Present: Fr Gregory Tobin, Fr Matthew Jakes, Rev. Peter Swarbrick (Deacon)

and 19 representatives from both parishes

Father Greg opened the meeting with a reading from St Luke’s gospel for this coming Sunday - Gaudete Sunday

Father welcomed everyone to this evening’s historical meeting – historical because of all the changes which have occurred over the last couple of months. A PPC has been operating in Keyworth and Cotgrave parishes for many years, is well established and meets once every two months. The PPC in West Bridgford is also well established and it has met once, however, it was a good meeting. It will be a good blend of parishes.

Father said he didn’t want the PPC’s to get bogged down in the ‘minutia’ of parish life and considered the PPC to be beyond that. A moment of opportunity and grace for us as a parish – he wants the PPC to lead the parish in vision. Father expects the parish council to have changed completely in three years time. Tonight he wants us to set an Agenda for the next three years. How are we going to do that :-

We are going to acknowledge and recognise that we belong to the Diocese and not to focus merely on ourselves. We are a part of the Deanery of East Nottingham. Many present here tonight were at the Nottingham Diocesan Assembly - three key words came out of the Assembly - spirituality, mission and structure.

Father introduced Peter Molloy, who has been using a process in the parish and diocese called ‘open space’. By 9.00pm Father wants us to have highlighted five important issues which will be our Agenda for the next three years falling under the three headings, mission, structure and spirituality.

Father wanted us to think of one question at the moment – "What conversation do you want to have about the spirituality of the Parish?" What discussion do you want to have about the mission of the parish? Why are we here as a parish? What conversation do you want to have about mission, spirituality and structure?

Father Greg suggested defining the word ‘identity’. We are one parish / three churches – how do we see our identity. How do we see the administration of the parish, do we keep our finances separate, do we have one newsletter or two? One web-site or two? – the general administration of the three in one parishes.

Father handed over to Peter who spoke about ‘open space’ and it’s meaning. A conversation is about listening rather than talking. The only formality would be a ‘convenor’ and recorder for each group. Peter then asked for ‘titles’ of possible conversations, we would pin the titles up on the wall and those present would start a ‘conversation’ on that topic. Peter asked that someone in each group record what came out of each individual group and bring it to the end of the meeting. He suggested we split up and move around the different conversations, keeping those conversations ‘open’, not getting hung up on issues.

The topics suggested were :

After breaking into groups, the meeting came back together with reports from each group. All the salient points had been written up. Everyone was issued with three voting slips and delegates were invited to register a vote against the issue they felt most strongly about.

Before the tea break Father Greg wanted to say two things:

• In terms of structures approach Ian for West Bridgford and Fr Peter for Cotgrave & Keyworth
• If you want to start something in the parish, you don’t need Father Greg’s permission to go ahead!

Following the tea break Peter called the meeting to order and announced the results of the voting:-

Father said the voting gives us an idea of priorities but it’s not the total focus. The results will be typed up and circulated before the next meeting. He asked everyone to go away, reflect on it and contact Fr Peter or Ian. He thought it important to work with the people you represent to try to make it work.

Finally, Father asked if someone would close the meeting with a prayer.

Date of next Meeting:

West Bridgford P.P.C. : 7.30pm 14^th January 2004 to be held at West Bridgford parish meeting room.

Cotgrave & Keyworth P.P.C. : 8pm Wednesday 4^th February 2004