As many of us will be aware, the name, UK ICOC ceased to exist as a legal entity as of 1 July, 2003. A new charity called ICC Missions was set up in its place. Unfortunately, after thorough examination of the instruments setting up this charity, it was unanimously decided by the Council of Sheparding Couples that it did not reflect your wishes and aspirations. The majority of you also agreed with us that this was not the way in which you see us moving forward as a church. An alternative vehicle was therefore required to set our church up on the right legal footing for our future.
Given the limited time period we have to set the church up as a legal entity in its own right, the Finance Committee recommended the setting up of a 'Treasurers Account' with a clearing bank.
In setting up a bank account, a name had to be sought. The Shepherding Couples agreed an account should be set up immediately so that our regular contributions can be paid into this account rather than the UK ICOC Account, which as I said earlier, no longer exists.
The account was named 'Midland Churches of Christ' to reflect the aspirations and vision of us all, to see a fellowship of Churches and House Churches across the West and East Midlands of England in the future. The name also reflects the make up of our fellowship, which currently extends to Leicester and Coventry.
In order to effectively and professionally manage the churches financial affairs and its community activities, the Council moved to appoint the following brothers and sisters to office:-
There are other committees set up across the churches to deal with various interests of our members. We know that the Shepherding Couples depend totally on the love and servitude of brothers & sisters who serve on the committees.
It is expected that an Account number will be available to us within by 30 July 2003. We will therefore like to encourage those who have stopped their standing orders and direct debits to hold unto their contributions for now and these will be taken up at the next church-wide midweek meeting, later on this month.
We will make arrangements to provide Standing Orders mandates over the coming weeks so that we can reinstate these mandates by paying them into the new MCC Funds Account.
A consultation process will begin with the congregation as soon as a draft Trust Deed has been prepared.
Meanwhile, let us continue to pray that God Almighty will guide us in our endeavours and His Church as we rebuild our church to glorify and Honour His name in the Midlands.
Psalm 133.
Over the coming days we will be taking up name and addresses of our current membership through our House Churches so that a directory may be prepared and our needs can be met accordingly.
Please feel free to approach any of the Shepherding Couples in the fellowship on any concerns or queries you may have. They are:-
Finally, Minutes of our meetings will be posted on the church web site on a weekly basis or as often as Helen can.
We want to be as transparent as possible without compromising on the confidential and fiduciary nature of our relationships with each other. Please continue to reach out to and pray for our brothers and sisters who need our encouragement at this time. Pray that God will heal His church, so that we all can commune joyfully and devotedly worship before Him again.