Parish Profile ANNAN OLD PARISH CHURCH and DORNOCK CHURCH PARISH PROFILE 16/9/14
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Annan Old Parish Church of Scotland linked with Dornock Parish Church of Scotland Annan Old Parish Church Dornock Parish Church Parish Profile ANNAN OLD PARISH CHURCH and DORNOCK CHURCH PARISH PROFILE 16/9/14 The Charge of Annan Old Parish Church of Scotland (also known as “Annan Old”, Scottish Charity No. SC010555) linked with Dornock Parish Church of Scotland (Charity No. SC004542) has two distinct parishes. The Linkage was formed in 2007 when the Minister at Dornock retired. The Dornock Parish also covers the nearby township of Eastriggs. The Charge had, until recently, the services of a Parish Assistant (shared with other local Church of Scotland churches). The post is currently vacant but it has been advertised and expected to be filled in the near future. There are, in addition, two retired Ministers and a Reader among the membership. ANNAN OLD PARISH CHURCH and HALL Both the church and hall are fitted with sound amplification and inductive loop The present church building, which is a Grade ‘A’ listed building, was erected in systems. 1789 and replaced the old Parish Church which stood on the site of the Town Hall. The church hall is owned by the congregation and was built in 1929. The It is a building typical of those commonly built at the time being oblong in shape premises comprise a large hall and with the chancel and pulpit central on the long south wall. Either side of the stage and is capable of seating 250 chancel are particularly fine commemorative stained glass windows which have people; a kitchen which has recently been renovated. been modernised; a toilet and small The Ingram organ which had been in use since the 1920s was replaced in 1998 storage room off the kitchen and with a Wyvern electronic organ, but to maintain the appearance of the church additional storage space in a small cellar. Church Hall entrance the speakers have been placed on the sound boards of the old organ behind the The front entrance to the hall has wheelchair access and there are two toilets, pipes. one having facilities for disabled visitors, off the vestibule. Central to the balcony, which is on MANSE three sides of the church, is the Provost¹s Box from the time when Purchased in 1995 this 1970’s built spacious family home is situated in a quiet, Annan had a Town Council and the private residential, area on the south side of Annan. It is in comfortable walking bibles for the various council office distance of the High Street and church. bearers are still in place. This is The accommodation is on two storeys now only used once a year by the comprising on the ground floor, official party at the Kirkin¹ of the entrance hall, large lounge, dining Cornet. On the north side of the room, study, kitchen and bathroom. church is the Session House and On the upper floor there are five bed- vestry with the two entrances to the rooms and a toilet with wash basin. building. Inside Annan Old There is an attached single garage A phased repair and renovation programme to the exterior of the church was and the property is surrounded by completed about ten years ago. This involved repair/ replacement of stone in the easily maintained gardens, mainly front aspect of the church building and tower. The church roof has also recently lawn with some borders and mature been repaired and re-slated. Grants from Historic Scotland were obtained for shrubs. much of this work. Some minor maintenance is still needed on the windows and There is a rolling programme of maintenance for the manse that includes interior the internal decoration of the church is under review. The church building is decoration. The most recent work undertaken was to replace the windows and sound and in good order. front and back doors with uPVC double glazed units. The church is easily accessed by the disabled and has wheelchair spaces in the The property has gas central heating. seated area downstairs. Page 1 Mission Statement PASTORAL AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT “At Annan Old Parish Church we follow the teachings of Jesus. We aim to The church constitution is Quod Omnia and has a Kirk Session of 44 elders of be an open, welcoming fellowship that provides a safe place where people whom a small number are inactive. of all ages may grow, prayerfully, in their faith and enhance their life in and with Christ”. Each active elder has a district made up of approximately 15 households covering a membership of 395 persons. ARRANGEMENTS FOR WORSHIP The Session meets usually on the third Tuesday of each month except July and August and exceptionally at other times as required. The main worship service takes place in the church at 11.15am