KAY PARK PARISH CHURCH LONDON ROAD, KILMARNOCK KA3 7AA

Scottish Charity Regulator # SC008154

1 Who are we?

We are a warm, welcoming, Together we have taken on new challenges and formed innovative congregation of new organisations with new around 425 in the heart of leaders. Kilmarnock, drawing our members from every part of our We welcome many members of community. other congregations in the town, who visit many of our In 2012,after a presbytery services, come on our reappraisal, Kay Park Parish pilgrimages and join our clubs. Church arose out of a union of two congregations, Old High Kirk and Henderson Church, which must be one of the The reception area at the front happiest ‘marriages’ in the Church of Scotland. Our members, of the church is equipped with Kirk Sessions and leaders merged together seamlessly and coffee tables and chairs and has both congregations claim to have gained the most. a little kitchen , so that members and visitors can enjoy Together we decided to change our name to an entirely a chat over coffee. new one as a first step to a new congregation. We welcome everyone in God’s Together we decided to remove the pews from the name, whatever their age, ethnicity, gender identity, sanctuary and undertake a complete refurbishment of the sanctuary and halls. physical or mental ability.

……………………… a welcoming Church at the heart of the Community

What can we offer?

 A church building and manse which are well maintained and cared for and an excellent suite of halls.

 One of the most modern church interiors in Ayrshire, which is quickly becoming a first choice venue for conferences and concerts and is widely used by the community. The sanctuary is equipped with screens and sound systems as well as the loop system.

 A first-class musical director and a first-class choir, as well as a Praise Band, all of whom enhance our worship. We are also fortunate enough to have a magnificent pipe organ.

 A manse within walking distance of the church and good schools in the parish.

 An office equipped with computers and a state of the art printer, as well as Wifi throughout the building.

 Excellent administrators of church roll and finance.

 Young Church leaders who are ready to take on new challenges under new leadership

 A supportive Kirk Session which has voted to be inclusive and accept applications from suitable candidates, including those applicants in same sex marriage or civil partnership.

 Enthusiasm

 Support

 Fun……………

2 Leadership, Staffing and Structure The Kirk Session Our minister is supported by an active Kirk Session, in which all debates are conducted in an atmosphere of fellowship and where wisdom as well as good humour assist our decision making process. All members of the Kirk Session are Trustees and the gender division is 35 male and 42 female elders. This charge operates as a unitary constitution. A 12 page colour magazine, “Reflections”, is produced and printed in-house every two months and is delivered by the elder to each house in his/her district. The magazine is the main means of communication with the whole membership. Structure All the work of the Kirk Session is delegated to leadership groups: each group represented by its convener on the Planning Committee, convened by the Session Clerk two weeks before each Kirk Session Meeting. This committee plans the agenda for the following Kirk Session Meeting.

Leadership groups are:

Worship - Choir, Media Team, Young Worship Group, Musical Director Fellowship - Social Committee, Guild, Friendship Club, Flowers and Decorations, Publications & Publicity, Website, Sunday Coffee, LunchBreak, KPPC Strollers, Fellowship of Kilmarnock Churches

Pastoral - Area Elders’ Committee, Pastoral Visitation Committee, Roll Keeper Church & Youth - Young Church, Crèche, Safeguarding, Kilmarnock Youth Project

Fiscal - Finance, Stewardship, Property, Health & Safety, Hall Lets, Nominations, Employee management

Staff We currently have four members of staff who have been with us for a considerable time: Organist / Choirmaster - also conductor of the Aeolian Choir which performs annually to a packed house in our church. Minister’s Secretary - undertakes all the usual secretarial duties for the minister, but also keeps the church roll in order online and records the FWO offerings on a Sunday as well as the monthly BACS and distributes the information to the Gift Aid treasurer and Congregational Treasurer, so that the Gift Aid and GASDS claims can be made promptly. Receipts for giving are issued quarterly to the members. The printing and distribution of the weekly Order of Service is another of the duties undertaken by the Secretary. Hall Lettings Manager / Caretaker - has the responsibility of managing the Hall Lets, setting up the Church and Hall for the clients, making arrangements for seating/tables/media etc. Billing, completion of contracts etc is in also in the remit of the manager, who is supervised by a Hall Lets Committee. At the moment he also undertakes the work of caretaker. Church Officer - is present at weddings (and rehearsals) as well as funerals, to open up the church, liaise with the family on the day and generally make sure that everything goes to plan. We receive many compliments about the conduct and helpfulness of the church officer after these occasions. Cleaners - we currently have two cleaners who work together, and separately, on a rota which suits them. The Hall Lets Management Team has been given permission to employ industrial cleaners after whole-church lets where every room in the building requires restoring to its usual pristine state. Church Office The office is situated inside the back door at the entrance to the suite of rooms and halls situated on the ground floor. The office is well equipped with two computers, a desktop printer/copier/scanner and a large Ricoh printer/copier on which internal publications, including the magazine, are printed, as well as orders from outside organisations. 3 Worship

