Church
News:
Invitation
Bishop
Mark is delighted to invite you to join him on Sunday 26th September
at 18.30 as he conducts a Service of Choral Evensong where he
will be licensing various clergy into the new clergy team within
Inverness.
All
charges and clergy are most welcome, please RSVP to the link
on the invitation.
Outlook
Message
from the Editor - Outlook will be restarting with effect from
October
Any
contributions for Outlook are very welcome but please ensure copyright
is not infringed viz ©
Priest-in-Charge:
The Most Revd Bishop Mark
Vestry
Secretaries: Mrs Jeanette Harper (St John's, Wick) email
Mrs
Anne Machell (St Peter's, Thurso) email
Editor
of Outlook: Richard Stanley
Please submit any items via email
to Richard Stanley
or as paper copy to 11 Lindsay Place, WICK, KW1 4PF or the
vestry secretaries' addresses above.
The
normal dead-line for each issue is 5pm on the Monday before the
last Sunday of the previous month; so,
the deadline for October 2021 is 5pm on Monday 20th September
2021. Please submit material as early as possible. Late items
will not be included.
Vestry
Secretary's Report
Annual
General Meeting
The
Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday 21st November 2021,
to follow the morning service. It will be a "double" AGM to cover
the past two financial years. The meeting will be held in the
church hall.
Toilet
Project
We
were not successful in our application to the Adapt and Thrive
Programme. The National Churches Trust are to give their decision
in the next couple of weeks.
Vestry
Meeting
The
Vestry met on 2nd August 2021 in the church hall. The meeting
was chaired by Bishop Mark and nine members were present. A summary
of the topics discussed is shown below.
-
The minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2020 were approved.
-
Date of AGM: The Bishop advised that a "double" AGM should be
held at the end of November. The annual accounts for year ending
September 2020 had been prepared, signed off and circulated to
Vestry members prior to the meeting.
-
Priest's Report: The Bishop noted that Ellie's curacy was complete,
and she would be moving to a new post in Inverness from September.
He thanked the congregation for helping Ellie over the past three
years. There would not be a Priest in Caithness for the foreseeable
future. The Bishop committed to having a Priest attend at least
once a month to consecrate the elements. He would remove the regulations
on reserved sacrament so it could be used for more than two weeks.
He would be meeting with the Lay Readers and would relicence Barrie
Cran. The parsonage would be sold as it was too small for purpose,
and alternative premises would be sought in Caithness.
-
Treasurer's Report: Pat had circulated the final annual accounts
for year ending September 2020 prior to the meeting. She had prepared
figures showing income and expenditure for the period October
2020 to end of June 2021. The current bank balance was £16,137.
She thanked everyone for their regular giving during the pandemic,
which meant that routine expenditure had been met. She thanked
Jeanette and Neil for preparing the church, and those conducting
the services. Quota was now due for payment.
-
Toilet Project Update: The updated estimate had increased to £87,963.
The current shortfall was around £22,500. Funding decisions were
awaited from the National Churches Trust and the Adapt and Thrive
Programme. Planning permission had been extended to 31 March 2022.
The building warrant approval had been granted. The water authority
had approved the project, which could now be pursued with Business
Stream. The neighbour had granted permission for a connection
to be made into the public sewer on their land. Fairhurst Engineering
had been instructed to carry out the structural survey.
-
Church Open Wednesdays: Richard asked if the church could be opened
to visitors, as in previous years. The Bishop advised that if
volunteers could be kept safe, and the stacked chairs sorted out,
the church could be opened. Rules would need to be clearly set
out for visitors to follow.
-
Choral in Church: The Choral Society had enquired whether the
church could be used for rehearsals, rather than the hall, as
there was more space. They would need to maintain the 1m distancing
and sing with masks on. Neil thought that with some re-arranging
of pews and seats this could be accommodated. Lyn noted that the
Handbell Ringers had used the church at 2m distancing. Jeanette
would respond to the Choral Society.
- Railing Display / Vandalism: The display created for Pride Month
had been vandalised by removing the rainbow painted heart on a
couple of occasions. Richard suggested future displays could be
within the grounds, but this would be harder to see from the road.
The Bishop noted that there had been press coverage of the display,
and the point had now been made of our inclusivity. He also noted
that the railings were fragile and part of the building listing.
He suggested that Vestry discretion be used on positioning of
future displays.
-
Junior Organist: Lyn sought permission from the Bishop to encourage
a junior organist to play at services. This was granted.
-
150th Anniversary: The Bishop hoped this could be celebrated in
the Spring of 2022 when more restrictions were lifted. There could
even be a new accessible toilet and entrance to launch.
-
Date of Next Meeting: To be arranged in liaison with the Bishop's
PA.
Jeanette
Harper
Vestry Secretary
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