1. Attendance and Apologies for Absence

   The meeting was attended by:
   Michael Agoba, Alison Beindorff, Martin Browne, Tricia Carrick, Hector Davie, Agnes Derory, Ruth Freiburghaus, Art Funkhouser, Donna Goepfert, Hans Goepfert, Peter Hawker*, Susan Higson, Beat Hodler, Chloë Hodler, Esther Hutchison Funkhouser, Andrée Kamarys, Cecily Klingler, Rolf Klingler, Diane Lohri, Helen Marshall*, Mary Mead, James Morgan, Lilian Morgan, Pieter Perrett, Elisabeth Pfyffer, Hans-Karl Pfyffer, Rosalind Richards, Manuel Sager, Patricia Schwager-Davis, Susan Spälti, James Squire, Annemarie Walthert, Janet Wenger, Mark Wienand, Edi Wildhaber, Matthew Wildhaber, Maxine Wildhaber, Barbara Winfield, Susan Zysset. (* marks clergy)
   This represents 37 members of the electoral roll and two clergy.

   Apologies were received from: Jonathan Carrick, Archana Jacob, Johann Kamarys, David Marshall, Tony Read.

2. Reception and Approval of the Electoral Roll
   The Electoral Roll, which had been on display for over two weeks, was approved by the meeting nem con. There had been 20 additions and 2 deletions giving a total for 2023 of 104 members.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the last AGM held on 27 March 2022
   The minutes of the last AGM were approved nem con.

4. Approval of the Audited Accounts for the Year 2022

   Treasurer's Report
   The treasurer, Susan Higson, presented the audited accounts, which had already been approved by council and displayed for more than the statutory 8 days. The treasurer reported that there was an overall deficit in 2022 of 10,720Fr, with a split between the church – deficit of 33,140Fr – and the association – surplus of 22,420Fr before the allocation of 10,000Fr to the building fund. This was in line with the budget. The church deficit will be funded from reserves – which is OK for this year, but this cannot be sustained.

   The treasurer referred to the detailed figures in the printed treasurer's report and noted that the income from the community was improving but is still not back to the pre-COVID level. Events are very important as without them the deficit for the church last year would have been almost double. Various factors e.g. higher energy costs and the foreign exchange loss led to the increase in expenditure.

   The treasurer concluded by thanking the auditors for their work.

   There were no questions.

   Auditors' Report
   Beat Hodler reported on behalf of the two auditors. The audit had been conducted on 18 February 2023 and had 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 at 31 December 2022. He thanked the treasurer for the excellent work she does.

   The chair thanked Beat and Tony for their work.

   Approval of Accounts
   The approval of the audited accounts for 2022 was proposed by Janet Wenger, seconded by Art Funkhouser and agreed nem con.

5. Presentation of the Budget for the year 2023
   The treasurer presented the budget for 2023. She expects small salary increases, an increase in running costs together with a small increase in income – both from giving and from events. The only extraordinary expense planned is the replacement of the photocopier. If nothing else is done, the expected result is a deficit in the church's account of 24,500Fr and a profit in the association account of 22,500Fr. It may be possible for the association to support the premises costs, but doing this would mean no transfer to the building fund.

   There were no questions. The chair thanked the treasurer for all her hard work, which the meeting endorsed with applause.

6. Elections

   The following nominations had been made:

   Two Churchwardens

   Nomination	Proposed by	Seconded by
   Martin Browne	E Hutchison	M Wildhaber
   Sue Higson	Maxine Wildhaber	C Hodler

   Two Representatives to Archdeaconry Synod

   Nomination	Proposed by	Seconded by
   Hector Davie	Maxine Wildhaber	Art Funkhouser
   Maxine Wildhaber	Hector Davie	Pieter Perrett

   Six Council Members

   Nomination	Proposed by	Seconded by
   Michael Agoba	Martin Browne	Beat Hodler
   Tricia Carrick	Maxine Wildhaber	E Pfyffer
   Agnes Derory	Ruby Wildhaber	D Goepfert
   Lilian Morgan	Martin Browne	Chloë Hodler
   Pieter Perrett	Maxine Wildhaber	Susan Higson
   Chris Sager	Agnes Derory	Jana Kutesko
   Janet Wenger	Belle Täuber-Lee	Susan Higson
   Ruby Wildhaber	Agnes Derory	Jana Kutesko

   There were no additional nominations from the floor.

   There were two nominations for the two places as churchwarden, so no vote was needed. The chaplain encouraged everyone to support the churchwardens with prayer and practical care.

   There were two nominations for the two places as archdeaconry synod representative, so no vote was needed. The chair thanked Hector and Maxine for being happy to continue in this position and the meeting agreed to support them.

   The chair proposed that "in accordance with the Church Representation Rules (item M15(1)(h)), this AGM agrees to appoint our licensed reader, Archana Jacob, to be a member of the Church council." The meeting agreed nem con.

   There were eight nominations for the six places as council member. The nominees were invited to say, very briefly, something about themselves, what they do in church and why they were standing for council. Those who were not present had sent their input in writing which the chair read out. While the votes were being counted, the chaplain gave her report (see below).

