st andrew’s lhanbryd & urquhart parish church · miles east of elgin. salu is a result of the...

St Andrew’s Lhanbryd & Urquhart Parish Church

TO KNOW - TO LOVE - TO SERVE

We want

to KNOW God more fully

to LOVE Him more

intimately

and to SERVE Him amongst our neighbours

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Contents

MISSIONSTATEMENT............................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................................3

WORSHIP...............................................................................................................................................................4CONSTITUTION&STRUCTURE...............................................................................................................................7

CONGREGATIONALROLL.......................................................................................................................................7

STEWARDSHIP&CHURCHFINANCES....................................................................................................................7CHRISTIANEDUCATION.........................................................................................................................................8

PASTORALCARE...................................................................................................................................................11

CHURCHORGANISATIONS&ACTIVITIES.............................................................................................................11OUTREACH...........................................................................................................................................................14

SALUHISTORY......................................................................................................................................................17

THEPARISH&THEWIDERCOMMUNITY.............................................................................................................18THEBUILDINGS....................................................................................................................................................20COMMUNICATION...............................................................................................................................................23

LOOKINGTOTHEFUTURE....................................................................................................................................24THEINVITATION...................................................................................................................................................25

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MISSIONSTATEMENT

Toknow, to love to serve.Wewant toknowGodmore fully, loveHimmore intimatelyandserveHimamongstourneighbours.

Weseektobe–andbelievethatweare–a friendlyandwelcomingchurch,wheremembersandvisitors alike feel accepted and valued. As a congregation, we seek to support and care for ourministerandmansefamily,mindfuloftheworkloadandchallengesoftheministrytoday.Weaimtoworkwithourministerina‘BodyofChrist’model.

INTRODUCTION

StAndrew’sLhanbryd&UrquhartParishChurch(SALU)becamevacantafterthecallofRevAndrewRobertson to Eaglesham Parish Church. Recently Rev Attie van Wyk has been with us onfamiliarisationplacement.SALU isa ruralchurchmid-waybetween InvernessandAberdeenand3mileseastofElgin. SALUisaresultofthesuccessfulunionoftwochurches in1988-StAndrew’sLhanbryd and Urquhart: we are one congregation with one Kirk Session and have two places ofworship, St Andrew’s Lhanbryd Church and St Margaret’s Hall, Urquhart. Moray Presbytery hasdeterminedthatthisisanunrestrictedcall.

What’sinaname?

ThespellingofLangbryde/Langbride/Lhanbride/Lhanbryd/Lhanbryde.

In1791,Rev.WilliamLesliedecidedhe liked ‘Lhanbryd’ for theparishname. No-oneknowswhy,buthewastheminister.Itisnowsettledthattheparishis‘Lhanbryd’andthevillage‘Lhanbryde’.

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WORSHIP

Worshipisattheveryheartofourchurchlife.Aswellastheweeklyserviceat11ameverySundayatStAndrew’sLhanbrydchurchwhereattendanceisregularly80-100,aserviceisheldat7pmonthelastSundayeveningofthemonthinStMargaret’sHall,Urquhartwith25-30peopleattending.CommunionisheldregularlyfourtimeseachyearwithothermoreinformalCommunionsonanadhocbasis.Theaudiosystemhasrecentlybeenupgradedandplanshavebeenagreedtoinstallthree55”high-resolutionscreenstoreplacethecurrentprojector.

11 am services, although generally traditional in format, are open to different approaches.Additional services take place at particular times of year, mainly Easter, Christmas and duringChristian Aid Week. In addition, Remembrance Day services take place every year at the warmemorialsinUrquhartandLhanbryde.

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Worshipisenlightening,thoughtprovokingandparticipatory;ourpatternofworshipisflexibleandcontinuallyevolving.Membersofthecongregationexpecttobeinvolvedandchallenged.Thereisaworshipsupportgroupthatisactivelyinvolvedinsupportingtheminister.

Wehaveenjoyedcordial, informal linkswithBellie&SpeymouthChurch inFochabers. Aswellaspulpitexchanges,thesehavealsoinvolvedjointservices,includingaSundaymorningserviceinthemain marquee at the annual Speyfest event in Fochabers. During Holy Week we are regularlyinvolvedwithBelliechurchinFochabers.

