notices - Flipbook - Page 6
Notes from the Churh Annual Meeting
1st June 2025
The business of the AGM was conducted after the Sunday
service led by Rev R. Zachar.
The minister welcomed everyone to stay after the Sunday
service and Holy Communion was celebrated. Most of the
congregation stayed and we counted 74 present at the
communion table. Since the congregation had several people
who were first comers or non-members, the minister also
explained that AGM is open to everyone for discussion and
assured all of a warm welcome to speak up if they felt so
inclined. It was also explained that only members will carry
the right to vote.
Reports for the meeting were published in the church notices
for the preceding two consecutive Weeks. The list of written
reports:
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Finance
Lettings and property
Pastoral
Stewards
Lunch club
Safeguarding
JC club
Wiggles
Uniform Hub
Youth work
Christians against poverty
Bible study
Food bank
Action toward net zero ,
Spring clean
Overseas mission
Home mission
The Minister’s report was given verbally. Robert expressed
his thanks to all volunteers and officers of the church for their
commitment and work. He also spoke to the people who are
new but have become regular worshipers in our church family
about considering becoming members. For this there is a
Thursday house group at 7.30pm at the manse and everyone
is welcome to sign up. Robert briefly reflected on the events
of the last year. These are not a complete account and forgive
me if something slipped my attention:
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Letting our premises to Pentecost church in UK has
become a blessing and also a financial boost.
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Rooted Bible study has settled and grown in numbers and
in depth. Val Calder became the leader and main initiator
of this fellowship.
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Men’s breakfast once a month is becoming well supported
and gives space to invite friends or just to have a chat with
others over a cuppa.
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JC club restarted on a weekly basis as a response to the
new families with children joining us.
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Youth work during half terms has been established.
Then the minister referred to all the spoken and published
reports and asked the church if there are some questions
or comments. Nobody commented and the reports were
accepted.
Finances – A report was published in advance and our church
treasurer, Paul Skipp, offered a summary of the financial report.
The church accepted the update with thankful appreciation. It
is obvious that church income and expenses are well balanced
and significantly supported by two main sources – giving and
lettings. But there is also a lot of effort given to fundraising
thanks to different activities like Lunch Club, Friday Frontline
Stall, Gift Day, etc.
It was also mentioned that we lost some people who passed
away, Agnus Adofo, Tom Hopkins just two days before the
meeting at 100+. Richard and Eileen Wade have moved away.
At this point we also spoke to Christine and Roger Truelove
who were moving away in the coming week. Tony Brown
expressed words of thanks and blessing for Christine who was
a long standing and excellent pastoral visitor and Roger who
played an important role in the local council as a councillor
and leader of LP. Christine also said a few words of thanks
and said how much this church had been welcoming and
a blessing to them. She closed with the words that they will
come to visit us since they are not moving far away.
The AGM then moved into the business of nominations and
elections. The list of nominees and current standing officers
was projected. All stewards and representatives for the
Church council stand for another year. Kathy Skipp who is in
Local Preachers training resigned from the position of senior
steward. Barry Langford was nominated, to become a steward
but was not present. The church agreed to give him
a provisional vote, by which this nomination was carried and
if Barry confirms he is willing to be steward he can step into
the role either immediately or from September. The minister
will speak to Barry on this matter. Below is the list of standing
stewards and church council representatives.
Sittingbourne Methodist Church – Elections of stewards and
representatives at AGM 1st June 2025
Church stewards:
Current team: Linda Brown, Margaret Luxton, Jean Jeffrey,
Ethelyn Williams
Nominations: Barry Langford
Representatives to the church council:
Current team: Martin Smith, Pat and Derek Goodger, Rosemary
Madgewick, Jean Morris, Pryia Peiris, Jacob Adofo
Nominations: no nominations came forward.
