1 Constitution
At Linlithgow and within the Kirk Hall of St Michael's Parish Church on Tuesday 19th October 2010, which date and place Kirk Session of St Michael's Parish Church Linlithgow met and was constituted with prayer and a reading from Scripture - Romans 12: 1 & 2.
The Moderator welcomed Margot Robertson, Stewardship Consultant, Church of Scotland Stewardship and Finance to the meeting.
The Moderator also proposed the collections at the quarterly Communion on 31 October 2010 be given to OMF UK and on Remembrance Sunday, 14 November 2010, it be given to Linburn & Combat Stress. Kirk Session agreed.
2 Sederunt and Apologies
As detailed on the attached sheets.
3 Minutes of previous meeting (21 September 2010)
The minute of the meeting of 21 September 2010 was agreed.
4 Matters arising
The only matter arising is the Stewardship Campaign, which forms, agenda item 5.
5 Stewardship Discussion, facilitated by Margot Robertson
Anne Law introduced Margot who is a Stewardship Consultant from Church of Scotland, 121 George Street. She is responsible for providing assistance to a group of Presbyteries and provides support for churches developing Stewardship campaigns. She is also the Session Clerk for St Andrew Blackadder in North Berwick.
Margot informed Session that she is one of five consultants across Scotland. She recommends using the toolkit Gifts for God for the Stewardship campaign. Stewardship is not merely balancing parish budgets but sharing gifts, time, skills, expertise and enthusiasm. Margot was able to provide feedback for four different congregations that she accompanied this year, all of whom had run successful campaigns.
Margot recommends Gifts for God as it is a celebration of a local parish and it enables and equips members throughout a Stewardship campaign.
The first decision to be made is what do we hope to achieve? The Stewardship campaign needs to have all its aims and expected outcomes recorded. The current situation needs to be reviewed, plans made for the future and strategies to achieve. Margot will partner St Michael's through the process and will attend up to 7 meetings to help and give advice.
Questions for discussion were handed out to discussion groups in Session as follows:
1. What are our objectives?
2. What sort of event would we run and what literature would we produce?
3. Who should be involved in visiting our members? ?
4. When would we run an event?
Discussion ensued and feedback taken.
The Moderator thanked Margot for her enthusiasm and leading of the discussion. A Steering Group will be put into place with a Convenor. There are eight main roles defined within a Stewardship campaign with three or four people in each of the teams. Volunteer names should be passed to Anne Law.
6 Agreeing of any other business to form item 10
There was no other business.
7 Team Reports
7.1 Fellowship Team - No report. Alison Millar reminded everyone about the celebratory lunch on 31 October and names should be passed to the office by Sunday 24 October. Also a reminder about the Welcome Lunch for new members on 21 November. Elders visiting should encourage new members to come along. Replies on who is attending should be passed to the office.
7.2 Worship Team - No report.
7.3 Business Team - third quarter figures report was issued.
Tim Brown advised the current total for the Bells Appeal is £5671.
7.4 Education Team - No report.
7.5 Evangelism Team - No report.
7.6 Pastoral Care - Sheila Rae spoke to her first report since taking over the role of Team Leader. The team meets four times a year and usually precedes the Church Visitors Group. Training requests for the coming year were received from evaluation forms of the Church Visitors Group and this includes deaf issues and learning disability.
The November Session will focus on a larger discussion around Pastoral Care within St Michael's
8 Report from Presbytery
No report
9 Session Clerk's Report
No new members. Enquirers' classes have started and we hope to welcome between six and eight new members on 21 November.
31/10/10 - Presentation of long service certificates will be issued for almost 30 Elders for more than 30 years service as an Elder. We have at least two Elders that have served over 50 years.
Gordon Young is taking the Kirk Session photo and the Session Clerk realises that the date clashes with a Rotary event that same weekend. The main photo will be taken on the 31 October and a photo will be taken on 7 November for those that are not available on the first date. Unfortunately if you cannot make either date you won't be able to be in the photo on this occasion.
At 9.30am there is a all age Communion service - can names and telephone numbers of non-Elders, who might be approached to serve the elements, be passed to Anne Law.
Preparation of elements - help is still needed. The name of any elder or their spouse who is interested in helping should be passed to Anne, as another ten people are needed for the team.
10 Any other items as agreed at item 6
There were no items.
11 Date of next meeting
Tuesday 16 November 2010
There being no further business Kirk Session closed with the saying together of the Grace.
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