Minutes of the meeting of the Enfield Circuit

on Tuesday 11 November at Oakwood Methodist Church

 

 

 


Opening devotions were led by Rev Geoff Cornell.

 

Constitution of the meeting

An attendance list was circulated for signature, apologies and any alterations.

 

1          Welcomes and apologies

Members were welcomed to the meeting, including new ministers (Geoff Cornell, Inez Reid and David Butterworth) and Mary Roseweir as Circuit Administrator.

 

It was agreed that letters should be sent to Roger Wright on the death of his mother and to Joan Dean’s daughter, Catherine Broad, following Joan’s death. The meeting also expressed its sympathy and support for Dorothy Marshall on the loss of Bert.

 

Tim Swindell was congratulated on obtaining a new post following his redundancy.

 

2          Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting on 11 June were accepted and signed as a true record of the meeting.

 

3          Matters arising

It had been decided not to grant dispensation for giving Communion to Tim Swindell as it was felt there was sufficient cover within the Circuit.

 

Paul Charters and Sandra Rose were thanked for all the work they had put into producing the new directory. Any corrections should go to the Circuit Office and if substantial would be circulated.

 

Notice of Any Other Business

            Notice was given of five other items of business.

 

4          Circuit Leadership

            (a)       Charities Act 2006

Ian Davies was heading up the Circuit response to the Act. Originally registration was required by the end of November, but the Charities Commission had acknowledged the problems in getting large bodies to register as one entity - some Circuit Meetings have over 100 members. The latest advice from Methodism’s legal department was to await further instructions. Although the position had changed since the papers were sent out, it was felt to make sense to still go ahead with completion of the forms. The data would be held securely and be shredded if not required or used when the situation was clarified.

 

(b)       Ministerial invitation

Betty Ricketts introduced this item. The stationing procedure was under way for a replacement for Bob Richards. Although over 170 ministers were required connexionally, there may be problems filling 50 or so posts and over 50 profiles had requested appointment as Superintendents. Careful matching would take place and if all goes well a potential minister would visit in the first two weeks in December. A committee is needed to meet the prospective minister and issue a possible invitation. This would be comprised of the Circuit Stewards and representatives from St John’s and Trinity Churches. The Circuit Meeting approved the constituency of the Committee and was happy to delegate to it the power to issue an invitation to a suitable candidate.

                                                                        Action: Circuit Stewards

 

George Mawire’s post of half Circuit and half Zimbabwe Fellowship ministry was to be reviewed and a report would be brought to the next meeting.                                                         Action: Support Group

 

            (c)        Area groupings

The group comprised of the Bourne, Bush Hill Park, Grange Park and Oakwood had still to give itself a name, but had had a Saturday afternoon meeting to look at the way forward.

 

5          Finance

(a)       Financial Report

Andrew Anderson introduced this item and his paper is filed with the minutes. All churches had accepted the budget which allowed for £280,000 net expenditure. The draft accounts were with the auditors and should be approved by the end of the month. They would show a surplus of £8,400. £79,000 was held in Unrestricted Funds and £81,000 in Restricted Funds, making a total of £160,000. During the year £30,000 had been spent on moving ministers into new manses, including redecoration. In the coming year it was planned to use £29,000 of the Restricted Funds to install new kitchens at four manses and carry out other repair works. The Meeting approved this expenditure. £10,000 has already been allocated to the Ponders End Scheme.

The bank mandate would be changing shortly and a Circuit Steward was invited to volunteer.                                  Action: Circuit Stewards

 

            (b)       Connexional Funds

Roy Nicholls’ paper outlining the present state of Connexional Funds had been circulated. All funds now go direct to the Connexion but there was still an historic account with interest accrued whilst funds were in transit. Permission was asked to close this account and divide the interest between the General and Auxiliary Funds. This was approved by the Meeting which also felt a breakdown of the Funds by church was no longer necessary.                                               Action: Roy Nicholls

Although CPD directs the appointment of a Circuit Connexional Funds Treasurer, it was agreed to leave this post as a vacancy at present and reappoint if the need arose. The Meeting was grateful to Roy for the work he had done in this role.

 

6          Property

            (a)       Schemes

            Three schemes were current.

(i)         Oakwood disability access was finished and the paperwork was now more or less completed.

(ii)        Southgate: the organ repairs were nearly finished.

(iii)       Ponders End: the original scheme had been for £100,000 but investigation had discovered a much greater extent of necessary work, including rewiring. To do all that is needed may cost up to £320,000. In the light of this the scheme is on hold whilst options are considered. Work cannot be delayed indefinitely as substantial maintenance is needed. Sympathy and support were extended to those at Ponders End while ways forward are explored.

