’ – this was an opportunity for them to share with each other how they had been feeling and this had been very encouraging for them.  
7. Any Other Business  
  WB asked how a UK wide Carol Service would be taken. Those present felt this would be a very encouraging opportunity for all the UK churches to come together to rekindle the unity.

AT asked if Song Books were required any longer as many people had been asking for them. GB shared that he was looking more towards putting the words of songs up on an OHP. However, it was agreed that people generally liked the idea of having a song book for home study and group devotionals.

  
8. Personal Sharing  
  WB then asked if anyone would like to share exactly how they were feeling things were going generally as a church. He asked for people to be honest and real. He was looking for feedback as to whether or not we were really in touch with the congregation as a whole. With the number of people present, he thought this was a good sample.  

Helen Torbet

Church Secretary

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