| ATTENDEES: | Scott Bryden, Marilyn Dean (chair), Jimmy Ogunshakin and Andrew Torbet |
| APOLOGIES: | none |
The meeting began at 7.10pm and opened with a prayer.
| Topic | Action | |
| 1. | Approval of Previous Minutes | |
| The Minutes from the previous meeting held on 14th December 2006 were agreed and duly signed by Marilyn Dean who acted as chair for that particular meeting. | ||
| 2. | Matters Arising | |
| Two issues of Benevolence were resolved - one in Leicester, one in Birmingham. Two other issues did not require any financial assistance. | ||
| 3. | Shepherds Items | |
| a) | It was reported that JO came to Leicester and made a presentation introducing the Membership Covenant there on 28th January 2007. The presentation was well received and taped for those who were not able to be present on the day. | |
| b) | There is no married couple from MCoC able to take advantage of the Dynamic Marriage Training being offered in London. In general it was agreed that a subsidy would be forthcoming for the many events organised by Barry Lamb. In the case of the Father & Son Retreat a deposit of £10 from the applicants would be needed and an undertaking to make travel arrangements, but the church would supply the rest of the booking fee. | |
| c) | It was noted that the church holiday was not yet booked. JO to raise the organisation of this event with the Shepherds. | JO |
| d) | A list of ideas was received from Mwamba Bennett regarding fund raising for HOPEWorldwide and other local causes. It seems she may have collected a group of like-minded members to progress these ideas and the Trustees are glad to encourage her both in the formation of a Benevolence Fundraising Group and in the ideas proposed. | |
| 4. | Finances | |
| a) | Following discussions held at the recent Joint meeting of Shepherds and Trustees it was agreed to send the full amount of the Birmingham congregation's pledge of £10,600.00 to HOPEWorldwide. Some of this amount has already been sent to Ian Joseph but the remainder would be sent imminently. | AT |
| b) | Monthly spreadsheet - MD presented the monthly spreadsheet, which completes the 2006 finances. | |
| c) | Budget for 2007 - MD presented the figures agreed at previous discussions and now completed with carried forward amounts. | |
| d) | JO had been speaking to certain ICCM Directors from London who were exploring the possibility of greater financial links between our churches. While this is thought inappropriate at this time due to our own forthcoming support of a minister, we nevertheless would be very happy to consider supporting joint functions and conferences which would be of mutual benefit to congregations UK-wide. | JO / Trustees |
| 5. | Employment of Minister | |
| The Flemings next visit to us will be 23-25 April. The plan is for them to spend the evening and the night of the 23rd in Leicester and to spend the rest of the time in Birmingham. | ||
| JO reported considerable progress in the formalities of employment and agreed to present the following to the next meeting: | JO | |
| - Job descriptions - Contracts of employment - Letters of appointment - Background statement (and other details) about the church required for the UK Visa Form | JO/SB | |
| In turn we would seek CVs from AF & TF and a letter of reference from the LA church. | ||
| 6. | Legal Matters | |
| Implications of the Sexual Orientation Legislation previously discussed at the recent Joint meeting of Trustees and Shepherds were reiterated. | ||
| 7. | Any Other Business | |
| a) | The visit to Birmingham of the Manchester church will take place of the 23rd September 2007. | |
| b) | Electrical testing of equipment at the office has been completed. | |
| c) | It was noted that Lesrine Edwards was finding it difficult to fulfil her treasury and administrative responsibilities without the use of a reliable phone and it was agreed to purchase a mobile phone for her use. Once her situation had improved the phone might be available to the Flemings. | MD/DL |
| d) | The Glasgow church is visiting this weekend. Arrangements include (among other things) an organised meeting and a buffet lunch before their departure on Sunday to which Leicester members would be invited also. It was suggested that the visit be reviewed and if deemed successful, that the format might be repeated for the Leicester church. | |
| e) | A briefing note was presented on the National minimum wage. Implications for the part-time employment of ministry staff were noted. | |
| f) | A briefing note on the Data Protection Act was presented and attention drawn to the Government's amendment to introduce a custodial penalty for those obtaining or disclosing personal data from Data Controllers without their consent. | |
| g) | Barry Lamb is likely to be invited to serve the church in Leicester over a weekend. A minimum honorarium is to be offered to him along with the usual travel expenses. | |
| h) | A fire risk assessment is required for the office and will be undertaken by SB. | SB |
| 8. | Date of Next Meeting | |
| The date for the next meeting was set for 7pm Thursday 15th March 2007 (subsequently rearranged for 5th April) |
Marilyn Dean
For Church Secretary