Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Lenzie Old Parish Church

Parish Profile

1 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Contents

Location Page 3

Minister Page 3

Church Organisation Page 4

Church Services Page 4

Seasonal Services Page 4

Congregational organisations Page 5

Wider Church Page 6

Other Churches Page 6

Community Engagement Page 7

The Church Building Page 8

The Manse Page 8

Local Amenities Page 10

Finances Page 10

Information and Statistics Page 10

Basis of Reviewable Tenure Page 11

Enquiries and Application Page 12

2 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Location

The Parish of Lenzie Old lies within the residential suburbs of Lenzie and some nine miles to the North East of , on the road to , Falkirk and Stirling, within the Central Belt of Scotland.

The M80 Motorway and Link Road provide fairly quick road access to the centre of Glasgow, and there is a frequent express bus service to Glasgow and a regular train service on the main Edinburgh – Glasgow railway line.

The original village of Lenzie grew up around the railway in the late 1800s and in more recent years there has been considerable development to the area with many new estates built. There are 900 new homes both occupied and under construction within the site of the old Woodilee Hospital grounds with other building planned for Auchinloch and planning permission being requested for other areas within Lenzie.

At the last Census, Lenzie was reckoned to have some 9,460 residents. Of that number, a percentage will be members of:-

Lenzie Old Parish Church Lenzie Union Parish Church Roman Catholic Baptist Scottish Episcopal Christian Fellowship (non-denominational) Non-Christian

The breakdown of the Parish Statistics is available on The Church of Scotland website

Minister

In general we are seeking a Minister who will be readily approachable, pastoral in outlook, community and parish minded, whose teaching and leadership will largely follow the mainstream tradition but who will be open to the challenge of providing the leadership for a vibrant and up-to-date Church in the community.

As in every walk of life, a sense of humour is imperative. The individual selected is assured of the support and friendship of an enthusiastic congregation and Kirk Session.

Over and above the normal Pastoral duties, the previous Minister acted as Chaplain to Lenzie Moss Primary, and Millersneuk Primary Schools. It is anticipated that this involvement will continue into the future.

During the calendar year 2014, the previous Minister conducted 7 Baptisms (all infants), 2 Weddings in the Church and 16 funerals, of which 11 were members. Three new members also joined the Church.

3 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Church Organisation

The Kirk Session currently stands at 45 members, the majority of whom regularly attend Session Meetings which are held bi-monthly on a Wednesday evening. There are 3 non-active members, but the remaining 42 can be counted on to officiate at Communion and to look after their Districts. The Congregational Board also meets on a Wednesday evening, bi-monthly, and has 50 members of whom 45 are Elders. Both the Session and the Board are keen to see a new Minister in place as soon as possible and all members can be counted on to provide a new Minister with all necessary support and, when called on, to “roll up their sleeves and get on with it”.

Church Services

The Communion Roll of Lenzie Old Parish currently stands at 430 members, with a few adherents, some 100 - 130 of whom attend the morning Service on Sundays.

There is a morning service at 11.00am and no Evening Service other than on Communion Sundays.

Holy Communion is celebrated on the last Sunday of January, April and October at 11.00am and 6.30pm. At these services there is a retiring offering for the work of the Lodging House Mission.

Holy Communion is also celebrated during Holy Week as part of local Joint Services with Lenzie Union and St Cyprian’s Scottish Episcopal Church.

There is an informal Communion held in Lenzie Old on Easter Sunday at 9.30am, followed by a Family Service at 11am.

Seasonal Services

At Harvest Thanksgiving gifts are delivered to the Lodging House Mission.

There is a Christmas Children’s Gift Service with the Choir, Cool School and Focus all taking part, the gifts from which are taken to the Social Work Department for children in need in our local area.

The Kirkintilloch Band joins us for our Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. A Watchnight Service is held at 11.30pm, preceded by tea and coffee from 10.30pm and informal Carol singing from 11.15pm. An informal Family Christmas Day Service is held at 11.00am.

Church Parades, Sunday School promotional Services and ACTS Services are all part of the normal annual pattern of worship.

4 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Congregational Organisations

There is an active full four part Choir of 16 members. The choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music and meets each Tuesday night for choir practice from September until April. The Choir provides an Introit and Anthem each Sunday from September to June.

‘Cool School’ (P1 to P6) - over the past year the children have been studying the Old Testament and famous Christian People. Cool School take part in the Harvest Thanksgiving Service, Easter and Christmas Gift Service They have a film party night at Christmas with a visit from Santa.

‘Focus’ (P7 to S6) - use is made of the Scripture Union Grid Magazines to engage the children with different Bible themes and to learn to use their Bibles. Singing with musical accompaniment and drama features prominently in much of the group’s activities. The group also engages in significant charitable fundraising and in wider faith related activities outwith Lenzie Old.

