The meeting was opened with a reading from Micah, ch.6 v.8 and prayer led by the Interim Moderator, Rev Christine Fulcher

Sederunt:  Rev Christine Fulcher, Interim Moderator; Mr David Logue, Session clerk; Mrs Louise Logue, treasurer; Mrs  Libby MacDonald; Mrs Catherine Paterson.

Attending:   Mrs Catherine MacLennan

Apologies received from Mrs Norma Kelly, Ms Ealasaid Mackay

The minutes of meeting of the 23^rd October 2019 were approved.   Proposed by Mrs Logue and seconded by Mrs MacDonald

Matters arising from the above minutes:

Audio visual equipment.    The equipment has been installed but has yet to be fully set up effectively.   Mrs Logue to seek advice on rectifying a problem with the laptop to screen connection.

Extension.   Mr Logue and Mr Russell Anderson had visited two architects and were visiting a third on the 19^th November.   These visits are to discuss the services offered and the experience and initial proposals prior to appointing one as the architect for the project.

It was unanimously agreed that travel expenses could be claimed for travel in relation to these visits.

Blythswood Shoebox appeal.   A total of 14 boxes had been delivered from North Knapdale to the Blythswood appeal.

Worship and Mission:

Pastoral Care team:   Mrs Paterson reported that 8 people, all female, had agreed to take part in this.   She is preparing training material to commence in January, 2020, and will also invite relevant speakers as part of the training events.

Messy Church:   The Messy church party is organised for the 3^rd December in Kilmartin Church

Alpha/ Alpha next.   Mrs Logue reported that it was intended that a new Alpha course will be advertised and run from January, 2020.

Refugio.   Mrs Logue and Mrs MacLennan reported that they had attended Refugio, (Christian Meditation), events in Greyfriars Church during the Heartedge Conference and found them helpful and uplifting.    Following encouraging conversations at the “Second Sunday Supper” they intend to introduce this type of meditation to North Knapdale.   In preparation for this, a training event led by the practitioners from Greyfriars will be arranged for January 2020 in the parish.   This will cover two four hour sessions on the 29^th and 30^th January 2019.   Details would be circulated to neighbouring congregations with an invitation to attend.

Second Sunday Supper/Cafe Church.   The second Sunday supper in Achnamara Hall in November was held as a Quiz Night using the Tearfund Materials.    This was a successful evening raising £409 for Tearfund and 41 people attended.    There will be no Second Sunday Supper in December and this will recommence in January 2020.

Cafe Church will be in Achnamara hall on the 29^th December at 4.30pm.    This will have Christmas and New Year themes

Mission Development Plan.   There was a meeting of representatives from the five mid Argyll parishes to discuss the Mission Development Plan on the 5^th November 2019.   One representative attended from each parish with Mr Logue attending from North Knapdale.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and agree the basis of a Job description for the Mission Development worker proposed for the area.

Prior to discussion on this the representative for Glassary Kilmartin and Ford notified the meeting that they had lodged an appeal to the Moderator of Presbytery against the decision that they could not call a minister to their Parish linked with North Knapdale.   The reason and impact of this was discussed and Mr Logue pointed out that this was a decision by Glassary Kilmartin and Ford and that the congregation of North Knapdale wished to proceed with the Mission plan bringing the five parishes together.

Rev Carruthers also raised some concern that the number of MDS posts available may be limited to 5.67 full time posts and so we may be unable to appoint to this.   He would however seek clarification of this.

Following discussion it was agreed that Rev. Carruthers would inform the Presbytery Planning convenor that Mid Argyll were progressing the Mission Plan and that, pending clarification of the number of the MDS posts and the outcome of the appeal by Glassary Kilmartin and Ford, it was agreed that the parishes would combine with some form of “Team ministry” structure with three full time posts, one, or more likely two, of which would be Ordained Minister posts certainly in the immediate future. The third post would primarily be focussed on “outreach” into the communities.  The next meeting of this group will be on the 2^nd December 2019 at 10.30am in Lochgilphead Parish Church hall.