The Kay Park congregation embraces innovation in worship. A magnificent Hill, Norman and Until our vacancy regular Sunday worship started at 9.45 with Beard organ is a undoubted asset as a small number of people enjoying an informal service of well. music and discussion in the Side Chapel area. This suited Holy Communion is celebrated people who prefer a more intimate style of worship as well as twice a year as a Carded those who do not enjoy large congregational services. Communion, for which each A more traditional service is the norm at 11.00 a.m. but we member receives a printed have enjoyed performance services, as well as services led by invitation. It is also celebrated twice a year as an Uncarded the Guild, Sunday School or Kirk Session and many of our Communion and at the end of the 11.00 a.m. service bi- members participate in worship by Scripture readings each monthly, as well as at Christmas and Easter. Sunday. Since the refurbishment of the Sanctuary we have been An afternoon service was experimenting with different ways of serving communion to held at 2.00 p.m. on the first see which one brings the meaning Sunday of each month for of the sacrament more closely to those who are unable, our hearts. either through employment We appreciate that our or disability, to attend in the congregation, like most others, is mornings. ageing, however gracefully, and we The media desk in the long to connect with more younger sanctuary is manned by a people. Many of our Young Church team of volunteers who put information, hymns, graphics on folk are lost for a while as they go the screens and adjust the sound system and microphones in off to college or University in their the sanctuary and chancel. late teenage years. It can be difficult to attract the young while Musically, we have a rich store of talent which enhances our keeping the older members happy, worship immeasurably. A large choir, led by our talented but our older members have organist/choirmaster, has a repertoire which ranges from the enjoyed the opportunities afforded by having many student classical to the contemporary and, along with our Praise Band, associates and assistants to experience new music and new is joined from time to time by Kilmarnock Concert Brass, who ways of worshipping. practise within the church.

Young Church

Our Young Church is run by a dedicated team of 6 leaders. At the moment the children attend the first part of Sunday morning worship before leaving and going to our hall for their own activities. Children can start Young Church from the age of 3 and proceed through the various classes until the end of Bible Class. They enjoy taking part in a Christmas nativity play and summer outings and are very keen to participate in morning worship when invited. The older children go with a leader to Costa Coffee once a month where they enjoy a lively discussion over a coffee. There is also a creche each Sunday, for children under 3, run by a team of willing volunteers on a weekly basis. The leaders of Young Church are sometimes frustrated by the lack of time they have between going downstairs at the end of their part in the morning service and the service ending at 12.00 when parents/carers come to collect the children. Kirk Session have taken this into consideration and feel it would be best to leave any new arrangements until the arrival of a new minister.

4 Stewardship and Finance

Kay Park Parish Church is in sound financial health. 2018 Income is The current financial aim is to have a balanced account for the projected to be year 2018. Last year, 2017, resulted in a loss, when the £173,000. Our full balance of our redevelopment costs were taken into accounts will be consideration, but for which we would have shown a surplus. made available for review by Our Ministries and Mission contribution in 2017 was over applicants. £73,000. Over recent years we have run our own Stewardship Campaigns, following the structure recommended by the During the refurbishment of sanctuary and halls, a new Church of Scotland. We have a four year cycle and are three efficient heating system was installed to reduce energy costs quarters of the way through the present cycle. Each of the last and many other measures were undertaken on advice to two campaigns has resulted in an increase greater than 20%. reduce heating costs and water consumption.

World Church

The congregation has a representative on the Presbytery Christian Aid committee which organises an annual service as well as fund-raising activities. In addition the congregation supports the annual Blythswood Care Christmas Shoebox Appeal and the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Appeal. In the past the congregation has sponsored members to travel with the Vine Trust aboard the Amazon Hope and has twinned with Mchengautuba Church in Mzuzu, Malawi, memorably hosting a visit from a group of their members to Kilmarnock on one occasion. We also donated money to build a roof on their church building.

