Kirk session minutes 10 July 2019

  1. The meeting was opened by the Interim Moderator with prayer.
  2. Sederunt:   Mrs Alison Hay, Interim Moderator; Mr David Logue, Session Clerk and Safeguarding co-ordinator ; Mrs Libby MacDonald; Mrs Norma Kelly, Presbytery Elder and Stewardship Co-ordinator,  Mrs Catherine Paterson, Stewardship Co-ordinator; Mrs Louise Logue, Treasurer.
  3. Apologies were received from Mr Russell Anderson, Property Convenor and Health and Safety Co-ordinator.
  4. Minutes of meetings of the 29th May 2019.                                                   The minutes of the meeting of the 29th May had been previously circulated.   They were approved. Proposed by Mrs Norma Kelly and seconded by Mrs Catherine Paterson.
  5. Matters arising from the above minutes:
    1. Audio visual equipment.     It was agreed that the installation of Audio visual equipment be progressed without delay.
    2. Extension.   There was no further information from the Planning Department concerning the Preplanning application which had been submitted.
  6. Worship and Mission:
    1. Messy Church: The session is now complete and will plan to recommence in the Autumn term.   The final meeting was a picnic at Kilmartin Green.    Mrs Logue who is the main organiser of Messy Church intimated she will stand down as organiser now.
    2. Alpha/ Alpha Next:   No current plans to commence a new Alpha Group.    Alpha Next continues to meet weekly with a short break in July and August.   Mrs Kelly has looked into the training resource “Life Explored” as a possible initiative to start.  Mr Logue was asked to review this on line and if suitable purchase this material for future use.
    3. Second Sunday Supper:   two suppers had been run with the organisation and catering carried out by the Alpha Next group.   The evening had been well received.   The third event will be on the 14th July with some members of the community assisting with catering.  16 to 18 people are attending from both church and local community. 
    4. Cafe Church: 24 people had attended this first “Cafe Church” at Achnamara Hall on the fifth Sunday of the month.    Mr Logue pointed out that this was an experimental format and should not be taken as the only way to do “Cafe Church”.   Some people with hearing difficulties had found the discussion difficult due to the sound from other tables.    It was noted that the discussion was limited in some groups due to the level of biblical knowledge, although this may also be an encouragement for some to read the bible more.It was suggested that a “facilitator” with an understanding of the passage under discussion should be allocated to each table group to help discussion.  One child was present and it was suggested that more focus could be on communication with children. The “Songs of Praise” element of singing people’s chosen hymns was popular.It was also noted that a number of visitors from outwith the parish attended and that some from the local community who did not attend Sunday worship services also came and enjoyed the event. It was agreed that the next “Cafe Church” in September will be led by the Local Worship Leaders.     
    5. Service calendar:   the current list of those who are leading Sunday worship was circulated for information.    It was agreed that North Knapdale would join with Glassary, Kilmartin and Ford Parish for a service on the 13th October in Kilmartin Church to celebrate one year in their new building. Chris Whiteley, a minister in the Baptist church has offered to lead worship on the 8th September 2019 at Bellanoch.   Mrs Kelly will also ask him to lead other meetings, for example, for bible study or prayer  while he is here.    
    6. Mission Development Plan. Four meetings with the congregation have now taken place with a variety of views, suggestions and ideas.  The Session Clerk has written these up and circulated them at Sunday worship and on the website. A summary sheet setting out the main conclusions so far has also been collated and circulated.    A further meeting of North Knapdale congregation will take place on the 21st July after worship, and the session clerk is asked to approach the other Mid Argyll congregations to set a date for a joint meeting. 
    7. Coffee Morning It was noted that the organisation of the Coffee morning is progressing with Dr Chrystine Livingston taking the lead.   Mrs Logue circulated a leaflet showing church activities throughout the year and this was approved as a handout at the Coffee Morning .  
  7. Reports:
    1. Interim Moderator  – no news to report
    2. Presbytery – Mrs Kelly gave a brief report on the discussions at the last meeting of Presbytery and provided a list of the main points provided by the Presbytery Clerk for information for Sessions.  These are provided as Addendum 1 to this minute.
    3. Stewardship:   Mrs Kelly gave an updated total for the Christian Aid collection of £670.00
    4. Safeguarding:  nothing to report 
    5. Notifiable events :  nothing to report
    6. Treasurer and Finance Committee.   Mrs Logue provided a six monthly report on the finances of the church.   The figures are provided in Addendum 2 of this minute
    7. Health and Safety:    The Health and Safety Tool kit has been received and will be passed to the Property Convenor.
    8. Fabric:   no report. 
  8. Correspondence:
    1. An e-mail has been received from the Charity “CHAS” (Children’s Hospices across Scotland) informing of a Fund Raising race night event on the 3rd August in Lochgilphead.   It was agreed to include this in the Sunday Morning intimations.
    2. Notification has been received from the Church of Scotland HR department with information on the recruitment of a Chief Officer to take forward the Radical Action Plan.
    3. Invitation has been received for recommendations for the next Moderator of the General Assembly to be submitted by the 8th August.
    4. The programme co-ordinator for Eco-congregation Scotland has offered to hold an event in Mid Argyll in October.   It was agreed that the session clerk should progress this in collaboration with the other congregations in the area.
    5. Glassary, Kilmartin and Ford parish are holding a celebration service on the 13th October to mark the anniversary of their move into the premises in Kilmartin.     It was agreed we would accept their proposal to make this a joint service between the parishes.    There will therefore be no Sunday Worship service in North Knapdale on that date.
    6. The Session Clerk had made enquiry to the Church of Scotland Law department concerning the title to the land on which Bellanoch church and surrounds lies.    Anne Steele of the law department has replied that in her view, the previous feu ownership has now ceased under legislation of 2004, and that there is no longer any right in favour of the Poltalloch Estate.    Copy of the original feu Contract was enclosed for information.
    7. Notification of the Annual “Heartedge” conference has been received.   It was agreed that this looked to be an interesting programme which   It was agreed that this looked to be an interesting programme which may have relevance to our congregation, and the development of the Mid Argyll Mission Development Plan.    It was agreed that the details would be circulated to the Session and individuals would give consideration to attending.   Some of the costs would be able to be reimbursed from the North Knapdale Parish training budget.
  9. Date of next meeting:   The next meeting will be in Tayvallich Church at 7.30pm on the 19th of August 2019
  10. The meeting was closed by the Interim Moderator with all present saying the Grace together.

Addendum 1

  • Note from the Presbytery Clerk on items for the attention of Kirk Sessions from Presbytery:
  • Congregations are asked to consider membership of the Scottish Compassionate Communities Network.
  • Sessions should note proposals in place to offer “on line” training to congregational office bearers.
  • Improved communication between Presbytery and Congregations should be actively sought.
  • Sessions are encouraged to discuss relevant deliverances from Presbytery as circulated by the Presbytery Clerk.
  • Sessions must ensure that vacant properties remain under valid insurance cover and that the required frequency of regular inspections is adhered to, particularly in relation to water supplies and heating.
  • The Radical Action Plan Mission should be put into action at local level.
  • Congregations should consider and report back on issues of loneliness, injustice and poverty.
  • Session should identify and encourage suitable candidates to train in and then undertake Pastoral Care in Parishes.
  • Sessions should be aware of and adhere to timelines for actions identified in the Local Church Review.
  • Safeguarding returns for Presbytery and Edinburgh should be approved at Kirk Session meetings.
  • Those who undertake activities requiring Disclosure Scotland certification must undertake Church of Scotland Safeguarding training.

Addendum 2 Six month Finance report.

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