1 Constitution
At Linlithgow and within the Kirk Hall of St Michael’s Parish Church on Tuesday 20 September 2011, which date and place Kirk Session of St Michael’s Parish Church Linlithgow met and was constituted with Communion and prayer.
The Moderator led the tribute to Doreen Timperley who died on 6 September 2011 and who had been an Elder in St Michael’s Parish Church and also to Fred Smith the retired bell ringer for with over 55 years service who died on 10 September 2011. The Moderator asked Kirk Session to be mindful for all the families grieving at this time.
2 Sederunt and Apologies
As detailed on the attached sheets.
3 Minutes of previous meetings (17th May 2011 & 12th June 2011)
The minute of both meetings were agreed. Alison Murray proposed them and Fiona Duke seconded them.
4 Matters arising
There were no matters arising from either minute.
5 Agreeing of any other business to form item 10
Bob Ross – E-mail alerts.
Ian Lambie – Moving pews.
Rev John Paton – Intimation of afternoon service on Sunday 25th September 2011.
Margaret Henderson – Cleaning of the Church and Cross House.
6 Team Reports
i. Fellowship Team – Alison Millar spoke to her report. She wanted to highlight a couple of points on Welcome Packs for new members and Christmas gifts. When new members have been approved at Kirk Session, the names and addresses should be passed to George Strachan who will provide the relevant District Elder with the packs to be delivered more timeously.
The team have decided to invite District Elders to nominate possible recipients of Christmas gifts in confidence to Ron Mackay. The principal criteria is that the recipient is housebound but other situations would be taken into account.
The Moderator thanked Alison for all her hard work over the past 7 years since taking on the role of Team Leader of the Fellowship Team since its inception. Margaret Johnston and Siobhan Herd have now taken over the role.
ii. Worship Team – There was no written report. Marshall Green gave an analysis of the results of the survey carried out on the projection equipment used in the Church services. The results were discussed and commented on. The Worship Team will give their recommendations to Kirk Session in October and the congregation will also receive feedback from the survey.
iii. Business Team – There was no written report. Ian Lambie spoke on behalf of the new Business Team Leader, Peter Russell, who is on holiday. He spoke to the Income and Expenditure figures up to the end of August 2011 that had been issued. The Stewardship campaign, in Finance team terms, has generated 36 new standing orders, 41 new gift aid forms have been signed and 83 increases in existing standing orders are in course. It’s too early at this stage to put this into monetary terms however.
The Fabric Maintenance costs are up a little due to four serious items of expenditure since the last Kirk Session in May 2011. The Church vestry flooded and has dampness, the AV cupboard in the Kirk Hall had dampness, the Crown of Thorns on the Church tower needed repaired due to damage caused by wind and the roof of Rev John Paton’s flat was leaking.
During the summer two legacies were received for £2000 each, one to include gift aid.
An anonymous donation of £10,000 has been received for the re-wiring of the Church.
An anonymous donation of £1200 was received for the purchase of the Ministers’ new ear microphones.
iv. Education Team – No report.
v. Evangelism Team – No report.
vi. Pastoral Care Team – Sheila Rae spoke to her report. As a result of the Stewardship campaign eight members indicated on their commitment cards that they would be interested in becoming involved of the work of the Pastoral Care Team. Four candidates have been interviewed last week, who were very experienced and are now on board. Three will be interviewed this week and another one has still to be arranged.
40 members indicated on their commitment cards that they wish to be visited in addition to their Elder’s visit. Before a Church Visitor is assigned the District Elder will be informed.
Sheila highlighted the Deaf Issues Training which will be held on Saturday 8th October 2011. This is very interactive training day and if elders are interested they can add their names to the list at the end of the meeting.
It is the team’s intention to include a Bereavement Support Group as part of their remit. If you know of anyone in your District that would like this support please pass the names to the Pastoral Care Team.
vii. Safeguarding – Anne Bennie asked Kirk Session to keep Safeguarding in their minds at all times. During the summer a new policy statement has been produced and there are now eight copies on notice boards throughout Cross House - please read it but do remove it.
It is important that everyone is aware of the Complaints Procedure.
There has been new information for Conditions of Let, which has been passed to the Business Team.
There have been nine people who have completed the recruitment/safeguarding process, namely, Carla Bright, Hazel McKellar, Alison Veitch, David Stewart, Marshall Green, Lynne McIntosh, Alison Pandian, Sarah Little and Margaret Leitch. Kirk Session approved of their recruitment.
viii. Stewardship – Stephen Blake spoke to his report. As a result of his report and John Reid’s presentation elders can assimilate the level of responses. Stephen was grateful to the number of people that did respond so generously. The responses received are being discussed and will be taken forward with the Clerk and the Ministry Team. A meeting was held last week with the District Team Leaders regarding the delivery of Pastoral Care. Stewardship will remain on Kirk Session agenda throughout this year. Stephen thanked John Reid and the team for all their hard work in collating all the responses and all the information received.
Time/Talent Reviews – 192 offers have been received. Each District Elder will be notified about who completed commitment cards within their district.
ix. Finance Working Group – Ian Lambie reported that there has been one meeting of this group. Andy Peters is now responsible for the monitoring of the heating of the Church and Cross House. A list of items for consideration has been drawn up and some tasks have been allocated.
7 Report from Presbytery
Derek Henderson spoke to his report. It is with sadness he informed Kirk Session of the passing of Rev Tom Preston, minister at Breich Valley, and Mr Ian Lamont, an Elder at Whitburn Brucefield.
There is a vacancy at Uphall South as Rev Margaret Steele is moving to the charge of Ashkirk linked with Selkirk in the near future.
Our Moderator has now been appointed to the post of Vice-Convenor of the Stewardship and Finance Committee of Presbytery.
