THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND ST COLMON (Arnsheen Barrhill and Colmonell) PARISH CHURCH

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100591 SCOTTISH CHARITY NUMBER: SC014381 http://www.

1 THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND ST COLMON (Arnsheen Barrhill and Colmonell) PARISH CHURCH CONGREGATION REFERENCE NUMBER: SCOTTISH CHARITY NUMBER: SC Find us on Facebook at StColmon Church 1 P age

2 Interim Moderator Rev. Ian McLachlan 30 Henrietta Street Girvan KA26 9AL Tel St Colmon Church Session Clerk Mrs Claire Pirrie Rose Cottage Poundland Pinwherry KA26 0RU stcolmon.sessionclerk.co.uk Convenor of the Vacancy Committee Mrs Margaret Maule 20 Kintyre Avenue Ballantrae KA Clerk to the Vacancy Committee Miss Harriet Ellis Craig House Colmonell KA26 0RU P age

Introduction St Colmon (Arnsheen Barrhill and Colmonell) Parish Church linked with Ballantrae Parish Church is vacant due to the demission of their minister.

3 Introduction St Colmon (Arnsheen Barrhill and Colmonell) Parish Church linked with Ballantrae Parish Church is vacant due to the demission of their minister. Both parishes have agreed not to depart from the Church of Scotland historic and current practice regarding the appointment of a minister in a civil partnership or a same sex marriage. Our vision for the future We seek a Spirit filled minister with a commitment to Bible based truth who will lead us to seek God for a vision of the way forward in our parish. We aim to be an active, caring congregation providing fellowship and love to all people in our Church, the wider community and the world, in any way possible. A Church where everyone is assured of a warm welcome. A Church with eyes and ears open to be aware of, and offering support to, those in need. If you feel God is calling you to our Church, you can be sure of a warm welcome and the support of everyone in our congregation with its core of dependable hard-working members. For centuries our beautiful church building has been a beacon of God s presence in our community. The walls are soaked in the prayers of the saints, and we aim to continue a mission based on prayer, with Jesus as our guiding light and hope. When our congregation was asked what they would like to see in their minister and what we have to offer our minister the following are some of their comments: 3 P age

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History The name of Colmonell village is derived from the church, which in the 12 th century was called Kirk- Colmonell in memory of the patron Saint Colmon of Ella.

5 History The name of Colmonell village is derived from the church, which in the 12 th century was called Kirk- Colmonell in memory of the patron Saint Colmon of Ella. Saint Colmon is reputed to be a nephew of St Columba and brought Christianity to the area around the year 600AD. In 1872 Colmonell and Arnsheen Barrhill Churches were formally disjoined and then reunited in June 2007 to form St Colmon (Arnsheen Barrhill & Colmonell) Parish Church. On 3 rd June 2008 St Colmon parish was linked with Ballantrae, bringing together two distinct parishes: one coastal and the other rural, with the minister residing in Ballantrae. Currently the future of the manse in Ballantrae is under review. At least three churches have existed on the present site since around 1179 and there are records of ministers recorded as far back as the 1400s. In 1772 a church was built then, being too small, it was recast in 1849 to seat 400 worshippers. In 1899 the church chancel was renovated by Robert Lorimer, the renowned architect and furniture designer, with linen fold panelling and fine carvings which are of considerable historic value. The church and churchyard were listed as grade B in (A building of regional or more than local importance, or major example of some particular period style or building type which may have been altered.) 5 P age

The churchyard holds many early gravestones, including an Adam & Eve stone, a Covenanter stone, Pictish

The church benefits from internationally recognised stained-glass windows created by renowned artists such

The pipe organ installed by Norman and Beard in 1908 has been awarded the highest grade possible by the

6 The churchyard holds many early gravestones, including an Adam & Eve stone, a Covenanter stone, Pictish designs and Commonwealth War graves. The church benefits from internationally recognised stained-glass windows created by renowned artists such as Douglas Strachan and Louis Davis. The pipe organ installed by Norman and Beard in 1908 has been awarded the highest grade possible by the British Institute of Organ Studies. The original manse was built on the glebe, close to the kirk hall. The last manse was built in 1822 at the end of Manse Lane and was sold in 2009 following the parish linking. The Good Shepherd window Kirk Hall 6 P age

Geography and Environment St Colmon (Arnsheen, Barrhill and Colmonell) Parish covers a wide geographical rural area (purple line on the map) with a relatively

uk/resources/statistics_for_mission/parish_profiles/10 0591.

