Congregational Profile for Holy Trinity Church,

Canonical District

Holy Trinity Church serves the City of Dunfermline and the landward area of to the west of the .

The population of Dunfermline is growing fast and by 2010 the estimate was about 48,200 compared to the 2001 census figure of 39,200. The recent growth is primarily attributed to the Eastern expansion of the city which has added 4000 new homes and 3 new primary schools. A further 2000 homes are planned. In addition there are proposals for a similar Western Expansion, including further primary and secondary schools, which is expected to take place over the next 10 years or so.

The landward areas are made up of smaller communities such as Saline, Newmills, High Valleyfield, Crossford, Cairneyhill, Limekilns, etc. account for about another 20,000.

Local Business Parks have attracted major companies as BSkyB Subscription Service, the Bank of Scotland Card Services (Visa) Centre, and the new Amazon distribution centre. Babcock Marine, which is currently building the UK's new aircraft carrier at Rosyth, is another major employer. However, many residents in the district work in , and other towns of central Scotland taking advantage 1

of the excellent transport links. Edinburgh airport is less than a half hour drive and there is a frequent rail service into the capital. A new - The - is under construction and due to open in 2016.

Dunfermline is proud to be the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie, the son of a weaver who became Steel King of America and father of modern philanthropy. The fascinating Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum tells the ultimate rags to riches tale with the aid of interactive exhibits and a programme of exhibitions and events. More details and information on Dunfermline's amenities can be found at http://www.visitdunfermline.com/pdfs/Dunfermline-and-West-Fife_Visitor-Guide- Final.pdf

Our Church website is at http://www.holytrinitychurch.org.uk/

Ministry

We look forward to the prospect of welcoming and supporting a new Rector to share in our tradition of good pastoral ministry.

We also look forward to our new Rector continuing to lead and develop the life of our congregation, encouraging and building on our many skills and strengths.

The new incumbent will help us to develop work among the children and young people in our communities as well as maintaining and developing the existing links with the other groups within the church and community.

We are keen to continue with the provision of training opportunities for newly ordained clergy.

Worship

The congregation reflects much of the wide range of Anglican experience and comes from a diversity of Christian backgrounds but all are embraced within the broad ethos of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

The current practice is that worship varies between traditional and modern forms of service.

Our Sunday morning services are an early Holy Communion at 08:00 and a sung Eucharist at 11:00 led by a very enthusiastic organist and choir.

We have an average attendance of approx 95 with 80+ communicants. Our attendance figures at Christmas and Easter are well over 120. Our Young Church takes place in the Church Hall during the 11:00 service and the children and leaders join the congregation in the church at the Peace. We also have a well attended service every Thursday morning at 10:15 with about 12-15 communicants.

2

We use the New English Hymnal, Common Ground and the New Revised Standard Bible during our services.

We have a Prayer Group meeting monthly with 5-7 regular attendees.

Our Study and Growth Group meets regularly in an informal and friendly setting for discussions on God, the Church and the Christian Faith.

Confirmation classes are run yearly with 10 confirmed in 2012 and 4 this year.

Holy Trinity is the Anglican Church for the Dunfermline area so our clergy is called upon to perform funerals, baptisms, weddings and hospital visits. In 2012/13 clergy officiated at 8 funerals, 3 baptisms and 1 wedding. So far this year 2013/14 we have had 6 funerals, 3 baptisms and 3 weddings with a further 2 booked. Hospital visits at our 2 main hospitals in Dunfermline and vary according to the needs of the congregation.

The clergy also regularly visit several homes for the elderly in the Dunfermline area, the main one being Canmore Lodge where 20-25 staff and residents join our choir for a Eucharist service.

Holy Trinity Church

Holy Trinity Church, Dunfermline is in the Diocese of St. Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Diocese appointed Bishop David Chillingworth in 2005 and he was elected Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church in 2009. Following a Strategic Review of the Diocese after his appointment Casting the Net, a programme looking at Mission within the Diocese, was launched. Holy Trinity is also part of the St Andrews West Area Council of the Diocese and it sends representatives both to the Diocesan Synod and the Area Council. The Holy Trinity Charge is linked with St Margaret of Scotland, Rosyth, and the Rector of Holy Trinity also serves as Rector-in-Charge to St Margaret’s.

