WESLEY CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING REPORT TO CONGREGATION 13 DECEMBER 2022
Church Council has been heartened by an improvement in Church finances, largely due to some generous one-off donations and increased revenue from parking and hall hire. Council remains hopeful that income from weekly offerings may also increase as parishioners review their level of giving.
Progress is being made towards the audio-visual upgrade in the Church with quotes currently being evaluated. In anticipation of work starting next year, Council has given approval to establish a Special Appeal to partially fund the upgrade. It is intended that money from the Alison McCusker bequest will also be allocated to the upgrade. Council has appointed 2 contact officers for any questions relating to this project: Simon Cowling for technical aspects of the upgrade and Treasurer Robert James for funding matters. The Special Appeal will be formally launched in February 2023, but members of the congregation may contact Robert to make donations prior to that time.
Church Council is establishing a Property Management Committee and will be seeking nominations from members of the congregation with an interest in this area early next year. Draft Terms of Reference for the Committee are being progressed.
Worship teams for each of the 9am and 10.45am services are being established. The aim is for each team to include a good representative cross-section of the particular worshipping group and to assist in planning and undertaking services. The teams will be headed by our Minister in Placement Rev Dr Geoff Dornan.
Council has organised to provide a short note to Church Affiliated Groups with guidance on what information to include in reports for the Parish Life Annual Meeting. Notes will be sent to Group Coordinators in the coming weeks.
Council members trialled the use of a new Volunteer Registration Form. The form will be amended to take account of feedback from the trial and will then be distributed to all Wesley volunteers for completion. We anticipate this will happen in February next year. In the meantime, volunteers are reminded to ensure their Working with Vulnerable People registrations are up to date.
The Chair of Church Council, Jan Sismey, will not be available to attend to Council matters until 10 January. If anything urgent arises during this time please contact the Council Secretary, Susan Akhurst, or any of the Ministers.
Council is grateful for the generous participation of so many parishioners who have contributed to our work together this year. May this season be one filled with hope, anticipation, joy and much enthusiasm for all that is possible for Wesley as sharers of Christ in the community.
Wesley Church Council 16 December 2022