7 Geography and Environment St Colmon (Arnsheen, Barrhill and Colmonell) Parish covers a wide geographical rural area (purple line on the map) with a relatively small population of 952 persons. Full details of the statistics for mission can be found on the Church of Scotland s website pdf Within St Colmon parish lie four villages: Barrhill village is an active community with a recently upgraded and extended primary school and a newly refurbished community centre. Also, a satellite GP surgery, shop, pub, bowling green and large modern play park. 7 P age

Colmonell is a conservation village on the banks of the Stinchar, whose praises are recalled in a song A beauty, in a beauteous dell. Serenely fair sits Colmonell.

Pinwherry is a small village where some residents are working towards building a new community hall.

Throughout the parish the local economy is mainly based on agriculture and allied support businesses. Tourism also plays a part through rural activities e.g. fishing, shooting, walking and cycling.

8 Colmonell is a conservation village on the banks of the Stinchar, whose praises are recalled in a song A beauty, in a beauteous dell. Serenely fair sits Colmonell. The primary school was rebuilt a few years ago and the village has a community centre, play park, hotel/pub, fire station, bowling green and St Colmon Church and Kirk Hall. Pinwherry is a small village where some residents are working towards building a new community hall. Lendalfoot is a small village on the coast with a village hall and a high percentage of holiday accommodation. Throughout the parish the local economy is mainly based on agriculture and allied support businesses. Tourism also plays a part through rural activities e.g. fishing, shooting, walking and cycling. For over two centuries the Stinchar Valley has been recognised as one of the most unspoilt and prettiest areas in Ayrshire. Renowned for its scenery, flora, fauna and mild climate throughout the year, the area is the perfect spot for the outdoor enthusiast. A haven for walkers, fishermen and anyone interested in natural history and cultural heritage, the area also has great historic and architectural interest. The Scheduled Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites form an important part of our heritage. 8 P age

The River Stinchar is famed for its salmon fishing and the minister of St Colmon Church has the salmon fishing rights for the stretch bordering the Glebe.

In a small adjacent glen, the Water of Lendal flows to meet the sea at Lendalfoot.

9 The River Stinchar is famed for its salmon fishing and the minister of St Colmon Church has the salmon fishing rights for the stretch bordering the Glebe. The river is joined by its tributary, the Duisk from Barrhill, and flows through the beautiful and varied landscape of the Stinchar valley to the sea at Ballantrae. In a small adjacent glen, the Water of Lendal flows to meet the sea at Lendalfoot. Kirk Session and Administration The charge of St Colmon Parish Church is linked with Ballantrae Parish Church and the manse is in Ballantrae village. The manse building is under review at the time of writing this parish profile. St Colmon Church is administered in accordance with the terms of the Deed of Constitution (Unitary Form). The kirk session meets at least six times a year and is responsible for the spiritual and financial affairs within the Church. While observing the formalities of acting as a court of the Church, meetings are relaxed and congenial, where elders are encouraged to share their thoughts openly. Members of session are also encouraged to feed back the views of our congregation. Elders and members form two committees who look after the day to day financial and property matters, reporting back to the kirk session. Members of the kirk session also act as trustees to administer the Campbell Trust and Templeton Bequest, which were established 150 years ago to distribute benefits to those in need in the parish. St Colmon s kirk session is very aware of the minister s work load and are keen to support the minister and his / her family in any way, just as they support each other in their duties. 9 P age

St Colmon Kirk Session May 2017 Elders: David McCutcheon Anne Shankland Gift Aid Convenor Irene Wilson Clerk to the Campbell Trust and Templeton Bequest Funds Claire Pirrie Session Clerk; Treasurer;

