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ORGANISATION:   Beginners Sunday Club

DATE OF VISIT: 20 November 2009

VISITING ELDER:    Kay Crawford

Leaders of group:

Sandra Griffiths

Susan Findlay

Jane Ross

with assistance from Alastair Griffiths and Louise McCluskie

Number in Group:

8

Number in attendance when elders visited:

8

Average number attending:

8

Programme/Activities:

Christian Education

Until Christmas, Sandra follows the Scripture Union “Bubbles” Programme, a lively Bible-based learning for children aged 3-5 years involving a variety of activities relating to a particular Bible story or theme and until the end of May she makes up her own material, using Bible story books etc. 

They are using CDs as “backing music” for their songs.

On the day of my visit the children had joined the older group in the large hall to rehearse for their Nativity Play, “Born in a Barn” which they will perform in the church on 20 December.   Ably directed by Fiona Rodgers (microphone in hand!) the children were thoroughly enjoying learning their songs and their “stage directions”!  It was all well organised and great fun. 

Facilities

According to the leaders, the facilities are perfectly adequate and the Sandra and Susan said they have no complaints. 

Points raised by Leaders:

NIL

Points raised by Elder:

I thanked the leaders on behalf of the Session.

Comments by Elder to Session:

We are so fortunate in having such a professional, dedicated and hardworking team leading the Sunday Club.   It is sad that there are only 8 children on the Roll of the Beginners group. 

Date of Next Visit:

Spring 2010

Elder’s action before next visit:

Date form given to Session Clerk:

5 December 2009

Date form given to Organisation Leader:

20.12.09

ORGANISATION: The Guild   

Date of visit 6^th October 2009

VISITING ELDERS: Dennis Holdbrook and James McBeath

Leaders of group:

Convenor – Isobel McNeill

Vice Convenor – Janice Anderson

Secretary – Joan Bridge

Treasurer – Marilyn Stewart

There is a Committee consisting of 8 members and the Vice Convenor also acts as project partner.

Number in Group:

70

Number in attendance when elder visited:

53

Average number attending:

50

Programme/Activities:

The Guild follows the theme as chosen by the Church of Scotland Guild’s national Committee which is ‘ called to act justly’ and the project for the year 2009/2010 is ‘what does the Lord require of you’. The Guild meetings are held fortnightly in the small hall and a full programme of meetings, dates, subjects and speakers is published each year. The dates of set events for fund raising are also included. These are also well published in the Record and intimation sheets and are all generally well supported and successful. The programme concludes with the AGM on 23^RD March. Meetings open and end with an Act of Worship. 

Facilities (if appropriate):

The meetings are held in the small hall which is quite adequate. Refreshments are prepared in the Hall kitchen.

Points raised by Leaders:

None that requires action.

The meetings take place in a very happy environment and everyone is given a warm welcome on arrival.

All the meetings are well planned and led and the choice of subject is varied, informative and generally not without amusement.

The good average attendance is evidence of the continuing success of the Guild and many of the members play active roles in other areas of Church life.

Points raised by Elders:

None

Date of Next Visit:

The AGM on 23^rd March 2010

Elders’ action before next visit:

None

It is worth mentioning that attendance at Guild meetings is not restricted to women, and men can attend and become members, if they wish!

Date form given to Session Clerk:

8^th October 2009

Date form given to Organisation Leader:

13^th October 2009

Leaders of group:

Iris Simmet

Campbell McDonald

Annette Fitzpatrick

Jane McGonnigal

Jim Fraser (Absent on night)

Jackie Brown (Absent on night)

Callum McDonald (Pianist)

Jennifer Priestley ( GB girl doing DofE Award)

Andrew Morrison (BB Boy doing DofE Award)

Douglas Holmes (BB Boy doing DofE Award)

1.     After the visit, Mrs Simmet advised me that there are another two boys from the BB Company Section who are being seconded to the Anchor Boys for the current season.