‘Church Door Open’ - the Church is open for prayer or a time of quiet reflection throughout the year each Thursday from 10.00am - 11.30am.

The ‘Thursday Club’ is held on alternate Thursdays from 2pm - 4pm from late August until June with around 50 ladies and gentlemen attending. There is tea, coffee and home baking, board games and a group who knit hats for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

‘Time Out’ - taking the place of a traditional Woman’s Guild, has 32 members and meets on a Monday evening.

‘Conversations - a Bible study group meets on alternate Wednesday evenings in the Session Room.

Parent & Toddlers meet 4 mornings a week.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades are joint companies with Lenzie Union and are held in Lenzie Union Church Halls

There is a Quilting class that meets on a Wednesday morning.

The Country Dance Club meets on a Thursday evening.

A Senior Badminton Club meets on a Tuesday morning.

The Church magazine ‘Contact’ provides information and updates on Church events and is distributed regularly to members.

5 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Wider Church

The Lodging House Mission is supported by Lenzie Old by selling their Christmas cards, Harvest gifts and retiring offering with further retiring offerings after each Communion Service.

Operation Christmas Child - Many members of the congregation support the Shoebox Appeal of Operation Christmas Child and take an active part in the workings of the local warehouse as well as fundraise for delivery costs.

Christian Aid - Lenzie Old is a member of Kirkintilloch and Lenzie Christian Aid Group, the coordinator of which is one of our Elders. The congregation has for many years been active in individual collections, church events, annual group events and National events. Approximately £4,000 annually has been banked for Christian Aid for the past few years.

The Bible Society - Lenzie Old with Lenzie Union and St Cyprian's Scottish Episcopal Church form Lenzie Action Group of the Scottish Bible Society. All events are held jointly by the 3 churches and are held in whichever building is appropriate.

Soupa Sunday - Usually held at the start of the year.

Lenzie Gala - Held in June with St Cyprians, Lenzie Union and Lenzie Old providing tea, coffee, home baking in the Churches Tent.

New Homes - a team of visitors from Lenzie Old and Lenzie Union have been visiting the new housing development to deliver Welcome Packs to new residents.

Other Churches

Lenzie is served by two Church of Scotland Churches, Lenzie Old and Lenzie Union in a Parish Grouping. The Churches are only some two hundred yards apart and during the six weeks of the summer school holidays Joint Services are held for the first three weeks in Lenzie Old moving to Lenzie Union for the second period. The Service of Remembrance is also held jointly in each Church on alternate years.

Also, within the Parish, there is St Cyprians Scottish Episcopal Church and a non- denominational Christian Fellowship.

There is a Summer Holiday Club staffed by members of Lenzie Old, Lenzie Union and St Cyprians and held in Lenzie Union Church Hall.

Holy Week Services are held with St Cyprians and Lenzie Union, in a different church each year.

6 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Community Engagement

The Church Halls are let commercially during the week to a variety of organisations providing a comfortable venue to the following groups:-

 Tai Chi  A-star Sports  Rainbows  Brownies  Yoga  Ballroom Dancing Class  Metafit and Fitness Pilates  Dancing with friends (babies)  Dancing with Babies and Toddlers  Children’s Dance Classes

Lenzie Community Council holds a charity Christmas Cards sale in November and the Church is open on the first Saturday in December for the Lenzie Christmas Lights switch on with tea and coffee served in the hall.

Regular donations are made to the Trussell Trust Foodbank in Kirkintilloch, another local Foodbank also in Kirkintilloch and to Women’s Aid, Fresh Start.

7 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

The Church Building

The Church is situated in the centre of Lenzie and is an attractive stone built Victorian building (C listed), the foundation stone of which was laid in September 1873. The first Service was held on 30 August 1874. The building with pitched slated roofs, large windows, some with stained glass and a steeple visible from many miles around, provides a friendly and comfortable place of Worship. A suite of three halls is situated to the rear of the church building, the most recent of which was built in 1981, and these are in constant use throughout each week. There is also a Vestry, Session Room, Kitchen and Toilets. A single bell in the steeple signals the call to Worship on Sunday mornings. The church organ was installed in 1875 and was substantially overhauled in 1999.

The Manse

The Manse is a semi-detached stone built villa dating from around 1900. It is set on the main road approximately ½ mile from the Church and in its own mature garden. Across the main road is an open grassy area, unlikely to be turned into housing.

Ground floor accommodation comprises an entrance hall and stair, two under stair cupboards, one of which contains the Intruder Alarm, Lounge to the front, downstairs

8 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Cloakroom with window to the side, Study and Dining Room to the rear, with a single storey projection to the rear housing the Kitchen and Utility Area.

First floor accommodation comprises a Single Bedroom and Master Bedroom to the front, Main Bathroom with shower over bath and window to the side and two double Bedrooms to the rear.

