Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of St. Ursula's Church, Berne
held in the Church on Sunday 22 April 2007 at 12.10
The meeting opened with prayer. Everyone was welcomed by the chairman, Revd Canon Richard Pamplin, and special welcome was given to the Bishop's Chaplain, Revd Kevin O'Brien.
The meeting was attended by:
Pamela Arnaud, Wendy Astor, Zsuzsanna Balogh, Zoitan Balogh, Dorothy Beriger, H. Beriger, Linda Bisig, Walter Bisig, Yvonne Bomonti, Shelagh Brawand, Angus Carrick, Tricia Carrick, Hector Davie, Joanna Davie, Danielle Ellis, Martin Ellis, John Eze,
Sue Faillettaz, Ruth Freiburghaus, A. Funkhouser, Donna Goepfert, Hans Goepfert, Giuseppina Güntert, Hansjorg Gusset, Heidi Gusset, Peter Hawker, Verena Hawker, Susan Higson, David Hoag, K. Hoag, Jessica Hoag, Virginia Hoag, Jennifer Hockley,
Beat Hodler, Chloë Hodler, Wendy Hough, Esther Hutchison, John Hutchison, Margaret Ita, Paul Jayaraj, K. Jerusha Priscilla, Sonia Klein, Cecily Klingler, Philip Klingler, Rolf Klingler, Querida Long, Annemarie Low, David Low, Anja Lundberg,
Robert Macpherson, Peter Masciadri, Andy Mering, Brian Morgan, Kevin O'Brien, Lynne Pamplin, Richard Pamplin, Eva Perrett, Liz Perrett, Pieter Perrett, Elisabeth Pfyffer, Hans-Karl Pfyffer, Tony Read, Katharine Reanier, Lynn Robb, Daniel Sovilla,
Kelly Sovilla, Libby Stewardson, Belle Täuber-Lee, Martin Täuber, Annemarie Walthert, A. Weibel, N.E. Weibel, Joan Wehrli, Hans Wenger, Janet Wenger, E. Wildhaber, M. Wildhaber, Barbara Winfield, Mary Wittwer, Julian Wong, Fritz Zysset, Susan Zysset.
This represents 73 members of the electoral roil, 5 clergy and 4 others.
Apologies were received from:
Sharon Bachmann, Krisztina Balogh, Doreen Bangerter, Sheila Berger, Heinz Güntert, Neil Hockley, Jackie Holloway, Sara Hutchison, Andrée Kamarys, Jana Kutesko, Hans Messer, Jacqueline Messer, Kate Mühlethaler, Rosalind Richards, Roslind Staehelin, Vanessa Wenger.
The Electoral Roll which was completely revised, duly displayed, and presented by Patricia Carrick, Electoral Roll Officer, was approved. There are 106 members for 2007. All those in attendance were reminded that only members of the electoral roll can vote on motions put forth at the AGM.
The minutes of the last AGM and the Special Church Meeting were both approved nem con. A change in the agenda was agreed. The Chaplain's Report will come after the Approval of Audited Accounts for the year 2006 and before the Presentation of the Budget for 2007.
Treasurer's Report
The Treasurer, Hector Davie, reviewed the accounts presented. On the Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account for 2006, the Deficit of 54,951.46 was identified and serious concern was expressed. The deficit is in large part due to a decrease in pledged giving.
Expenditure has been reduced as much as possible. On the positive side, an increase in collections, a record profit-making Christmas Bazaar, and a generous legacy from the late Dora Hauser were highlighted.
Hector presented a historical look at Income and Expenditure and answered questions such as those regarding the Book Table, Magazine, and the peak in income three years ago.
The building work appears under Extraordinary Income and Expenditure and is highlighted in a separate report. Within the Balance Sheet, concern was expressed about accrued capital (our reserves). Reserves of approximately 98,000 CHF are of concern as this represents less than 3 months expenditure, which is less than recommended and not a healthy situation.
The Finance Committee and the Church Council have given the financial situation much consideration in the last year. Questions regarding running costs for our premises and other personnel costs were answered and praise and thanks for the generous legacy was given before the Treasurer recommended the accounts for approval.
Auditor's Report
Angus Carrick reported on behalf of the two auditors. The auditors found no problems or concerns. The audit was conducted on 28 March 2007 and concluded that both the full accounts and the consolidated account statement provided to the AGM give a true and fair view, in all material respects, of the financial situation of the Association of St. Ursula's Church and of St. Ursula's Charitable Association at 31st December 2006.
