A date for your diary - the next CTfC forum meeting. Hopefully we will be able to meet in person, venue TBC but if not we will continue on zoom. Do make sure your church or organisation is represented and your voice is heard. I’m posting below the minutes of the last meeting so you can see the range of topics covered in one of these meetings.

Paul King, in the chair, offered opening prayers.

Previous AGM Minutes for 13th April 2021were signed off. Updates:

Website: It will be going live as soon as Jeff Kitts, treasurer, can link a bank card to the subscription with Ben Bentley. Jacky Kendrew and Ian Birchmore have access for editing.

Visiting New Housing: Paul King asked for volunteers to accompany him to distribute welcome letter to new homes in the area. Disappointing non replies from Chesterfield clergy to this subject of reaching out to new individuals in the parishes. Only two responses saying no personnel available and no interest. Dunston has two new sites for visiting. Angela Webster volunteered.

New appointment: at Holy Trinity Newbold, the Rev Rachel ?? is in place, daughter of Rex Brassington. Thanksgiving/Lament Gathering after Covid 19: Suggestion to contact councillors Howard Burrell/Ed Fordham and Tricia Gilby (Leader of CBC) to see if Football Club was a possibility and if any plans for a municipal event was envisaged. A report from York was read out re event there, led by the mayor who is a clergyman. Colin reported what the Bible Society and Redeemer King were doing, a garden based on the 23rd Psalm. See https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/psalm-23/the-garden/ Sarah Eberle has developed the design of the Psalm 23 Garden for the Chelsea Flower Show and encourages individuals and churches to do similar projects around the country. Clr. Howard Burrell has made helpful comments on a phone call and so has Peter Whiteley from Chesterfield Borough Council.

Climate Change: There is an ongoing relay of people walking from Carbis Bay in Cornwall, site of the G7 Summit to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021. A section from Huthwaite to Chesterfield before continuing to Sheffield invites Christians to join the walkers. It is intended to give refreshments at a town venue approx. 18:30 on September 4th. Jennie & James Robinson have offered beds for the night. Chesterfield Climate Alliance have been evicted from their shop in the Precinct to allow a tenant to move in, the centre staff have helped greatly to find a new site in the adjoining unit for new material to be presented.

Caring for Creation: for Lent was a success with groups studying it this year with very favourable comments about its content. David said one person dropped out because the content was too distressing. Hopefully Rev Steve Barwell is organising it again in the Autumn. The material can be used at any time of the year and more poignant as COP26 meets at the end of the year to discuss world climate change issues. The booklets, notes and CDs can be recycled for others to use. Material has been handed to Rev. S Barwell.

The Compass: Valley CIDs/Blend Youth Project restarting after staff are recalled from furlough.

Hope House: Progressing with 9 guests last heard, some individuals have been necessarily evicted due to unsociable behaviour as is expected. This is not an easy clientele to work with and takes a lot of patience and experience. Pathways: still working/housing with individuals, staff are still home based, till end of July, as well as on daily outreach. Tenancy support still visiting people with P3 and volunteers to make sure clients are safe, taking medication and mental health under control. Covid has helped a lot of individuals get back to some kind of normal with a roof over their heads, the lifting of the ban on evictions will bring new challenges.

Street/School Pastors: Desperate need for new Street Pastors as numbers down to nine available instead of the original thirty ten years ago. The coordinator Jacky Kendrew urgently needs venues/zoom meetings to recruit new members. With the night time economy re opening more patrols are required to help those in need. Contact to be made with Father Craig at the Church of the Annunciation to seek opportunity for a presentation.

Holmebrook Valley Family Centre: Ian was on a Health & Welfare meeting Tuesday 6th July and no further news of who will take over the premises from Valley CIDs as a community centre.

Salvation Army: The new shop is busy and services have resumed.

Storrs Road Methodist Church: have resumed services but still nervousness with some congregation members. A new initiative by the Methodist Church was announced by Stephen called “New Places for New People” concentrating on two areas Barrow Hill and Derby Road where deprivation is high.

Redeemer King Church meeting at Parish Centre, Stonegravels on Sheffield Road Wanted New Pastor: For Redeemer King Church, advert being sent out. Carl Beech left to run Edge Ministries in space leased from Staveley Methodist Church.

Umbrellas Cosy Hub: https://umbrellascosyhub.org.uk/team started by Jane and George Bentley at 7 Burns Close, Chesterfield provides a community centre for the Grangewood area with links to New Life church. Working alongside Sts Augustines and Gussies Kitchen.

Care Homes: Letter of encouragement was sent to 44 Care Homes in our area last year, two homes asked for help with services. Hare Hill Court started meeting for a short service and bible study. Through advertising through CTfC a new chair to replace David Botham is to be appointed, Steve Fisher (retired URC minister) now based at St Johns Walton.

Derbyshire Churches Together: Ongoing difficulties with CTiD are being addressed, hopefully now on Saturday October 9th, with all Derbyshire LEPs invited.

Chesterfield Foodbank: Ian reported over 5,520 individuals were fed in the April 1st 2020 - to March 31st 2021 year. Numbers have been rising with some professional individuals now needing help. A review is going on to look at opening the five centres to customers safely and return of Citizens Advice presence, CAB has taken over calls for Job Centres regarding Universal Credit. Food stocks are steady in the warehouse but desperate for certain items and finances remain strong with donations from churches and individuals. A new van will be required to replace the present one, larger volume to keep up with the pick ups and deliveries.

Hospital Chaplaincy Team: Colin and Kathleen said all members vaccinated, met to plan volunteers return. Three clergy people helping Chaplain, Father Adrian 2 days a week, Rev Beverley and Sister Jude. The Royal still reluctant to have visitors or volunteers at present.

Forever Alive: Angela presented an initiative with churches in the Clay Cross Area to put on an event on Saturday 18th July 5:30-8:30 in Tesco car park with comedian, band, etc. Tickets online £5.98 from Eventbrite www.foreveralive.co.uk 500 places for cars in a safe environment.

Long Covid Support: David Bunting to talk to Rev Steve Barwell re Renew Well Being, help for those still suffering the effects of the pandemic. Cornerstone Methodist designated a “Safe Space” for those who need to talk to someone. Christian Education: Nothing to Report.

Recruiting Board members - Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire Credit Union is looking for new Board members. You don't need any financial background in particular but an interest in supporting your local community via its credit union would be great. This is a voluntary position, the Board meets monthly in the evening. For further details please contact: Katy Martin on katy.- martin@nedcu.co.uk . You can find out more about the CU generally via our website which is: www.cnedcu.co.uk.

The Green: A new Enterprise & Training Centre is now open in Loundsley Green as part of the Loundsley Green Community Trust of which Ian is a director and trustee. This ex vicarage has been transformed into 5 rental offices for people starting out or working from home at low rent. Also two meeting rooms to be used by the businesses and the community to hire. These can be used for meetings, training, presentations, conferences, etc.

AOB: Secretary’s comment: We thank everyone for their attendance and input.

Next Forum: Monday 20th September 7:00pm 2021, at a venue if possible or still by Zoom.

The Love Chesterfield Community Market replaces the Medieval Market of previous years. There will be stalls of many kinds by local charities and community organisations - you might want to book one for your church? The market place will be a hive of activity with street entertainers and, if last year was anything to go by, lots of family fun in a great atmosphere.