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ChurchServices

• SundaymorningservicesarerecordedonPodbeananduploadedtotheChurchwebsite.

• TheOrderofServiceandweeklyNoticesarealsoavailableweeklyonthewebsite.

• RecentlyourSundaymorningactsofworshiphavebeenlivestreamedthenuploadedontoFacebookandYouTube.

• MonthlyeveningservicesduringvacancyhavebeentakenbymembersofthecongregationwherewehaveusedLifeExploredandDiscipleshipresources–numbersattendinghaveregularlybeen25-30andtheinformalapproachcombiningvideoclips,opendiscussionaswellassinginghasbeenwidelyenjoyed.

Music

Wehaveateamoforganistswhoworkonarotato leadthesinging,alongwithourchurchchoir.WealsohaveasmallPraiseGroup(withinstrumentalists),whichisledbyoneofourorganistsandhascontributedtomusicatChristmasandEaster.

Children&YoungPeople

Children& young people are an important part of our congregation although numbers are small.Werecognisethe importancebothoftheirbeingapartof theregularSundayworshipbutalsoofreceivinganinputappropriateforthem.Forpartoftheservicetheymeettogetherinthehallsascrèche&YoungChurch(primaryage).TheyarealsoinvitedtotakeCommunionwiththeirparents.

Prayer

EverySundaymorning,aspartofthe11amservice,differentmembersofthecongregationtakeitinturnstoleadintercessoryprayerforourfuture,ourcommunityandthewiderworld.

Thecongregationmakesentries into thePrayerbookeachweek. This is thencirculatedafter theserviceviaemailtothosewhowishtheinformation,toencourageprayerforthosementioned.

Allmembers are invited to attend themonthlymorning church prayer gathering at 10am, beforemorningworshiponthe2ndSundayofeachmonth.Recentlywehavegatheredforprayer‘virtually’viaZoom,allowingustocontinuetopraytogetherasabodyofGod’speople.

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Inpast6monthswehavestartedaSundaymorningPrayerBreakfast,(onceevery3months)where30-35peoplehavegatheredforcontemplativeandinteractiveprayeratvariousstationswhichhavebeensetupbydifferentmembersofthecongregationusingavarietyofmedia.

CONSTITUTION&STRUCTURE

Therearecurrently38activeeldersservingunderaUnitaryConstitution(implemented12yearsago).

17ofoureldersaremale;21arefemale.5ofourelderswereontheKirkSessionpriortotheunionofStAndrewsLhanbrydwithUrquhartin1988.ThemostrecentelderstojoinwereadmittedtotheKirkSession3yearsago.Onaverage,oureldershaveservedforsomethingover19years.

The Session comprises four working groups: Fellowship, Outreach, Stewardship/Finance andWorshipSupport.Thesegroupsmeetonaregularbasisandcontributetoworshipservices.

TalkaboutSessions

The Session hosts regular Talkabout meetings, which aim to grow both the eldership and thecongregation. Recent topics have included “What are spiritual gifts?” and “The future of SALU -strengths,weaknesses,opportunitiesandthreats;”“SharingYourFaith;”“FreshExpressions-WhatisChurch?”and“PathofRenewal.”Thesearehalforfulldaysessionsandhaveprovenpopularandthought-andaction-provoking.

NationalChurchRepresentation

As a congregation we like to encourage our young people to attend the Church of Scotland’sNational Youth Assembly. A number of young people therefore have attended the GeneralAssembly as the Presbytery’s Youth representatives,whichhas allowed them tobecome involvedwith presbytery throughout the year. In addition some have become involvedwith the nationalcouncilsofthechurch.

CONGREGATIONALROLL

The church roll is currently 303 members and 16 adherents. We have a regular attendance ofapproximately90everySundaymorningand20-30atourmonthlySundayeveningservices.

STEWARDSHIP&CHURCHFINANCES

StewardshipCampaigns

SALU has been involved in the National Stewardship Campaign. We have completed theStewardship of Talents programme having built on the previous year’s successful Stewardship ofGivingcampaign.Forasummaryofthe14monthsofthetalentscampaignseelink.

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Finances

Our Church is in a healthy position. Total receipts for 2019 amounted to £80,936 and paymentswere£77,861resultinginasurplusofreceiptsoverpaymentsof£3,075.

