CROFTFOOT UNITED FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 349 CARMUNNOCK ROAD, GLASGOW, G44 5HH Scottish Registered Charity No : SCO10932 A Designated Religious Charity ANNUAL REPORT for Annual General Meeting Wednesday 11th February 2015 at 7.30 pm Agenda Meeting Constituted Praise Prayer Minutes of last year’s AGM Extra news from the Organisations Property Report Treasurer’s Report Auditor’s Report Appointments Any Other Business Benediction Tea will be served at the close of the meeting 1 Over the past year the church has been busy with many different events and projects, many which you will receive a report on from the organisations and Session Clerk. My own reflections go back to the Services and times of prayer and Bible Study. I was moved by the powerful message of the ‘Easter Experience’ lent study which I believe has had an impact on all who shared time discussing this DVD presentation; I was excited by the ‘More than Gold’ 8 day outreach and enjoyed sharing with the members of the church and those who came in and spent time with us; I think back with laughter to our Commonwealth Games Children’s Mission; I smile at times shared during T in the Croft and Social Events; I remember many special times spent in company with many of you in your homes. I have so many times to give thanks to God for our life as a church family in 2014. Last year some people moved on from our church and that brings great sadness to our family. We also shared the sorrow of death in our church family, the joy of new faces coming to share in worship and members of the church taking up new responsibilities. In all of this we know from our scriptures that, “God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” – Romans 8.28. We live in His plan and follow His will, asking that God will bless all who seek His ways. May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and fellowship, your commitment to work for the church you have been called to serve our Lord and your prayers and love shared with me, and for me, as your Minister. I am humbled and honoured to serve you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings Ann 2 REPORT FROM THE KIRK SESSION In 2014 the Kirk Session undertook to address our concerns with the lack of young people within our local community being actively made aware of the Christian message. Members of the Kirk Session, Youth Committee and Presbytery representatives engaged this year in dialogue regarding Session’s vision for a Youth Worker. Following on from discussions, Session was delighted to inform Presbytery that the first year’s funding had been found and we were now in a position to move ahead and advertise the post. A date has been set in January 2015 for interviews and Session will inform the congregation when we have our Youth Worker in place. Please pray for God’s guidance as we look to appoint someone with a vision and mission for the youth in our local community. Another main focus this year was ‘More Than Gold’ and it proved a great success. With Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games our church became a hub for our local community. Session acknowledges all the hard work of everyone involved and all efforts that led to a great time of outreach. It was good to see many of our neighbours visiting the church halls and sanctuary and that the congregation had experienced a good time of fellowship. On behalf of Session I would like to thank those members who had given up their free time and holidays for the event and also for prayers before and during ‘More Than Gold’. Similarly, our children’s Summer Mission was also well attended with approximately 20 children each morning over a period of three days. Let us pray that we can build on these achievements so that others may come to know Jesus as their Lord and saviour. Pulpit supply saw visits from Mrs Charlotte McDonald of Millerston UF, Mr Raymond Jenkins Kings Park and Rev Mike Gargrave and his wife Mary of Clincarthill Parish Church. As we know this year Mike and Mary have embarked on Mike’s call to Thornliebank and the Kirk Session expresses its sincere gratitude for all their support to Croftfoot UF over the last 5 years. We extend our prayers to them and ask that they will know God’s guidance in His work. Pulpit supply is an essential support mechanism to our life and witness here in Croftfoot. We are all well aware of the many roles our Moderator adopts throughout the year. As Croftfoot’s Moderator and Interim Moderator of Langside and Shawlands, Ann guides and leads two congregations, serves at Presbytery and is a member of the Chaplaincy Team at King’s Park Secondary as well as working with Croftfoot Primary. Please give thanks to God for those who lead our worship, and continue to remember Ann in your prayers asking God for strength and wisdom for all she does in His name. The Kirk Session is indebted to everyone for the welcome given to our many guests throughout 2014. Notably Rev Gary Barclay in his capacity as Moderator to the General Assembly and Rev Deidre Lyons, Bellshill St Andrew’s at our quinquennial visit. We hosted the first of our joint prayer breakfasts this year in March 2014 and look forward to hosting the first again in March 2015. Other congregations, Clincarthill Parish Church, Cathcart UF, Queens Park Parish and Croftfoot Parish continue to support this vital witness here on the south side of Glasgow. Our own regular prayer breakfasts take place on the second Saturday of each month when there is no joint prayer breakfast scheduled, the first of these will be Saturday 14th February 2015. The Kirk Session would like to highlight the importance of spending time in prayer, if you’ve never been to a prayer breakfast please try to make 2015 your year of prayer. We extend this invitation to everyone to come along and spend time with us as we share in fellowship and prayer together. We started our first bible study of the year with the very appropriate Easter Celebration. This was extremely well received, so much so it was agreed to recommend the bible study to the other members of the Four Churches group. This was followed up in September with the John Ortberg Bible Study entitled “Soul Keeping”. A very thought provoking inward look at ourselves as followers of Jesus. For the Sunday evening group this will continue into the New Year. The Thursday afternoon group has now completed this study. Thank you to our Moderator and mum Margaret for opening up their home on Thursday afternoons. Bible studies are an essential part of Christian life. We have much to learn from God’s word and only through study, prayer and sharing can we know Jesus. If you haven’t yet managed along to one, please make it your New Year’s resolution for 2015. The Kirk Session commends Bible Study to our congregation. 3 Mr Gordon McKenzie of Lochwinnoch UF left his attachment with us in April. The Kirk Session continues to offer its prayers for Gordon that he will allow Jesus to lead and guide his decisions as he comes to the end of his studies. An important milestone was reached this year at Croftfoot UF as we celebrated 50 years of service of former Session Clerk Mr James Rice. Jim is a much respected member and Elder of this church, and the Kirk Session extend to him our admiration and appreciation for all the roles he has performed during his life and work here at Croftfoot. Although circumstances leave Jim unable to attend more frequently, it is always good to know he’s at the other end of a phone call for advice. We pray God’s blessings on Jim and Elma asking that they’ll both know His comfort and peace in the New Year. Our Food bank is now well established and word of this support to our local community is spreading. Session would like to thank Steven Smith, Alex McFarlane and our church cleaner Ms Joan Bain for all their work over the year. Session also thanks everyone for donations throughout the year. However, the congregation is requested to keep this project in mind and if you feel you could support it with donations of food items, have a word with Stevie or Alex, who can advise on stock replenishment. Elders continue have an active role in the Four Churches Together committee. Members meet on a regular basis to discuss worship and social activities throughout the year. Session extends its thanks to our Moderator and Ms Bryce for their support in attendance. Carole Owens our organist continues to lead musical worship and the choir whilst John Eastop kindly steps in at holidays and times of absence, thank you both. The Kirk Session also acknowledges the prayerful support of Jim Owens, who regularly meets with our Moderator in the vestry prior to Sunday worship. Jim also spends time with visitors to our pulpit. Thank you Jim, your prayers of support are much appreciated. It is with much sadness that Session records the passing of Mrs Jessie Moore on 4th November. Jessie joined the congregation from Castlemilk West Church in June 1985. As her Elder for many years, I was very much aware of how much Jessie loved her church and its people.