Minutes of Meeting
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LIBERTON KIRK SESSION
MINUTES OF MEETING:
7th September 2009
At Liberton on Monday 7th
September 2009 at 7.30pm the Kirk Session met and was duly constituted.
Attendance and Apologies
See relative attendance
sheet.
Previous Minutes
The minutes of 22nd
June 2009 were accepted.
Matters Arising
None
Halls Review Group
The group has been looking
at the use of the facilities available in the Kirk Centre.
Construction of a furniture
store with access from the Recreation Hall costing in the region of £18,000 was
proposed. A double-sized store would
cost in the region of £30,000. New
furniture, including folding chairs and tables, is also being investigated. Any work done will rely on money being
available.
No further notice boards
will be provided as it was felt that they encourage clutter.
In the Anderson Hall, the
group would like to strip back the stage to its original size, removing the
curtains and proscenium arch. Work
would be done to improve the hall’s appearance.
More major work would be
needed in the McDonald Room to provide a suitable space for meetings.
Cupboards have been looked
at with the intention of making more space available.
The group’s report was
accepted in principle, on the understanding that there would be no special
fundraising or money taken from general funds.
Other costs would amount to
£50-60,000 in total.
Thanks were expressed to the
members of the group for their work.
Outreach Committee
In the convener’s absence,
the committee’s report was shared with the Kirk Session. A copy is enclosed with these minutes. It was noted that it would be necessary to
find replacements for Alan Graham and David Devoy after they move to KLM.
The Alpha Course will be
promoted at Sunday services. Elders
were encouraged to think about people who might like to attend.
Finance Committee
David
Lamb presented the committee’s report, a copy of which is enclosed with these
minutes. The deficit to July is in the
region of £1,300. Gift aid amounting to
£28,500 has been claimed up to August.
At
the count on Sundays, two books will continue to be used for the gold envelopes
for the time being.
A
new leaflet entitled “Liberton Kirk – A Guide to Giving” will be issued with
the October magazine and be launched at communion. The convener expressed his thanks to Judy Weston, Gary Dick and
Grant Cook for their work on this.
KLM
Doreen
Jansch will attend meetings of Liberton Kirk Session as the representative of
KLM.
It
is proposed that the ordination of the new associate minister will be held in Liberton
Kirk on Wednesday 14th October.
Hope
Alive has restarted. A team has been
established to focus on the needs of the children who are attending. A street mission group from Morningside
Baptist Church is working in the area on Friday evenings.
It
was noted that KLM members would be willing to help out with outreach until
they are able to form their own group.
Thanks
were expressed to those from the different churches who had helped to clear
KLM.
Following
her resignation from Liberton Kirk Session, thanks were expressed to Doreen
Jansch for her contribution to the work of the church.
Edinburgh Presbytery
The
questionnaire on Presbytery structure which had recently been received was
passed to the Moderator for completion.
Worship Group
Ruth
Davies shared the committee’s report, a copy of which is enclosed with these
minutes. Dates of future events were
circulated.
Elders
were encouraged to take the lead in encouraging participation in ‘Back to
Church Sunday’. Discussion took place
of what to do if you are inviting people who live outside the parish. It was suggested that details of the local
parish church could be given.
The
dates and times of Christmas services were approved.
Three
members of the Worship Group will be moving to KLM. Thanks were expressed to Ali Murray, Knox Haggie and Shona Haggie
for their work.
A
new SEECAT representative will be required to replace Knox Haggie.
Derek
Jardine has agreed to take on the role of prayer coordinator from Shona Haggie.
Elders
were encouraged to familiarise themselves with the content of the new welcome
packs.
In
the event of anyone fainting in church, all elders should be aware and ready to
offer assistance, while being mindful of health and safety issues related to
lifting.
Elders
on table duty during Sunday services should come forward during the singing of
the offering hymn ready to receive the offering.
Congregational Roll
Gary
Ross presented his report, a copy of which is enclosed with these minutes.
There
are currently 803 members on the roll.
Communion
cards have been placed in pigeonholes.
In
anticipation of the annual review of elders’ districts, Gary should be informed of any proposed
changes.
About
five districts will fall vacant following the move of their elders to KLM. There are currently no spare elders.
A
working group under the auspices of the Care Committee will look at elders’
districts and visiting and report back to the Kirk Session in the New Year.
Elders’
training is taking place at the moment.
It is proposed that ordination will take place on Sunday 25th
October.
New
members, Andy and Marie McGill, were admitted to the roll by resolution of the
Kirk Session.
It
was suggested that tapes of services could be offered to members who do not
attend church regularly.
Buildings Committee
Ann
Weir presented the committee’s report, a copy of which is enclosed with these
minutes.
There
has been an ongoing problem of flooding in the cleaners’ cupboard.
The
committee’s previous request for help with painting the Halls etc will be
extended to the wider congregation.
Thanks
were expressed to the Scouts for the work they have been doing,
Area Grouping
The
Kirk Session was informed of the deferred union of Tron Kirk and
Gilmerton. Non-voting representatives
from the member churches of the Area Grouping will sit on the Nomination
Committee.
Care Committee
In
the ongoing absence of a convener, thanks were expressed to Betty Boyle for
agreeing to stand in on a temporary basis.
Special
Communion will be held on Sunday 11th October. Invitations have been placed in elders’
pigeonholes. The organisers would be
grateful for offers of help with transport.
Any members in elders’ districts who do not receive an invitation can be
added to the list.
Commitment Committee
Kath
Moir presented the committee’s report, a copy of which is enclosed with these
minutes.
John
Gill will issue the Kirk Magazine a week earlier in months where the first
Sunday does not fall until the 6th or 7th.
Representatives
of the Resources Group and Communications Group attended the most recent
meeting of the Commitment Committee.
Thanks
were expressed to John Rennie for all the work he has done collating church
records.
It
is hoped that it will be possible to hold a Marriage Enrichment Course in the spring.
Youth Forum
A
Child Protection – Disclosure Scotland report was received from Alasdair White,
noting that Jennifer Thomasi and Marie Barker had been cleared to work with
children in the congregation. An
application for Louise Purden, Family Support Worker is currently being
processed.
AOCB
Volunteers
were sought to act as stewards at Doors Open Day.
Rink
van Dijke, assisted by Alasdair White, will take over the organisation of
Communion duties from David Lamb.
A
retiring offering on Remembrance Sunday in aid of Poppy Scotland (Earl Haig
Fund) was approved. Churches cannot give more than £25 from general funds to
other charities. This will be intimated
in the notice sheet the week before.
Copies
of Life and Work are now delivered to
the church office. A volunteer is
sought to coordinate this. The only
involvement is now at this time of year when it is necessary to ask for money
to be sent in. Anyone willing to take
this on should speak to Judy Weston before the end of the month.
Next Meeting
The
next meeting of the Kirk Session will be held on Monday 9th November
The meeting closed with the
Grace at 9.25pm.
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