St David’s Memorial Park & St Mary’s Proposed Basis of Union Update 18th May 2025

The Basis of Union Group received a communication on 29th April with a report from the Presbytery Mission Planning Committee (PMPIC).

The group were made aware that the PMPIC, having received a progress report, felt that any further delays were not in the interest of the vacant charge at SDMP nor was a further delay to the adjustment to Union.

The PMPIC committee has communicated to the group that the default position is at the June meeting of Presbytery. PMPIC will bring deliverances setting out an appropriate process by which Presbytery can make a determination at a subsequent meeting.

It is likely that such a process will be similar in scope and reporting, to the work of a Scheme of Delegation. The alternative (but only possible with the agreement of both Kirk Sessions and intimation to PMPIC prior to our next meeting on 27th May), would be to request that Presbytery commission a Scheme of Delegation.

The possible advantage of a Scheme of Delegation would be the extent to which it signals the concurrence of both congregations in the process and its outcome.

A further meeting of the Basis of Union Group has been scheduled for 1st May, for local parties to resolve the impasse by either making a determination locally, or requesting that Presbytery commission a Scheme of Delegation to offer a determination, or, failing that, it would be incumbent upon PMPIC to progress in the manner previously outlined towards the implementation of the plan.

The planned meeting for 1st May was postponed due to issues with facilitation. A meeting was held on 15th May with facilitation from Claire Herbert, of PMPIC. The meeting opened with a reflection, music, prayer and an ice breaker.

The statement (above) from PMPIC was shared with the group and time for question and clarity was offered. After a short coffee break the group undertook the first activity considering the benefits of the six building resource options previously identified.

Following this exercise the group were asked to rank the building options in order of preference, from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest).

This preferential vote would help inform the group’s report to PMPIC and Kirk Session. The indicative outcome was then discussed and a recommendation agreed to report to the respective Kirk Sessions for final consideration.

The next step is for the Kirk Sessions to consider the Basis of Union Group recommendation and send an extract minute of their respective decision to the PMPIC ahead of the new deadline on 27th May. It is anticipated that both Kirk Sessions will meet this week.

A further update will be made available to the congregations as deliberations conclude.