   The votes were counted by Beat Hodler and Donna Goepfert. Donna reported that there were 36 ballot papers and those elected were Michael Agoba, Tricia Carrick, Lilian Morgan, Pieter Perrett, Chris Sager and Ruby Wildhaber. The chair thanked all those who stood, whether elected or not. She asked everyone to pray for all council members.

7. Appointment of Auditors
   The treasurer thanked the current auditors for their work. The meeting thanked them and offered support. Beat Hodler and Tony Read were happy to continue and were appointed as auditors for the year 2023.

8. Chaplain's Report
   The chaplain's report is contained in the Annual Reports booklet. At the meeting, she reported that it had been a very encouraging year with a significant building back up after COVID. Many people contribute to the life of the church and the chaplain thanked some of these by name and also those involved in the many different groups and activities. Reports of activities are included in the Annual Reports booklet which the chaplain encouraged everyone to read.

   The chaplain went on to reflect on the goals outlined at the last AGM and the results seen. These were:

   1. Welcome people back to worship in church and welcome newcomers: We have seen growth, especially recently as people come back after COVID. In the last few months at least 20 new people have become regular worshippers, many of whom are young adults.
   2. Build up the work with children and families: The council day away in June focussed on this topic and many of the ideas have been put into practice. After a preparation course, eight children were welcomed to communion in December. There have been two baptisms this year. In January we started holding All Age Eucharist services once a month. Junior Church restarted last year meeting twice a month, it now meets every Sunday. We still need more teachers and helpers. More families have joined and there are now up to 20 children in church on Sundays. We are looking forward to the planned "Activity Day" in August which is being held jointly with the chaplaincy in Zurich. We hope this will further encourage ministry with children.
   3. Music in church: After the retirement of Hans-Karl Pfyffer last year, we held an Open Forum and set up a team to propose a way forward. We agreed to sing a mixture of modern and traditional hymns and songs every Sunday and to use musicians in our congregation rather than paying an organist. This plan was greatly helped by the arrival of David and Vaibhav who both play the organ. A few other musicians also volunteered to play. Thanks to all. More volunteers would be welcome. We have also restarted the use of the sung liturgy occasionally.
   4. Bible study, prayer and fellowship: This year there has been a varied programme in person and via Zoom. Bible studies, Advent and Lent courses and Lectio Divina continue to take place via Zoom. The men's group continues to meet. There have been various talks after church by visitors and members of the congregation.
   5. Focus on the five Marks of Mission: This year we have focussed on work against unjust structures and work with refugees. There were two talks about different situations which raised awareness. However there was not enough interest or commitment to start a project or join one of another church. This can be reconsidered.

   The chaplain remarked that there had been much joy in the community this year with several baptisms and new members, but also the sad losses of Adorée Weibel and David Winfield. As a Christian community we are encouraged to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

   As we give thanks for all that has gone on this past year, the chaplain wanted to especially thank Archana and James for their ministry and support. She asked everyone to continue to pray for them as they continue their studies and training. She thanked Peter Hawker for his continued prayerful support. And she gave special thanks to David, her husband, who gives so generously of his gifts and talents in ministry at St Ursula's and for his love and support that she depends on.

   She went on to identify the priorities for the coming year which, as well as building on the experiences of this year in the five areas mentioned, are

   1. Pastoral Care: we already have a team but need to re-think its role considering issues of safeguarding and confidentiality. This year the hope is to find realistic and sensitive ways of developing pastoral care in the whole community – not only the sick and elderly but also newcomers, families, the growing number of people stressed at work or suffering depression. We should build up a sense of mutual care for one another.
   2. Re-introduce regular housegroups. We have various groups, but no ongoing lay-led housegroups. These can be a means for deepening faith and prayer and can offer fellowship and mutual pastoral care. Council will consider this and look for ways of setting up such groups.

   The chaplain remarked that there had been much joy in the community this year with several baptisms and new members, but also the sad losses of Adorée Weibel and David Winfield. As a Christian community we are encouraged to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

   The chaplain had a point of information: most people are aware that in February the General Synod of the Church of England voted to introduce prayers of blessing for same sex relationships whilst at the same time affirming the church's traditional doctrine on marriage. The practical outcomes are unclear and there is much to be discussed at the next synod in July. She is keeping council informed of developments including any guidance from the diocese. But, until the outcomes of the synod are clear, it seems premature to say any more on this subject at this time.

   The chaplain ended her report with encouragement to all to give thanks for the fellowship we have here at St Ursula's. And she read a quotation from Dietrich Bonhoeffer from his book "Life Together" which warns us about grumbling and encourages us to be thankful. She hoped all can take this to heart and daily give thanks to God for everything that has been given to us in this fellowship and look to the future with faith and hope.

9. Any Other Business
   There was none.

10. Close
    The chair thanked everyone for coming and prayed that all the good things may continue to be built on and that we will be patient with challenges that will inevitably come. And that we will encourage and support and be thankful for one another.

    The meeting closed at 12.45.

Tricia Carrick (Secretary of the Outgoing Council)