Parish Profile - Strathblane Parish Church THE CHURCH FAMILY As of 11 September 2016 we are vacant. The Presbytery of Stirling has given us permission to call a minister to the parish of Strathblane. This is an unrestricted call. We currently have a membership of 193, and 125 on the supplementary role. We have many more members of our community who are not formal members of the church but who engage in some of our many church organisations, activities and events. We enjoy good fellowship with surrounding parishes. We have adopted the Unitary Constitution; our session has 18 Elders plus the treasurer. The Session meets quarterly, and a number of Working Groups on a scheduled basis. We have one salaried organist post shared by 2 people, and one parttime administration post (6 hours per week). Our Kirk Session. We additionally have a further three Elders (two men and one woman) not pictured Our Purpose and Vision Each of our working groups has its own stated aims and specific objectives relating to Worship, Mission & Discipleship, Fellowship and Ministry. However, overall our stated aim as a Church is By the end of 2019 for all those in our Parish we would like to be known as the people who 1. Recognise that the Church is a people who are part of, not just the Church, but also of the community, whose lives therefore demonstrate our faith through being a loving, serving, welcoming family with good news to share. We are willing to leave the 99 to go seek the one just as they are and where they are. 2. Wish that the church becomes a focus in the village. 3. Are seen as a force for good in Strathblane, respected for our faith and integrity, and known as people who are to be trusted and who love God and care for those in need. August 2016 Page 1
What we would like from our new minister We are praying for a minister who: Is a person who believes in, and preaches from, the Word of God Is a good communicator Is a caring pastoral leader Has skill and passion for engagement in the community, taking Christ s mission into the parish Sees Christ s church as an inclusive place where all are welcome and valued Appreciates the value of both traditional and contemporary worship Will encourage us to develop our faith, worship, pastoral care and mission Is willing to engage with Presbytery and the national church as appropriate CHURCH ACTIVITIES Morning Worship At 11 am on Sunday mornings, we have a congregation of approximately 80-100 regular worshippers in church. Whilst we have some children and younger people, the majority are of an older age group. We use a wide range of hymns and worship songs, which are projected on the front wall. Children meet in the Church Hall (Kirk Rooms) at 11 am for Crèche and Sunday Club, and join in the Church at 11:45, to share their learning with the congregation. Preceding morning worship, a small group of people meet in the upper sanctuary for a time of prayer as we commit the day s activities to our Lord. After morning service everyone is invited for tea, coffee and fellowship in the church sanctuary. Evening Service At present we have a more informal evening service in the Kirk Rooms. We typically have about 25 in attendance. These were usually led by members of the congregation, with the preaching taken by the minister. On the first Sunday of the month, the service has taken the form of a discussion, led by the minister. Special Services We have formal communion services quarterly, both morning and evening, and monthly informal communion at the end of the service. The minister has conducted home communion visits on request. Also, during the Christian Year we hold special services and events on or about Christmas and Easter. We have marked special days such as Remembrance Sunday together with the local Roman Catholic church and hold end of term services for the local Primary School. Harvest Thanksgiving Service Remembrance Sunday parade entering the church August 2016 Page 2
Care Home Services There is a monthly Sunday afternoon service in the local Care Home. These alternate between traditional services and Messy Church style. Messy Church Messy Church is held monthly on Sunday afternoons for families. These are fun hands on worship events for young families with activities, games and crafts. Messy Church sessions close with a family meal. Prayer Meeting As a church fellowship we believe very much in the Messy Church power of prayer. Apart from the prayer time preceding the morning service we also have a time of prayer and Bible study on a Wednesday evening. This group maintains links with our missionary partners. We also encourage church members to be prayer partners and to remember all the church activities in their daily devotions. House Groups The church has a number of House Groups spread throughout the parish. All of the house groups meet in the homes of members; some in the mornings and others in the evening. These generally take the form of themed Bible Studies and conclude with a time of prayer. Guild The Church has an enthusiastic and active Guild. The members meet every second Monday evening from October through March, and their meetings, often with guest speakers, cover a wide range of innovative and challenging topics. The Guild has both men and women members and also some for whom the Guild is their only association with the church. MAF We have entered into a year's partnership with MAF. The main focus of our partnership is to pray for them. In particular, we are concentrating on the work in the area of Arnhem Land in Australia's North West Territory. We will also be holding a couple of fund raising events. Outreach We have also run a number of Alpha, Christianity Explored, Discipleship Explored and Listen Well courses in the village over the last few years. Try Praying booklets were distributed in the congregation and beyond. We run quarterly book stalls in the church at the end of the services. We are a Fair Trade Church. The Church organises highly successful Summer Holiday Clubs, in the Kirk Rooms, for Primary School children. The Holiday Club usually lasts five days and takes place just before the school resumes for the autumn session. These events attract many of the children from the village and are enjoyed by both children and parents. Holiday Club Fun August 2016 Page 3
Other Regular Church Activities In recent years we have begun a number of very varied regular activities specifically aimed to engage with members of our community, including those who are not necessarily worshipping at church regularly. These have been very successful in building relationships and providing an opportunity for outreach and fellowship with our wider community. These activities are providing for previously unmet needs for many in our community including older people, carers, young people and families. We are blessed that so many members of our congregation are active in running and helping at these activities. These include: Youth Café weekly for P7 to S6 Youth Sports weekly for P5 to S2 Cuppa Time weekly afternoon sessions with board games, jigsaws, art therapy etc. We especially welcome carers and those they care for. Community Café weekly in mornings, ideally suited to those dropping off and picking up school/nursery children Regular social events, e.g. community lunches/fish supper nights/film nights. Ukulele Praise Group Youth Sports Cornerstone Magazine Cuppa Time The Parish magazine is produced once a quarter and contains information on forthcoming church events and services. The magazine reports on the activities of the various groups, and also provides contact information for church officials. August 2016 Page 4