Oftotalgiving£32,531wasmadethroughGiftAid,whichattractedataxrefundin2019of£9,056.(Atthetimeofwriting,thesefiguresareprovisionalastheyhaveyettobeformallyapproved.)

SALUisrecognisedasaScottishCharitySC008850.

ForAnnualreportsandaccounts2012-2018seeSALUwebsitehttps://salucofs.wordpress.com/annual-reports/

CHRISTIANEDUCATION

Creche,YoungChurch&TICTACS

Young Church is aimed primarily at youngsters who are at primary school. Together in Christ,TogetheratChurch(TICTACS)hasbeenforsecondaryschoolyoungsters(thispastyearallourteenshavemoved away to studyorwork elsewhere). Each Sundaymorning youngsters join thewholechurchfamilyforthefirstpartoftheserviceandthengothroughtothehallforatimeofexploringthe Bible through games, stories, music, video and crafts. To assist parents, crèche helpers areavailablefrom11amtoallowtheyoungestchildrentobecaredforfromthestartofservice.LikemanychurcheswefacethechallengeofcompetinginterestsonSundaymornings.Wedonotseearegularlargegroupofyoungsters,butseektocontinuetoencouragethosefamilieswhodocome.

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AhighlightfortheteenagershasbeentheirweekendawaytoAbernethyChristianOutdoorCentreatNethybridgewheretheyhavehadfunandenjoyedchallengingthemselvestodothingstheyhavenotdonebeforeandtothinkaboutwhatJesusmeansforthem.

CONNECT

For some time theYoungChurch teamhadbeendiscussinghowtobetterengagewith theyoungfamilies inour churchand community. From the “Talkabout” in autumn2015,wedeveloped theconceptofanearlySundaymorningcaféstylesession.

CONNECTcafé-styleworshipnowrunstwiceamonth inthechurchhall, startingwithbreakfastat9.30am. Themorning is ledbymembersof the congregationwhereemphasis is onan informal,relaxedenvironmentwithyoungstersandadults learningandsharingtogether. CONNECT lastsanhour,allowingpeopletomoveontotheserviceat11am.

In CONNECT we have looked at differentBible characters and their relevance fortoday through film clips, readings, music,discussionandinteractiveprayer.

Conflictingdemandsonfamilylifehasmeantwe have not seen the same faces on eachoccasion,but theoverall feedbackhasbeenpositive.

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RecentFeedbackonCONNECT:

“Refreshing.”

“Thesharingoftime,storiesandinteractivitymakesitreal.Iamnotapassenger–thisis

important.”

“Greattomeetinaninformalsettingtodiscussaspectsofourfaith.”

HouseGroups

Eveninganddaytimehouse-groupsledbySALUmembershavemetforblocksof6weeksandhaveinpastexploredStevenCroft’sstudyguide“ExperiencingGod’sLove”.

RecentlymanyinthecongregationtookpartinTheCommunityBibleExperiencereading‘TheStory’together,with35membersmeetingingroupstodiscusswhatthewordsofLukemeanttothem.Thishasbeenwellreceivedandweaimtocontinuethis‘Experience’shortly.

SaturdayMorningDiscussion

In thepastaSaturdayMorningdiscussiongrouphasalsomettodiscusscontemporary topicsandhow to apply them. They have looked at ‘The End of Religion’ by Bruxy Cavey and Rob Bell’s‘EverythingisSpiritual’podcast.

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PASTORALCARE

Pastoral care isdeliveredby theElderswho inform theministerofpastoral issues. TheEldersaresupportedbymembersofthecongregationwhoalsovisit.Wealsohaveadedicatedhospitalvisitor.

Withanageingcongregationanddecliningnumbersofyoungfamiliesattending,funeralsare–notsurprisingly–morecommonthanbaptisms.Inthelastthreefullyearswehavehad2baptisms,27funeralsand3weddings.Tennewmembershavejoinedthechurchinthesameperiod.

