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FINANCE
REMIT
- Oversee Houston Kirk’s finances (income, expenditure,investments, budgets, forecasts) on behalf of the Kirk session
- Assist the treasurer with the day to day running of the church accounts, providing support when required, including counting and banking of weekly oferings, and maintaining WFO and Gift Aid records and claims
- Define and maintain financial procedures for managing the Kirk’s finances
- Assist the treasurer to prepare the accounts for the Annual Report in good time, and to a format acceptable to OSCR (Office of Scottish Charity Regulator)
- Report regularly to the Kirk Session on the current financial position
- Advise and assist the Kirk Session in developing ongoing financial stewardship within the congregation, keeping the congregation informed about our Christian giving and spending within Houston Kirk and the wider church
- Promote regular giving combined with Gift Aid
- Ensure that all new members are visited and informed as to givings
- Assisting other KS teams in the development of their own budgets and providing regular updates of expenditure
- Ensure that insurance policies are regularly reviewed to reflect property values and risks
- Ensure that maintenance contracts and utility agreements are regularly reviewed and updated
- Advise on ways to fund special projects either from within the church or from outside sources
- Ensure that there is a system of internal controls by way of audit to counter bribery to enable the policy of zero tolerance to bribery to be fulfilled.
MEMBERS – Jack Mckechnie ( convenor ) , Irwin Jefferson, John King, David McLay, Roy Anderson ....Elaine Rowan ( Board member ) Gwen McKerrel ( co - opted ) Fiona Christie ( co opted )
- vThe finance team are reminded that under the Unitary constitution members of the congregation can be appointed to their team and also people from outwith the congregatoin whose talents would assist the team can be “ coresponding members “
FABRIC AND GROUNDS
The purpose of the Fabric and Grounds Teams is the maintenance and development of Houston Kirk’s buildings and grounds in order to enable the work of the Church and the safe enjoyment of the buildings all who use the property.
The remit for the Fabric Team includes:
- creating a positive environment for current and possible future church uses;
- developing a clear programme of maintenance and renewal of the church fabric with timeline of actions and budget estimates;
- ensuring that all work over a budget of £1,000 is supported by three quotations;
- budgeting the work programme to stay within the discretionary annual budget of £5,000, and to seek approval from the Kirk Session for any overspends;
- no requirement to seek Session approval for works not exceeding in cost £300.
- frequent liaison with the Finance over budgeting and timing for work;
- liaising with presbytery for building surveys and to ensure a valuation is carried out every five years;
- seeking presbytery approval for all work over £5,000;
- ensuring insurance cover is adequate for all buildings;
- liaising with groups who let the buildings to ensure that reasonable requirements are satisfied;
- ensuring that all buildings and surrounding area complies with legislation as required, e.g. Health and Safety, Disability, etc.;
- overseeing special building and fabric projects as requested by the Kirk Session;
- active liaison with other Teams to determine needs and requirements
- The maintenance and enhancement of the grounds of Houston Kirk and Church Halls.
MEMBERS
Norrie Cochrane (Convener), Allan Dawson, David Fulton, John Young, Gordon Jack, Ian Spearing, Jack McNeill , William Connell , Norrie Cochrane , Adam McCartney, Hazel McLean, Gordon Galloway , Sandy McIntosh, Effie Donaldson (co-opted) and John Wilson.
- vTheFabric and Grounds team are reminded that under the Unitary constitution members of the congregation can be appointed to their team and also people from outwith the congregatoin whose talents would assist the team can be “ coresponding members “
MISSION AND EVANGELISM:
Remit.
This involves Christian outreach of the Church within the parish and the wider community, by all means of communication. World Mission is our linkage between the Church of Scotland Council on World Mission and the congregation.
Objectives.
- To consider the Christian outreach of the Church within the parish and the wider community and to involve the congregation in making the church attractive and available to all who might contact it in any way and for any reason.
- To visit new homes with a message and organise leaflet drops at e.g. Easter and other special occasions and encourage regular communication with the parish,
- To act as a link between the Church of Scotland World Mission Council and the congregation ensuring that all are informed through newsletters, by contributions at services through Christian Aid and in other ways.
- To determine the Christian response to issues of political or national newsworthiness that may affect us all
- To identify an overseas community suitable for our pro-active assistance and involvement
- To liaise with our overseas partners
- To promote outreach through communication, with the work of the media group , who have responsibility for the Kirk Record, Web Site, Publicity and encompassing modern technology in our worship
- To have responsibity for sound and vision in our Church
- To promote the work of Houston Kirk in the wider community
- To encourage Fair Trade and support the growth of Fair Trade in our Church
Members
Barbara Ann Brown) Convenor ), Hazel Gilfillan, Ken Campbell, Caroline Morrison, Ian Jackson, Isobel Grant, Bob Ross , Janice Thomson, John Melrose and Sheila Moore.
Media Team – ( Sub committee ) Derek Whittle, Ian Scott, Sandra Griffiths, Ian Spearing, Kate Jackson, Kay Crawford, Carolyn Hunter, Marilyn Stewart..
Fair Trade – ( Sub committee ) Kay Crawford, Isobel Grant, Roy Anderson Eleanor Hood.
