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Post date: Aug 16, 2015 7:54:8 PM
Dear All,
Many thanks to those who were able to attend the FTiH meeting on Sunday (2nd August 2015) where we focused on Parish Finance.
Below is a summary of the captured viewpoints/comments of parishioners that attended and many thanks to parishioners and Derek Harrison & Gerry Killen for their input and answering questions.
If I have missed anything then please accept my sincere apologies and either contact me directly, or feel free to add your comments to one of the question forms.
The next meeting Jerry Laidler intend to travel on the Parish Bus on Sunday 16th August – So if you get the bus and are reading this – you have been warned :)
It is hoped that some of the other members of the PPC will be in attendance (commitments depending).
ALL twelve questions have now been published in the bulletin and copies are at the back of church.
Also, note that all questions are currently published on the website (which a number of people have reviewed and answered) – It is preferable if you could enter your responses via the parish website.
Also, it would be advantageous if we could have people – either parishioners or PPC – who are conversant on the topics/question that had been posed – Eg: Finance, leadership etc.
So if you have an “expertise” in one or any of the areas the questions focus on, please feel free to attend or offer your input.
Also, if you feel you are able to help in the overall process, feel free to approach Fr. Harriott or any member of the PPC.
#GodBless+ Forward Together In Hope +
Jerry Laidler on behalf of St. John’s PPC
(07801452372)
The following represent what was openly discussed in relation to the Parishes Financial status in an environment of encouragement and openness.
We felt it vital that parishioners were able to say freely what they felt or saw as important during the constructive conversations that ensued.
Please remember that these are parishioner’s views and initial thoughts based on what they understand of their parish and are in no way meant to be read as negative but rather informative, open and honest.
Summary Introduction:
Derek provided two handouts:
A detailed financial analysis of the last 5 years
A summarised, smaller extract which is displayed at the back of church
It is noted that St. John’s publishes to all the financial information once a year
This is also provided on an annual basis to the diocese
A small finance committee assist Derek along with 4 teams of money counters
Information is confidential predominately restricted to and through Derek – who is the main financial contact for St. John’s.
The information that is under Derek’s control can easily be passed on to someone else if need be
Derek works closely with Fr. Harriott and where necessary, the PPC
Q&A Session:
Maintenance:
The diocese, by and large, dictate what maintenance we need to do by getting us to create a 5 year maintenance plan
In the near future, we will need to spend money executing this maintenance plan once it is OK’d by the diocese
Cleaning:
The cleaning team do a great job but it has been noted that the church could do with re-painting.
This can be seen if one looks “upwards” (cobwebs – very gothic)
We have a number of interesting features (crown jewels) – eg: High Altar 6 x saints – would be nice to be able to see or have them highlighted
It was noted that the last time the church was decorated the church remained opened and this meant that the church, along with services, were able to be performed.
I suggestion was made that as a form of outreach, we could plan to close the church for a short while and ask St Pauls if we could have mass with them.
Gift Aid:
Gift Aid envelopes versus Standing Order
No real admin overhead but it can be advantageous to have envelopes as people find this more flexible and will add more to the envelope as and when. Standing Orders don’t necessarily get increased in such circumstances.
Doing Gift Aid doesn’t mean you have to submit a tax return
Maybe this should be readily told to parishioners as it may be of interest and encourage further take up of Gift Aid.
Gift aid small donations scheme = In summary, this can be considered as “loose change” in the collection. The Government recognises that people do provide such contributions and has declared charities can claim 20% of up to 5K for this loose change in Gift Aid.
A suggestion that perhaps the priest during mass could ask people to donate better/more
The majority of people at the meeting disagreed as it is parishioners choice and we are grateful for what people can provide
St Pauls school is being sold
We didn’t know this and this came as a bit of a surprise to all
Many a parishioner of both St Paul’s and St John’s have contributed time, effort and money in to the school over many years
Parishioners remember St John’s Annitsford closing (late 1960’s) with the view of the new school (St Pauls.)
They think that the sale of the money went to the diocese who then loaned it to help build St Paul’s school
ACTION: Gerry Killen & Derek Harrison – To ask the diocese if the closure is true and if St. John’s has any financial obligations to the sale of the school.
Parish Bus
As per previous minutes, this is deemed a good thing
Coopers charges £2,900pa. Of which £900pa is collected from people using the bus
Do we need to revise bus route
Eg: Get it to go to Seghill and other places
Do we need to think about catering for St. Paul’s parishioners who may want to come in September
Is the bus “flexible” enough for parishioners
Would more people use it if the above was looked at/changed in some way
A humorous and cheeky suggestion was made ...
Can those of a certain age (read ‘young at heart’) not be allowed to use their bus pass if they have one, thus saving money :)
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