In the short term the fabric of the building is uppermost in our minds. It is old and, periodically, things go wrong and holes appear in places where they shouldn’t be. Some work is needed to the roof and these things are never cheap, so estimates had been requested and obtained, and Church Meeting gave the go-ahead for the work to proceed.
Fortunately we had received a handy windfall from the Congregational Federation – well, not from the Federation as such, because it was our money which had been deposited with them many moons back. But due to a change in policy on their part they have returned it to us, just in time it would seem to cover the cost of the repairs.
We discussed the matter of Antony’s property, and the proposed sale thereof. Several potential buyers had expressed an interest and one had made a firm offer, which the deacons had accepted pending approval from the members, which was given. Even now it is unlikely to be a seamless process as there are legal requirements to fulfil, and of course the property is still under probate.
Having not had any new members join up for some years, we are blessed to have recently had two and a third, Rayne Milligan, will soon be formally inducted into membership too.
At the service before the Meeting we were pleased to facilitate a blessing and renewal of marriage vows for Andy and Val Putnam, just three weeks after having conducted the baptism of Nicole Hamilton. Suddenly we are a hive of Christian activity.