Worship Team Member Lynne McIlwraith - Organist Andy Muir - Fabric Committee Member; Worship Team Member The session clerk acts as treasurer with the voluntary assistance of a qualified book keeper

10 St Colmon Kirk Session May 2017 Elders: David McCutcheon Anne Shankland Gift Aid Convenor Irene Wilson Clerk to the Campbell Trust and Templeton Bequest Funds Claire Pirrie Session Clerk; Treasurer; Fabric Convenor; Presbytery Elder; Worship Team Member Harriet Ellis - Flower Convenor; Weekly Freewill Offering Convenor; Clerk to Vacancy Committee Brian McIlwraith; Fabric Committee Member; Worship Team Member Lynne McIlwraith - Organist Andy Muir - Fabric Committee Member; Worship Team Member The session clerk acts as treasurer with the voluntary assistance of a qualified book keeper and elders who act as gift aid convenor and weekly freewill offering convenor. St Colmon employs a part-time organist and two-part time cleaners, with volunteers undertaking other duties not requiring specialist skills e.g. maintenance and care of the church, kirk hall and grounds. The communion roll stands at one hundred and sixty-nine and there are twenty-eight other people regularly involved in the life of the Church. Three new members have 10 P age

11 joined in the last year and one new ruling elder has been ordained. The average attendance at Sunday morning worship is twenty-five. No children attend Church regularly, but there are two families with young children who come occasionally, and the minister has always had a good relationship with local schools. Café Church attracts an average fifteen people with around six who don t attend Sunday morning worship. Messy Church proves popular with average 12 children accompanied by a family member. Objectives and Activities Worship is conducted every Sunday at in St Colmon Church in Colmonell with refreshments in the kirk hall after each service. We see times of fellowship over a cuppa as an essential part of refreshing and strengthening ourselves, and each other, in our faith and commitment. St Colmon church has a sound system including a loop for the hearing impaired. Text and images for services are projected on to a screen, with Church Hymnary 4 and Junior Praise hymn books for those who wish. The church currently has no disabled access but is taking advice on possible solutions and a portable ramp is available if required. Meanwhile once a month the Sunday service is held in St Colmon Kirk Hall to enable those with mobility problems to worship. A service is also held once a month at in Barrhill Memorial Hall to ensure a Church presence continues in the village, whose church building closed in 2007, and to accommodate those who may find it difficult to travel to Colmonell. The Sacrament of Communion is celebrated four times a year in St Colmon Church and twice a year in Barrhill Memorial Hall. If required for the mobility impaired, a Communion service is also held in the kirk hall. Non-alcoholic wine is served at Communion to ensure no one is excluded. Children remain in church during services, and a children s corner has been created with appropriate toys, books and colouring materials. 11 P age

Fresh Expressions of Church have been established over 8 years and include Messy Church which is held four times a year to coincide with celebrations such as Easter and Christmas.

12 Fresh Expressions of Church have been established over 8 years and include Messy Church which is held four times a year to coincide with celebrations such as Easter and Christmas. With crafts, music, stories and refreshments it is always well attended and provides an opportunity to make contact with families who don t attend Church. Café Church, with worship music, coffee and cake, prayer, and informal discussion based on a biblical theme, is held in the kirk hall on the second and fourth Friday of each month. Bible study is held every Thursday evening. Monthly prayer and praise meetings are held on a Saturday morning in the kirk hall, and prayer request slips are available in the church and kirk hall. In September, a day of prayer is held as part of the International Prayer Weekend. Alpha courses have also been held and been instrumental in bringing people to faith. Achievements and Performance St Colmon Church aims to support all community-based activities, by attending, offering resources, and helping where possible. Members of the congregation in all the villages tend to be involved, and there is a Church stall at each village Gala Day. There has always been a close relationship between the minister and the primary schools in Barrhill and Colmonell, with participation in assemblies, and assisting with events such as their Christmas shows and projects. Pastoral care for members and residents within the parish can include visiting those in hospitals and care homes in Girvan, Maidens, Ayr and Crosshouse. Also involved in pastoral care is Ayr Presbytery s Pioneer Farming Minister, Rev. Chris Blackshaw, who is based at Ayr Farmers Market and works with parish-based ministry to support farmers and their families. His role has been particularly useful in our time of vacancy by identifying those who might benefit from a visit. At the last Local Church Review meeting it was agreed that good progress is being made in meeting our objectives. A copy of our latest Local Church Review is accessible on our website. Members of the congregation participate in leading Café Church worship, with music provided by Spearhead, a worship band of keyboard, drums and singer. A rota of members delivers the Bible readings at Sunday services. The Church assists with the community carol singing and Christmas lights switch on in Colmonell. An annual Christmas Concert is held in St Colmon Church for the linked charges with performances by a local 12 P age