PEOPLE

Ordained Ministry

During the current interregnum ministry is being provided by the Very Rev Jim Mein, retired of Edinburgh Diocese with assistance from the Rev Ross Kennedy, a retired priest

3

Lay Ministry

Holy Trinity has a long tradition of lay involvement in services. Lay members of the congregation read the lessons, lead the intercessions, take part in the offertory procession and administer the chalice. A number of members of the congregation are authorised by the Bishop to administer home communion and three members are authorised to take services of Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. In addition several members of the congregation have recently had the opportunity to assist in the planning of and to lead in alternative, innovative forms of worship such as All Age Services and Taize worship.

The Congregation

In the Diocesan statistical return for 2012 the congregation has 262 members and 153 communicants. Average weekly attendance is 86.

The Young Church

We have a thriving Young Church group, made up of children from birth upwards and the number of young families is increasing with 23 children on the roll. They meet during term-time at 11.00am in the Church Hall with a crèche running throughout the summer holidays. A rota is set up for parents and other volunteers, approved by Disclosure Scotland, to organise activities linked to the lectionary. This includes stories, songs, prayer, games and craft. All children are brought into church for a blessing at the time of Communion and afterwards one of the clergy will have a chat with them about what they have been doing.

The Youth Fellowship

Our membership is 7 and they meet regularly in the Church hall. There is no upper age limit for Young Church but those of secondary age often begin to serve in the church and attend Youth Fellowship every second Sunday evening in term time, where the focus tends to be on silly games and food! Most attend the annual Youth camp at Glenalmond School, Perthshire, and this year we have 7 young people going from Holy Trinity.

The Young Church, along with members of the Youth Fellowship, has significant input in the planning and leadership of our regular all-age worship including readings, drama, prayer and music. The young people enjoy being involved in the wider life of the church providing soup lunches, helping with flower arranging and performing in the annual Christmas Nativity play. They also enjoy an Epiphany party and the "Good Friday Happening" which varies in form but serves to prepare the children for the celebration of Easter.

4

The Vestry

Holy Trinity’s affairs are administered by a Vestry chaired by the Rector, and consisting of a Rector’s Warden appointed by the Rector; a People’s Warden and a Lay Representative, elected annually; six elected members, elected for a three year term in rotation, and a Treasurer and a Secretary appointed by the Vestry. The Vestry meets about ten times a year and reports to an Annual General Meeting of the congregation that is normally held at the beginning of Advent. Vestry has agreed Policies for Health and Safety and for Ethical Investments and they have adopted the Booklet produced by the Province Church for All group:- How to make your Church Accessible and Inclusive; Guidelines from the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Vestry has also adopted the Scottish Episcopal Church policies for Protection of Children and Adults and the Recruitment of Ex-offenders. A PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) coordinator is appointed by Vestry and s/he attends regular training sessions organised by the Provincial Officer for the Protection of Children and Adults.

Church Groups

There are a number of active groups belonging to Holy Trinity. These include:-

The Contact Group

This Group was formed in 2010 as part of the Mission Action Plan. The Group leaders were commissioned by Bishop David at a service to launch the Plan. Each Group leader ensures regular contact with a set of assigned members of the congregation who have agreed they wish to be included. Group leaders make contact either in person in church, by phone, or by email according to the preference of the individual member of congregation who is invited to complete a form agreeing to be contacted. They make the Rector aware of any relevant issue but in the main provide a link between the on-going life of the congregation. In a few cases leaders will visit at times of ill health or infirmity or by request. The Rector also frequently asks a group leader to make a call.

Wives’ Group

This group meets fortnightly in the Church Hall on Monday evenings at 7.30 pm for fellowship or to listen to an invited speaker.

Dorcas Group

This is a women’s Craft Group meeting on Thursday afternoons, starting with lunch and enjoys fellowship while carrying out crafts. They sew, knit, cross stitch and 5

make craft cards to sell on their stall at all functions for the church and you will see them every Sunday morning after the 11 a.m. service. They make cards for all occasions – baptisms, confirmations, weddings etc. and special orders which are able to be personalised. All their profit goes to any projects for the church and church funds. They also do running repairs to the church furnishings - cassocks and hassocks etc.

Mothers Union

This is a worldwide Anglican organisation open to men and women whose concern is Christian care for families. Holy Trinity is a lively branch of the Mothers Union in Scotland with members supporting local, diocesan and provincial events and activities.

Women's Guild

This is a small group of women from the congregation and their friends who find it more convenient to meet in the afternoons. They meet one Wednesday afternoon a month for a cup of tea and fellowship. The members frequently join with and support other organisations in fund raising efforts and are included in some of their social activities.

Choir

Holy Trinity has a small four-part choir, supported predominantly by a beautiful Hamilton pipe organ, and Yamaha digital piano. The choir is led by the Director of Music and organist who prepares the music for services and leads choir rehearsals.

The principal role of the choir is to support the sung Eucharist every Sunday, comprising a sung mass setting and hymns. Occasionally the choir will deliver an anthem or other suitable reflective piece during communion that does not involve the congregation.

During Lent and Advent the choir lead dedicated choral services of readings and music - a Way of the Cross, or Advent Lessons and Carols theme. Occasionally they have a choral evensong, typically for the patronal feast or some other liturgical celebration.

Other groups include The Study and Growth Group, The Youth Fellowship and the Servers Guild. Various community groups also make regular use of the church hall.

ECUMENICAL AFFAIRS

In this very diverse and fast changing community we believe that churches must work in partnership to appeal and minister to this community. Many individual

6 members of the congregation are involved in the life of the community with a number very active in local voluntary groups.

PROPERTY

Holy Trinity, a B listed building, is a town centre church, built in 1891. The church has been well maintained and the last quinquennial survey held in October 2009 found only minor issues which have been attended to. The fine Hamilton, two manual, tracker-action pipe organ was extensively refurbished in 1994. The church hall, which is adjacent to the church and is part of the same premises, is well used by the congregation and community groups. Early in the millennium Holy Trinity completed a major building project to provide improved access for the disabled. The work included a significant re-arrangement and opening up of the entrance hall area and the corridor to the church hall to provide space for the installation of two wheelchair lifts.

The church and church hall are both centrally heated. A sound system is installed in the church with output to speakers and a “loop system”.

The Rectory

The rectory is a modern detached house, with four bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge/ dining room and a study. It is well located on a small estate about a mile from the church and town centre and within walking distance of the railway station, local schools and supermarket. The Vestry has attended to a rolling programme of 7

redecoration and maintenance of the house and the Vestry will consult with the new Rector with a view to carrying out any necessary redecoration before occupation.

Also during the interregnum the opportunity has been taken to carry out significant renovation and upgrading work.

Transport

It is expected that the Rector provides their own car and is paid a mileage allowance.

FINANCE

The congregation of Holy Trinity deals with major items of expenditure through fund raising. In recent years the church has funded several non-recurring items such as a refit of the hall kitchen and toilets, disabled access improvements, improvements and updates to the Rectory and support for the training of curates. As a consequence there has been a deficit in the current account which the congregation recognizes and continues to manage.

Charitable Giving

At the last Annual General Meeting the congregation decided to continue to arrange monthly retiring collections for different charities. The congregation also supports the Diocesan Lenten Appeal, Poppy Day and Christian Aid.

Fund Raising

When necessary for the maintenance of the church the congregation is capable of responding to the need for further funds.

The Blackwood Mortification

This is a charitable trust fund set up in 1884 the only remaining purpose of which is to benefit the holder of the position of Rector of Holy Trinity. The value of the investments in the fund is £5223. The annual interest from the fund of about £75 is paid to the Rector personally. The fund is quite separate from the church funds and payments from the fund are in addition to stipend.

8