Present: Hector Davie, David Wotherspoon
Apologies for absence were received from Wendy Astor, Tricia Carrick and Martin Ellis.
The meeting opened with prayer.
The main notice board had still not been amended. David would arrange for the reference to Evening Prayer to be painted out, and for the Healing Service to be added.
It was noted that despite publicity in Council, very few people participated in worship group meetings.
Martin and Belle had undertaken to plan the service planned for 31 January, which would be an all-age service for Candlemas. David also planned to contact Tricia.
The dates of other services planned during the year (listed in the minutes of 13 October) were noted. David undertook to have these dates checked against school holiday dates.
The Nativity Play had been changed to a service, to be held at 1000 on 13 December. It was noted that this change had had side-effects on other planning: the importance of forward planning and co-ordination was stressed.
The Thun Carol service was on 18, not 20 December.
Elizabeth had organized a carol service in Biel - this would provide scope for outreach. Dates in the magazine were now checked by the office, which should lead to better coordination.
Council had discussed this, and were unanimously in favour. Six members of the congregation had spontaneously told David they liked having children in church.
Martin was circulating a questionnaire among parents of Junior Church children asking for their views on when the children should come into church.
It was noted that the situation might be affected by the revised liturgy currently in preparation. It was noted that it was less disruptive if the children came in during the singing of a hymn.
It was felt that a prepared talk (as had been done in the past, for example by Ian Butler) was a useful activity for the "children's slot".
David noted that the new liturgy would allow the confession to be brought to the beginning of the service.
David raised the question of whether the versicles and responses at Morning Prayer might be sung rather than said. This might require a reversion to the 1662 wording.
Further thought was needed on the format of the notices - on some occasions they had become almost a free for all.
It was noted that several suggestions which had been made required effort in their implementation.
David had made a commitment to forming a music group. However, a leader had not yet been found, and some members had left St Ursula's for the Berne Christian Fellowship. David reported that people from outside the church had volunteered to lead a group, but it was felt this was not a good idea.
The possibility of using a set of Mission Praise tapes was considered.
David and Hector agreed to work harder to explain aspects of worship, both by short descriptions during the service, and by magazine articles. Hector undertook to draw up a list of things that would benefit from explanation. Lent might be a good time to start this.
It was noted that Elizabeth did not now wish to be involved. Other names were suggested.
It was agreed that the number of people attending was no reason for cancelling a service. It was noted that twelve people had attended the previous Sunday's healing service.
David suggested that a mid-week communion service be held, perhaps on Tuesdays or Thursdays. He proposed doing this experimentally in Lent. Hector suggested the experiment continue until the end of April, and noted the importance of advertising it in the magazine.
It was agreed that the last hymn should revert to being one that the children knew and could sing.
Helen was taking steps to ensure that the sidespersons replaced the covers over the heating grilles when people came up for communion.
Hector enquired about arrangements for next year's confirmation service. David said that Bishop Henry had no time, and that he would ask another bishop to come.
Space considerations made it unreasonable to hold the service in the contact of a normal Sunday service.
David would consult Tricia about dates, and about final preparation classes.
The meeting concluded at 2205 with the Grace.
| What | By whom | By when |
|---|---|---|
| Corrections to notice board | DCW | 31 Dec |
| Check remaining 1999 dates with office | DCW | 9 Feb |
| Questionnaire on children coming into church | ME | 9 Feb |
| Plan for exposition of aspects of liturgy | HD, DCW | 9 Feb |
| Find World Day of Prayer coordinator | ? | 10 Jan* |
| Decide Lenten mid-week service pattern | DCW | 10 Jan* |
| Propose confirmation arrangements | DCW, TC | 9 Feb |
HD/19981211