PCC Honorary Treasurer The PCC welcomed Ben Mariam, newly appointed PCC Honorary Treasurer. Ben, who is a qualified accountant, has been a member of the congregation for about 18 months and has also completed the Camino Course. He advised that he is delighted to be appointed to the role and the PCC congratulated him on his appointment.
Caravan Counselling and Drop-in service The PCC welcomed Ian Burton, Co-ordinator of the Caravan Counselling and Drop-in service that operates from the Shepherd’s Hut on the St James’s site, for his annual visit to the PCC. Ian provided statistical information, and also examples of very positive anonymised feedback from users of the service, which is staffed by volunteers from the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education [website: http://ccpe.org.uk], typically in their third year of training. The PCC discussed opportunities to promote the availability of the support provided by this service to guests of the International Group Breakfast and Winter shelter. The various aspects of St James’s ongoing support for this important work, including the day to day support provided by the verger team, were also discussed. The PCC reaffirmed St James’s continuing support for the service.
Away Giving 2019 The PCC finalised the Away Giving grant allocations for 2019. The outcome of applications would be advised in the next few days and those grants that had been approved without further conditions would be paid during the next few days.
Safeguarding Following on from discussion at the previous meeting, the PCC received and noted the updated the St James’s Safeguarding Policy and Handbook, to serve as a companion / complementary guidance to the ‘Church of England House of Bishops Parish Safeguarding Handbook’ (published 2018). The PCC endorsed the Handbook as a key tool in ensuring that St James’s has in place a robust policy and practice for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. The PCC discussed, in particular, the specific guidance in the handbook regarding the requirement to obtain consent for and photographs/videos to be taken, shown, displayed or stored, and the PCC agreed to promote awareness and best practice in relation to this and other aspects of the policy.
Wren Project The Reverend Lucy Winkett provided the PCC with an update in relation to the Wren (site redevelopment) Project in advance of the update to the whole congregation planned for November. This included a review of the latest proposed scheme design drawings/plans, and a review of next steps, which covered professional advice being sought on the environmental aspect of the scheme ,a fundraising feasibility study and work to ensure the future commercial viability of the site. A discussion group that includes a number of members of the steering group, congregation, staff and some external expertise, had been established to assist with the latter. It was also noted that a consultation meeting with Historic England, the amenity societies, The Diocesan Advisory Committee and planning officers from Westminster Council has been scheduled for the end of October, and that a further update will be given to the congregation at a meeting after the Sunday service on 10th November.
Planned Giving The PCC was reminded that a small group from the congregation had been established, and had agreed to take forward a campaign to increase this income within the wider context of giving of time and talents too. The group wanted to hold an ‘intentional coffee’ discussion with the congregation on Planned Giving at the end of November.
Strategic Plan Review The PCC discussed a proposed process for a renewal/review of St James’s Strategic Plan - which would include discussions, over a number of lunches to which members of the congregation would be invited, on Sundays between January and June 2020, exploring in particular what being ‘inclusive’ means to St James’s, how this can be deepened, and exploring the church’s core values in that context. It was also hoped, through kitchen.org, to trial the practice of having ‘guest chefs’ leading a team of volunteers as an approach to these lunches to avoid the burden falling repeatedly to the same volunteer(s). The PCC endorsed the way forward for these consultation lunches, noting that this would require PCC members to play an active role in participating and facilitating the discussion and in helping to record the output.
Alternatives Lia Shimada, the PCC liaison with Alternatives, encouraged PCC members to attend some of the Monday evening Alternatives events at St James’s and events/workshops held by Alternatives elsewhere. It was hoped that this would help to inform discussion with the Trustees of Alternatives at their forthcoming annual visit to a PCC meeting.
Hospitality workshop The PCC was provided with information regarding a workshop on hospitality led by public theologian Jayme Reaves, to be held at St James’s on Saturday 2nd November. Instructions on how to apply for places on the workshop were provided and PCC members encouraged to attend.
