Day conference
Update on Church of Scotland view on buildings
· Buildings for modern use should
o Be accessible to all from the front door
o Be used frequently
o Have modern up to date toilets
o Have flexible space
· In view of the above & experience with people taking ill in the pews – session agreed
o All pews will be removed and replaced with flexible seating
o Grant funding will be sought to help pay for pew removal / new seats as well as making church accessible from front door & improving toilets
· The church boilers will be replaced in the summer
Other ideas from conference
Empathise with Today’s Young people
o Sunday afternoon activities once a month: open these out to others (non-members) too
o Get to know young people: eg, through paired reading/CAP; find out their interests and needs
Take Jesus’ Message Seriously Group
o Important to be Christ Centred also to have social events: encourage non- church young people to attend and see ‘normal’; a social committee to oversee and drive forward
Fuel a warm Community
o Action – Mixed group gatherings Picnic, evenings, quiz, Beach party, BBQ. Congregational weekend away: for those active/connected to the church and those not
Prioritise Young People (& Families) Everywhere
o More mixed age activities i.e. Beach, parties, Church trip, Church weekend again,- loved Gowanbank, Church BBQ
o Space – less formal - not pews
o Veering to informality rather than formality – Parents are more comfortable to bring kids if they are relaxed: if kids are happy parents will be; engaging young families into church situation
Be the Best Neighbours
o Being human in the ordinary *be in the community i.e. join scouts,help, S.W.A.T, go to pub quiz etc: offering our building and member skills to other organisations; church being prepared to engage with issues facing those in our community
o How to support new families moving into new housing?: being aware of empty houses; leaflets to new houses in co-operation with St Columba’s
January / February meetings
· Noted success of Narnia Experience with over 500 visitors
· New property convener – Ian Campbell
· Adopted the Church of Scotland report “Violence against women charter”
· Continue with monthly Church Gatherings – if some others can be found to help
· A replacement leader for the world mission special interest group is needed
Finance
· Last year’s accounts show a deficit of over £6033
· 2020 is projected to have a deficit of £22000
· We need to improve our funding position
o Fundraising events are to be encouraged
o There will be a further gift day in October this year
o More effort will be made to source grant money
o We will investigate selling part of manse garden
o We will have a morning of prayer