Derek Henderson has been appointed as one of five Assessor Elders to serve on the Kirk Session of Whitburn Brucefield with effect from 1st October 2011.
In accordance with the instruction of the General Assembly and starting in 2012 every congregation is expected to take some action on stewardship every year, with a focus on finance at least every third year.
8 Twinning
The Moderator advised that the Church of Scotland’s first conference on Twinning is taking place on 1st October 2011 and the Moderator, Fiona Duke and Elma Birrell will be attending.
Contact with Samuel Barhoum has been on a general basis and no plans have been made, as yet, to pick up from the arrangements proposed for May 2011 to sign the agreement.
9 Session Clerk’s Report
a. New Members
There are eight new members to admit by Certificate of Transfer:
Mr David & Mrs Heather McIntosh –Maddiston – Postal
Mr Jamie & Miss Catherine McIntosh – Polmont – Postal
Mr Alan McAlister –Linlithgow – District 24
Mr Alexander & Mrs Lindsey Manson –Linlithgow – District 47
Mr Garry Clark –Linlithgow – District 79
There are two new members to admit by resolution who are currently on our roll as adherents:
Mr Lawrence & Mrs Mukami McCrum, Linlithgow – District 3
Rev John Paton gave some background to the new members above.
Kirk Session approved.
b. Correspondence
No correspondence has been received.
There is a new Team Leader of the Business Team, Peter Russell. The Clerk thanked Tom Chadwick for his 7 years of hard work on the team and the way he had kept the team on track and focussed.
There are also two new Team Leaders of the Fellowship Team, Margaret Johnston and Siobhan Herd. The Clerk thanked Alison Millar for the additional 2 years that she had served after she had made known her intention to step down.
Stephen Marshall has had to step back from his Team Leader role on the Evangelism Team. His job is now UK wide and he cannot devote the time to the Team Leader role. If there are any volunteers for this role please contact the Session Clerk.
Robin Barr-Hamilton has decided to step back from his role on the Eco Group. The commitment cards of two volunteers from the Stewardship campaign are currently being considered by William Ross.
Please keep your colleagues in your prayers, especially those Elders that have had illness and death in their families.
The Clerk remarked that recently in the Scotsman newspaper under the Court Circular it had been mentioned that our own Moderator, Rev Dr Stewart Gillan, preached the sermon at Crathie Parish Church on 11th September 2011. Also on the 18th September 2011 Dr Robin Hill preached – Robin having been once a locum at St Michael’s.
All of the Districts now have their own elder for visiting purposes. Alan Miller, Bill Hourston and Margaret Pilcher have taken on Districts. Alan Miller has taken over the role of Team Leader of the coordinating team.
The Bells appeal has now closed after a donation was received from the Friends of St Michael’s. The Clerk thanked Tim Brown for all his hard work in raising the money for the Bells appeal.
The Kirkgate Lecture is taking place on Wednesday 26th October 2011 in the Burgh Halls. The speaker is Professor Susan Deacon who was the first Minister for Health in the Scottish Parliament. A retiring collection will be taken to offset costs although an anonymous donation has been received to stage the event.
The Moderator and Session Clerk met with the District Team Leaders although three of the teams, 3,8 and 9, have no Team Leader. If anyone within these teams would like to undertake the leader role please contact the Clerk. The Clerk will put together a list of speakers and topics that have been used by District Teams at their meetings. If any other of the District Team Leaders has a list of topics please pass them to the Clerk.
Newer Elders have requested a rehearsal for Communion. \there will therefore be a rehearsal in the Church on Saturday 29th October with the Clerks to run through the arrangements. Anyone is welcome to attend.
At the last Communion service there was a shortage of six Elders. Elders were requested to check the list in the yearbook and note the dates when they will be undertaking Communion duty. If you cannot make the date please make arrangements for a replacement.
Copies of the slides and flipchart notes from the Kirk Session Conference had been sent out. The Clerk gave a resume of the day and the topics discussed.
On Sunday 25th September 2011 at the Michaelmas service, Rev Ian Paterson will be preaching at both services. Lunch will be available in the Kirk Hall following the Friends of St Michael’s AGM.
10 Any other items as agreed at item 5
E-mail alerts – Bob Peters advised Session that as a result of the Stewardship campaign 500 e-mail addresses were provided on the commitment cards. To improve communication e-mail alerts will be issued with snippets from Kirk Session, upcoming events, warning of any heating problems, bad weather and if the path is clear to the Church etc.
There will be no conflict with Crosswind and the alerts could promote it.
There will be an un-subscribe option on the alerts.
All alerts issued will not show all the other e-mail addresses used.
Moving Pews – Ian Lambie advised that the pews in the south aisle of the Church require to be moved back into place having been moved out to accommodate the Stewardship presentations. They will be moved on Friday 23rd September and a few volunteers would be helpful. Times can be arranged to suit, please see Ian at the end of the meeting.
Afternoon Service – Rev John Paton advised that the first of the afternoon services starts Sunday 25th September at 3.00pm in the Kirk Hall.
Cleaning of the Church and Cross House - Margaret Henderson advised that in previous years the Church and Cross House had a deep clean once or twice a year. She would like to have this re-started as people have raised concerns to her. Margaret advised that the Cleaners do a good job but do not have the time to clean carpets, wash the Kirk Hall floor, etc due to Cross House being in constant use. The clean could take place during the summer holidays. This will be passed to the Fabric Team to progress.
One of the staff from Bethany Trust is doing a Castle to Castle Run on Saturday 24th September 2011 and will be using Cross House as a “pit stop”. All are welcome to come to Cross House to cheer him on.
11 Date of next meeting – Tuesday 18th October 2011
There being no further business Kirk Session closed with the saying of the Grace.
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