LIBERTON KIRK SESSION

 

MINUTES OF MEETING:  12^th May 2008

 

At Liberton on Monday 12^th May 2008 at 7.30pm the Kirk Session met and was duly constituted.

 

Attendance and Apologies

See relative attendance sheet.

 

Previous Minutes

The minutes of 10^th March and 13^th April were approved.

 

Matters Arising

A proposal to dissolve the Youth Worker Support Group and replace it with a Kirkgate Trust with a focus on fundraising was approved.  This will be chaired by Christine Johnston. 

 

Liberton Kirk Accounts

As this item was discussed at the AGM on 13^th April, no further report was presented.

 

Edinburgh Presbytery

Alan Graham was thanked for his work over the last year as Presbytery Elder.  Anyone interested in taking on this role should approach the Moderator.

 

The Kirk Session affirmed its support of Christine Clark in her current situation.

 

KLM

The Moderator will meet with Peter McDonald and Iain Penman on Thursday to discuss the ongoing situation.  Joanne Hood has called a meeting of KLM’s Kirk Session for 25^th May.  Elders were asked to continue discussing implications in committees.

 

Moving On Together

In his absence, Christine Johnston presented Grant Cook’s report, a copy of which is enclosed with these minutes.  A total increase in giving of £36 000 has been promised.  260 responses have been received including 46 new standing orders and other requests for envelopes.

 

Elders were asked to encourage members who have not yet completed a review to still do so.

 

Discussion took place about visiting district members in relation to Moving on Together.  In most cases it was felt that it was easier to visit people with whom you have built up a relationship rather than strangers.  It was felt that it was awkward visiting people who do not come to church.  More than one third of members have committed to giving regularly.  Some members were not able to find their communion cards due to them being delivered with other documentation.

 

Thanks were expressed to Grant Cook and his team for all the work they had undertaken.

 

Finance Committee

David Lamb presented the committee’s report, a copy of which is enclosed with these minutes.

 

To April the current deficit stands at £3159.

 

Conveners have been approached by the Treasurer with reference to committee budgets.

 

Literature on legacies is being sought from 121 George Street which will be shared with members as appropriate.

 

Congregational Roll

Jill Nicoll presented her report, a copy of which is enclosed with these minutes.

 

Permission was granted to progress with a Roll Review of the Supplementary Roll and Postal District. 

 

A list of members in District 99 is enclosed with these minutes.  Any updates should be forwarded to Jill.

 

At present there are 828 full members on the Congregational Roll.

 

Discussion took place of the pros and cons of recording communion attendance.  Contact will be made with churches that have discontinued communion cards to see if this has made a difference to attendance figures.

 

Jill intimated her resignation from the Kirk Session as of June and outlined the requirements of the post of Roll Keeper. 

 

Buildings Committee

Ann Weir presented the committee’s report, a copy of which is enclosed with these minutes.

 

A report is to be prepared on the Halls heating.

 

There is to be a review of storage in the Halls.  The Drama Group Store will be cleared during the summer to make space for youth work equipment.

 

Some repairs to the heating system at KLM are required.

 

Painting and re-flooring work will be undertaken in the rear corridor of the Kirk Centre over the summer.

 

Thanks were expressed to John Gill for all the work he had undertaken during his more than six years as convener of the Buildings Committee.

 

A hole has been identified in the roof at the top of the church tower. 

 

Area Grouping

The next Area Conference will be held on Saturday 22^nd November 2008.

 

An event to thank the volunteer youth workers in the area will be held at the end of August.

 

A letter has been received from the Ministries Council thanking Liberton Kirk, and in particular David Lamb, for all their ongoing support and work in connection with Gilmerton New Church.

 

Care Committee

Betty Boyle presented the committee’s report, a copy of which is enclosed with these minutes.

 

A significant drop in numbers at the most recent Special Communion was noted.

 

It is hoped that a lunch for the volunteers who work with the Care Committee will be held in September.

 

A new secretary for the Care Committee is still being sought.  Possible names should be passed to Betty.

 

Commitment Committee

Kath Moir presented the committee’s report, a copy of which is enclosed with these minutes.

 

A lunch for new members will be held on Sunday 8^th June.  The Moderator will discuss arrangements for the Parkers with the Missions Group.

 

Youth Forum

It is likely there will be a shortage of leaders for the Sunday Club in the near future.  Volunteers are most welcome to speak to Andy.

 

The Youth Service had elicited a very positive response.

Applications from ICC students for the post of assistant youth worker will be received by May 23^rd with interviews being held on 7^th June.

 

Outreach Committee

Alan Graham reported on the committee’s work.  The delivery of parish Easter cards is being reviewed.  Thanks were expressed to Ruth Davies and Bill Brandie for their help with organising the cards.  Invitations for the summer holiday club will be issued shortly.

 

The possibility of a Family Support Worker based at KLM is being explored.

 

Worship Group

No meeting had taken place since the last meeting of the Kirk Session.

 

The Worship Group is looking at ways of encouraging people to come into the Halls.  A prayer labyrinth in the Centre Court for 5 to 6 weeks over the summer is proposed.  Access issues will be discussed with the Bowling Club for the period when the Halls are closed.

 

A prayer corner in the Halls is proposed.

 

A ‘Back to Church Sunday’ under the auspices of ACTS is being planned for the last Sunday in September, Harvest Thanksgiving.  Some costs will be involved for the purchase of stationery.  This format works on the basis of personal invitation and has been successful where it has already been used.

 

An e-mail of thanks for our old communion cloths has been received from Malawi.

 

AOCB

T-Rex  will be held this Saturday from 6 to 9pm at the Gilmerton Hub.  This is for people willing to be involved in one-off youth events.

 

 

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Kirk Session will be held on Monday 16^th June

 

The meeting closed with the Grace at 9.55pm.