Mission and Outreach

All of our clubs and organisations are open to members of Saturday afternoons. Kay Park Parish Church continues to other churches and of none. Our annual weekend pilgrimage is support it financially. Basement now has a full-time youth attended by members of other local congregations. leader and is managed by the Kilmarnock Churches Youth Our Thursday afternoon Friendship Club Project. KPPC has two trustees on the management board. attracts many people from outside the Many members are to be church, as does the regular LunchBreak. found working as Hospital We support all the work of EACHa (East Volunteers in the Ayrshire Churches Homelessness Action) and University Hospital some of our members help out at a weekly Crosshouse and in drop-in centre. practical ways we support the work of Our church co-founded organisations like the the Basement Youth Café Salvation Army and in Kilmarnock, which is Blythswood Care, as open to all young people well as the Church of in the town ages between Scotland’s own social arm, 12 and 18 and is open on Crossreach. Friday evenings and

5 Pastoral Care

Elders assist the minister by regularly visiting members of with flowers from the church for those who are ill at home the congregation. The elders visit the members of their or in hospital. Flowers are also delivered to people district when delivering magazines and particular emphasis celebrating a special anniversary or birthday, as well as to is placed on visiting those who are housebound or in care. those mourning a bereavement or on the anniversary of a Members of the congregation are invited to complete a bereavement. The personal contact made on these form on the weekly order of service to bring to the occasions is greatly appreciated by the recipients and attention of the minister the name of any member that they enjoyed by those who deliver. Many friendships have think would benefit from a pastoral visit. A Pastoral Group started because of these deliveries. made up mostly of elders make additional visits to the A Prayer Chain also provides the opportunity for individual housebound or those in care homes. members (anonymously if desired) to request prayers to be The Flower Committee also arranges for a visit to be paid said for those they think might benefit.

Ecumenical

We are part of the Fellowship of Kilmarnock Churches, founded in 1990, where all Christian denominations come together to hold shared worship on one evening per month as well as joining together in Christian campaigns in the town. In addition we, as a congregation, have for many years shared worship with other congregations in the town and have close relations with the local RC congregation, sharing every year with them and a neighbouring CofS congregation, a dawn service on Easter Sunday and breakfast afterwards. In the past we have enjoyed a homily in our pulpit from a local priest. The Kilmarnock Pastoral Partnership is an ecumenical body but is mainly comprised of Church of Scotland ministers. Although originally created to manage the Howard Centre, it is now mainly a supportive fraternal, which meets about 6 times per year.

Our Community

Kay Park Parish Church is Scottish National average. situated on one of the There is a mixture of social main arterial roads into housing and private housing Kilmarnock and is within within the parish and excellent minutes of the town schools. William McIlvanney x centre, bus station and Campus opened in March 2018 railway station. We are after an investment of situated between the £45.303m in the merger of river on one side and Kay Kilmarnock Academy, James Hamilton Academy, New Farm Park, after which the Primary and Early Childhood Centre, Silverwood Primary. congregation is named, on the other. A lane along the side of the church gives access to our car park, Scout Halls, There are rich cultural and heritage assets in and around Kilmarnock Bowling Club and Kilmarnock Tennis Club with its Kilmarnock, as well as three beautiful parks. Dean Castle all-weather courts, as well as direct access to Kay Park itself. Country Park attracts visitors from all over the country and Opposite our building are the Grand Hall, biggest venue in many from abroad and Burns Monument Centre, a local Kilmarnock and the Palace Theatre. history and registration centre, where copies of the first ever edition of the poems of Robert Burns (the “Kilmarnock One of Kilmarnock’s greatest assets is that you can reach the Edition”) can be found, is a destination for genealogists and coast in 25 minutes or be in Glasgow city centre in 30 ‘Burnsians’ alike. minutes. It is in the vicinity of many fabulous golf courses as well, where ministers can be found on most Mondays! We have to mention that Rugby Park in Kilmarnock is home to Scotland’s oldest With a population of 46,000 Kilmarnock is the largest urban professional football club, Kilmarnock area in East Ayrshire, but it has been affected by the closure Football Club. of many well-known companies such as Johnnie Walker’s Whisky, BMK Carpets, Massey Ferguson, Glenfield and The Ayrshire Athletics Arena is a new Kennedy. However the 2011 Census tells us that 80% of the addition to the sports facilities in people living within our parish appear to be in good health Kilmarnock and sits well with the and 70% were in employment, which is higher than the Galleon Swimming and Leisure Centre.

