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1. Constitution
At Linlithgow and within the Kirk Hall of St Michael’s Parish Church, Linlithgow on Tuesday 15th November 2011 which date and place Kirk Session of St Michael’s Parish Church Linlithgow met and was constituted with a prayer.
2. Sederunt and Apologies for Absence
As detailed on the attached sheets.
3. Minutes of previous meeting (18th October)
The minute was agreed as accurate.
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Agreeing of any other business to form item 10
Eric Brown – Hand Bell Ringers
David Timperley – Eco Congregation Group
Donald Burgess – Christmas Shop
6. Team Reports
i. Fellowship Team – Margaret Johnston spoke to her report. The New Members lunch is taking place on Sunday 20th November after the 11.00am service. If Elders have not replied to their invitation they should do so this week for catering purposes.
If anyone requires a lift to the Church in an Elder’s District the Fellowship Team should be advised and they will endeavour to arrange transport. It would be useful if the Fellowship Team knew who all the existing drivers are and whom they take to the Church. This information should be passed to one of the Fellowship Team.
A copy of Marion Duncan’s report on the Guild visit was attached to the Team report.
ii. Worship Team – No report.
iii. Business Team – Peter Russell spoke to the Income and Expenditure figures that were distributed. The deficit is less than projected. The discussions on the contribution to the Ministries and Mission Fund are still ongoing but is likely to be around £165,000, which is an increase of 7% on last year which was a reduced payment. Ian Musgrave is currently developing a budget for 2012. The Business Team have been looking at charges for Weddings and the use of Cross House and the approximate increase in these charges will be 5%. There will be an increase in staff salaries of 2½%.
Property – the Church toilets have been unblocked and nappy and sanitary bins have been ordered for them. The lock on the door of the Lighthouse has been changed. The lock to Cross House from the Lighthouse will also be replaced. The annual property inspections are underway. The Manse roof has been fixed and the roof on Cross House will require work to be done on it in the coming years.
Thom Pollock has decided to stand down as Property Convenor after carrying out this role for 7 years. Peter commented on the huge time and effort he has put into this role. He will remain in post until the end of the year and has agreed to continue in an advisory role for Fabric.
Chris Collen mentioned the continuing dampness in the AV cupboard and that the de-humidifier didn’t seem to be working. This will be discussed at the next Property team meeting.
Ian Lambie informed Session that the first 2 pews have been removed to accommodate the concert in the Church on Saturday 19th November and will not be back for the services on Sunday 20th November.
iv. Education Team - No report. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 24th November at 7.30pm in Room 1.
v. Evangelism Team – No report. The next meeting is on Tuesday 6th December at 7.30pm in Room 4 and there will be an overall review of the team at this meeting.
vi. Pastoral Care - Sheila Rae spoke to her report. She pointed out that names for Home Communion should be given to Ruth Middleton and names for the Communion Elements Team should be given to Marion Duncan.
vii. Safeguarding – Anne Bennie provided a verbal report on the following:
Transport to the Church – We need to adhere to safeguarding guidelines when offering transport to the Church for people that have difficulty getting there. We need to openly invite anyone in the congregation to use this method of transport and no training will be needed or safeguarding procedures for the driver taking the person the Church if transport is on offer to all members. Kirk Session agreed to this course of action.
Safeguarding Training – this is taking place for those that have not had training on 9th January 2012 between 7.30pm and 9.00pm for Elders and between 7.00pm and 10.00pm for Volunteers. If you are both an Elder and a Volunteer you should attend the Volunteer training only. Wendy Archer will issue an
e-mail to all Elders giving them this information. If you are not on e-mail your name should be added to the list at the end of Kirk Session to sign up for the training.
Four people have been cleared through the safeguarding process – Bryan Woolsey, Neil Gordon, Lucy Pilcher and Alison Parkinson. Kirk Session agreed.
viii. Stewardship - No report.
ix. Finance Working Group – No report.
7. Presbytery
Derek Henderson spoke to his report. The Rev J Ross McLaren MBE, Chaplaincy Co-ordinator for West Lothian Schools and former member of the Presbytery addressed Presbytery on the changing face of religious observance in schools.
Presbytery’s Business and Nominations Committee has received approval to put forward the name of the Rev Thom Riddell for membership of the Church’s Central Services Committee.
8. Twinning
The signing of the Twinning agreement in May 2011 had to be cancelled due to Samuel Barhoum being unwell. Discussions are ongoing to arrange another date for this.
9. Session Clerk’s Report
The Elders’ Yearbook is currently being worked on by the Session Clerk and Jim Hogg and a list of Elders e-mail addresses will be left on the table at the end of the meeting for elders to check their address. The Duty Teams for 2012 will require to be changed from previous years as some Elders have stepped back from this role. The Clerk asked that elders pay particular attention to this page when the Yearbook is issued for any change in the team they are in.
The Duty Team for December 2011 is short of 2 Elders who have stepped back. If anyone is willing to help John Lawson’s team for one of the weeks in December please advise the Clerk.
Church Deep Clean – Elizabeth Leitch has volunteered to gather a team to deep the clean the Church on Monday 28th November, Tuesday 29th November and Wednesday 30th November. There will be a list left at the end of Session for volunteers to put their name down for morning or afternoon.
The Coordinating Team’s next meeting is on Tuesday 29th November at 7.30pm in Room 7.
Junior Church are holding a coffee morning on Saturday 19th November in the Kirk Hall at 10.00am
The Independent Examiner, Richard Baird, from the A9 Partnership requires to be reappointed on an annual basis. The Clerk proposed Mr Baird’s reappointment. Kirk Session Agreed
There have been 52 funerals at St Michael’s so far this year and the Session Clerk wanted to commend the Ministry team for their work with all the families.
Presbytery Pulpit Exchange – On Sunday 20th November Rev Murdo Macdonald from Bathgate High Parish Church is preaching at St Michael’s, Rev John Paton is preaching at Livingston Old Parish Church and Rev Thom Riddell is preaching at Fauldhouse St Andrews Parish Church.
10. Any other items agreed at item 5
Hand Bell Ringers – Eric Brown advised Session that he has had a request from the Scottish Regional Treasurer and Trustee of the Hand Bell Ringers of Great Britain who has had a request from a group of approx 150 Japanese hand bell ringers and Directors to give a performance in or around Edinburgh on the evening of Tuesday 7th August 2012. This would be a charity event and a collection would be given to a local community group or charity of our choice. Eric asked members of Session if they would be willing to progress this request. The general feeling was that this should be looked into as a possibility and be passed to David Eaglesham, Events Coordinator, to progress.
Eco Congregation Group – David Timperley reminded Session that the Eco Group consists of just himself, William Ross and Fiona Duke. Our Eco Congregation Award status requires to be reassessed in March 2012. One of the targets for the group would be to reduce the Church’s carbon footprint. The Group has an interest in the rewiring of the church as that could lead to a significant reduction as it is recognised that the existing lighting is not efficient. As the plans for the rewiring are drawn up it was recognised that the Finance Team and the Eco Group will have to work closely together.
The previous report that Rory Cameron completed on the church’s carbon footprint would be of interest to the Eco Group. Rory undertook to liaise with the Group.
Christmas Shop – Donald Burgess reminded elders that the annual Christmas Shop in the Lighthouse raises funds for Tear Fund and Fair Trade.
11. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 20th December 2011 which will be a further conference session led by Rob Rawson of the Mission and Discipleship Council. Coffee, tea and mince pies will be served.
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