- vThe Mission and Media and Fair Trade teams are reminded that under the Unitary constitution members of the congregation can be appointed to their team and also people from outwith the congregatoin whose talents would assist the team can be “ coresponding members “
WORSHIP, DISCIPLESHIP & FELLOWSHIP
Remit. Worship is the primary activity of the Church and develops our Christian faith and understanding through our interaction with the Word of God, the Sacraments, music, praise, prayer, Bible study and action encompassing all ages of our Church family.
Worship is our response to God’s gifts and focuses on our relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and to our fellow human beings and the environment in which we live, work and play.
In meeting and encountering God we strive, through worship, to be a Church for all seasons, for all people, for the individual, the family and the community. But to grow we must implement ways of bringing both new people and inactive church members in to active church life. Thus fellowship and worship must work together to ensure we do extend and maintain God’s family.
Objectives.
- To support the Minister, as necessary, and be responsible for arranging scripture readers for Worship services
- To ensure that our form of worship meets the needs of our congregation and the parish.
- To enable wider participation of members of all ages in leading worship.
- To consider the use of technology to enhance worship
- To develop a variety of services or alternative forms of worship developing ways to promote worship at times other than Sunday morning.
- To develop groups for those interested in furthering their faith
- To continue with a diversity of hymns and songs
- To keep in contact with parents etc of newly baptized children through the Cradle Roll.
- To promote fellowship and friendship through social and other activities ,providing a number of inclusive social events to the Congregation of our church and to parishioners at large in the course of a year
- To support Kirk events such as Easter breakfast, Harvest Thanks – giving lunches
- To implement ways of bringing both new people and inactive church members into active church life (with other Teams and in partnership with other churches when appropriate)
- To be responsible for ensuring that all organisations for which the Church has a responsibility and also those who meet on Church premises have nominated Elders and to ensure that sufficient support is available and given to all our young people, especially the Sunday Club and to continue the work of the BB and GB liaison team
- To develop the Young Church for the future
Members
Belle McNeill (Convener),Janice Anderson, Moira Dunlop, George Allan, Helen Lister, Bill Haddow, May Griffin, John Young, Fiona Rodgers, Organist ( ex officio )
Social – sub committee - Marilyn Stewart, Ina Jefferson, Jean Mills, Sandra Griffiths, Stuart McLay, Janice Thomson , Kate Jackson , Diane Gray , co-opted Lorna Kinloch, Heather Jefferson
Pastoral Care – sub-committee
Pastoral Care Team Remit.
Pastoral care is our response to the Gospel grounded in our Call to Discipleship and to love our neighbour. It is offering God’s love in action and concern for the well being of individuals within our community, whether in childhood, adolescence adulthood, middle age or maturity.
Objectives.
- To support the Minister in meeting the pastoral needs of all members of the congregation and congregation
- To liaise with the Minister and keep him fully informed of the pastoral needs of members.
- To liaise with the relevant District Elder, as necessary.
Members- Liz Bowie(Convener), Kay Crawford, May Griffin, George Colquhoun, Marjorie Goudie, Isobel Grant, Marion Simpson, Brenda Holdbrook.
- vThe Woship , Discipleship and Fellwoship team are reminded that under the Unitary constitution members of the congregation can be appointed to their team and also people from outwith the congregatoin whose talents would assist the team can be “ coresponding members “
ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT
This involves the smooth running and further development of the Kirk Session and its associated teams and the Congregation, giving consideration to issues of the National Church at General Assembly and Presbytery as they affect us
Objectives.
- To communicate with local Churches within the proposed Parish Grouping and being aware of what other Churches are doing
- To carry out Roll keeping duties and to review Elders’ Districts, as necessary
- To arrange Elder training and other training, as necessary
- To continue to monitor our effectiveness.
- To report on Remits to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions from General Assembly
- To ensure the appointment of our Presbytery Elder and to ensure that the Session is updated on the work of Presbytery.
- To organise the setting up of Ad cHoc Sub committees as the need arises for matters concerning General Assembly or Presbytery issues.
- Kirk Session minutes
- To deal with all matters pertaining to Church employee contracts eg Organist, Church Officer etc.
Members
Ina Jefferson ( convenor ) , Irwin Jefferson, George Colquhoun, Ronnie Anderson, Adam McCartney, Gillian Peters, Janice Watt, Roy Anderson, Robert Finnie, Ian Jackson, , Robert Thorburn and Jim Strawbridge.
- vThe Organisation and Management team are reminded that under the Unitary constitution members of the congregation can be appointed to their team and also people from outwith the congregatoin whose talents would assist the team can be “ coresponding members “ , especially when setting up ad hoc sub committees.
SAFEGUARDING AND YOUTH MINISTRY
Remit.
Safeguarding regulations provide protection for our children and young people. PVG protects both children and vulnerable adults.We have a responsibility to ensure that these regulations are being carried out.
Objectives.
- To ensure the appointment of a Safeguarding/PVG Co-ordinator and Assistant to carry out the duties as required by the Safeguarding/PVG legislation and to follow the guidance of the Safeguarding Department of the Church of Scotland in implementing all the relevant Safeguarding regulations and to ensure that all those involved with our children and vulnerable adults have had the necessary training and are kept up to date with all changes.
- To be responsible for Starzone and any other outreach projects for our young people and to pursue the development of our Youth Ministry.
Members –
Sandra Griffiths (Convener), Helen Dunn, Robert Thorburn, Gillian Peters .
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