choir, musicians and children from local primary schools. Refreshments are served in the kirk hall. A carol evening is also held in Barrhill Memorial Hall.

The Church is represented on the Whithorn Way Steering Group and pilgrims visit the church and use the kirk hall as a refreshment point on their local pilgrimages.

13 choir, musicians and children from local primary schools. Refreshments are served in the kirk hall. A carol evening is also held in Barrhill Memorial Hall. St Colmon Church is working with the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum which aims to re- establish and use pilgrim routes passing through our area. The Church is represented on the Whithorn Way Steering Group and pilgrims visit the church and use the kirk hall as a refreshment point on their local pilgrimages. St Colmon Church communicates with members and the wider community through a bi-monthly linked charge newsletter; local websites; facebook; community magazine; local press; posters and fliers in schools and all public noticeboards. St Colmon continues to support others through prayer, donations and written campaigns. Harvest Service for Crossreach Remembrance Service for Poppy Scotland Selling alternative gift cards for seeds and fertilizer in Malawi Easter for Marie Curie Cancer Care Annual Blytheswood Shoe Box Appeal Provisions are collected for the local Girvan Food Bank Stamps are collected for Church of Scotland projects Support for campaigns by Open Doors and Embrace the Middle East. Fundraising and Fellowship The kirk hall, built in 1921, was extensively refurbished and extended in It is now a busy hub of the Church family and is also used regularly by other community groups e.g. Colmonell Baby and Toddler Group and visitors e.g. genealogists. The kirk hall has a small library of Christian and general books to be purchased or borrowed. Opening the Kirk Fair 13 P age

14 A variety of events are held throughout the year including: Annual Kirk Fair held on the glebe and in the kirk hall Annual Auction held in the kirk hall Annual Open Weekend with organ music, guided tours and catering Film nights held in the kirk hall Kirk every Wednesday morning in the kirk hall is open to everyone A podiatrist holds a clinic in the kirk hall every 7 weeks The glebe fishing rights are rented to Colmonell Angling Club Glebe land is rented to a local farmer Colmonell Circle fellowship group meets monthly September to March and raises funds for St Colmon and other charities The kirk hall is rented for meetings and social events. Regular users include Colmonell Baby and Toddler Group, Ballantrae & Colmonell Agricultural Show, the Stinchar Valley Garden Club, Woodcraft Folk, and the Stinchar Valley Magazine Committee. Financial Review St Colmon Church s annual report and accounts are accessible through our website. The B listed church, like any historic stone building, requires ongoing maintenance as informed by quinquennial inspections and regular checks by the congregation. Ongoing projects for which funding is being sought include work on the stained glass and pipe organ. We are also working with South Ayrshire Council to ensure the ongoing maintenance of the historic churchyard stones. St Colmon church is on a waiting list to be recorded as a National Treasure by the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies due to the high quality of the stained glass, pipe organ and woodwork. Following joint meetings with Ballantrae Church and our area s stewardship consultant, St Colmon has begun a stewardship campaign focusing on A Time to Reconnect as we look at ways to make contact with our wider community. 14 P age

