St Philip's Anglican Church, O'Connor: Parish Council 2012

Parish Council 2012

Council members from 26 Feb 2012

Rector : Revd Rebecca Newland
Rector's Warden : Leighton Mann
People's Wardens : Helen Palethorpe OAM (Secretary) and Roger Sharp
Councillors : Fred Anchell, Ian Cousins PSM (Chair), Vicki Luker, Louise McKay, Peter Wilson, Shane Woodburn (Treasurer)

Key points from Council meetings

9 May 2012

The 2012 covenant between Rebecca and the Parish has now been signed by Bishop Stuart and copies are available. The covenant priorities for 2012 are:

Nurture and consolidate the strengths of the Parish.
Improve our welcoming, connecting and teaching work.
Continue to build partnership and community between the English-speaking and Dinka congregations.
Work with the Diocese to develop a support program for the Dinka community and their ministry.
Implement a building proposal for improved accommodation for Parish ministry activities and outreach.
Continue to explore ways to develop a better link between current outreach activities and St. Philip's mission.

27th May: Extraordinary General Parish Meeting after the 10am Pentecost service. Parish Council have made a decision on the building which will be presented to the parish at this meeting.

Council will apply to the Anglicare Partnership and Innovation fund towards the cost of the building.

Fred Anchell will co-ordinate the Fair Committee.

Matt McKay will manage the web site. Thanks to Brian McKinlay for his management of the site.

Welcome Team

Your Parish Council decided that it is time for Rebecca to have assistance in welcoming new families and individuals to our parish community. The role of "Welcome Coordinator" has been created. This is in addition to the welcomers who meet and greet people at our Sunday worship services. Welcoming and connecting people to others is central to our ministry and we need to strengthen the way we do this.

Helen Palethorpe has been appointed to this role, in the first instance, but others are invited to participate also. When new people come to our worship services, Rebecca will first of all meet with them and then Helen (or members of her small team) will ensure that those people receive a personal invitation to share a meal or a coffee with others who have been part of our congregation for longer. The arrangements will be quite flexible.

If you would like to be a part of our "Welcome Team" please contact Rebecca or Helen and they will explain what is involved. If you have good ideas about other ways we can make people feel more welcome in our midst please also speak to Rebecca or Helen.

11 April 2012

The Parish Council warmly welcomed advice from Anglicare that it would provide funding of $23,000 a year for the next three years for Robin's work at the Northbourne Community Centre. This is the first long term funding Anglicare has provided to the Centre.

The building/courtyard proposal is being pursued vigorously. A Project Committee has been formed made up of Catherine Holt, Roger Sharp, Leighton Mann, Tim Gulliver and Rebecca Newland. The aim if possible is to have a fully developed proposal for consideration by an extraordinary Parish Meeting in May.

The Parish Council invites expressions of interest in being the Coordinator for this year's Twilight Fair to be held on 10 November. The Coordinator or Coordinators will be supported by an experienced Fair Committee.

14 March 2012

A draft 2012 covenant between Rebecca and the Parish was discussed and there will now be consultation with the Dinka congregation leadership before finalising the covenant and submitting it to the Bishop. The draft covenant is in line with the vision Rebecca set out for the Parish in her report to the AGM.

The new Council elected Ian Cousins as Chair, Shane Woodburn as Treasurer and Helen Palethorpe as Secretary. Diocesan guidelines for the implementation of the ACT Work Safety Act require parishes to appoint a Parish Safety Officer. The Council appointed Fred Anchell to fulfil this role.

The Council adopted the Parish budget for 2012 with a planned operating deficit of $7066 following its endorsement at the AGM.

New point of contact responsibilities have been allocated amongst the members of the new Parish Council and a revised note will be placed on the Noticeboard.

The Council is pursuing the building proposal as a matter of priority and considered initial estimates from three potential suppliers at the meeting. A project committee is being put together to develop a full proposal for presentation to a special general meeting.

The Parish Council invites expressions of interest in being the Coordinator for this year's Twilight Fair on 10 November. The Coordinator or Coordinators will be supported by an experienced Fair Committee.

8 February 2012

The Parish Council considered the agenda and papers for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held after the 10am service on Sunday 26 February. At the AGM there will be an opportunity under general business to discuss management of the parish. There will also be a presentation on a proposal for new facilities for Pandora's and storage space for Robin Moore. All regular reports to be considered at the AGM should have been submitted by 5 February. This deadline was needed to allow time for the reports to be compiled and produced.

Gutterguard has now been installed on the Rectory and a small pergola roof erected over the inner courtyard to protect the new decking. The infestation of bees within the vestry wall has been attended to.