St. Laurence’s Parishioners’ Open Meeting (Forum)

Recent and upcoming meetings

For the moment, online Open Meetings will be held monthly, using Zoom.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 15th July at 7.30pm

To request an invitation please email openmeetings@saintlaurence.org.uk.

You will then be sent an invitation with the meeting link and details.

Instructions for using Zoom with Open Meetings (PDF)

Agenda for next meeting

Apologies and minutes of last meeting
Discussion on re-opening the Church
Any other business / news

We aim to keep this meeting short, and the agenda will be a brief update on the latest arrangements for return to Mass in the church, and a chance for any parishioner to ask questions or make suggestions on this topic. Join us and help us to continue improving how we do things.

The minutes of the last meeting and the latest documents on re-opening the church are available here:

Minutes of meeting on 16th June (PDF)

Updated Parish discussion document on re-opening church (PDF)

Guidelines on re-opening churches from the diocese (PDF)

Parish risk assessment on return to church (PDF)

Future meetings

Saint Laurence’s Parishioners’ Open Meetings are normally held in January, April, July, and October. However, while social distancing measures prevent in-person meetings, we have agreed to switch to monthly online meetings. Changes will be announced in the Newsletter and here.

Next meetings:

Wednesday 15th July, 7.30pm
Tuesday 11th August, 7.30pm
September date to be confirmed
The meeting originally scheduled for Thursday 28th October remains in the calendar for now, but may be moved or changed.

All parishioners are warmly invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.

Sanctuary plans

Thank you to all who contributed to the extensive discussion on ideas for re-ordering the Sanctuary at the January Open Meeting. Given the impact of Covid-19, these ideas will not be taken further until we can ensure that everyone can participate fully in discussions, and until any changes in the financial situation are clear. However, a survey form has been created (as agreed at the meeting) and, if you have views on the ideas, you are very welcome to submit those views using that form − your comments will be included in any future planning.

Download the feedback form (as a PDF) and submit feedback by putting your answers to the questions on the form in an email to openmeetings@saintlaurence.org.uk.

What is the Parishioners’ Open Meeting?

In normal times, we aim to hold the meeting four times per year as a venue to share news and to discuss ideas for Parish life.

The Open Meeting was originally called “The Parish Forum” but has been renamed to clarify its purpose. Its Constitution is here.

Current chair of the Open Meetings is Stephen Warde. If you would like something added to an agenda, please email Stephen at openmeetings@saintlaurence.org.uk.

The Facilitation Group is a team of parishioners that makes sure actions agreed at meetings are carried out and the agenda for the next meeting is prepared. We’re always looking for volunteers to join the group!

The Diocesan Council of Laity is the forum for discussing issues of importance regarding pastoral planning which affect the whole diocese. We are represented on the Council by Jim O’Sullivan.

Typical agenda

Meetings include some or all of the following items, with additional special topics added as appropriate:

Apologies
Minutes of last meeting and matters arising
Feature presentation or discussion topic
Liturgy
Finance
Social life
Catechesis
Buildings and grounds
School
Reports from parish groups
Any other business
Date of future meetings

St. Laurence’s Roman Catholic Church