Duntocher Trinity Church Parish Profile 2018
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Congregational no: 181196 Charity No: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church To reach out, connect and grow in faith Roman Road Duntocher Clydebank G81 6BT https://www.facebook.com/duntochertrinity @DTrinityChurch Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile Contents Page Contents 3 Foreword 4 Introduction 4 Mission Statement 5 History of the Charge 9 Worship Life 11 Pastoral Care 11 Ecumenical Context 11 World Church 12 Church, Manse and Halls 15 Further Information 16 Community Services 17 Ministry 17 Web Links 18 Vacancy Information Congregational no 181196 2 Charity no: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile Foreword When I became the Interim Moderator in July 2016 Duntocher Trinity was in a linked charge with Clydebank: St Cuthbert’s. The linked churches were also in Guardianship. The linkage had worked very well for a number of years, then the Dumbarton Presbytery Plan came into being and it was agreed with both congregations that St Cuthbert’s unite with Clydebank Abbotsford and that Duntocher Trinity could call a Minister of Word and Sacrament on a 0.5% unrestricted basis. I think it has to be said that when I took over as Interim Moderator there was an air of despondency at Duntocher Trinity, which was understandable as they had been without a permanent minister for approximately seven years. I am delighted to say now though that having been given permission to call a minister that the Elders are excited and more pro-active about the future of Duntocher Trinity. The elders and the congregation are warm and welcoming and I’m sure will grow and support you, if you felt called to go forward with them on their faith journey. Liz Stewart Interim Moderator Congregational no 181196 3 Charity no: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile Introduction The following is a statement of the life and work of Duntocher Trinity Parish Church. We hope that in reading this you will get a ‘feel’ for our congregation and parish and our particular needs, hopes and strengths. This parish profile will inform you of: - ✟ The parish ✟ The congregation and its organisations ✟ Fabric and finance We are now a church in vacancy and have been given permission to call a minister (0.5 FTE) on an unrestricted basis. Mission Statement As part of the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ our aim is to reach out, connect and grow in faith. Congregational no 181196 4 Charity no: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile History of the Charge Duntocher Trinity Church can be found to the south east of Duntocher, between Goldenhill Park and the Antonine Sports Centre. There has been a church on this site since 1836 with the manse being built in the 1890s. The original sandstone church was destroyed during the Clydebank Blitz and the building that now stands on the site was opened in 1952. The parish encompasses the villages of Duntocher, Hardgate and a portion of Parkhall (see map) with a population of around 7000. © OpenStreetMap contributors Congregational no 181196 5 Charity no: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile It is situated eight miles west of Glasgow and is within easy reach of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, also the Clyde coast via the Erskine Bridge. Duntocher sits on the edge of the Kilpatrick Hills which allow excellent hill walking or rambling for those with an outdoor yearning. The area is historically very interesting, the church itself lying just west of the remains of a Roman fort associated with the Antonine Wall. There is a mixture of private and local authority housing including recent new housing developments. There are a good variety of local amenities; library, sports centre, C E Centre, shops etc. There are local primary schools in the area and in Clydebank, two miles away, secondary schools and a College of Further Education. Clydebank itself provides almost all of the modern facilities with a large shopping centre, sports facilities, multi-screen cinema and a very large and comprehensive retail park. The Duntocher area is served by three denominations – Duntocher Trinity (Church of Scotland), The West Church (United Free Church of Scotland) and St Mary’s (Roman Catholic). The minister may be chaplain to Goldenhill and Carleith Primary Schools and one of a team at Clydebank High. There are very good relations between the three Churches, with ecumenical services twice a year. This is a reflection of the excellent community spirit which exists in the area, and it makes for a good atmosphere in which to both live and work. The congregation operates on the Model Constitution. The Kirk Session consists of 23 elders, the last being ordained in 2015. The following sub-committees of session operate within the church • Worship committee • Welcome committee • Property committee • Care committee Membership of the committees is reviewed annually. The Congregational