The PCC received an update on children’s and youth work in the church and were pleased that five more children had joined the Sunday Club. Unfortunately, there are only seven teenagers who regularly attend CYFA. There is to be a meeting with other churches to plan joint initiatives.

Following the vandalism we experienced a few months ago, the PCC asked for quotations to be obtained for mesh window guards to be fitted to each window on the south side of church. However, the cheapest estimate of £800 + VAT for each window was considered too expensive. The PCC will investigate extra lighting as an alternative deterrent.

Members agreed to the proposal for Norbury to transfer from Chadkirk Deanery to Stockport Deanery, probably later in the year.

A report from the Worship Team was considered. The new worship books are, on the whole, well received. It was thought that Morning Worship on the 4th Sunday is best for introducing and developing new issues. Baptism and Thanksgiving services are benefiting from renewed liturgy. Of the evening services, choral evensong is poorly attended but services in the Legh Room are well received. Messy Church continues to be very successful.

The PCC as a body is never one to shy away from controversial subjects and so it was when we entered into a debate on women bishops. Following an interesting discussion in which we considered the arguments that had been troubling the General Synod for some time, we came down firmly in favour of enabling women to be ordained to the episcopate whilst making provision for those unable to accept the ministry of women bishops.

The Treasurer presented the December financial report and, whilst being aware there were still some outstanding bills to be paid and other issues to be finalised, we were pleased that only a small deficit showed in the accounts at that stage. Expenditure was more or less in line with budget but income had increased substantially, mainly due to the response to the appeal held earlier in the year.

It was reported that the Alpha course, which was to start 18th January, had at least 14 people signed up. Other items discussed at the meeting included pastoral matters, insurance items and health & safety issues.

Martin Johnson