Welcome to Glengormley Methodist Church
Part of the Methodist Church in Ireland
Main Council information from a meeting held on 9th January.
Introduction
It has been the desire of the church to keep our entire congregation informed and involved about the work of the church. The Council meet 5 times each year to discuss and agree the way ahead for our church in Glengormley.
This report is an attempt to give a little insight to the matters currently under consideration and the main points addressed at the last Council meeting. It is always our prayer that we will be led by the Holy Spirit in all of our decision-making as we seek His way forward for us as a church family.
Finance
Mr John Kennedy retired as Treasurer after two years service. He reported that the main bank account for the running costs of the church was in very good health having a closing balance of £50 725 and the church surplus from 2007 was £11 876. The leaders decided that they would wait to decide on what should be done regarding this surplus until they receive the Clearing our Vision (CoV) Action Plan.
Council received budget requests from each action team and decided that they would also wait for the CoV report before agreeing to allocate significant amounts of money to teams. They did approve an interim budget of £1000 per team to facilitate current activities and will revisit this matter at their March meeting.
Sound
It was agreed that there needs to be a rota established to cover all services and that the Finance Team should liaise with the Praise Group to determine any equipment needs.
Vision Team
This team presented a report to the Council summarising this initiative to date. Council approved the Mission Statement and Core Values that were determined as a result of the feedback from the groups and a small number of written responses.
Youth Team
This team presented a variety of outreach initiatives that they are continuing to consider in greater depth and will report on these at the next meeting. It was also agreed that donations from the general youth fund be made to assist both Catherine Gilmore on a mission trip to India and also some young members who are going on mission to the USA with the Youth Choir this summer.
Training and Action Team
This group reported on arrangements for the Leaders’ Day Away to be held in January. They also informed the meeting of the Network Gifts Discovery course that has been planned for 3 evenings in February.
Media Team
This is a new team created to co-ordinate communication throughout the church and into the community. It was agreed that they could purchase an MP3 recorder to enable recordings of services to be put on to the web site. This team will also have responsibility for the CD/tape ministry and church magazine. Council agreed that a free CD could be produced and distributed with the autumn magazine. This would include a selection of music from different groups and individuals throughout the church and possibly also have a little message from our Minister.
Finance and Property Team
This team reported on a number of items that they had been involved with over recent months e.g. repainting the outside of the church, replacement of fascia boards and guttering with PVC alternatives, minor alterations to facilitate improved wheelchair access throughout the church etc.
They also reported that a Manse inspection had taken place and there were a number of items requiring attention. Some of these will require quotations which will be reported on at the next Council meeting.
This team are currently having plans created to replace the roof on the Main Hall with a pitched roof as there have been a number of problems with this area. Further decisions will need to be taken at subsequent meetings; however, at this stage Council approved having plans drawn and initial planning approval being sought as this can be a long process.
Introduction
It has been the desire of the church to keep our entire congregation informed and involved about the work of the church. The Council meet 5 times each year to discuss and agree the way ahead for our church in Glengormley.
This report is an attempt to give a little insight to the matters currently under consideration and the main points addressed at the last Council meeting. It is always our prayer that we will be led by the Holy Spirit in all of our decision-making as we seek His way forward for us as a church family.
Finance
Mr John Kennedy retired as Treasurer after two years service. He reported that the main bank account for the running costs of the church was in very good health having a closing balance of £50 725 and the church surplus from 2007 was £11 876. The leaders decided that they would wait to decide on what should be done regarding this surplus until they receive the Clearing our Vision (CoV) Action Plan.
Council received budget requests from each action team and decided that they would also wait for the CoV report before agreeing to allocate significant amounts of money to teams. They did approve an interim budget of £1000 per team to facilitate current activities and will revisit this matter at their March meeting.
Sound
It was agreed that there needs to be a rota established to cover all services and that the Finance Team should liaise with the Praise Group to determine any equipment needs.
Vision Team
This team presented a report to the Council summarising this initiative to date. Council approved the Mission Statement and Core Values that were determined as a result of the feedback from the groups and a small number of written responses.
Youth Team
This team presented a variety of outreach initiatives that they are continuing to consider in greater depth and will report on these at the next meeting. It was also agreed that donations from the general youth fund be made to assist both Catherine Gilmore on a mission trip to India and also some young members who are going on mission to the USA with the Youth Choir this summer.
Training and Action Team
This group reported on arrangements for the Leaders’ Day Away to be held in January. They also informed the meeting of the Network Gifts Discovery course that has been planned for 3 evenings in February.
Media Team
This is a new team created to co-ordinate communication throughout the church and into the community. It was agreed that they could purchase an MP3 recorder to enable recordings of services to be put on to the web site. This team will also have responsibility for the CD/tape ministry and church magazine. Council agreed that a free CD could be produced and distributed with the autumn magazine. This would include a selection of music from different groups and individuals throughout the church and possibly also have a little message from our Minister.
Finance and Property Team
This team reported on a number of items that they had been involved with over recent months e.g. repainting the outside of the church, replacement of fascia boards and guttering with PVC alternatives, minor alterations to facilitate improved wheelchair access throughout the church etc.
They also reported that a Manse inspection had taken place and there were a number of items requiring attention. Some of these will require quotations which will be reported on at the next Council meeting.
This team are currently having plans created to replace the roof on the Main Hall with a pitched roof as there have been a number of problems with this area. Further decisions will need to be taken at subsequent meetings; however, at this stage Council approved having plans drawn and initial planning approval being sought as this can be a long process.