He thanked the treasurer, his assistant Sue Higson, and everyone else who had contributed to the keeping of the accounts. Angus concluded by clarifying that the job of the auditors is to check the mechanisms in place and that due process is being followed, not to judge financial decisions. There were no questions. Both the treasurer and the chairman thanked the auditors Angus Carrick and Niklaus Weibel for their work.
Approval of Accounts: The approval of the 2006 accounts was proposed by the treasurer and agreed unanimously.
Our Chaplain Richard referred to his written report in the booklet "Annual Reports for 2006" produced for and distributed at the AGM. Brian Morgan was thanked for his contributions to the Centenary plans. A financial overview was given and church members were asked to contribute as well to the many efforts to reduce costs, particularly by doing their part in managing the heating of the building more carefully.
Richard noted that considerable effort had been made to highlight the financial situation and financial concerns, and to increase income. Richard also made a special request for someone to coordinate this year's Christmas bazaar which is so important to our income. Ministry strategy and concepts were briefly reviewed with an emphasis on assessing and taking advantage of changes in the world today and making the necessary changes in the way we do things to reflect this.
The patterns of worship at Neuchâtel and Thun continue as before with plans for starting a monthly housegroup at Neuchâtel. Booksales continue to prove their worth, and it would be good to have them more often and with regularity, for which we need more help. Staffing changes were explained and thanks were given. Welcome of newcomers needs to be improved and a start has been made on addressing this.
Worship, Worshippers and Worship space were also mentioned, including highlighting concerns over the chairs which will need to be replaced in the near future. Richard's report concluded with the plea to see a collaborative response to our priorities which can only be achieved if we can unite in an agreed ministry strategy.
Discussion took place on a range of topics arising from this report including leadership, and what we can expect from leadership; how we can help and support our leaders, address difficulties, involve the whole church in a united ministry; the vision of "equipping the saints for ministry"; the work of a committee looking at vision and ministry; the importance of prayer, helping each other, working together, praying together, praying for each other-having faith and trust in our leadership; and a desire for everyone to move forward together.
Related to comments in the Treasurer's Finance Report and the Chaplain's Report, Richard then read a letter from the Church Wardens and Chaplain which had already been given to Wendy Hough, Assistant Chaplain. In this letter, the Wardens and Chaplain gave notice that the post of Assistant Chaplain would be made redundant in 6 months, as of October 31st, 2007, for financial reasons. Therefore Wendy's employment at St Ursula's will cease on that date. Richard reported that it was with great sadness and regret that council made this decision. During an emotional discussion that followed, Richard and others asked people to pray about the way forward.
Hector Davie reported that this was the sixth budget for 2007 that he had so far produced. It was presented for information, not for approval. The budget for 2007 still shows a deficit (we are still spending more than we take in). We may continue to pray about the financial situation but we must also take some responsibility ourselves. It is Council's and the Treasurer's view that we cannot reasonably expect pledged income to be any greater, and having taken every possible step to economize, it is with a heavy heart that this budget includes the change to the position of Assistant Chaplain (ending at the end of October) reducing expenditure for November and December. Though a deficit of CHF 35,000 is presented for this year, it is hoped that 2008 will be different
The following nominations had been made:
Two Churchwardens
| Nomination | Proposed by | Seconded by |
|---|---|---|
| John Hutchison | Hans Wenger | Hans-Karl Pfyffer |
| Chloë Hodler | Brian Morgan | Elisabeth Pfyffer |
Six Council Members
| Nomination | Proposed by | Seconded by |
|---|---|---|
| Hans Wenger | John Hutchison | Chlë Hodler |
| Pieter Perrett | John Hutchison | Giuseppina Günthert |
| Giuseppina Günthert | John Hutchison | Sue Faillettaz |
| Maxine Wildhaber | Giuseppina Günthert | John Hutchison |
| Kelly Sovilla | Chlë Hodler | Martin Ellis |
| Patricia Carrick | Hector Davie | John Hutchison |
There were no further nominations from the floor. As there were equal nominations and places available, all those standing were declared duly elected.
Angus Carrick and Niklaus Weibel agreed to stand again as auditors. Both Hector Davie and Richard Pamplin recommended them to the congregation. They were duly, thankfully & unanimously appointed auditors for 2008.
Hans-Karl Pfyffer thanked everyone who contributed to the life of the church. He spoke for many people when he said that he hoped and prayed for the blessing of our church and for unity in diversity.
The meeting closed at 13.50 with The Grace.
Jennifer Hockley (Council Secretary)