ORGANISATION:  The Guild 

Date of visit – 23^rd March 2010

VISITING ELDERS: James McBeath and Dennis Holdbrook

Leaders of group:

Convener – Isobel McNeill

Vice Convener – Janice Anderson ( Convener for Session 2010-2011)

Secretary – Joan Bridge

Treasurer – Marilyn Stewart

There is a Committee of 8 members and the Vice Convener also acts as Project Partner.

Number in Group:

74

Number in attendance when elder visited:

54

Average number attending:

50

Programme/Activities:

A full programme of meetings, dates, subjects and speakers is published each year. This session’s programme has continued to include interesting and varied subjects with gifted speakers who not only informed but entertained. The dates of set events for fund raising purposes are also well publicised in the Record and Intimations and are all well supported and successful.

Meetings open and end with an act of worship. The programme concludes with the AGM.

Facilities (if appropriate):

The meetings are held in the small Church Hall and refreshments are prepared in the Hall kitchen.

Points raised by Leaders:

There are no matters requiring any action.

The meetings continue to take place in a very happy environment and everyone is given a warm welcome on arrival. The Guild is very ably led by the Convener and well supported by an enthusiastic Committee. Excellent attendances at the meetings are evidence of the continuing success of the Guild.

During this session, the Guild’s fund raising events realised the sum of £3800, which was allocated to a number of Charities, including £1000 for Church funds.

James, on behalf of the Kirk Session and congregation, thanked all members of the Guild for their continuing loyalty and support in all areas in which members are involved and he wished the incoming Convener every success as she took up her new role.

Points raised by Elder:

None

Date of Next Visit:

October 2010

Elders’ action before next visit:

None.

It is worth noting that membership of the Guild is open to both women and men.

Date form given to Session Clerk:

08/04/2010

Date form given to Organisation Leader:

15/04/2010

ORGANISATION:    Choir

DATE OF VISIT: 18/03/10

VISITING ELDERS: Helen Lister, Marion Simpson (choir member)

Leaders of group:

Peter Yardley-Jones

Number in Group:

25

Number in attendance when elders visited:

20

Average number attending:

21

Programme/Activities:

 Choir practice began with a prayer led by a choir member.

This was followed by a vocal “warm-up”.

Hymn and introit practice for Sunday’s service.

Work on special music for the Easter services.

Facilities (if appropriate):

Quite suitable.

Points raised by Leaders:

Peter  would still very much like to have more singers to swell the choir’s numbers.

He is looking forward to having the organ in use again, once all the repairs have been carried out.

Points raised by Elders:

Donald is present for at least part of Thursday evenings’ practices which allows any points (e.g. preference of hymn tune) to be clarified there and then.

Peter appears to have an easy, friendly relationship with the choir and they work extremely hard under his expertise and guidance. Listening to a practice makes me appreciate all the talent, and the hard work of our choir, which enhances our services of worship.

Perhaps an invitation could be made, to anyone who has thought about joining the choir, to go along as an observer on a Thursday evening.

Date of Next Visit:

Autumn 2010

Elders’ action before next visit:

none

Date form given to Session Clerk:

01/04/10

Date form given to Organisation Leader:

ORGANISATION: 

Boys Brigade - Junior Section

DATE OF VISIT:

11/3/2010

VISITING ELDERS:

Ian Jackson ; Ken Campbell

Leaders of group:

Ian Gray

Jim McLaughlin

Gordon Smith

Brian Jowett

Assisted by four members of the Company Section.

Programme/Activities:

The evening opened with the raising of the flag followed by the singing of a hymn, a prayer and a short story about the disciple Thomas.

A programme of activities followed which included drill, physical exercises,

hockey and a word search game with a religious theme.

The P4 boys were informed of the forthcoming visit to the Traffic Department arranged for their group, consent forms were issued and the meeting closed.

Number in Group:

38

Number in attendance when elders visited:

33

Average number attending:

30-35

Facilities (if appropriate):

It was noted that the large hall was utilised for hockey and drill, the small hall for physical exercise and the upper room for the paper-based games. This appeared to work satisfactorily.

Points raised by Leaders:

It was re-iterated that there is still reluctance among parents to become involved by helping introduce new topics of interest and to assist with activities requiring additional supervision.

Points raised by Elders:

None.

Date of Next Visit:

The elders intend to attend the Junior Section display that is to be held on Thursday 6^th May.

Elders’ action before next visit:

The elders have agreed to accompany a group of about 16 on their visit to Helen St. Police station and Traffic Department on the 18^th March.

Date form given to Session Clerk:

                                                                             16/3/2010

Date form given to Organisation Leader:

                                                                              18/3/2010

ORGANISATION:  BEGINNERS SUNDAY CLUB

DATE OF VISIT:   23 MAY 2010

VISITING ELDER:     KAY CRAWFORD

Leaders of group:

Sandra Griffiths

Susan Findlay

Jane Ross

Number in Group:

11 (up a little from last year)

Six of the children are moving up to the older group next session

Number in attendance when elders visited:

5

Average number attending:

6-10

Programme/Activities:

Sandra follows a combination of 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 of theme and her own material using Bible story books etc. 

On the day I visited, the children had joined the older group in the large hall to rehearse a musical play (about Mr Noah and rainbows) which they will perform in the church on 6 June as part of their Book Presentation service.  Under the direction of Kirsty, they were really enjoying learning the songs, “Give it all you’ve got” and “God created them all” – both catchy toe-tapping numbers!   They use a CD-rom from the company “Out of the Ark” which comes with lyrics and music.  We will all enjoy this (involves a bit of audience participation as well, I believe!)

Facilities (if appropriate):

According to the leaders, the facilities are perfectly adequate and Sandra has no complaints

Points raised by Leaders:

Unfortunately Jane Ross is leaving at the end of this session.  She has been a very valuable member of the team and they are sad to lose her. As six of the children are moving up to the older group of the Sunday Club, they are hoping to have new children joining them next session.  It would also be great if they could find a new member of the team to replace Jane.

Points raised by Elders:

I thanked the leaders for their hard work on behalf of the Session.  

Comments by Elder to Session:

We are very fortunate to have such dedicated and high calibre staff running the Sunday School.  It is a pity only 11 children are on the roll of the Beginners group in a village with so many young children.  They need our help, as elders, to ensure that their numbers increase year by year.  Perhaps, as we go round our Districts visiting young families (or their Grannies and Grandpas!) we could do our best to “promote” the Sunday School, letting them know of the fun and friendship and Christian education which the children would enjoy being part of.

Date of Next Visit:

TBA

Elder’s’ action before next visit:

Date form given to Session Clerk:

27 May 2010

Date form given to Organisation Leader:

1^st June 2010