Our November Conference will take place on Tuesday 3rd November at Clydebank: Waterfront at 7pm. This is easily accessible by public transport with Clydebank Railway Station being very close by. While there is not a lot of parking spaces in the Church grounds, there are plenty of spaces nearby. At the start of the Conference we will be looking at what we can learn from the Report on Church Decline: Reflecting on the Causes and Building for a Better Future, before spending most of our time developing a vision mission and priorities for the years ahead. Together, we will consider how we can best serve the Church and our local communities in a changing context. I do hope you will come along and support this important work.
A letter received from the Arab Evangelical Episcopal School – Ramallah
Do you know of someone who would be suitable to train as a Worship leader for your congregation?
Why not ask them?
I have enjoyed two short walks with groups from two churches. One Tuesday morning I walked with some of the folks who take part in Chit-Chat at Bishopton Parish Church. We walked from the Cornerstone on Bishopton’s main street out into the country to a point where we overlooked Dargavel. It was interesting to see just how many homes have been built there and to talk about the opportunities for mission in what is an entirely new community.
The second walk was on a Monday evening with some of the ladies from Faifley and Duntocher Parish Church. We walked through housing that had been built in the early sixties; some of the ladies had moved into this area as children. Faifley Church was built to serve this new community and it is good to see that the church still serves this area. Sometimes it seems as if church buildings are drawing back into the centre of our towns. We left the houses behind and walked through wooded areas with the bluebells still flowering and on to walk through fields where the ladies told me that sheep had been grazing the week before.
On both of these walks it was lovey to have the company of other walkers and to hear a little of the stories of their parishes and congregations. Thank you to the ministers for facilitating these walks. Thank you to all who shared their stories with me.
Just one parish on each walk and maybe only a mile or two in distance.
I was reminded of the chorus, For I’m building a people of power….build your church Lord, make us strong….
Love and blessings,
Mhairi
Mhairi Breingan
Ordained Local Minister
MBreingan@churchofscotland.org.uk
0141 812 1425
07706062433
A very short summary of the General Assembly, which met over 4 days in Edinburgh.
Johnston High l/w Johnstone Kirk seek a minister (1.0WTE on unrestricted tenure). The parish profile can be found here: https://johnstonekirk.org/vacancy/
Cardross Parish Church are advertising a 0.7WTE post on 5 year reviewable tenure. The Parish Profile and further details can be found here: https://www.cardrossparishchurch.org/content/about_parish-profile/
Could you be Clyde Presbytery’s new Treasurer?
Please pray for the guidance and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Our current Treasurer Ian Steven CA will retire on 30 June 2026. Ian has been Clyde’s Treasurer from its creation in September 2020. He oversaw the merging of the assets and accounts of Dumbarton and Greenock & Paisley and has guided us through the first six years of our existence. We are very grateful to Ian for so generously sharing his time and professional expertise.
Our accounts and systems are in a good place ready to be handed over to our next Treasurer.
Our next Presbytery Treasurer is a voluntary role requiring ‘a person with demonstrable financial expertise’ [SO9]. Experience of church accounts would be helpful.
Our Treasurer has ‘charge of the Presbytery’s funds’ and
· prepares draft and final accounts and budgets and presents these to Presbytery
· proposes the annual Presbytery dues payable by each congregation
· delivers a financial report at each Presbytery meeting
· is a corresponding member of Presbytery (unless otherwise a member)
· is a member of the Business Committee.
Our current treasurer estimates his time commitment as, on average, 1.5 days each month to fulfil the core treasury role. In addition, he spends 5-6 hours a month preparing for and attending Presbytery and Business Committee meetings.
Our Presbytery Secretary inputs receipts and payments currently using Excel and undertakes the monthly bank reconciliations.
All accounts and data will have been transferred to the Data Developments accounting system by the time of Ian’s retiral. He will continue to be available to offer support.
Ian will be happy to discuss the role with anyone who is interested.
ian.steven@ntlworld.com
Otherwise, please contact Rev Dr Alan Hamilton with any queries or recommendations.
Thank you for your help and prayers.
Rev Dr Alan J Hamilton
Convenor, Stewardship & Finance Committee
ahamilton@churchofscotland.org.uk
The next Ordinary Meeting of Presbytery is on Tuesday 16th June at 7pm