each Sunday and is normally led by the minister. Children are present until after the second To enable the Session to maintain oversight of all the activities of the church the praise item when they leave to continue their Sunday Club. Session has subgroups, appointed annually in September, with specific respon- sibilities and powers, each of which reports to the full Session and these are as An evening service is held at 6.30pm on the first Sunday of each month and is follows:- usually an informal communion. FINANCE AND FABRIC Communion is presently celebrated three times a year at morning worship as follows:- 1st Sunday in New Year; 1st Sunday in June; 1st Sunday in October Made up of elders and co-opted members and responsible to the Session for all matters of Finance and Fabric. This group¹s remit is to maintain all buildings in In addition to these it has been the normal practice to have an evening a satisfactory condition and to ensure financial control over expenditure. Minor communion on Maundy Thursday, but this is now shared with ‘Annandale repairs to a maximum cost of £2,000 including VAT can be authorised by this Churches Together’ as are other services in Holy Week with the exception of a group. The treasurer has power to meet expenditure not exceeding £500 Final Hour of the Cross Service on Good Friday. This service takes place in without obtaining authorisation. Annan Old from 2pm to 3pm. This group organises half yearly appeals at the two main communions and a Gift It has been our recent practice to hold a Christingle Service for all ages on Day appeal in the autumn. Christmas Eve at 6.30pm and a short Christmas Morning Service at 10am PASTORAL CARE GROUP followed by mince pies, cake and coffee. All Age Worship Services are a feature of the worship life of the church and are A group of elders and co-opted members who assist the minister with pastoral arranged by the minister and Sunday Club as and when rather than on a fixed visits and keep contact with the sick, elderly and housebound. They also advise pattern. the minister about Points of Need visits, and are responsible for the distribution of the church flowers. The praise book in normal use is CH4. In addition Songs of God¹s People and SOCIAL EVENTS GROUP Mission Praise Combined are also available. The church also holds a Christian Copyright Licence for words and music. A small group of elders whose remit is to plan and organise social events for the The pew bibles are the Good News Bible, as is the lectern bible. church. These have included barbecues, calypso evenings, church Christmas lunches and many others. EDUCATION GROUP SPECIAL SERVICES Kirkin’ of the Cornet takes place on the Sunday before Riding of the Marches. A small group of elders and Sunday Club Leaders who work with the minister to develop Christian education for the whole church. The minister meets the official party at the Town Hall, leads prayers at the war memorial then parades along the High Street to the church, CHURCH ORGANISATIONS A Remembrance Day service at the War Memorial is conducted by the PRAYER GROUP ministers of the town in rotation and when a minister leads this his/her church will have the party from the British Legion and standard bearers at an 11.15am A small group of people who meet weekly for prayer and discussion on a service. In other years various uniformed organisations are allocated to attend Thursday lunchtime. At these times the church is open for private prayer or a each church. time of quiet. Page 2 THE GUILD TODDLERS GROUP From late September to April this group meets twice monthly on a Tuesday This group is for mums, dads, grandparents and toddlers and meets in the hall evening in the church hall and currently has about 40 members including some on a Wednesday morning. The group is supervised by members of the congre- men. Programmes are varied and follow the Guild theme for the year. This is a gation of Annan Old Church but is organised by the adults that bring the children very active group which over the years enriched the life of the church and has and there are more than 40 youngsters that regularly attend. provided a generous financial contribution. It has not been the practice for many years to expect the minister¹s wife to be Convenor. In addition to “Toys and Toast” there is often an opportunity to enjoy some music and a chance to sing traditional nursery songs. FRIENDSHIP CLUB This club meets on alternate Monday afternoons in the hall for a chat, a light SHOEBOX APPEAL lunch and some entertainment. It was started to meet an identified need for the more active elderly but is open to everyone and has about 25 people who attend This is a very active group that organises the gathering of materials for the shoe- from our own and other churches.