WelcomeCorner

Wehaveareputationforbeingawelcomingandcaringchurch.However,asitisdifficulttohaveaproperconversationinthenarrowaislesasyoucomeintothechurch,aWelcomeCornerhasbeencreatedatthebackofthechurch.Aswellasasmallseatedareathereisatable,whichwasmadeoutofthepewsremovedtoprovidetheadditionalspace. Thistable isusedforthevisitors’book,theprayerbook,theflowerdistributionbookanddisplays.

CHURCHORGANISATIONS&ACTIVITIES

TOFM(TogetherOnFridayMornings)

ThisgroupofladiesfromthecongregationandcommunitymeetsonFridaymornings,tosharefunandlaughterwhileexercising,studying,stitchingabanner,readingpoetry,cinemagoingorengaginginawide rangeofotheractivities. Whatever theactivity, coffeeandchatalways featureasdoescaringandsharing!

Moderator’s visit to TOFM St Margaret’s Hall – Coffee & Chat

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TheGuild

TheGuildisahappygroupofabout21womenwhoareverysupportiveofeachotherandaregoodteam players. The Guild theme is followed and good use is made of the discussion topic. WesupportnationalGuildprojects.

TheThriftShop

TheThriftShopisruninagarageadjacenttothemanseandstaffedbychurchvolunteers.ItopensTuesday10:00am-11:30am,Thursday1:30pm-3:00pm.TheThriftShopisoftenreferredtoasanAladdin’sCaveandsellsavarietyofclothes,toysandhouseholdgoodsdonatedbythecommunity.FiftypercentofmoneyraisedgoestoChristianAid,withtheremaindersupportinglocalcharities.

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ChristmasConcertandChristmasEveWalk

OurChristmasConcertinvolvingsingersandmusiciansfromacrossthecommunityisnowanannualhighlight during early December. Then on Christmas Eve there is a walk around the village ofUrquhart tohelpkeep theChristmasmessagealive. At theendof thewalkandcarol singing,wegatherinStMargaret’sHallformorecarolsingingandofcoursemincemeatpies,refreshmentsandfellowship.Ithasbecomeapopulareventattractinginexcessof100people,manyofwhomdonotattendchurch.

Flower-arrangingTeam

We have an enthusiastic team of ladies who arrange the flowers each week. After worship onSundaytheflowersaredeliveredtosomeoneintheparishwhoisillorjustinneedofcheeringup.

“Follow the star”

In from the cold on Christmas Eve

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A lesson from Marlene & Susan

Man-to-Man

Thisisanopportunityformentoenjoyfellowshipinformallyoverabeverageortwoandputtheworldtoright.

CakeandEatIt

Achancetoenjoyeachothers’companywithfilmnightsandinvitedguests.

OUTREACH

Children’sWorker

AlthoughinVacancy,wehavegoneaheadandappointedapart-timeChildren’sWorkertodeveloplinkswiththeyoungpeopleinourcommunity.TimStillhassetupalunchtime‘Xcelerate’groupatLhanbrydePrimarySchoolandregularlyaround15P6&P7pupilscomealongtoenjoyBible-basedactivitiestogether.Anafter-schoolclubmeetinginStMargaret’sHallinUrquharthasalsorecentlybeen established. Tim’s work is supported week-by-week by a team of volunteers from thecongregation.

SchoolChaplaincy

WehavegoodrelationshipswithLhanbrydePrimarySchoolwheretheHeadTeacherisenthusiasticand supportive. Recently our minister on familiarisation Rev Attie van Wyk has taken schoolassemblies,beeninvolvedinarangeofclassesandsharedinspecialschool/communitycelebrationsaroundHarvestandChristmas.“INTERACT”isanewinitiativeheadedupbytheHeadTeacherandinvolvespupilswiththechurchandthecommunitiesofLhanbrydeandUrquhart.AchurchelderisonthisgrouptooandtheyhaveorganisedasuccessfulHarvesteventandaChristmasSingalongwithrefreshmentsanddonationstothelocalFoodBank.

WealsosharethechaplaincyatMilne’sHighSchool,Fochabers.

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CommunityBBQ

OverthepastfewyearswehavehadacommunityBBQeveryAugustinthegroundsofStMargaret’sHallinUrquhart.TheinauguralBBQsawthelaunchofalocaldefibrillator–afundraisinginitiativebyamemberofthecongregation,whichwaswidelysupportedbythewholecommunity.