2.     Iris is satisfied by the number and quality of officers and helpers.

Number in Group:

34

Number in attendance when elders visited:

28

Average number attending:

Too early

to say

Programme/Activities:

The following was the programme for the evening:-

1.     Before the meeting started at 6.30pm the boys played a game of Statues

2.     Roll-call

3.     Tuck Shop

4.     Games in Lesser Hall ( while main hall set out for craft-work

5.     Craftwork – making Dinosaurs – each table had a staff member supervising/assisting

6.     Marching

7.     A Children’s Address by Iris ( Lion King compared with Christening/All part of God’s Family)

8.     Going Home Song at 7.50pm.

Facilities (if appropriate):

1.     The Anchor Boys have their own AV equipment and use the newly installed PA system and the piano. It was suggested that a lock on the PA cupboard would be a good idea to prevent vandalism.

2.     They use a flip chart but Iris finds it heavy and unwieldy ( R Anderson will try to source a more suitable alternative)

3.     They use one of the built in cupboards with several items stored on top. In view of Iris’s diminutive size and Campbell having sever arthritis, Iris has requested some space in the hall storage cupboard

Points raised by Leaders:

1.     Iris commented on the lack of support from other sections of the BB. In particular, there are no ‘officer in charge meetings’. For the recent Coffee Morning, e-mails were sent advising the boys rather than customary letters taken home to parents – no prior consultation with Iris.

2.     Enrolment of boys still in progress. Obtained a copy of the paperwork regarding parental consents and a gift aid declaration. No disciplinary policy in place as yet.

Points raised by Elders:

1.     Ascertained that the comments about the retention of boys progressing through Junior and Company sections were still relevant.

2.     Funding is adequate. They receive an annual grant of £300 from the Parents an Friends Association for the pantomime outing. Other costs are met from subscriptions – currently £27.

3.     We requested an invitation to the Anchor Boys Annual Display.

Date of Next Visit:

Early in 2009

Elders’ action before next visit:

1.     Flip Chart (being progressed)

2.     Storage issues (bring up with board)

Date form given to Session Clerk:

10/09/09

Date form given to Organisation Leader:

ORGANISATION:    Choir

DATE OF VISIT:24/09/09

VISITING ELDERS:  Marion Simpson, Helen Lister

Leaders of group:

Peter Yardley-Jones

Number in Group:

25

Number in attendance when elders visited:

22

Average number attending:

21

Programme/Activities:

The evening began with a prayer. (some choir members take it in turn to do this)

This was followed by vocal exercises.

Anthem and introit practice for Sunday service.

Hymn practice.

Break  (and Roses choc) 

Practice of anthems for Sundays ahead. (a list of these is given to each choir member for services for the following 2 months. These are linked to the church calendar.

Facilities (if appropriate):

Quite suitable.

Points raised by Leaders:

Peter would like more choir members in general, but especially tenors. There are only 2 at present, which can be difficult should one be unable to attend for any reason.

Peter would like to be able to purchase more music if possible. The £200 which the choir is given allows the purchase of 4 sets of music per year.

One item he would particularly like for this coming Christmas season is a photocopiable set costing £60-£80. 

Points raised by Elders:

Sorry to find no new members for the choir after Peter’s lovely invitation to the congregation at Harvest.

Delighted to find the choir committee is continuing, excellently chaired by Peter McKerrell.

4 members of the choir + our choir-master meet each month at the end of choir practice. This allows any points of concern, either of our choir-master or the choir, to be discussed and solutions found. It also allows arrangements for future events to be planned.

Appreciated the hard work of Peter Yardley-Jones and the choir in preparation for services of worship.

Date of Next Visit:

Early in 2010

Elders’ action before next visit:

Date form given to Session Clerk:

06/10/09

Date form given to Organisation Leader:

ORGANISATION:    ANCHOR BOYS

DATE OF VISIT: 4^th SEPT 2009

VISITING ELDERS: Adam McCartney and Roy Anderson