Board consists of 21 elders and 2 members presently. Congregational no 181196 6 Charity no: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile The following groups operate under the oversight of the Kirk Session:- 1st Duntocher Girls’ Brigade Aim - Games, Service, Bible Study, Arts & Crafts, Baking etc., also to allow girls to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Banner Group Aim - To meet for fellowship to design and make banners and other items (e.g. pulpit falls) for the Church. Congregational no 181196 7 Charity no: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile The Guild Aim - Fellowship and caring for others. Daffodil Tea Other organisations in the community who use the church facilities include Dancing class Clydebelt St Andrew’s Ambulance The roll of the church is currently around 194, with an average attendance at Communion of approximately 80. Our Guild membership currently stands at 47 which is approximately 25% of the congregation. Trinity is a typical congregation with a faithful and enthusiastic nucleus of workers. This is a congregation with potential. 194 members from a population of 7000 leaves considerable room for expansion and a Girl’s Brigade with 25 members gives an excellent basis for developing youth work and encouraging parents to become involved. There is a challenge to be met and a job to be done. Membership 194 of which 21 are elders and a further 2 are members of the Congregational Board. Congregational no 181196 8 Charity no: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile Worship Life Services Sunday – 11.00 am – 12.00 pm Communion – 4 times per year (First Sunday in March, June, September and December) The main priority for the congregation of Duntocher Trinity is to re-introduce worship for children and young people. Having had a thriving Sunday School and Youth Club in recent years with an enthusiastic leadership team, we are now facing the challenge that many congregations have been presented with. This is reflected in the number of baptisms being held in the church. During times when we have had a minister the number of baptisms has been in the teens; during the vacancy it can be counted in single digits, usually 2 or 3 per year. Having a 0.5 minister who was part of the chaplaincy team at the local schools would provide the contact and continuity to encourage more children and young people to take part in regular worship. A minister would also provide a contact point and continuity to families seeking to baptise their children and bringing them into the family of God. Congregational no 181196 9 Charity no: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile There are regular joint services led by the Elders and Guild, a Remembrance Day Service hosted by Duntocher Trinity at the War Memorial in Goldenhill Park and an annual Carol Concert led by the organisations. Nativity Nativity Carol Concert There is a printed Order of Service each Sunday edited by a member of the Kirk Session. Hymns are generally from Complete Mission Praise and CH3 accompanied by our resident team of DJs on our Hymn Technology playback machine. The church also has a Clavinova organ and we have the services of an organist for the first Sunday of each month. Clavinova Organ Hymn Technology Playback Machine Congregational no 181196 10 Charity no: SC008854 Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Profile Pastoral Responsibilities Although the pastoral responsibility of the parish is considerable Elders are very supportive with pastoral visiting. In the past a typical year would include 15 baptisms, 7 weddings and 6 funerals. However, with no permanent minister these numbers steadily fell to around 2-3 baptisms per year, and only the occasional wedding. Although most funerals are held at the Clydebank Crematorium we do have requests for former members of the Church to have a service at the Church prior to one at the Crematorium. As with other Churches the age profile of our membership is rising. The challenge for the prospective minister would be to reunite this Church with the younger age groups. Ecumenical Context As previously mentioned there are 2 other denominations serving the villages of Duntocher and Hardgate and there are 2 ecumenical services each year hosted on a rotational basis. The Remembrance Service is a further opportunity for ecumenical worship and this is also attended by office bearers and dignitaries from a variety of organisations and public services. In the wider worship community, Duntocher Trinity is also involved in the ecumenical work of Clydebank Churches Together World Church The congregation is involved in supporting young people in Rhamallah, Israel through Dumbarton Presbytery’s Holy Land Bursary scheme. https://www.dumbartonpresbytery.org.uk/noticeboard. html There are also strong links with Christian Aid through participating in the Erskine Bridge Cross, Harvest Thanksgiving and Christian Aid week appeals. Erskine Bridge Cross Stewardship and Finance The congregation is financially secure.