Website The church has a website at www.strathblanekirk.org.uk to provide information for both members and visitors. This website is currently under review and redevelopment. There is also a closed Facebook group and regular updates are posted on the Strathblanefield Facebook page by the administration assistant. Tearfund & Glasgow City Mission We have an active Tearfund connection with services allowing presentations on the work of Tearfund throughout the year. We also support Glasgow City Mission with donations from the annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service and monthly foodbank collections. THE BUILDINGS The Church The church is an attractive traditional stone listed building standing in an elevated position on the eastern edge of Strathblane. A church has been on this site for approximately 500 years. The present building dates back to 1803 with the bell tower and roof modifications added in the 1870 s. The church building is surrounded by the graveyard, which is maintained by the council. The church seats approximately 250 people in pews in the main sanctuary, plus 10 in the gallery. We have a two manual Ingram pipe organ and a Clavinova. Downstairs is a vestry with ensuite WC, plus a utlilty area and 2 WCs. Upstairs is a gallery. There is also a small sanctuary. There is a custom built Audio Visual base at the rear of the sanctuary. There is an audio system incorporating an induction loop system for the hard of hearing, a wall-mounted projector which projects welcome notes and pictures, hymns, readings, sermon points etc and a repeater screen for use by the minister and others who are looking away from the main screen. The heating system has a new gas boiler installed. The bell tower and roof have been repaired recently. Other work was carried out recently after fire and risk assessments, including the installation of new fire doors, a fire alarm and a burglar alarm. Significant updates to the electrical systems were also made. The main sanctuary The Audio Visual base August 2016 Page 5
The Kirk Rooms The church hall, known as the Kirk Rooms, is situated across the road from the church. The original building was constructed by the congregation in 1973; an extension was added in 1995, and the kitchen was upgraded recently to current regulations. There is 1 large hall, 1 office, and 3 smaller rooms, fitted kitchen, store room and WCs. The office includes a photocopier of publication quality and broadband internet access with wifi. CCTV, burglar alarm and fire alarm systems have also recently been installed. As well as being used for church activities, the Kirk Rooms are let out to several community groups on a regular basis, and occasionally to other churches. The Kirk Rooms A Church Family gathering in the Kirk Rooms The Manse The Manse is a large detached house in a mature, enclosed garden of approximately 1 acre. Situated across the road from the church, it was built in 1963, and most recently upgraded in 2010. Downstairs is a hall, 2 public rooms, study/bedroom, breakfasting kitchen and bathroom. Upstairs are 4 bedrooms and a shower room. The central heating is gas-fired. There is also a large single garage with two attached storerooms. The Manse, from the Church bell tower The Manse, from the Church car park, with the John Muir Way and prayer bench to the left August 2016 Page 6
THE PARISH Location and demographics Strathblane Parish covers some 20 square miles and it is situated at the edge of Stirling Presbytery in the western part of the Stirling Council area. The main population of the parish is concentrated in the villages of Strathblane & Blanefield which merge together and it takes in the villages of Mugdock and Carbeth. The villages are in the valley at the foot of the Campsie Fells in an area of great natural beauty, 12 miles north of Glasgow and 25 miles south west of Stirling. There are around 2,350 people in the villages. There are some small businesses but there is no major employer in the area and the majority of people work in and around the Glasgow area. The West Highland way passes through the edge of the parish and the John Muir Way which runs from Helensburgh to Dunbar passes the church (using a path owned by the church) and we have installed picnic seats and tables to encourage walkers to take time in the vicinity of the church for a rest. We have also built a biblical garden and prayer bench. Looking to Strathblane, with the Campsie Fells, Dumgoyne and a snow-capped Ben Lomond beyond The village as seen from the Church bell tower August 2016 Page 7
School In the village there is a Primary school, with a nursery class. The school welcomes association with the minister for assemblies and end-of-term services and seasonal RME lessons; and there is a strong link with Scripture Union in the school. There are several after-school activities through the week. For their Secondary education, pupils go to Balfron High School, which is 7 miles north. Services and amenities Medical practice with a modern surgery Library Park and children s play area Mugdock Country Park and amenities Roman Catholic church 4 hotels and pubs 2 hairdressers Delicatessen Indian take away Dispensing chemist 3 community premises (Edmonstone Hall, Scout Hall & Village Club) which can be hired for activities and functions A Co-op, which has a Post Office, and a mini market. More shops are to be found in Milngavie, which is 5 miles away, and 2 large supermarkets are within easy reach. Leisure Activities Tennis Club Bowling Club 2 Stables Football Club Easy access to the Campsie Fells for hill walking Loch Lomond National Park is a few miles away Community Groups (in addition to those run by the church, listed above) Community Choir Heritage Society Out of school care Lunch Club for Senior Citizens Youth organisations Rainbows/Brownies/Guides and Beavers/Cubs/Scouts Fun Hut (for toddlers - meets in Kirk Rooms 3 mornings per week, but not affiliated to the church) Children s dancing class Various exercise groups (e.g. Zumba) Transport Links Regular bus services south to Glasgow (Buchanan Street bus station) and north to Balfron, where there is a connection to Stirling. Railway Station in Milngavie (5 miles south) with regular service to Glasgow and Edinburgh. 2 taxi firms in the village. August 2016 Page 8