6 Fellowship

If there is one thing that Kay Park members do exceedingly well it is Fellowship. Each year a party of around 50 goes on a pilgrimage in May to various parts of the United Kingdom; we have worshipped in Iona, Lindisfarne, York, Cartmel, Crathie and many other parts of the UK. The 2018 Pilgrimage was to Belfast. A few members of other churches join us and once they have enjoyed the fellowship on one of our pilgrimages they return. Our monthly walking group

2018 Pilgrimage to Belfast is called Kay Park Parish Church Strollers; they stroll companionably for an hour or so and finish the morning with coffee and scones. A group called the Kay Park Striders has now been formed for those who like more challenging walks! LunchBreak opens every second Thursday at lunchtime offering home-made soups and puddings, along with tea/coffee and biscuits for only £3.00. This brings many people into the church, along with their friends, and touches them with the fellowship that abounds among the people who make and who serve the food. The Friendship Club on alternate Thursday afternoons has a regular attendance of around 60, who will enjoy an afternoon of entertainment and a delicious afternoon tea. Again the attendance is made up of people from churches other than our own and of none. A group of men meet in church on a Monday to work in the grounds of the church, looking after the garden, or repairing and maintaining the halls. They also have their tea and cakes and it is then that they discuss the fortunes of Kilmarnock Football Club, a topic which unites them. Food seems to be a theme here - there is little that our members like better than enjoying a meal around a table and we believe that it is in the Christian tradition to break bread and drink wine together. So we have lunches for the congregation, suppers, Christmas lunches and Burns Suppers and get to know each other better across a table. If you look at the photographs you can see that the ages mix well, there is love and laughter shining through and we are genuinely brothers and sisters in Christ, trying to follow Jesus Christ and spreading his gospel and love throughout the church and our community. Several other organisations meet in the church: the Guild, the Bible Study Group, the Scouts, Beavers and Brownies as well as outside organisations like Gamblers Anonymous and Indepen-dance, creative movement class for those with disabilities and their carers.

7 Church Buildings

We are delighted with our refurbished sanctuary and halls which were dedicated on completion by a former member of the congregation, at the time Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Very Rev Dr Russell Barr, minister of Cramond Kirk. Photographs of the interior scarcely do it justice so we held open days for the month after completion so that the rest of the interested members of other congregations and of the community could come and visit and there was unanimous approval of the changes. The extensive use of glass illuminates the interior and reveals features that we had not appreciated, particularly in the side chapel area, where the stained glass windows are a focal point. The chairs in the sanctuary can be removed completely or rearranged to suit the needs of worship. Our halls have also been refurbished, a lift has been installed between the two floors of the church and several new toilets have been created, as well as disabled toilets and baby changing facilities. The halls have a giant drop down screen fitted and a sound system with surround speakers. There are smaller rooms downstairs, which can be used for small meetings. The kitchen is equipped with a six ring range cooker, electric urns and an industrial dishwasher as well as fridge freezers. It has received a Health and Safety certificate for 2017-18. Ownership of the church building, halls and car park was transferred to the Church of Scotland General Trustees in 2015. Accessibility The church building and halls are fully accessible with ramps front side and rear, lift and disabled toilets. The church and halls have an induction loop system and large visual screens. Sunday services are also recorded and available to listen to via the website www.kayparkparishchurch.org.uk. Manse The manse, which is currently owned by the congregation, is an impressive substantial two storey linked semi-detached house on a private road parallel to the main London Road, which makes it a more peaceful location. The five-bedroomed house is heated by a gas-fired central heating system. The property has been well maintained with an annual inspection by our Property Team where anything requiring repair or renewal is noted. The Kirk Session is open to considering selling the manse, should the new minister prefer a smaller, newer property. The past two occupants wanted to live in the manse and refused this offer, but it will be placed on the table again. If the new incumbent wishes to remain in the manse, renovations and redecoration will be willingly undertaken. Anyone wishing to view the manse should contact the Interim Moderator, the Very Revd Bill Hewitt on 01563 533312. Floor plans and further details can be seen in the Appendix to this Profile or on Facebook.

