February2018 II

Kirk Session Report
Wednesday 17 th January
The Session was glad to hear updates of 3 of our fellow elders: Cathy Davidson
has now finished her treatment and is doing very well, Leonard Grandison is now
home from hospital and getting better and Marianne Ewart is now home and is
continuing to make progress. Best wishes are sent to each of them and please
remember them in your prayers.
We are grateful again to Alison Duncan who printed off the figures in relation to the
changes in the number of members in our congregation. As of the date of the
meeting there are 395 members.
The Church of Scotland’s Heart and Soul this year is to be held on May 20 th in
Princes Street Gardens. This is a very enjoyable event and participation is
encouraged – volunteers are required so please see Calum if you would like
any further information or to show your interest.
The Session was reminded that a quinquennial visit is due at TOPCOP this year but
that priority will be given to the review of the Presbytery Plan. This is a review of
how resources will be allocated in the future and an assessment of what resources
are required in the case of a vacancy. So we look forward to this visit sometime
this year.
We were advised that the draft accounts for 2017 will be ready for the February
meeting and the draft budget for 2018 will be amended on receipt of the draft
accounts. It is looking like we will have a deficit of just over £10,000. This will be
looked at in more detail once we have the draft accounts. We are in urgent need
of some additional help in our Finance team. The acting treasurer has been
covering this role since 2016 so it is really important that we are able to
relieve/help him with some of these duties. If you or anyone you know would be
willing to help with this role or just want more information on what is involved then
please get in touch with Ronald Ireland on 720592.
The fabric convenor updated the Session on a number of matters regarding:
Savings on utilities and an update on the new boiler in the MacFarlane Hall.
An exemption on water rates.
Work being required on the Song School roof and the South West corner of the
Church. A Fire Alarm for the Church.
If anyone would like more information on any of the hard work done by the Fabric
team, please speak to Allister Jamieson.
TOPCOP needs a Health and Safety Officer – this should not be an onerous
role but a necessary one. Please give some thought to this and if it is something
you, or someone you know, might be interested in then please see Allister
Jamieson or Calum for further information.
It was reported that unfortunately the Girls Brigade Company is looking like it may
have to stop. This is due to the lack of leaders – promotion for this had gone well
with some interest being shown. However, this interest has not come to anything