Present:Tricia Carrick, Hector Davie, Martin Ellis (partly), Sue Faillettaz, Cecily Klingler

The meeting opened in prayer.

1. Feedback Harvest Festival Service: Went well generally, but far too long. The first part (30 minutes) was a good all-age service; but then it was followed by a normal (1 hour) service. Following detailed comments heard:
   • all-age communion service appreciated - liturgy needs improving for all ages
   • children expected to sit still for over an hour, after the first part. Need movement and involvement later in service too.
   • People giving testimonies weren't heard at back; partly because of competition from unruly children.
   • Music group and children's song welcomed
   • Psalm, with pictures, was an excellent introduction
   • Sermon was unnecessary; the ministry of the word had already been adequately covered.
   • The two parts of the service didn't fit together well.
   • Although the church was full, a lot of families were still away. The group supported the request that in future the Harvest Festival service be arranged within school term time, preferably before the autumn holidays.

2. Feedback Dedication Service:

   Detailed feedback in minutes of JC Team Leaders' meeting. The following points were mentioned:

   • the children's singing of Kum-ba-Yah was appreciated by a lot of people.
   • the problems of co-ordination (e.g. JC teachers not knowing what they were supposed to be doing) were essentially solved in the Harvest Service.

3. All-Age Worship (general): When planning future services, the following aspects should be taken into account:
   • the service should not last more than 1 hour - aim for 50 minutes
   • involve the congregation (including children) throughout the service, not just at one part. Give the children a chance to move around.
   • look for an appropriate (and short) liturgy - especially for a family communion. - ensure the parts go well together and are co-ordinated
   • make sure everyone taking part knows exactly what they are doing and when. (a service sheet helps)

   The next All-Age service is on Advent Sunday (3rd December).

4. Music:

   4.1 A "music group" has been started, involving (for the moment) Tricia, Danielle, Karin and Janet. They hope to draw other people in and a notice will appear in the magazine. Their aim is to meet together to sing and play and then to contribute to worship - both morning and evening services. They already contributed 2 songs at the Harvest Festival service, practising one with the children beforehand, and music at an evening service.

   4.2 Organists: with the departure of Melody a "hole" is left. For the time being we don't feel the need to employ another organist. We should, instead, put out feelers for people within the congregation who could cover the occasional Sunday. Maybe the Music Group could occasionally replace the organ.

   4.3 Carol Singing: the idea came from JC. Needs further investigation.

   4.4 Choir: it's currently unclear what's happening - no information from Hallie or the Office about the response. The assumption is that it was insufficient, therefore we give up for the time being. We need a motivator!

5. Service Book:

   Council had already approved songs and baptism service and asked David to select 1 or 2 prayers to replace collects. The results were discussed and the contents approved, with the condition that the layout be improved - Hector agreed to see to it.

   We agreed to meet on Friday at 10 a.m. to add the sheets to the existing service books - they can then be used on Sunday when there is a baptism.

6. Timing for JC: seems to have been working well, recently. Children need to be kept back from door; otherwise no problems.

7. Nativity Play:

   7.1 Music: There has been no response to the letters sent out or to the article in the magazine asking for singers to commit themselves to this event - the aim had been to draw outsiders into the church this way. The way forward for the music has to be re-thought.

   7.2 Play: Unfortunately, the promised article about the Nativity Play did not appear in the magazine so there was no chance for people to respond. The general answer from people who have been approached has been that they "don't want to act".

   Sue had hoped to get groups to take on responsibility for a "scene", starting from creation and moving onto the events directly before the birth of Christ (but not actually depicting the birth). Each scene would be followed by appropriate music. it was noted that it still needed a lot of work. Following actions agree on:

   • Sue to draw up (on paper) an outline of the "play" - what scenes are involved and who could be responsible for getting a group of people to portray that scene. Cecily, Tricia and Hector offered to help, if needed.
   • article, written by Sue, to be put in next magazine asking for help.
   • the music can be organised / chosen later when we have a better idea of the response.

   7.3 Refreshments are organised.

8. Evening Services: are very variable, both in character and in attendance.

   The feeling of the members present who regularly attend evening service is that music (singing) and congregational participation (e.g. readings, prayers) are appreciated by all. The service a week ago, when the music group took part, was particularly good and could serve as an acceptable pattern (it was, incidentally, attended by about 15 people).

   Tricia will try to fix the next date for the participation of the music group and advertise it in the magazine - might encourage more people to attend.

9. Church Layout:

   9.1 The chairs keep getting moved - by cleaner?? Martin should investigate and ensure that the chairs are correctly arranged for Sundays.

   9.2 Is the prayer corner used ? No information.

   9.3 Altar rails. It was the feeling of the people present that the experiment should continue for some time yet - acceptance is increasing. We need to encourage people to stand as this would cut down the time required for communion (18 minutes last Sunday) and reduce the risk of an accident due to the cushions moving (cushions should, in any case, be removed).

10. Any Other Business: there was none. No date was fixed for the next meeting.

The meeting closed at 21.05 with the Grace.

18.10.95 / TC