2025 NOVEMBER FORUM MEETING - MINUTES

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN LICHFIELD (CTiL)

FINAL MINUTES OF THE FORUM MEETING - MONDAY 3^rd NOVEMBER 2025 - 7.30PM – ROBINSON ROOM, THE OLD STABLES, LICHFIELD

PRESENT: Kenneth Howcroft (Methodist) – Clergy Chair, Hugh Ashton (Cathedral) – Lay Chair, Rosie Harvey-Coggins (Lichfield Fair Trade), Michael Hawkes St Chad’s), Roger Hartley (Wade St), Michele Gerard (Society of Friends/Quakers), Richard Henshaw (Catholic Churches), Diana Pearson (Lichfield Methodist), Abbie Walsh (St Michael’s), Laura Macfarlane (St Michael’s), John Preece (Wade St), Delphine Preece (Wade St), David Clarke (St Giles’, Whittington) – Acting Secretary/Minutes Secretary.

1. WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER – Ken Howcroft welcomed everyone, and Richard Henshaw led the meeting in prayer.

2. APOLOGIES – Robert Mountford (CLASP), Lilas Rawling (St Chad’s), Liz Ridler (Wade St), Linda Atkin (Christ Church).

3. INTRODUCTION – Ken Howcroft introduced himself as Clergy Chair, and Hugh Ashton as Lay Chair, noting that Lilas Rawling has stood down from that role. The meeting thanked Lilas for her hard work and wished her well in her recovery. (Action: David Clarke to write to Lilas).

4. MEETING PURPOSE – Ken outlined this, which is praying and conferring about: what value can we add to each other’s life and work and what can we best do together?

5. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (25.02.25) – on a proposal from Richard Henshaw, seconded by John Preece, the minutes were unanimously accepted as an accurate record of the meeting.

6. MATTERS ARISING

• There are four relatively minor changes to the CTiL constitution that have been approved at the last meeting and the AGM, but at neither was the required 75% of member churches present.  All the proposed changes will be sent out to the member churches asking for their consideration and an email return before the next meeting. (Action: Liz Ridler).
• An effective outdoor PA system had been purchased.  This is available to member churches to hire.  It’s whereabouts and the process to hire it will be confirmed (Action: Liz Ridler).

7. TREASURER’S REPORT – In Liz’s absence, David Clarke read out the report, a copy of which is attached with these minutes.                          

   Churches Together in Lichfield  - Treasurer’s Report

   Forum Meeting 3 November 2025

    

   I am sorry that I can’t be with you this evening, but here is the Treasurer’s Report up to 10^th October 2025.

   We are now 6 months through the financial year, and so far, it has been relatively quiet. We started the year with a balance of £2,349.49 and we have received cash funds of £1,697.67. The main item of “income” is our annual subs from churches of £786, and I thank the churches for their contributions this year.  We have also received £604 on behalf of Late Night Listeners - they have been successful in their fundraising efforts. 

   Our payments have been only £587.90, including Public Liability Insurance and the annual charges for the website.  The cash balance at 10^th October was £3,464.26.

   We are also fundraising for Christmas Day Together and I can report that the team is gearing up for providing a hot meal at Wade Street Church this year, although not the traditional Turkey Dinner.  We hope and pray that this will be possible in 2026. As in previous years, ready meals will be delivered to those who are housebound and not able to make it to make it to the meal in person.

   If you have any questions on the accounts, please don’t hesitate to contact me on liz.ridler@btinternet.com and I will answer as soon as possible.

    

   Liz Ridler 10/10/2025

    

8. CLASP (CHURCHES LINKED ACROSS STAFFORDSHIRE and the POTTERIES) – a confidential report had been received. This includes details of a farewell gathering for Robert Mountfield, the Ecumenical officer for Birmingham, the Black Country and Staffordshire, who retires on 31 December.  This will consist of thanksgiving, tea, and cake, and will be at 2.00pm, at St Paul’s Church, 131 Longton Hall Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 2EL.  CTiL has contributed towards Robert’s leaving gift.  We will ask why the minutes of the CLASP meetings are confidential, with a view to sharing them more widely in future. (Action: David Clarke).

9. LICHFIELD FAIR TRADE COMMUNITY

Hugh Ashton and Rosie Harvey-Coggins spoke about this.  ‘Fair trade City’ status no longer exists but we could become a Fair Trade Community if we meet certain requirements which they are trying to do.  This is not a Council-led initiative.  It is for everyone.  There is a steering group in place, and it is looking to other groups for ideas.  Things suggested on the night were a quiz, approach to the Co-op, partnering with Whittington and Fisherwick Fair Trade, and Oxfam, a ‘Bird Street Crawl’ making it part of the café culture.  Michael Hawkes, an original promoter of the Fair Trade ‘movement’ in Lichfield spoke about his experiences – leaflets and signs that shops can display are very useful.  The current group is trying to work with all the supermarkets in the city to highlight their Fair Trade products.  Churches can help by using Fair Trade products and by forwarding ideas to Hugh or Rosie directly or via CTiL. (Action: All).

10. AOB

• Lichfield Quakers has raised the issue of the proliferation of Union Jack and St George’s flags and possible negative perceptions about refugees and asylum seekers.  The City of Sanctuary movement supports these views, particularly regarding female mosque members.  Lichfield rightly has a reputation for welcome and respect for everyone.  CTiL agreed that it would put out a press release to try to counter the negativity that is being felt in our city.  This was unanimously agreed on a proposal by Hugh Ashton, seconded by Richard Henshaw.  Ken Howcroft agreed to draft the press release and Abbie Walsh would craft an item that churches could use on their own social media outlets. (Action: All to upload the latter).
• Abbie Walsh advised that St Michaels’s are organising a Nativity Procession on Monday 22^nd December, probably starting at 4.00pm.  Other churches will be invited to be involved as stopping points along the route.

11. REGULAR EVENTS

• Carols in the Market Square – the square is booked from 4.00pm on Thursday 18 December.  Abbie Walsh and Laura Macfarlane agreed to organise the event.  Michelle Gerard suggested the Ukrainian choir be approached and Diana Pearson offered the banner.
• Christmas Day Together – Mark and Gaynor Baldwin have this in hand.
• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – 18-25 January 2026.  Danielle Leigh (Wade St) would be asked if she would host and lead a weekday evening service (Action: John Preece). Two liturgies are suggested by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland – an Armenian Orthodox one and a shorter version.  However, liturgy would be left to Danielle is she is willing to lead.

• Good Friday Walk of Witness – Lilas Rawling will be asked for advice. (Action: Hugh Ashton)
• Good Friday Service at Lichfield Cathedral – Ken Howcroft will lead this.
• Lichfield Bower – Volunteer money collectors will be needed.  David Mason’s help will be sought. (Action: David Clarke).
• Christian Aid Week – will be discussed at the January 13th Enabling Meeting.

12. PRAYER – Richard Henshaw led prayer for the city and its churches.

13. DATE OF NEXT FORUM MEETING – Thursday 5 February at 7.00pm.  Venue to be advised.

14. CLOSE – the meeting concluded at 9.10pm with the Grace.