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1. Constitution
At Linlithgow and within the Kirk Hall of St Michael's Parish Church on Tuesday 15th March 2011, which date and place Kirk Session of St Michael's Parish Church Linlithgow met and was constituted with prayer and a reading from Scripture - Psalm 121.
The Moderator advised members of Session of two items of good news for which we give thanks. Thom and Joyce Riddell have become grandparents again with baby Leon, and David and Lorna Ferguson and their sons have been in touch with David senior and are safe and well in the north island of Japan.
2. Sederunt and Apologies
As detailed on the attached sheets.
3. Minutes of previous meeting (15th February 2011)
The minute of the meeting of 15th February was agreed.
4. Matters Arising
All other matters are contained in the agenda.
5. Agreeing of any other business to form item 10
Ian Lambie will provide a Working Party Update
Tim Brown will provide The Bells update
Chris Collen will raise the PA System Training
John Lawson will mention the Magazine Collation.
6. Presentation of Accounts
Ian Musgrave spoke to the accounts for the year ended December 2010, a copy of which had been sent to every Elder as a Trustee. Ian discussed the accounts page by page in order to answer any questions arising. Gordon Young moved to accept the Accounts and was seconded by Tom Brown. There was a unanimous acceptance of the accounts by all Elders.
The Moderator recorded his thanks to Ian Musgrave for the amount of work that Ian does in the preparation of the accounts month on month and for the presentation of the annual return. He also thanked the Finance Team for their sound governance of our finances.
7. Team Reports
i. Fellowship Team: no report.
ii. Worship Team: Elma Birrell confirmed that Marshall Green has compiled a questionnaire
to be issued to members over the next two Sundays to establish views about the screen and projector which have been in use for some time.
The Worship Team has attended worship at St Andrew's Bo'ness and have picked up a number of ideas that they will consider for implementation such as podcasts for Lent.
The team has considered the issue of the laying out of Communion linen and decided not to change arrangements for the time being. All pews in the central area will therefore continue to be covered in white linen although the team will consider again in due course.
There is a requirement for a new leader of the summer programme of activities for young people as Maureen Blake is stepping back from this. The Moderator thanked Maureen for her faithful service over a number of years.
The Fun Day will take place on the first Sunday in June but there is likely to be a new venue, to be confirmed.
The Inter Church Dinner for the town is being staged at the Longcroft Hall and being hosted by St Michael's this year.
The Moderator elaborated on the joint town services for Lent and Easter. The Easter Card for the town has been designed by school children this year.
The quarterly Communion service for April will be held on Sunday 10th April due to Easter falling on the last Sunday of April.
The Worship Team are monitoring attendance at the Sunday afternoon services. In February there was a congregation of some 30 people. There were approximately 10 elders, 10 elderly people and 10 others, including some mothers of young children. Johnny asked that Elders consider members of their districts who might be interested in this service and bring it to their attention.
iii. Business Team
No report. Bill Duncan asked however about the dampness in the cellar area. Ian Lambie confirmed that the guttering had been repaired in the hope that this had been the cause of the ingress of water but this had made no difference. Further investigation will be required.
Bill also queried two panes of glass missing above the inner door into Cross House. Rev Johnny Paton was able to advise that they had been removed because of an airlock.
iv. Education Team
Gordon Young reported that Team Bible Class will be leading worship at Springfield this coming Sunday. John Reid asked that statistical information be made available by the Clerk on the number of young people in our organisations so that outreach initiatives can be more targeted.
v. Evangelism Team
The Moderator read Stephen Marshall's report to Session and noted progress.
vi. Pastoral Care
Sheila Rae has recently attended a Safeguarding Course for the new PVG scheme and commended it to members of Session.
vii. Safeguarding
Anne Bennie had no report to submit but asked Session to confirm three new helpers for Girls Brigade and Junior Church:
viii. Stewardship
Stephen Blake asked that any elder who has still to deliver Newsletter 1 should deliver as soon as possible. Peter Russell and his presentation team are meeting with the organisations this coming Thursday to discuss the content of their Boards. Ruth Middleton reminded Session that some work is being done elsewhere about permanent display units. Ian Lambie confirmed that it is the intention to keep the presentations in Church during the summer for the interest of visitors as they will be situated to the sides of the church.
8. Report form Presbytery
Derek Henderson has been unable to attend recently due to illness and therefore the Moderator updated on activity. Presbytery has been reviewing its Plan as requested by the Ministries Council and West Lothian will require to cut four and a half posts instead of the previously anticipated six posts.
Jim Michie reminded the Moderator of the Presbytery Youth Leaders' Conference to be held on 28th August. There will be a pulpit exchange on 20th November when the Rev Tom Preston will be at St Michael's while the Moderator will preach at Fauldhouse. Jim also mentioned that Ordained Local Ministry is to be considered by the General Assembly this year and that some members of St Michael's may well be interested.
The Moderator invited prayers for Derek's return to health.
9. Session Clerk's Report
a. New Members
The Kirk Session admitted by resolution who now live in Springfield and who have come to us from Liverpool.
b. Correspondence
The Clerk confirmed receipt of financial information from the Finance Department at the Church Offices which shows how our Ministries and Mission contribution is distributed.
Wendy Archer has been taking part in a national Bowls event representing Scotland in a home countries tournament.
Information has been received from the Ministries Council to confirm that the next Enquirers' Conference will take place on 24th and 25th June 2011.
Roy Dilkes has intimated that he would like to step back from some of his Elder's duties due to a recent bout of ill health.
10. Any Other Items as agreed at item 5
Working Party
Ian Lambie advised that Andy Peters has been considering how we could economise on the Church heating. The requirements of the organ need to be considered but it is likely that Andy will be able to change timings to save money. Heating is costing £1500 per month at the present time.
The Bells
Tim confirmed that the total amount raised to date is £9610, which takes us very close to the original requirement for £9870. Tim intends to continue to raise funds through the book sales and encouraged members of Session to look out books, CDs, etc. It is likely that we will need to install a crash net in the bell tower at a cost of some £1500 plus VAT. However the bells need new ropes and furthermore a small sum is needed to seal the 'Time Capsule' in the belfry. It is estimated that a total amount in the region of £2000 will be required to complete the work
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The Moderator thanked Tim for his continuing efforts to pay for the bell restoration.
PA System Training
Chris Collen intends to train more volunteers to use the sound system in church so that they can help out at funerals.
Magazine Collation
John Lawson confirmed that the magazine collation will take place tomorrow.
The Moderator reminded Session that the Rev Alistair Bennett, a previous Assistant at St Michael's, will be installed in the church on 31st March as a Queen's Chaplain and invited all who knew Alistair to attend.
Date of Next Meeting - Tuesday 12th April 2011
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