Kirk Session

updated as at October 2023
This page contains:
*Information about the Kirk Session of UCPC
*At the bottom, there is information on how the Church of Scotland is organised

The Session and roles:                                
Session Clerk - Janice Reid
Property convenor - Willie White
Presbytery elder/ Leadhills evening worship link - Margaret Harley
Roll and data protection - Ursula Baillie
Safeguarding & Community Outreach Worker link - Janice Reid
Pastoral care coordinator - Dee Yates
Social committee convenor - Janet Telfer
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Lyn Cochrane (on sabbatical)
Judith Gilbert (on sabbatical)


Co-opted members:
Ralph Barker - Treasurer
Angela Wilson - Community Outreach Worker

Notes for elders:
Session meetings -
Session formally meets 4-5 times a year, during Sept-May - n.b. due to Pres. Plan extra meeting built in this year
Second Thursday of the month [with occasional exceptions] from 7pm - 8.30pm [and no later than 9pm!]
Session term recommences in 2023 on:
- Thurs 14 September, 7pm - Presbyter Plan updates, looking back and looking ahead; 
- no meeting in Oct., unless Presbytery Plan business needing attention
- Thurs 12 Nov, 7pm
- Thurs 14 Dec, 7pm - if needed
-  *31 Dec. quorum for approval of Congregational Roll after worship
- no meeting in Jan.
2024:
- Thurs  8 Feb, 7pm - checklist and prep. for attestation of records
- Thurs 14 March, 7pm - appoint/ reappoint Office Holders; 
 - *end March - (at latest, beg. April) quorum to approve accounts after worship, set date for ASM
- Sat 4 or 11 May, 2pm at Manse - loose ends, looking ahead, social time
Summer break - informal, one-off meetings for any urgent incoming item of business will be called as needed over summer break

n.b. the Session has agreed to continue to meet online with the last meeting prior to summer break to be held in person - among a number of reasons, this was seen to be eco-friendly, saving on cost and travel time, and helpful for those working f/t re. timing, and those without access to car.
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How we are organised:
The Church of Scotland's governing system is presbyterian which means that no one person or group within the Church has more influence or say than any other. The Church does not have one person who acts as the head of faith, as that role is the Lord God's. Its supreme rule of faith and life is through the teachings of the Bible.
At national level, the court is the highest court of the Kirk, the General Assembly. The General Assembly consists of around 400 ministers, 400 elders, and members of the diaconate, all representing the presbyteries.
At district level, the court is a presbytery. Presbyteries consist of all the ministers in the district and an equal number of elders, along with members of the diaconate (a form of ordained ministry, usually working in a complementary role in a ministry team in both parish and industry sector contexts). There are 46 presbyteries across Scotland, England, Europe and Jerusalem - although these are currently being reduced in number. 
UCPC belongs to the new Forth Valley and Clydesdale Presbytery - formerly the presbyteries of Lanark, Hamilton, and Falkirk.
At a local level, the parish, the court is a kirk session. Kirk sessions oversee the local congregation and its parish, and consist of elders presided over by a minister.

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