notices - Flipbook - Page 7
5 churches. In December 24 hampers were bought, donated
to, wrapped, collated and delivered with help from all the
partner churches and some befrienders.
Debt Centre Manager - Wendy M has been dealing with 18
cases, some of which were going debt free in Dec/Jan and
she hoped that there will be more this month. There are a few
which involve vulnerable people; where Social Services are
involved and some involving clients where domestic abuse
is involved March 5th 2025 Swale Christians Against Poverty
Report to Methodist Church. We have bi-monthly meetings
of the Swale CAP Steering Group Committee and bi-monthly
Prayer Meetings both on Zoom. There are 7 members of the
Steering Group Committee one of which includes me WEC.
Representing 5 churches.
Another volunteer has trained to be a ‘money coach’ along
with Wendy M and they are running another money coaching
course at Sittingbourne Job Centre, Sheerness Job Centre
have asked about it too.
Wendy M is pleased that many are now seeking to know more
about the church and are starting to read the bible. They
are quizzing DCM about the meaning of life and some have
started to attend church.
Wendy C
Overseas Missions
The total collected for 2023/2024 was £85 .50
from five people.
• Repairs to the rear flat roof, Paul S said we are monitoring
this.
• 2 quotes for garden work, (mainly trees). There is money in
the garden account for this.
• Sockets need to be checked in the kitchen.
• Blinds to be installed on the inner doors from the welcome
area into the church, they have been ordered.
• Future Corner space behind the organ, could be turned into
a small prayer room. This has potential.
Tony B & Paul S
Finance Report
Report had been submitted and was sent out, the accounts
for 2023-24 are available to see, please speak to Paul if you
would like to see a copy.
• Collections are on or above budget and Lettings are too.
• Bank interest of £713 is also helping.
• Revd Robert thanked the team for also helping with
maintenance jobs around the church.
• Electricity and gas prices are high and water
is set to increase by 50% this year.
A verbal report will be given at the annual meeting.
Elaine S
Paul S
Home Mission
Home Mission money the total for 2023/2024 was £101
Food Bank
We continue to support Foodbank, Esther, the centre
manager was looking for another venue, we had to decline
as we do not have enough space. We are on good terms with
them and they appreciate our donations.
Rosemary M
Bible Study group
Val and Christine have been running this, it is working well,
and attendance is good.
RZ and Valerie C
Room hire & property
Income from room hire continues to be meeting the budget.
Three recent enquiries:
• Exercise sessions for ladies, meeting either following ballet
classes on Monday evenings or Thursday or Friday early
evenings in the hall.
• Table tennis on either Thursday or Friday evenings
in the hall.
• New Leaf Sittingbourne (supporting abused women)
waiting for more information.
• Local Elections 1st May, using the rear premises from
6.30am – 10.30pm.
• Review room hire rates when the autumn/winter rates
come into place in October.
Spring Clean
Some well used areas and equipment that needs
maintenance NOW:
Both kitchens (including appliances).
Common areas (including toilets)
• A deep clean would be organised soon. Volunteers
required!
• The church council approved quotation of £12,000
‘replacement of the flat roof above the church lounge and
welcome area’. This will still need to be approved by Circuit.
Youth Club
Youth Club running well and is held during the school
holidays, also helps to keep families together.
Christine K
Action towards net zero
We were hoping to lower our carbon footprint by investing
in a new heating system, (approximately £20,000) but with
repairs to the flat roof, this has not been possible, we can still
work towards it but it will take time.
There was discussion about halogen and radient heating.
Derek G said we need to be thinking about this at every
Church Council and Leadership Meeting.
There was discussion about how we use emails effectively,
i.e. using BC instead of CC (sending emails uses energy).
There were discussions about grants for solar panels etc.
Technology is changing and improving. This will need
someone with more energy to do the research.
Paul S/Derek G