15 Ballantrae Church & St Colmon Church Joint Profile The parishes of St Colmon and Ballantrae are surrounded by Dumfries & Galloway, the Scottish borders and the Ayrshire & Arran regions of southern Scotland, all of which are lands of breath taking scenery and areas of outstanding natural beauty, wilderness and romance. The countryside fairly bristles with a great number of old castles. The International Dark Skies Association has recognised this corner of south west Scotland as having the purest air and darkest skies in Europe, ideal for astronomy. The area lies within the boundary of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve. Our parishes are ideally situated for links to Ireland via Cairnryan ferry port, Glasgow via the A77 and England via the A75. The beautiful island of Arran can be seen from Ballantrae and is easily reached from Ardrossan. A wide range of outdoor activities on land, sea and under the sea can be found locally and the area has some of the best golf courses in Scotland. Leisure facilities include Pebbles pool, gym and spa at Lendalfoot, and a new pool and gym facility in Girvan. Local communities come together regularly for a wide range of leisure activities such as bowls, whist, photography, garden club, Scottish Rural Institute, quilting, Church of Scotland Guild, coastal rowing, cycling, walking, fishing, shooting, craft fairs, concerts, fundraising events etc. Beavers, Brownies, Scouts, Boys Brigade and Air Cadets meet locally and Z1 Youth Bar in Girvan provides a meeting space for young people. Ace Adventure Centre for Education, also based in Girvan, provides all sorts of outdoor activity and adventure for young people. Excellent health care facilities are provided by a GP practice in Ballantrae with a satellite surgery in Barrhill. A community hospital in Girvan with a minor injury service is backed up by general hospitals in Ayr and Stranraer. Links between the charges of St Colmon and Ballantrae continue to be strengthened through joint services and events, particularly at Easter and Christmas, and through some members from St Colmon being members of Ballantrae Church of Scotland Guild. The two churches have held joint meetings with our area s stewardship consultant and agreed to a campaign theme of A time to reconnect. The joint Churches worship team consists of members from both Churches, trained by Ayr Presbytery, and has been leading services in the joint charges when the 15 Page

16 minister was on holiday and currently when no minister is available. While providing the opportunity for members to actively participate in worship, this is also a financial saving by reducing the need for pulpit supply. Organists and musicians in both congregations ensure there is always live music at services in both churches, including funerals and weddings. Local ministers can find fellowship and support in regular fraternal meetings and the local area group provides an opportunity to share ideas and discuss any issues. Prior to Presbytery meetings those attending have the opportunity to come early and share refreshments. South Carrick Churches Together is an ecumenical group bringing together congregations from Church of Scotland, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Salvation Army Churches. A joint service is held in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In Easter week, daily ecumenical evening services are held with an outdoor service in the centre of Girvan on Good Friday. On Maundy Thursday, an Agape Meal is held for St Colmon and Ballantrae Churches in St Colmon kirk hall and on Easter Day our Churches hold a joint outdoor early morning service at Ballantrae harbour, followed by breakfast in the manse. On Remembrance Sunday, Acts of Remembrance are held at Colmonell, Ballantrae and Barrhill War Memorials, and on Remembrance Day at two other Memorials in Pinwherry and Heronsford. A Watch Night service is held in each Church on Christmas Eve and is led alternately by the minister or kirk session. On Christmas Day, a service is held in Ballantrae Church for the linked charges. Colmonell and Ballantrae primary schools have the same headmistress and come together for Christmas and Easter services in church, alternating between the two villages. After their Easter service, Colmonell Primary School hold a fundraising daffodil tea for Marie Curie Cancer Care in St Colmon s kirk hall. Filling Station is a national organization and local meetings are led by members of St Colmon s congregation, who are a worship band named Spearhead. This spiritually refreshing, monthly gathering in Girvan, with well-known speakers and healing ministry, is attended by Christians from a wide area of the south west. The Stinchar Valley Magazine is a free publication featuring an article about Church activities and produced quarterly by a team of volunteers. It is distributed to one thousand households in the area of both parishes. Our websites contain a link to the Stinchar Valley Magazine. 16 P age

November & December 2018

BALLANTRAE PARISH CHURCH linked with ST COLMON PARISH CHURCH November & December 2018 Interim Moderator: From 12 th November Dr James Anderson Email: jc.anderson2@talktalk.net Telephone: 01465 710059 Ballantrae