Easter @St Mary’s
Presbytery Mission Plan Update
Presbytery Mission Plan Update – 8th April 2022
Hello everyone,
I am very conscious that some time has passed since I mentioned in worship that some of us had attended a gathering of our ‘zone’ on Saturday 12th March. One of the things that emerged from that meeting was the allocation of ministries to our particular zone (zone 3) and the time frame required in order to meet a draft presbytery plan by June of this year. In a zone that has 21 charges, the ministry allocation is being halved (10.5). This creates many challenges and I think it is fair to say that no congregation will be left unaffected.
Since that meeting, some conversations have taken place and I am very grateful to Gordon Morrison, Charles Hay and Fiona Leishman, who have participated in these. The most recent was on Tuesday evening (29th March), when four representatives from six congregations (Lenzie Old, Lenzie Union, Hillhead, St Columba’s, St David’s Memorial Park and St Mary’s) met. It was a very positive and encouraging meeting and, in response to Presbyteries instruction that we form our clusters/groupings by April 15th, we left with a proposal to take back to our Kirk Sessions and congregations. The suggestion is that these six congregations form a cluster with flexibility going forward, that will allow any of those six to opt out if they discern another cluster more missionally appropriate and allow other congregations to join, using the same principle. If agreed by all the Sessions, then we will begin a process of very serious conversation and planning with the help of a professional facilitator.
None of us know exactly what will emerge from these discussions, but it is certainly my desire that what is proposed and eventually realised is a plan that will be sustainable, and life giving and see St Mary’s very much engaged and involved in the mission of the town and surrounding area as we go forward together.
The Kirk Session will be meeting on Sunday 10th April, to make a decision regarding the cluster and we will keep you up to date with how things are progressing as we go forward. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you would like to discuss this further. We will do our best to answer any questions or concerns as they arise.
With every blessing, Ruth
April 2022
Safeguarding Statement of Compliance:
In accordance with the requirements of The Presbytery of Glasgow the following statement is entered into the minutes of the Kirk Session:-
It is certified that Safeguarding recruitment procedures are being adhered to, an accurate record is being held of all persons doing Regulated Work with children and Protected Adults in organisations under the jurisdiction of the Kirk Session, and that the Congregation’s Safeguarding Co-ordinator is appropriately trained to allow that person to be accredited as an authorised signatory for PVG Scheme record checks. This statement is confirmed by Margaret Pears, Safeguarding Coordinator.
This statement was issued to the Kirk Session by the Session Clerk.
Ukraine Appeal
Over the next two Sundays , we at St Marys Parish Church would like to support the “Ukraine Appeal”, so at the end of each Services there will a “Exit Offering”, If you wish to donate to this Appeal, there will a Offering plate at the Door. On behalf of the Minister and Kirk Session thank you for your Support.
Morning Worship.
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Rice Challenge….
St Mary's Parish Church Kirkintilloch 