 

(b)       Manses

Colin Williams presented his paper (filed with the minutes). He expressed his thanks for their co-operation and patience to the ministers who had moved into manses. A team of over twenty-five volunteers had helped and it had been good that they worked across the Circuit irrespective of church. Some concern had been expressed over the costs but removal of furniture left marks and there had been much carpet replacement and decorating. Gutter and other outside repairs need expensive scaffolding and some ovens and boilers needed replacement as spares were unavailable. The figures should be lower for subsequent years. Manse Stewards had now been allocated to the various manses and would form a team as outlined in the minutes of the previous meeting. Colin paid tribute to Diana’s support and thanked the Circuit Stewards for their assistance.

 

Betty thanked Colin for the way he had fulfilled the role of Circuit Manse Secretary over the years. He had been responsible for several million pounds worth of buildings and handled the responsibilities with willingness and graciousness. It was a very complex operation, especially with all the removals, repairs and redecorating this year. It had taken many hours and great energy. His expertise had also saved the Circuit a considerable sum of money. Colin had built up excellent relationships with contractors which were a witness on behalf of the Church as well as enabling the work to proceed well. Ministers both past and present were grateful for his ability to sort matters at short notice and for the knowledge that Colin was there for them. Diana was very much part of that work and the Meeting was immensely grateful to them both. A presentation was made as a small token of appreciation.

 

(c)        Schedules

It was the responsibility of the Circuit Property Stewards to ensure that constituent churches looked after funds and churches properly and completed the relevant schedules. Responsibility for overseeing these matters had been delegated to the Circuit Property Meeting, but it was a difficult to get accounts audited and available by November. A paper had been circulated to Church Treasurers in the summer with a recommendation that the Circuit Property Committee be abolished as it was difficult to function with the low attendance. There had been no dissent. The decision was taken by the Circuit Meeting to abolish the Circuit Property meeting. The new Manse Committee could be expanded if necessary to cover any other property matters. Roy would bring a digest of the figures to the Circuit Meeting in February.

Quinquennials would go ahead and be supervised and the relevant Property Secretary posts would remain.  Thanks were expressed to Roy Nicholls and Jill Smith for all they have done. Although there would not be a committee as such there was still much work to be done.

 

7          Safeguarding

Peter Dane had initiated a large piece of work in this area and had now handed this over to the Circuit Office. He was thanked for all his work. The Circuit Safeguarding policy was approved.

 

8          October count

About half of returns had been received and the others were anticipated shortly.

 

9          London District Synod

There was reflection on how the new London District, now in existence for two years, was doing. Evaluation was taking place in connection with those parts that seemed not yet to be working well.  The District was also engaged in looking at specific priorities. A Communications Officer and a Training Officer had been appointed. Annual Development Review, the successor to the Accompanied Self Appraisal scheme, needed Facilitators from outside the minister’s own circuit. This was being phased in and Enfield Circuit would not be on board for some time but Facilitators were still being sought.

One of the Circuit Office’s functions would be to disseminate information from the District.

 

10        Work of the Circuit

The appointments on the reverse of the agenda were confirmed, with the addition of Sandra Rose as Local Preachers Secretary.

(a)       Local Preachers and Worship Leaders

A recent Worship Leaders course had been completed with people now serving in local churches.

(b)       Mission          

David Butterworth reported that there had been a well-attended and very encouraging meeting the previous week. Members had reflected on the nature of mission and shared stories of what was happening in the various churches. There was a lot of outreach in the circuit and David’s paper is filed with the minutes. He encouraged the use of the many free leaflets and events that were available, especially in working across cultures.

Deacon Ray Fox had done some groundwork in Enfield Island Village and it was hoped to explore continued engagement with this area of housing development.

 

11        Schedule of meetings

            Wednesday 18 February 2009 at Trinity (changed from 25th)

            Thursday 18 June 2009 at Edmonton

 

12        Any Other Business

            (a)       Complaints and Discipline

A leaflet on the new procedures was given to each church. The emphasis was on local reconciliation wherever possible. Geoff Cornell, as Superintendent, was approved as the Complaints and Discipline Officer for the Circuit.

(b)       Sabbaticals

Alistair Jones would be taking a sabbatical sometime in the next two years. Betty Ricketts would convene his support group.                                                                                                  Action: Betty Ricketts

(c)        Circuit Plan

There was a 4.30pm service at Grange Park on 21 December - not Highlands. Grange Park would be having a Christmas morning service and this was not shown.

(d)       Lost Property

A prayer desk in memory of Walter Pennington had been given to Grange Park. It had been lent to another local church, possibly when in the previous circuit. Churches were asked to check that it was not on their premises.                                                                                   Action: All

 

The meeting closed with members saying the Grace.