The major topic discussed this month was a follow-up from the very well attended meeting on a future plan for our buildings held with Judi Keith-Brown on the 5th of August. Vestry resolved that Judi be commissioned to draw up a site plan for the church, the hall, the vicarage, the memorial wall, the gardens, and the grounds, as per the workshop.  It was also agreed that Judi be asked to provide an estimate of what it would cost to prepare a concept sketch of the administration block, including the roof, the canopy, the toilets, office, the cloak room, and the hall storage units with a view to proceeding with this if the costs were reasonable.

A working bee held during the month had successfully resolved the drainage issue on the southern side of the church and tidied up the grounds. Keith Young and Damon had been working with the electrician to find a good lighting system to light up the steeple area of the church at night. This is still a work in progress.

Everyone should have received their latest issue of Outlook which had been distributed this month. With the website now up and running well and sermons and pewsheets being posted regularly to the site it is hoped more parishioners will start utilizing this excellent mode of outreach.

On the issue of stewardship it has been decided to send a letter out to all parishioners reminding them of the options for giving and letting them know about the new tax rebate regime for charitable donations.

The Mission group is active and is planning an art exhibition and sale by members of Wendy Best’s art group which will be held in the hall.

There was a very pleasing report on the attendance of young people and it was indicated that the Breakfast Club were considering having their breakfast meetings at the churches again rather than at the Recreation Centre.

Next month is Synod which will see our representatives traveling to Palmerston North in mid-September.

Penny Grigg
People’s Warden

We noted that Joy & Don Baird and the Burridge family had been thanked for their respective donations of the waterproof paint for the canopy over the kitchen porch and a good vacuum cleaner.

We also had a discussion about the state of the plaques on the Memorial Wall. It was noted that the plaques were the responsibility of family members or friends but the overall state of the wall is a parish responsibility. Despite this Damon had approached the suppliers, given that some plaques were showing quite bad weathering, and it was found that they could be refurbished at a reasonable cost. Some families had already taken up this opportunity but everyone should be aware that this service is available.

Damon reported that he had finished and lodged his essays and now just has his longer term paper to complete. No doubt that was a load off his mind. The church had had good attendances at the Wellington Youth Choir and Pentecost service, and the numbers at the Sunday Club continue to be around 10-20, with about 20-30 children attending the Friday Playgroup with their caregivers.

Given we were meeting close to the shortest day it was hardly surprising that we discussed the issue of heating in the vicarage. We all endorsed the need for this and agreed to look at heat pumps and insulation issues but Damon (stoically) suggested it be deferred to the next budget. That led on to a discussion of the need for general maintenance around the hall, church and vicarage and it was agreed to call on everyone to attend a working bee on the 21st of July to do a bit of painting and gardening and other odd jobs – Something for everyone and it could be almost as much fun as a mid-winter dinner! Mark your diary now.

The issue of the refurbishment of the hall was discussed following the Parish Catch-up discussion. It was resolved to hold a workshop with an architect in attendance as suggested by Delwyn so that wider input from parishioners could be obtained. The St Albans Trust was reported to have agreed to fund the project up to $50,000 which the parish would repay over time.

Penny Grigg – People’s Warden