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MessyChurch

InthepastwehaverunMessyChurchonceamonthinthecommunitycentreinLhanbryde.Usuallythis was on a Sunday afternoon from 4 till 6 pm. The numbers coming along have fluctuatedbetween12and60,butoneveryoccasionmuchcreativity,funandgoodfoodwasenjoyed.

Wehavegrownrelationshipswithfamiliesinthecommunityandvaluethecontactthatthisbringswithnon-churchpeople. Currentlyweare takingabreak fromrunning thisbutweareconsultinganddiscussingoptionsforthefuture.

ChristianAid

WehavesupportedtheworkofChristianAidforover30yearsandChristianAidWeekinMayhasbecomeaveryimportanttimeinourchurchlife.

Organised by a small, dedicated group, events are very well supported both in church and inthroughoutthevillagesanddistrict.

The “boat race” team at Burnside Burn How many boats have made it Margaret?

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SouperSunday

OurchurchcontinuestosupporttheworkofWorldMissionintheirHIVprogrammebyholdingtheannualserviceandlunch.

SupportingPartners

TwoofourownyoungpeopleCaelanBarnesandKirstyCummingarenowworkingindifferenttypesofChristianministry.CaelanisatpresentaministrytraineebasedatTheFreeChurchinStAndrews,building faith relationships with students studying there and Kirsty is also involved witnessing tostudents with the University & Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), in the role of Projects andEventsStaffWorkerfortheteaminScotland.Theyarebothverygratefultothechurchforalltheirsupport,bothfinanciallyandinprayer.

StreetPastors

Members of our congregation volunteer as Street Pastors and School Pastors in Elgin – listening,caringandhelpingpeoplewheretheyare,withoutjudgementorprejudice.Asachurchwesupporttheminprayer.

SALUHISTORY

The united charge of St Andrew’s Lhanbryd & Urquhart came into being in November 1988,followingthedepartureofRevDavidLunanfromStAndrewsLhanbrydandtheretiralofRevStanleyForsythfromUrquhart.

UrquhartChurchisfirstmentionedinadeeddated1237.TheoriginalParishChurchwasdedicatedtoStMargaret.

The first reference to a church in Lhanbrydewas in 1225 - StBride'sChurch inWalkersCrescent.This building became a ruin around 1783. Atmuch the same time, the church at Kirkhill, in theParish of St Andrews, was burned to the ground. These churches were replaced by the presentbuilding,andtheparishesrenamedStAndrew’sLhanbryd.

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Followingtheunionofthetwochurchesin1988,thechurchandmanseatUrquhartweresold,withStMargaret'sHallbeingretainedasourplaceofworshipinUrquhart.Thechurch,formerlyknownasStAndrew’sLhanbryd,thenbecametheStAndrew’sLhanbrydandUrquhartParishChurch.

Forfurtherinfoclickbelow

https://salucofs.wordpress.com/history/

THEPARISH&THEWIDERCOMMUNITY

TheParishistotheeastofElgin,lyingtothenorthandsouthoftheA96.Itisapleasantruralparish,about30squaremilesinsize,withagriculturethepredominantindustry.Manyoftheresidentsofourparishtravel toworkbeyond itsboundstoElginandother locations. Asignificantminorityofourcongregationliveoutsidetheparish.

Lhanbrydeisthelargerofthetwovillageswithintheparish,withabout3000inhabitants. Ithasamixture of private and council housing. Amenities include the village shop, Co-op, pharmacy,hairdresser,butcher,postoffice,apubandthecommunitycentre.Thereisaprimaryschool,withineasywalkingdistanceof themanse. Thechurchhasboth formaland informal linkswiththebusyandthrivingcommunitycentre.SeveralofourmembersareinvolvedintheLhanbrydeCommunityChallenge,withoneelderattendingthemonthlymanagementmeetings.Wehaverecentlystartedanewinitiative ‘BrydehartNews’,withaneditorialteamfromthechurch,fromLhanbrydeandfromUrquhartproducingthisjointcommunity/churchnewsletterfourtimesayear.

Urquhart,withapopulationofaround500,isabout2milestothenorthofLhanbryde.Itisasmallvillage with a village hall. There are some newer housing developments as well as the originalvillage.