Further Information For candidates Further information can be found online at www.kayparkparishchurch.org.uk where Church Roll statistics, Annual Accounts, information and interviews A curriculum vitae, with contact details of regarding the history of the churches which formed Kay Park Parish Church as well two referees, should be made to : as the weekly Order of Service and copies of “Reflections” magazine can be found. A large photo gallery will also give some insight into the life of the congregation. Mrs Liz Lacy Clerk to the Nominating Committee Informal enquiries should be made to : Silvija Wilde Email: [email protected] Convener, Vacancy Nominating Committee 11, MacInnes Place Emailed applications are preferred, but Kilmarnock can be posted to the Convener of the Ayrshire Committee, Silvija Wilde, at the address KA3 7NQ opposite . Tel: 07748957888 Email: [email protected]

The vision of the Church of Scotland is to be a church which seeks to inspire the people of Scotland and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ through enthusiastic,8 worshipping, witnessing, nurturing and serving communities. Appendix

Contents

Vision ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………… Page 10 Year end statement to December 2016 ……………………………………………………………… Page 11 Congregational Statistics …………………………………………………………………………………... Page 12 Plans and further details of Manse ……………………………………………………………………. Page 13 History of the two congregations ………………………………………………………………………. Page 14 Church Magazine ………………………………………………………………………………………………. Page 15 Church Yearbook ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 16

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Vision

The Vision of the Church of Scotland is to be a church which seeks to inspire the people of Scotland and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ through enthusiastic, worshipping, witnessing, nurturing and serving communities. Kay Park Parish Church aims to meet the COS vision by:  Supporting a range of vibrant, varied and sustainable organisations which nourish fellowship for all members of our parish  creating an exciting, inspiring and welcoming environment for children, young people and adults, where they can explore and develop their faith in God  working alongside charities and other faith based organisations to take forward God’s work  developing a teaching, learning and faith building community that encourages people to have a greater understanding of the Word  Continuing to develop innovative approaches to communicate with our parish, including social media and advertising campaigns.

10 Accounts

This is the Statement of Funds (abbreviated) for the period Jan - April 2018. A link to a full set of the 2017 accounts or a hard copy can be obtained by contacting the Clerk to the Nominating Committee, whose name appears on the last page of the

Parish Profile.

Kay Park Parish Church Parish Park Kay Statement of Funds for four months to April 2018 April to months four for Funds of Statement

11 Church Roll

Average Weekly Attendance at Worship – 175 (35% of total roll December 2017)

The attendance at worship has been fairly consistent, over the last five years but as the figure show there is room for growth.

The latest attestation of the Church roll is as follows:

2016

Members on roll 493 supplementary 212

Children under 17 years 22

18 + not on communion roll 2

2017

Members on roll 416 supplementary 216

Children under 17 years 17

18 + not on communion roll 2

The table below shows the five year trend for baptisms and funerals.

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Baptisms 6 3 7 2 3

Funerals 27 29 32 26 22

12 The Manse

The manse, built in 1875, is a substantial 2 storey linked semi-detached house with single storey rear elevation projection. The external walls are a mixture of solid stone and brick construction. The roof is pitched and hipped design clad in slate. Windows are a mixture of UPVC double- glazed and timber single glazed type. On the Ground Floor the building has: an Entrance Vestibule, Hallway, Living Room, Sitting Room, Study, Kitchen, Utility Room, Store Room, and 2 Cloakrooms. On the First Floor there is: a Landing, 5 Bedrooms and a Family Bathroom. The building is heated by a gas fired central heating system with water filled radiators. It has been well maintained over the years and the Kirk Session is not aware of any major issues regarding the building. There is a car port to the side of the building but no garage. There are gardens to the front, side and rear elevations. The garden to the rear is substantial and mature.

13 History

We are aware that we are one church and we do really feel like one congregation, but that does not mean that we wish to forget those who went before us and built congregations that were industrious in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We know we owe them a debt of gratitude. Our website at www.kayparkparishchurch.co.uk has delightful videoed interviews with those who have made a study of the history of each church. Just click on to the Videos option to hear them speak with knowledge and passion. If you prefer you can read about the Old High Kirk of Kilmarnock by J. Railton and Scotland’s Best Churches by John R. Hume and the history of Henderson Church can be read in the pamphlet “Henderson Church Bi-Centenary”, printed by Smith Bros. Kilmarnock, Scotland.

14 The Magazine

The magazine is printed bi-monthly and can be read online at www.kayparkparishchurch.co.uk. Current issues of the magazine can be seen on the Church website.

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