Vision

The Kirk Session has prepared a draft foward plan and vision for our congregation. This was distributed at the Annual Stated Meeting in March. If you have any comments or suggestions to be included in the plan please speak to one of the elders or email david(atsign)loguenet.co.uk by 22nd April. If you want to download a copy: North Knapdale Forward Plan word doc  North Knapdale Forward Plan pdf. This plan is  currently (Jan/Feb 2012) undergoing updating but in the mean time please note that some of the officials have retired since this was written….

Kirk Session Forward Plan 2011 – 2012

Our Vision

North Knapdale Parish Church is a church focussed on people, not buildings, however we are committed to the maintenance and provision of buildings within the Parish to provide accessible places of worship and to facilitate our outreach within the community and our aspirations for a family friendly church environment.
We are committed to see a church in our Parish grow and develop, to be relevant to the people who live within it, and to be a meaningful presence for God and His purposes.
We want our church to have an increased impact on our local communities, and to increase the activity and involvement of members in the life and work of the Church.
We have a vision for all in our Parish, particularly children and young people for more to share with us in the Church’s life and witness, and for them to feel something of God’s love in their lives.
We want our Church to be recognised as:

• A busy, vibrant, caring church
• Somewhere  residents and visitors want to come to worship.
• A place where all are assured of a warm welcome and fellowship.
• An organisation which plays its full part in the life of the community, particularly in addressing some of its social and pastoral needs.

Our Aims

The Kirk Session has identified the following aims for the growth and development of the Church’s activities and influence in our communities.

1. Remain alert to the needs of our Communities, working to address identified needs as resources allow.
2. Encourage membership.
3. Ensure church services and other activities provide opportunities for developing faith and worship.
4. Explore opportunities for children’s and young people’s ministries.
5. Ensure that the best safeguarding arrangements are in place in respect of all church related activities in compliance with the Church of Scotland directions.
6. Manage the Church’s resources to reduce to a minimum our impact on the environment and world resources.
7. Develop the Church’s resources to facilitate the renewal of the church in the community and promote its role in nurture of faith, worship and witness for Christ.
8. Provide opportunities for adult learning, discussion and personal development.
9. Ensure the effective discharge of the Kirk Session’s responsibilities.

Management of the Congregational Business of the Church

The management of the business of the church is undertaken through the Kirk Session and the Congregational Board

Functions of the Kirk Session
The Kirk session has oversight of the life and service of the church within the Parish and responsibility for the spiritual and temporal oversight of the Congregations affairs.
Spiritual responsibility includes leadership, nurturing the spirituality of the congregation and its members, caring for the spiritual welfare of the parish and parishioners, encouraging members to participate in the worship and life of the congregation, and promoting mission and evangelism in the parish.
Responsibilities include: welcoming, evangelism, outreach, education, communication, development, nurture, youth activity, membership, eldership, fellowship, hospitality, social, world mission, and involvement and participation in worship.
Safeguarding is a specific responsibility.
Members of the Kirk session are:
Minister:  Rev. Cliff Acklam       Session Clerk:   Dr John Morrison
Alan Cameron - Val Cameron - Libby MacDonald  - Rona Blythe-  Maureen Morrison - Bob  McLundie -  Louise Logue - David Logue

Our Kirk Session Forward Plan

The Kirk session is introducing a forward plan for the first time this year. This plan for 2011 will provide a focus for our work in the year ahead and ensure that we keep under review our effectiveness and efforts to realise our vision and aims.   The Plan will be the considered by the Kirk session each quarter.

Plan:

1 Social church:

Programme of themed services to encourage local and visitor involvement:
Sailing Service                        May 2011
Carers’ service                        June 2011
Prayer for healing                 June and Sept 2011
Easter – Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Morning and Easter Day (including Childrens  ’activities)
Tayvallich weekend              July 2011
Open air services in Crinan, Achnamara and Tayvallich.
“Welcome back to church” Service.
Christmas services:            Outdoor Carol Service,  Watchnight, , Christmas Day

Encourage fellowship and informal discussion through Elders groups at least twice a year
Support joint activities with Glassary, Kilmartin and Ford to promote linked Parishes.
Actively pursue the Scottish Churches Housing Action Group initiative through supporting packs for the homeless with the local “Moving On Mid Argyll” organisation.
Consider becoming  an “eco-congregation”

2 Financial Stewardship:

Monitor Expenditure  March 2011
Approve annual accounts March 2011
Approve Budget for 2011/12 March 2011

3 Encourage Membership

• Have lunches linked to special services
• Social events, Games nights, Whist drive, Childrens’ parties
• Picnics/outings for children and adults
• Coffee mornings
• Ongoing relationship with visitors
• Follow-up people married or  baptised in the church
• Encourage adherents to become members

Encourage opportunities for Worship and developing faith

• Celebration of festivals and events in the Christian calendar
• Worship events for Baptisms, marriages, blessings and funerals
• National and local community worship such as Holy week, Advent, World Day of prayer and Remembrance.
• Develop schools activities and worship events for young people
• Develop House Groups
• Provide bible study opportunities
• Keep churches open for local people and visitors to drop in for peace, contemplation and prayer.
• Regular times for prayer each week
• 24 hour prayer event.

Safeguarding:

• Approve the formal criteria and procedures for the appointment of the Safeguarding Panel
• Regular meetings of the Safeguarding Panel
• Elders to attend Safeguarding training

Childrens’ and Youth Ministry:

• • Look into the potential for a Youth fellowship Group
  • Develop the Church’s outreach within the local schools
  • Explore opportunities for youth ministry through events and social activities

Review

This Plan and the value of the approach will be considered by the Kirk session in November 2011.

Be Sociable, Share!

•