Pride 2019
The PCC noted plans for events to be held over London Pride weekend (6th and 7th July). These will include a special Pride Tea Party in the Southwood Garden on Saturday 6th July from 2.00pm – 5.00pm. LGBTQ+ family groups have been invited, and games and activities will be organised for children. The Christians at Pride service on the Saturday evening this year is to take place at St Giles-in-the Field commencing at 6.00pm. As usual, St James’s will be holding its own Parish Eucharist marking LGBTQ+ Pride on the Sunday morning. As in previous years, it is the intention to display the large rainbow flag above the North door to the Church over the weekend, and to have the Pride altar frontal in place on the Sunday.
CTiW Prisons Mission Art Shows 2019
The PCC approved plans for an art installation in the Church during Prison’s week (13th – 20th October 2019), to be installed in the Side Chapel or Prayer area. The PCC also noted the possibility of an event to be organised in conjunction with the installation.
Memorial and Commemorative Plaque Policy
The PCC approved a policy relating to memorial and commemorative plaques on the St James’s site, noting that memorials within the church would also be subject to the Diocesan faculty permission process. The PCC was keen that the policy is applied in a way that is fair and sensitive to those wishing to apply for memorials, whilst ensuring that the practicalities of maintaining the site in good condition are taken into consideration.
Faculty Resolution for scaffolding works in the Southwood Garden
The PCC re-affirmed a previous resolution to apply to the Chancellor of the Diocese for permission to enter into a licence with BAFTA for the erection of scaffolding in the Southwood Garden to enable works to be undertaken on their adjacent building.
Risk Register
The PCC reviewed the latest version of the Risk Register, noting that, whilst this served as an operational tool for managing risk, overall responsibility for risk management rests with PCC members as trustees. A number of recommendations were made for consideration by management, and it was agreed that the PCC would continue to review the Register on an annual basis, aligned more closely to the end of year reporting timetable. In between these reviews, individual issues will continue to be managed through the regular reporting to the PCC by the Director of Business and Operations.
Strategic Plan Progress Review
The PCC reviewed the current Strategic Plan monitoring schedule, which had been recently updated. The process for development of a new Strategic Plan for 2020 onwards is to start with discussion at the PCC away-day, to be held on 29th June, so this meeting was an opportunity for reflection and to offer observations and questions to be considered as part of this process. The PCC noted the substantial progress that had been achieved in relation to many of the strands and individual initiatives in the current plan, noting also that the revised plan might focus more on the character of St James’s spiritual life, whilst maintaining the overall direction and focus of the current plan centred around its Eucharistic approach. Consultation with the congregation will be undertaken at an appropriate stage.
Patronal Festival – Sunday 21st July
The PCC noted that planning was taking place in relation to the Patronal Festival to take place on Sunday 21st July, which once again will be held outside in the churchyard, weather permitting.
Children’s Champion
The PCC noted that that Elena Verigo has agreed to take on the role of Children’s Champion when Chloe Bentley, the current Children’s Champion, moves away in the summer. Elena works with children with special needs and is expected to bring an enthusiastic and energetic approach to the role. The PCC expressed its gratitude for Chloe’s tremendous contribution whilst in the role, and agreed that a suitable opportunity should be found for the wider St James’s congregation to express its appreciation.
Other matters
The PCC received for information and discussed/noted:
The PCC noted plans for events to be held over London Pride weekend (6th and 7th July). These will include a special Pride Tea Party in the Southwood Garden on Saturday 6th July from 2.00pm – 5.00pm. LGBTQ+ family groups have been invited, and games and activities will be organised for children. The Christians at Pride service on the Saturday evening this year is to take place at St Giles-in-the Field commencing at 6.00pm. As usual, St James’s will be holding its own Parish Eucharist marking LGBTQ+ Pride on the Sunday morning. As in previous years, it is the intention to display the large rainbow flag above the North door to the Church over the weekend, and to have the Pride altar frontal in place on the Sunday.
CTiW Prisons Mission Art Shows 2019
The PCC approved plans for an art installation in the Church during Prison’s week (13th – 20th October 2019), to be installed in the Side Chapel or Prayer area. The PCC also noted the possibility of an event to be organised in conjunction with the installation.
Memorial and Commemorative Plaque Policy
The PCC approved a policy relating to memorial and commemorative plaques on the St James’s site, noting that memorials within the church would also be subject to the Diocesan faculty permission process. The PCC was keen that the policy is applied in a way that is fair and sensitive to those wishing to apply for memorials, whilst ensuring that the practicalities of maintaining the site in good condition are taken into consideration.
Faculty Resolution for scaffolding works in the Southwood Garden
The PCC re-affirmed a previous resolution to apply to the Chancellor of the Diocese for permission to enter into a licence with BAFTA for the erection of scaffolding in the Southwood Garden to enable works to be undertaken on their adjacent building.
Risk Register
The PCC reviewed the latest version of the Risk Register, noting that, whilst this served as an operational tool for managing risk, overall responsibility for risk management rests with PCC members as trustees. A number of recommendations were made for consideration by management, and it was agreed that the PCC would continue to review the Register on an annual basis, aligned more closely to the end of year reporting timetable. In between these reviews, individual issues will continue to be managed through the regular reporting to the PCC by the Director of Business and Operations.
Strategic Plan Progress Review
The PCC reviewed the current Strategic Plan monitoring schedule, which had been recently updated. The process for development of a new Strategic Plan for 2020 onwards is to start with discussion at the PCC away-day, to be held on 29th June, so this meeting was an opportunity for reflection and to offer observations and questions to be considered as part of this process. The PCC noted the substantial progress that had been achieved in relation to many of the strands and individual initiatives in the current plan, noting also that the revised plan might focus more on the character of St James’s spiritual life, whilst maintaining the overall direction and focus of the current plan centred around its Eucharistic approach. Consultation with the congregation will be undertaken at an appropriate stage.
Patronal Festival – Sunday 21st July
The PCC noted that planning was taking place in relation to the Patronal Festival to take place on Sunday 21st July, which once again will be held outside in the churchyard, weather permitting.
Children’s Champion
The PCC noted that that Elena Verigo has agreed to take on the role of Children’s Champion when Chloe Bentley, the current Children’s Champion, moves away in the summer. Elena works with children with special needs and is expected to bring an enthusiastic and energetic approach to the role. The PCC expressed its gratitude for Chloe’s tremendous contribution whilst in the role, and agreed that a suitable opportunity should be found for the wider St James’s congregation to express its appreciation.
Other matters
The PCC received for information and discussed/noted:
- The minutes of Staff Meeting of 1st May 2019
- The minutes of the Liturgy Group meeting of 8th May 2019