Anglican Church in Bergen

                                    Committee Meeting Minutes: 11 May 2008

Present: Iris Bjørnø, Ana Duerr, Eirik Duerr, Peter Hogarth, Astrid Johannessen, Rosemary

            Lund

Apologies: Paul Ofoche, Frances Valeur

The meeting was held in the nave of Engensenterkapell; Rev. Peter Hogarth presiding. An opening prayer was offered at 12:55.

1. The following documents were distributed: Agenda and minutes of the April Committee meeting. The minutes were approved with the correction of the NRSV initials in item 5.

Matters Arising

2. Rune Torsvik gave a brief overview of what was required to complete a transfer of treasurer duties. Peter, Rune, and Penny are presently authorized to bank over the counter. This must be addressed to at least include Paul. The bank credit card is in Rune’s name. Theoretically it could stay that way, but it would mean that the bank statements would continue to go to Rune’s address. In order to put the account over into Paul’s name, a letter addressed to the bank from the committee chairperson should explain the transition and ask that a new card be issued to the new treasurer and the present one terminated.

3. Harald Grønnevik will still be on vacation on the 10^th of August. Peter suggested that instead of a service on the 2^nd Sunday (10^th), we could meet on the 17^th and thereby have our joint service in Klokkarvik. The suggestion was approved and notices will be posted on the web site and on the outdoor bulletin board by Ana.

4. In discussing the Deanery representative from Western Norway, Janet Heil requested of Peter that we consider having Ana, who will be attending as deanery secretary, to also serve as the representative. This would save money. Furthermore, because the deanery is under severe financial stress, she requested that we also consider paying Ana’s way out of our accounts rather than have the deanery pay. Penny has indicated an interest in attending, while Rune will not be available. Peter suggested that Bergen pay half the cost of Ana’s attendance and Stavanger pay the other half. A final decision on this, and whether or not an ‘observer’ (Penny) should also be funded, will be made at the next committee meeting.

5. Janet Heil will conduct the service in Bergen on the 22^nd of June. Iris will arrange for a place for her to stay.

6. Peter brought with him the newly purchased NRSV Bible, to complete the acquisition of books for our ‘library’. Peter will try to get a triple set of cords to mark the readings for the given service.

7. Astrid suggested that the planned ‘New Faces Evening’ picnic to welcome the newest families be moved from June to late August or September. This would avoid vacation conflicts which have become apparent since talking with two of the target families. Plans for an Alternate Service and no Sunday school are still valid. Peter will E-mail Janine regarding the Sunday school change once the date has been set.

Other Business

8. The Lay Chairperson position which Astrid assumed after Penny Mietle has become too much of a burden for her. Astrid requested that a new Lay Chairperson be elected. This issue will be addressed at the next committee meeting.

9. Peter reported that the Chaplaincy in Norway ended the 2007 year 300,000 kr in the plus. This turn-around was mainly due to the increased Kommune support given in Stavanger- up from 300 kr per person to 800. Oslo also increased their support marginally. The really good news is that the Chaplaincy would otherwise have broken even due to increased giving by the members. The Western Norway region broke even. There is no insurance however that Stavanger will maintain the higher level of support in coming years.

10. The next meeting will be in the evening of the 2^nd Sunday in June, hosted by the Duerr’s.

Respectfully submitted: Eirik O. Duerr