There is also a large fully insulated un-floored loft area.

During the Vacancy the Fabric Committee carried out repairs and decoration of the property which included modernisation of the Kitchen. The house has been decorated and carpeted in a neutral palette, and roller window blinds fitted throughout.

Externally there is a single garage with adjoining outhouses and there is also a greenhouse in the garden. There is a contract in place for the upkeep of the Manse gardens.

9 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Local amenities

Lenzie has two Co-op stores and a number of small local shops with a wider selection of shops being found in Kirkintilloch (approx. 1 mile).

Local school provision is excellent with Lenzie Academy (approx. ¼ mile from the Manse), having an excellent scholastic reputation.

The Academy is, in turn, fed by three local primary schools – Lenzie Primary, Lenzie Moss Primary and Millersneuk Primary, all considered to have very good reputations.

Leisure Facilities in the local area are good with Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre (approx. 1/2 mile), Lenzie Rugby Club, Lenzie Lawn Tennis Club, Lenzie Golf Club and Bowling Club are all nearby.

A number of Doctor Surgeries are available in Kirkintilloch and Dentists are available in Lenzie and the nearest Hospital, Stobhill, is only ten minutes away by car in Balornock, Glasgow.

The local Scout and Guide companies, although not attached to the Church, do hold Church Parades.

Directly opposite the Church is an Abbeyfield home with 10 or 11 residents, some of whom are members of Lenzie Old.

Finances

The financial position of the church is sound with our 2014 income having shown a slight increase over that of 2013. Our suite of halls is let out regularly and brings in a steady source of income which is increasing annually. During 2015, extensive repairs were carried out to our steeple and the Manse has also been completely renovated during the vacancy bringing it back to a standard expected by Presbytery. Fortunately, our Fabric Fund was healthy and we were able to cope with the extra expenditure. The Balance Sheet for 2014 is available on the Church website and a full set of accounts is available on request.

Information and Statistics

Information on Lenzie Old, including location, parish map and statistics, is available from the Church of Scotland website at Church of Scotland and Lenzie Old Parish Church

10 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

BASIS OF REVIEWABLE TENURE

Introduction In April 2015, the Planning Task Group of the Presbytery of Glasgow granted permission for Lenzie Old Parish Church(LOPC) to be designated as a five year Reviewable Charge.

Basis Under the terms of Review for LOPC: the Presbytery of Glasgow shall review this appointment within the fifth year after the induction of the Minister or at an earlier date if agreed.

At the Review the Presbytery shall consider whether the church exhibits the 5 purposes of the church, i.e. Worship, service, discipleship, fellowship and evangelism and whether these are in healthy balance.

In addition to the formal review at the end of 5 years, Presbytery’s Strategic Planning Committee will offer on-going support to the Minister and congregation to work towards a union with Lenzie Union Parish Church (LUPC) which is anticipated at the end of the five years of reviewable tenure.

Following the formal Review at the end of five years, the Presbytery shall take a further decision on the future arrangements for ministry to the congregation and parish of Lenzie Old recognising that one of the options available to it is the termination of the tenure of the Minister on giving him or her six months' notice in writing and reverting to the Presbytery Plan arrangements of a union of Lenzie Old and Lenzie Union.

The Minister shall be free to seek to demit or to be translated as in the ordinary case of any Minister inducted to a charge, provided that, if this reviewable tenure is his or her first charge, the Presbytery hereby agree that these conditions constitute exceptional circumstances in terms of Section 4 of Act VIII 2003, and will accordingly issue the necessary Certificate if he or she seeks to be translated within five years.

Nominating Committee The congregation of LUPC chose not to exercise their right to have representation on the Nominating Committee.

Buildings The buildings of Lenzie Old were categorised for the duration of the period of reviewable charge, as a ‘4’. Buildings classified as a ‘4’ are buildings about which Presbytery is unable to reach a decision.

Appeal The congregation has lodged an appeal with 121 George Street against the decision of Presbytery above regarding its tenure which will become ‘live’ at the point of the formal Review at the end of five years.

11 Scottish Charity Number SC008935 Lenzie Old Parish Church Parish Profile

Civil Partnership The Kirk Session considered Act 1, 2015 of the General Assembly concerning Ministers and Deacons in Civil Partnerships and agreed to consider an application from a Minister in a Civil Partnership.

Enquiries and Applications

Informal enquiries can be made to the Interim Moderator: Rev Ian Taylor BD.,Th.M. Telephone: 0141 772 1540 Email: [email protected]

Applications (by CV and covering letter with three referees) can be made to the Clerk to the Nominating Committee: Mr Iain Grant 7 Craigie Park Lenzie G66 5NU Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0141 578 7065

Closing date for applications is 29th February 2016

______

12 Scottish Charity Number SC008935