Our church is not the only worship centre in the village, Moray Grace Fellowship meets in theCommunityCentre.

ParishStatistics:

http://cos.churchofscotland.org.uk/church_finder/data/parish_profiles/352099.pdf

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AttractionsofMoray

SALUisintheareaofMoraywhichenjoysamildmicroclimateandexcellentnaturalbeautywithavarietyofbeachesandforestswithineasyreach. Therearemanythingstodo inMoray includingoutdoor activities such as golf, mountain biking, watching dolphins, touring distilleries, visitingcastles,fishingandexploringmuseums.ThenearbycountytownofElginisaformercathedralcityandRoyalBurgh. It is theadministrativeandcommercial centre forMorayandhosts the footballteamElginCity.

Our village volunteer gardeners Summer basket outside the manse

Views around Moray

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TherearegoodpublictransportlinkswithbusservicestoAberdeenandInverness,railwaystationsatElginandKeithandeasyaccesstoAberdeenandInvernessairportswhichnowserveanexpandinglistofUKandinternationaldestinations.

ThelocalLhanbrydePrimarySchoolisafeederschoolforMilne’sHighSchool,FochabersandElginAcademy.

Lhanbrydevillagehasalocalstore,butchers,pharmacyandCo-opandElgin(3milesfrommanse)has24-hoursupermarkets,MorayLeisureCentrewithswimmingpoolandicerink,newindependentsportscentreandgym(largestinNorthofScotland),bowlingalley,3-screencinemaandElginTownHallstagingarangeofmusicandtheatreevents.ElginhasaDistrictGeneralhospital,DrGray’s,andMorayCollege,whichispartoftheUniversityoftheHighlandsandIslands.

Thewebsiteslistedbelowallgivefurtherinformationaboutthearea:www.moray.gov.uk www.northern-scot.co.uk http://www.speyfest.com

THEBUILDINGS

TheChurch

Situated in a rural location a mile or so on the Elgin side of Lhanbryde village, the church is atraditionallystyledbuilding,datingfrom1783.Inadditiontothesanctuary,thebuildingcomprisesalarge and a small hall, the “purple room” suitable for small groups (designed by teenagers), amodernkitchenwithgoodfacilitiesandtwotoilets,oneofwhichhasdisabledaccess.Thepropertyiswellmaintainedthroughout,benefitsfromrecentadditionsandrefurbishment,andcomplieswithallcurrentstatutoryrequirements.Therearetwolargeparkingareas,onetothenorthandonetothesouthofthebuilding;thelatterhavingdesignateddisabledparkingspaces.

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Church bus bringing folk to morning service

StMargaret’sHall

StMargaret’sHallislocatedinUrquhartvillage.Itisamultifunctionalfacility.Inadditiontothehallareaitself,thereisasmallkitchenandatoiletwithdisabledaccess.Itisawarmandhomelyplaceused formany smallmeetings such as TOFM, Christian Aid, a closed Tai Chi group and the AfterSchoolClub.Thereisagrassedareaadjacenttothebuilding,whichprovidescarparkingspace.

View from the balcony

ChurchbuslinkingcommunitytoSundayservice

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TheManse

The manse is a traditional stone-built detached house on the main street in Lhanbryde. It is aspacious familyhome. On the ground floor are2public rooms, a study, a fitted kitchen, autilityroomandtoiletwithshower.Upstairsare5bedroomsandabathroom.Thereisasmallgardenatthe front and a large low-maintenance lawned garden to the rear. There are three outbuildings,includingasinglegarageandabuildingadjacenttothemansewhichisusedastheThriftShop.ThemansemeetsthestandardsrequiredbytheChurchofScotland.

The location of the manse in Lhanbryde makes the minister accessible to the community. Themanse is a tangible presenceof the churchwithin the village and is a focal point for contact andoutreach.

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COMMUNICATION

ChurchMagazine

BrydehartNewsisourjointcommunityandchurchnewsletter.

Bulletin

Theweeklyactivitiesandforthcomingeventsarepublicisedinthefollowingways:• Intheprintedorderofservice• onthechurchwebsite

SocialMedia

Thechurchusesthefollowingsocialmedia:

• Churchwebsitehttps://salucofs.wordpress.com/• Blogstothosesignedupwithemail• