Congregational Profile for Holy Trinity Church, Dunfermline
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Congregational Profile for Holy Trinity Church, Dunfermline Canonical District Holy Trinity Church serves the City of Dunfermline and the landward area of Fife to the west of the M90 motorway. 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 Edinburgh, Glasgow 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 Forth Road Bridge - The Queensferry Crossing - 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 Kirkcaldy 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 Dean 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.