Kirk Session

updated as at July 2024

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:                                
Willie White, Margaret Harley, Ursula Baillie, Dee Yates, Janet Telfer

Janice Reid (on sabbatical)

Lyn Cochrane (on sabbatical)
Judith Gilbert (on sabbatical)

Co-opted members:

Ralph Barker - Treasurer

Angela Wilson - Community Outreach Worker

Session Clerk - currently vacant - Minister acting as temp. clerk until the proposed Union comes into effect
Property convenor - Willie White
Presbytery elder/ Leadhills evening worship link - Margaret Harley
Roll and data protection - Ursula Baillie

Safeguarding - Elaine Robinson from Douglas Valley Parish - under parish grouping/ cluster as we move forward together to Union
Pastoral care coordinator - Dee Yates
Social committee convenor - currently via the Session as a whole
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Notes for elders:
Session meetings -
Session formally meets 4-5 times a year, during Sept-May 
Second Thursday of the month [with occasional exceptions] from 7pm - 8.30pm [and no later than 9pm!]

New Session term recommences in Sept. 2024, with other dates as follows: [may be subject to change]

- Thurs 12 September, 7pm - any outstanding business, update on Union implementation process 
- Thurs 10 Oct, 7pm

no meeting in Nov., unless a joint cluster session meeting is called [n.b. minister unavailable 12-27 Nov] 

- Thurs 12 Dec, 7pm

-  *31 Dec. one-off item of business: quorum for approval of Congregational Roll
2025:
- no meeting in Jan. unless a joint cluster session meeting is called

- Thurs  13 Feb, 7pm - checklist and prep. for attestation of records
- Thurs 13 March, 7pm - appoint/ reappoint Office Holders; 
 - *end March - (at latest, beg. April) quorum to approve accounts after worship, set date for ASM
- Sat 17 May, 2pm at Manse - loose ends, implementation matters arising, looking ahead, social time
Summer break - informal, one-off meetings for any urgent incoming item of business/ implementation matters, etc. will be called as needed over summer break and meet after worship on Sunday.

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.