Denny Westpark Church of Scotland : Parish Profile

Our Mission is......

To spread God’s love as the Bible teaches, pray and worship together, and be a caring, sharing church of Jesus Christ in the community.

Introduction

We are a single charge with full tenure set within the centre of Denny. We envisage a preaching and pastoral ministry which will allows us to strengthen our links with the community. We look forward to working in partnership and shared leadership with our new Minister to embrace the many opportunities and challenges which the future will bring.

Could you be the one to take on the gifts and talents we have, encouraging and empowering us with your spiritual and practical leadership, so that we can journey forward together ? WORSHIP

Worship takes place each Sunday morning at 10.30am. Children and young people who attend Kidzone and Teen Squad join us for the first part of the service, before leaving to take part in their own activities. Members of the congregation are actively involved in Sunday worship, welcoming worshippers as they arrive, reading the Bible and leading prayers. They are joined by members of Kidzone to uplift the offering. Attendance at our Sunday services is usually around 100 people.

Music is a key part of our worship. We are fortunate to have an Allen organ, an organist who is experienced in both traditional and contemporary hymns and an enthusiastic choir who lead us in worship each Sunday morning. A printed order of service which includes the hymns is available each Sunday.

We have a PA system and there is an induction loop for those with hearing difficulties. WiFi is available within our sanctuary and halls.

Tea, coffee and juice are served after Sunday worship which allows time for fellowship.

A short midweek service takes place each Wednesday morning after a time of fellowship. This service begins at 11.15am and lasts for 30 minutes. Around forty members and friends attend regularly . During the vacancy this has been led mainly by some of our Elders assisted by our Locum and Interim Moderator.

Communion is celebrated on the first Sundays of March, June, September and December and also at the Wednesday Welcome the following week. The churches in the town work together in Holy Week with services taking place each evening, a Walk of Witness on Good Friday plus an early morning Easter service and Easter breakfast.

OUR BUILDINGS

Our present church was built in 1900 and a suite of new halls added in the late 1970s. We have a modern kitchen and toilets adjacent to the halls.

Westpark Manse is located in Baxter Crescent, Denny, a secluded cul-de-sac approximately 10 – 15 minutes walk from Westpark Church. The manse is a substantial detached villa with a detached garage which was built around 1970.

We continuously strive to keep our property in good order and have, in recent years, installed a new sound system and boilers for both the church and halls. Plans have also been drawn up for an extension to our chancel.

KIRK SESSION AND CONGREGATIONAL BOARD

39 men and women form the leadership team of our congregation. They are sub-divided into five Action Groups, taking responsibility for :-

WORSHIP PASTORAL CARE STEWARDSHIP OUTREACH EDUCATION

In addition, we have a Social Committee which organises a number of activities each year including our Autumn Fayre, Coffee Mornings and other events to promote opportunities for fellowship with friends. We also have Property and Finance Committees.

What’s On – Our Weekly Diary

Monday MONDAY CLUB FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART GUIDES, BROWNIES AND RAINBOWS

Tuesday GUILD BADMINTON CLUB

Wednesday WEDNESDAY WELCOME BOYS BRIGADE HOME BIBLE STUDY GROUP

Thursday OPEN DOOR CAFE

TOC H CLUB

 Friday TODDLERS Other organisations use our halls on a weekly basis. In addition, our halls are let out to members of the community for private functions.

FINANCE

During 2014 our Ministry and Mission contributions were set at £60, 624, with our total income for the year from all sources being £112,567. This year’s Ministry and Mission contribution is set at £60,902.

The congregation’s finances are in a satisfactory condition and all contributions to Ministry and Mission are fully paid. Retiring offerings go to local and national charities. Our congregation is generous to any fundraising events and is keen to financially support specific projects.

As a congregation we have a Reserves Policy whereby we aim to hold reserves of between 3 and 6 months of expenditure across unrestricted funds to allow us to deal with unexpected costs or lower than expected income. At the end of 2014 our reserves equated to just under six months of expenditure .

Our employees are paid the living wage and this is reviewed annually.

COMMUNICATION

We have an intimation sheet each Sunday and produce a church magazine , The Circle, four times each year. This is delivered to members and adherents by our leadership team. In addition, we have our own website.

We realise that we aren’t able to tell you everything about our congregation but we hope that this short profile has given you a flavour of what goes on in our church. If you would like extra information or an informal chat, please don’t hesitate to contact our Interim Moderator :- Rev Dr. Jean Gallacher Telephone : 01324 824540 Email : [email protected]

Applications can be made to the Clerk to the Nominating Committee, Mrs Etta Eadie - Email : [email protected]