On the morning of Friday 24 January, the Parish Council met for the first time in 2014. The meeting was scheduled at this time so as to enable the entire Parish Council to be present when the parish’s new standing Cross, due to be delivered that day, arrived. Prior to the delivery of the Cross, the Parish Council heard the rector’s customary report on parish and Diocesan life, including his participation on Thursday 23 January in the first meeting of the newly-elected Diocesan Council. Parish finances were considered, and preparations were made for Metropolitan Hilarion’s visit on Sunday 26 January, the focus of which would be the blessing of the new Cross. Other items discussed included possible arrangements for clergy remuneration, renewal of parish membership, communications, and the design of a parish gramota, a key element of the parish awards policy. During the course of the meeting, iconographer Dimitry Lihachov arrived with the new Cross, at which time the Parish Council adjourned for an extended period. The Cross was unwrapped and placed in church, after which the troparion “Save, O Lord, Thy people” was sung. The Parish Council will next meet on Monday 17 February 2014 at 7.30pm.