Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2013

The APCM was held on Sunday 28th April immediately following Morning Worship.

Appointment of Wardens.

Bob Gateley and David Noonan were happy to continue as Churchwardens and so they were re-appointed for the next year.

Elections to the Parochial Church Clouncil.

Mrs. Joan Cameron, Mrs. Irene Gateley and Mrs Carol Haswell were re-elected to the PCC for a three year period.

Chairman’s Report

The Vicar announced early in the year (2012) that in mid July he would be leaving for “pastures new” and further for reason(s) that were not clearly explained he would also be leaving the Church of England. This would be an unusual occurrence in the life of most Churches, particularly so here at St Catherines. This had a profound effect upon most of the Church family. Some of the newer members were less able to cope than others and, sadly, they too moved on.  We are blessed that others who have joined us in recent years are now key members of our Church family and we praise God for them and their ministry here. As a Church family people continued faithful, gave their support to the Churchwardens in ensuring that the mission and work of the Church continued and God has blessed us greatly.

So from the outset of the Interregnum Church life continued as normal giving opportunity for others to display leadership qualities with the following minor adjustments being necessary, Richard Haswell coordinating the weekly Home Groups, Ivan Forsythe leading the monthly Prayer Meetings and with David Noel (Reader), Bob Gateley (Warden) and myself forming a small group to organise the Sunday Morning Worship. It was decided that we should follow the set Lectionary readings. Whilst some of the preaching was done “in house” we were blessed too with gifted visiting preachers who proclaimed the word of God faithfully, clearly and with passion. It also gave people who had not previously led worship the opportunity to do so. Consequently members of the congregation found Sunday morning worship refreshing, uplifting and encouraging. Sunday evening worship continued too with all the services apart from Holy Communion being conducted ourselves.

The procedure for the appointment of a successor began with each member of the Church family being asked to contribute to the discussion their views on the requirements in a new Vicar with particular emphasis on the gifts required to enable us to reach out in to the Parish more effectively than we had done in recent years. The views expressed were taken in to account in drawing up the Parish Profile. Bob Gateley and myself were appointed as Parish Representatives with the responsibility together with the Bishop of Birkenhead of interviewing the applicants. All seven applicants were of a high quality. Four were invited to interview. In the event three attended in November and James was chosen.

James comes to us having had experience in the world of Finance before training at Oak Hill Theological College for Ordained ministry. He served his first Curacy at St. Peter Harold Wood a vibrant Church in Essex. He comes to us from Christ Church Blackburn, situated in an area in many ways similar to Tranmere, where he has been Associate Minister since 2007. James stated quite emphatically that he has “an enthusiasm to see the Bible change and shape peoples lives for all eternity as people become and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.”  James has a heart for people of all ages, for getting to know them, walking with them and relating to them. He is already known to some of our young folk who in recent years have been involved as leaders in youth camps where he has been the overall leader.

So we give James a very warm welcome to St. Catherine’s assuring him that we are ready to support him in his Ministry to us.

James does not come alone. He is married to Jane and together they have three children Barnabas (henceforth to be known, I understand, as Barney) who is eight years of age, Hannah who is six and Peter who is four. We welcome them too.

Les Cameron.