1 Constitution
At Linlithgow and within the Kirk Hall of St Michael's Parish Church on Tuesday 17th May 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 - Isaiah 40.
The Moderator advised Kirk Session that there were low numbers in attendance due to a number of Elders preparing their display boards in the Church for Stewardship and also a number of Elders visiting for Christian Aid week.
2 Sederunt and Apologies
As detailed on the attached sheets.
3 Minutes of previous meeting (12th April 2011)
The minute was agreed subject to the following amendments:
The wording on item 7 ii. Worship Team should be: Initial results are a minimum of 64% agreed to the six different ways which we use the screen and projector.
4 Matters arising
The Moderator referred to the previous minute on the revival of the St Michael's lecture. A sponsor has been secured and sent an anonymous donation of £1000. The Lecture Steering Group will include the Moderator, Peter Russell, Anne Law and Alison Murray, any other volunteers are welcome.
The Moderator advised Kirk Session that the cheque received for £500 from The DC Moncrieff Charitable Trust was intended for the Friends of St Michael's. The cheque has been passed onto them.
5 Agreeing of any other business to form item 11
Bob Ross - Collation of Crosswind.
6 Team Reports
i. Fellowship Team - There was no written report. Alison Millar advised that throughout April the team had encouraged any new Adherents to make themselves known and add their names to the list of Adherents. Three people have contacted them to be put on the database to receive Crosswind and all other information.
ii. Worship Team - The report was issued with updates on the team's priorities for 2011-12. In point 2 of the report, Afternoon Services, it was recommended that, following on from the successful experimental period, the afternoon service be held in the Kirk Hall, with the addition of one in June. Other than July, August and December, an afternoon service would be held in the Church Hall on the last Sunday of the month, when there is no Communion service. When the afternoon service is held there would not be an evening service on the same day. Kirk Session agreed.
iii. Business Team - There was no team report. The income and expenditure figures up to April 2011 have been issued. Tom Chadwick advised an increase in income and a reduction in expenditure to date. However, the remainder of the year may balance this out.
iv. Education Team - Gordon Young spoke to his report. It contained the reports on the remaining visits to the youth organisations Quest and Boys' Brigade.
v. Evangelism Team - No report.
vi. Pastoral Care Team - No report.
vii. Safeguarding - No report.
viii. Stewardship -Stephen Blake spoke to his report. The figures that are attending the events are Thursday, 172 of which 23 are children. Friday, 196 of which 38 are children and Saturday, 174 of which 23 are children. This makes a total of 542 of which 84 are children. All commitment cards and letters have been received from the printers and there are two special cards for children and young people.
Ruth Middleton asked if information/feedback from the visiting process would be collated and issued as this would prove very useful for future visiting roles. Stephen advised the Follow-Up Team should be collating all this type of information.
Donald Burgess asked what the process is for issuing commitment cards. Stephen advised the cards would be given out in the Kirk Hall by a Visitor host and will be by Visitor districts and not Elder districts. It will be up to the individual to return them. There will be follow-ups to those that don't attend the events. The Moderator's prayer is that the Spirit will go ahead of us.
7 Report from Presbytery
There was no written report. Jim Michie gave a report to Session from the meeting held on Tuesday 3 May.
Ian Musgrave has agreed to assist with the attestation of the accounts of some congregations.
A Stewardship conference is being held on Monday 22 August, final details have still be confirmed.
A part-time chaplaincy position for 8 hours a week is being advertised for Shotts Prison.
8 Twinning
The Moderator advised Samuel and Susan Barhoum were happy with the changes suggested by Kirk Session.
The Twinning Agreement will be signed by both the inducted Minister and Clerk to the Kirk Session. Samuel Barhoum can sign the agreement himself.
The other change is the wording on the bottom of the second page, "Signed on 22 May 2011 in the presence of the congregation of St Michael's Parish Church, Linlithgow.
Samuel will bring two copies of the agreement translated into Arabic. One of each language will be signed at the 9.30am service and again at the 11.00am service.
9 Session Clerk's Report
- New Members
There are no new members this month.
- Correspondence
The Session Clerk apologised for not sending out the discussed changes at last month's Kirk Session to the Twinning Agreement. The proposed changes were sent to Samuel Barhoum in Raineh who had replied to say he was happy with them, but due to technical difficulties this had not been received.
An e-mail has been received from Margaret Pilcher to say she is stepping down as the Girls' Brigade Captain from 30th June 2011. On the 15th May at the 9.30am service Helene Bailey was commissioned as a Girls' Brigade Officer. Katrina Morrice will be the new contact for GB. The Clerk will write to Margaret to thank her for all her hard work and contribution the Girls' Brigade during her time as Captain.
The Moderator will also thank Margaret at the Girls' Brigade Parent's Evening on Wednesday 18th May in the Church.
The Clerk reported that the Boys' Brigade display on Friday 13th May at Linlithgow Academy had been a great success. The report on the visit in the Education Team's report this month shows they have 90 boys and young men in their sections. The Clerk will write to Ken McKenzie to thank him and his officers and helpers for all their good work.
Tom Brown mentioned that there are places for younger boys in the anchor boys' section.
The Clerk reminded Session about the "Roll away the Stone" event taking place in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, on Sunday 22nd May. There will be many activities during the afternoon.
The Kirk Session annual conference will be held on Saturday 27th August. The Moderator and Session Clerk are meeting with Pauline Steenbergen who is a Leadership Worker in the Mission and Discipleship Council to discuss ideas for the day.
10 Any other items as agreed at item 5
Crosswind Collation - Bob Ross advised Kirk Session that the next collation of Crosswind will take place on Wednesday 1st June at 9.30am in the Kirk Hall. All volunteers are welcome.
11 Date of next meeting - Kirk Session Conference, Saturday 27th August.
Next regular meeting Tuesday 20th September 2011
There being no further business Kirk Session closed with the saying together of the Grace.
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