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
Youth Conference: Reimagining Youth Ministry
The guest speaker, Rev Paul Beautyman, led an engaging session exploring the why, how and what of youth work. He introduced those present to his “e-circle” model, which encouraged thoughtful discussion among those attending.
Slides from the evening will be made available on the Mission page of the Presbytery website.
Following questions raised on the night, and the areas of the “e-circle” which people expressed a particular interest in exploring further, Paul will now shape a follow-up Zoom meeting and host a further in-person gathering. Dates for both will be posted on the Presbytery website and Facebook page.
A total of 28 congregations were represented at the conference, including three from outwith the Church of Scotland.
A very short summary of the General Assembly, which met over 4 days in Edinburgh.
NEW PRESBYTERY CLERK REV CHRISTINE MURDOCH OUTLINES HER VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Before entering my training for ministry, I worked in broadcasting as a sound engineer and radio producer, producing the Daily Service on Radio 4 for a year.
I am married to Cameron, who is a talented musician, conductor and organist. We have an adult son, Iain. My hobbies include cooking, choral singing and I am a bit of a political anorak.
In applying for the position of Presbytery Clerk, I stated that I believe in four Ps for Presbytery:
Presbyterian – it is important to remember the full Presbytery is the decision-making body not an individual or committee, even if powers are delegated to a committee;
Procedural – meetings should be conducted in a seemly manner and in accordance with Church Law;
Pastoral – while the Presbytery has an important oversight and superintendence role when required, it also has a pastoral role for its members, particularly its ministers;
Prophetic – we are called to proclaim the Kingdom, this means being a prophetic voice in the world. We need to encourage and resource our congregations to prophetic action, that is mission and outreach in Christ’s name.
While there is a lot to lament and seek forgiveness for in the Report on the Causes of Decline, which will be presented to this year’s General Assembly by the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team and The Theological Forum, I believe that if individual Christians, congregations and Presbyteries catch the vision of the final part of the report and dedicate themselves to naming, knowing, trusting and serving Jesus, then we will begin to be prophetic.
In my new role, I will be trusting in our Lord each and every day.
The Presbytery of Clyde has appointed a new Presbytery Clerk
We are pleased to let you know that interviews for our Presbytery Clerk position took place on Friday of last week. Following the interviews, the panel were pleased to offer the post to Rev Christine Murdoch.
Many of you will know Christine as a long-term member of our Presbytery, and current Minister of the Lochside Union. Christine was able to share the news with her congregation yesterday in advance of letting Presbytery know.
I'm sure you will all join in expressing warmest congratulations to Christine and wishing her all the best as she takes this next step. Please do hold Christine in your prayers as she moves from parish ministry into this new role over the coming months.
I'd also like to express my warmest thanks on behalf of Presbytery to the members of the recruitment group for their diligence and professionalism. It has been an absolute please to work with them over these past few months.
With best wishes.
Tim Mineard
Minister of Barrhead St Andrew’s Parish Church
Bridge of Weir Parish Church of Scotland has a vacancy for an Organist and Choirmaster for its regular worship, playing the organ at Sunday Services and other services, together with developing the use of music within worship by means of a Church Choir and Junior Choir
Salary will be paid according to scale B of the Salary for Organist’s salary scales.
A job description is available upon request. Please apply to “Sessionclerk@bridgeofweirparish.org”
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/
We are looking for a new Youth and Children Assistant for Milngavie St Paul’s
St Paul’s Parish Church of Scotland, Milngavie
Normal Hours: 20 per week
Annual Salary: £19,150
Annual Leave: 6 weeks
Our Vision
St Paul’s Parish Church believes it is entering a new season in its life and ministry. The congregation has experienced encouraging growth, particularly among older adults, and gives thanks for this. At the same time, there is a clear and prayerful desire to see the church grow younger as well as older.
The church is seeking God’s guidance in becoming a community where children, young people, families, and older generations can flourish together. In light of this vision, St Paul’s is looking to appoint someone who will contribute meaningfully to this journey — someone who will do more than simply run programmes.
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