Remembrance service.    This had taken place at Barnluasgan memorial with 21 people attending.   Mr Logue suggested that in future years there could be more advertisement of this event.

 Winter Gathering.     This will be on the 7^th December with craft stalls and with soup and sandwich lunch from 11.30am to 2.00pm in Achnamara Hall.   It is noted that the times given have changed since the entry in the previous Session Minutes.   There will be no Cafe Connect on that date.

 Service plan.   Mr Logue circulated an updated service plan from    December 2019 to April 2020.  It was noted that Rev Fulcher was leading worship on three Sundays over that period and that on February 16^th 2020 she would lead a Communion service.

Reports:

Interim Moderator:   Rev Fulcher reported that she was very pleased to be taking up the role of Interim Moderator for ourselves and Glassary Kilmartin and Ford.    She is currently also providing support as Interim Moderator to Skipness, Tarbert and Kilberry, and to Islay and Jura.

Session Clerk:   Mr Logue reported that he would be away from church for the following four Sundays. 

Presbytery – no report as there had not been a meeting.

Stewardship –  no report 

Safeguarding  – no report

Notifiable events No Notifiable events have occurred.

Treasurer and Finance Committee:   Mrs Logue raised a query over the rules on the payment of Pulpit Supply within a linked parish when either one or both parishes were covered by the person leading worship.   Following discussion it was agreed that Rev Fulcher would seek advice on the rules and notify Mrs Logue.

Health and Safety:   The session Clerk was asked to notify the Property Convenor that it was required that the Health and Safety audit and risk assessments for the two church building be completed by the end of December 2019.

Fabric;  No issues reported. 

Correspondence:

Prayer Breakfast:   Notification had been received of the Presbytery Prayer breakfast on the 3^rd December in the Stag Hotel, Lochgilphead at 7.30am.

Culture of invitation Roadshow:   This notification had only just been received by the Session Clerk through the “Mission News”  e-mails.    In view of the short notice no-one could attend from Session but it was hoped that it would be possible to attend any future events.

Date of next meeting   The next meeting will be on the 8^th January 2020 at 7.30pm in Tayvallich Church.

The meeting was closed by praying “The Grace” together.

Opening Prayer and Worship;

The meeting was opened in prayer by the Interim moderator

Sederunt:  Mrs Alison Hay, Interim Moderator, Mr David Logue, Session Clerk, Mrs Libby MacDonald, Mrs Norma Kelly, Mrs Louise Logue, treasurer.

In attendance:  Mrs Catherine MacLennan

Apologies: Mr Russell Anderson, Mrs Catherine Paterson, Ms Ealasaid MacKay

Minutes of meetings of the 19^th September 2019:   The minutes had been previously circulated.   An addendum noting information taken by Mrs Kelly at the Presbytery Conference was circulated and read by those present.

The minutes and addendum were approved:    proposed by Mrs Kelly, and seconded by Mrs MacDonald.

Matters arising from the above minutes:

Audio visual equipment:   Mr Logue reported that the proposed site of the screen as discussed at the previous meeting had been approved by Mr Turner of CARTA.   Mrs Logue reported that cost of the screen, laptop, cables and installation would be in the order of £2,500.

The meeting approved this and asked that Mrs Logue proceed with ordering the equipment and organising the installation

Extension:  Mr Logue reported that the third architect approached to consider taking on the design and build of the extension had declined to proceed.   Mr Logue was asked by the session to proceed with the two architectural companies who had responded.

Heartedge Conference:   Mr Logue, Mrs Logue and Mrs Maclennan who had attended the conference reported back to the session on their experience and learning from the conference.    All three reported that this had been a very worthwhile and encouraging event which has given them inspiration for actions for the church in the future.

Life explored:   Two DVD presentations, 20 handbooks and 6 leaders books have been received.  The Alpha next group are currently looking at the course which is proving to be interesting and challenging and they suggest it would be useful for a group from the congregation to undertake this.     Mrs Kelly will look at the material over the next few months with a view to inviting a group together in the spring. 