Other matters
The PCC received for information and noted:
• The minutes of Staff meeting of 3rd September 2019
• The minutes of the Liturgy Group meeting of 6th September 2019
• The minutes of the Health & Safety Committee meeting of 25th July 2019
Caravan Counselling and Drop-in service The PCC welcomed Ian Burton, Co-ordinator of the Caravan Counselling and Drop-in service that operates from the Shepherd’s Hut on the St James’s site, for his annual visit to the PCC. Ian provided statistical information, and also examples of very positive anonymised feedback from users of the service, which is staffed by volunteers from the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education [website: http://ccpe.org.uk], typically in their third year of training. The PCC discussed opportunities to promote the availability of the support provided by this service to guests of the International Group Breakfast and Winter shelter. The various aspects of St James’s ongoing support for this important work, including the day to day support provided by the verger team, were also discussed. The PCC reaffirmed St James’s continuing support for the service.
Away Giving 2019 The PCC finalised the Away Giving grant allocations for 2019. The outcome of applications would be advised in the next few days and those grants that had been approved without further conditions would be paid during the next few days.
Safeguarding Following on from discussion at the previous meeting, the PCC received and noted the updated the St James’s Safeguarding Policy and Handbook, to serve as a companion / complementary guidance to the ‘Church of England House of Bishops Parish Safeguarding Handbook’ (published 2018). The PCC endorsed the Handbook as a key tool in ensuring that St James’s has in place a robust policy and practice for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. The PCC discussed, in particular, the specific guidance in the handbook regarding the requirement to obtain consent for and photographs/videos to be taken, shown, displayed or stored, and the PCC agreed to promote awareness and best practice in relation to this and other aspects of the policy.
Wren Project The Reverend Lucy Winkett provided the PCC with an update in relation to the Wren (site redevelopment) Project in advance of the update to the whole congregation planned for November. This included a review of the latest proposed scheme design drawings/plans, and a review of next steps, which covered professional advice being sought on the environmental aspect of the scheme ,a fundraising feasibility study and work to ensure the future commercial viability of the site. A discussion group that includes a number of members of the steering group, congregation, staff and some external expertise, had been established to assist with the latter. It was also noted that a consultation meeting with Historic England, the amenity societies, The Diocesan Advisory Committee and planning officers from Westminster Council has been scheduled for the end of October, and that a further update will be given to the congregation at a meeting after the Sunday service on 10th November.
Planned Giving The PCC was reminded that a small group from the congregation had been established, and had agreed to take forward a campaign to increase this income within the wider context of giving of time and talents too. The group wanted to hold an ‘intentional coffee’ discussion with the congregation on Planned Giving at the end of November.
Strategic Plan Review The PCC discussed a proposed process for a renewal/review of St James’s Strategic Plan - which would include discussions, over a number of lunches to which members of the congregation would be invited, on Sundays between January and June 2020, exploring in particular what being ‘inclusive’ means to St James’s, how this can be deepened, and exploring the church’s core values in that context. It was also hoped, through kitchen.org, to trial the practice of having ‘guest chefs’ leading a team of volunteers as an approach to these lunches to avoid the burden falling repeatedly to the same volunteer(s). The PCC endorsed the way forward for these consultation lunches, noting that this would require PCC members to play an active role in participating and facilitating the discussion and in helping to record the output.
Alternatives Lia Shimada, the PCC liaison with Alternatives, encouraged PCC members to attend some of the Monday evening Alternatives events at St James’s and events/workshops held by Alternatives elsewhere. It was hoped that this would help to inform discussion with the Trustees of Alternatives at their forthcoming annual visit to a PCC meeting.
Hospitality workshop The PCC was provided with information regarding a workshop on hospitality led by public theologian Jayme Reaves, to be held at St James’s on Saturday 2nd November. Instructions on how to apply for places on the workshop were provided and PCC members encouraged to attend.
Other matters
The PCC received for information and noted:
• The minutes of Staff meeting of 3rd September 2019
• The minutes of the Liturgy Group meeting of 6th September 2019
• The minutes of the Health & Safety Committee meeting of 25th July 2019
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