Worship and Mission:

Elders:    Mr Logue reported that he had approached all those who had been suggested by session members as potential new elders.    Mrs Maclennan had responded enthusiastically and would like to be considered.   The others took the view that this would not be suitable for them at the moment.

Mrs Hay suggested that suitable training for Mrs MacLennan be considered at the next meeting.

Pastoral Care team:     Mr Logue reported that this was being taken forward by Mrs Paterson.

Messy Church:     Mrs Logue reported that Mrs C Smith has organised a planning meeting  for the 31^st October and that it is intended to have a Christmas Party on the 3^rd December at Kilmartin Church. Mrs Smith is also happy to attend session to report on Messy Church matters.

Alpha/ Alpha next:    As discussed at 5.5 the Alpha Next group are looking through the “Life Explored” series

Second Sunday Supper/Cafe Church:   Mr Logue reported that the Second Sunday Supper on the 13^th October was very successful with 26 guests.   The next date is the 10^th November which will be a Quiz Night with donations towards the work of Tearfund.

Mr Logue suggested that the Cafe Church at Achnamara on the 29^th December be a Carol service, possibly outside and at 4.00pm, if the weather was suitable.

Mission Development Plan:    Mr Logue reported on the previous meeting on the Mid Argyll Mission Plan and read from the note circulated on the meeting by Rev David Carruthers. Mr Logue will attend the next meeting on 5 November.

Remembrance service:   The wreath laying service will be at 9.15am at Barnluasgan War memorial.   Mr Logue reported that the piper was booked and that four people had been invited and agreed to lay the wreaths for each of the armed services and the Merchant Navy.

Community Gathering:    Mrs Logue reported that this was being organised by Dr Chrystine Livingston as an alternative to the Christmas Craft Fair.   It will be held on Saturday the 7^th December from 11.00am to 3.00pm in Achnamara Hall.  

Blytheswood Shoe Box appeal.  Mrs Kelly had sent for the leaflets and suggested she do this in subsequent years. The Shoe boxes are to be collected from Lochgilphead on the 7^th November.   In view of this Mr Logue intimated that the “Shoe Box Service” will be on the 3^rd November in Tayvallich Church.

Reports:

Interim Moderator :    Mrs Hay reported that she was busy with Interim Moderator duties in several Parishes, and she was guiding each one through the Presbytery Mission Plan’

Presbytery:   Mrs Kelly reported that she is busy with duties relating to her membership of the Mission and Development Committee.

Stewardship :  nothing to report 

Safeguarding : nothing to report

Notifiable events: nothing to report 

Treasurer and Finance Committee:   Mrs Logue presented the accounts for the nine month period in the financial year.   Following discussion the Interim Moderator asked that this be included in the minute as an addendum.

Health and Safety:   The Session expressed concern that there had been no progress on the Health and Safety Checklists and risk assessments.   Mrs Hay asked that this be progressed urgently with the minimum of delay

Fabric :  No report 

Correspondence:

Zero Waste Scotland – Workshop 25.10.19:

Information on this event had been circulated on the Church website and on notice boards.

Presbytery Clerk:   Notification has been received on – 

 “On line training for Moderating Kirk Session Meetings” commencing on the 1^st November 2019.

“Godly Play Making Materials Day” on the 2^nd November 2019 at Rothesay Trinity Church. This information was forwarded to Mrs Smith in relation to Messy Church.

“Well equipped Spaces in the right Places” survey.    Mrs Logue reported she had taken part in the webinar on this and has completed the survey.

Scottish and Southern Energy:    Notice has been received that SSE will be fitting “Smart meters” in Bellanoch and Tayvallich Churches on the 19^th December 2019.

A note on the Mid Argyll Mission Development meeting of the 1^st October was received by e-mail from Rev David Carruthers.  This was discussed under item 6.6

Date of next meeting:    The next meeting will be on Monday the 18^th November at 7.30pm in Tayvallich Church.

Close with prayer:   The meeting was closed with all praying the Grace together.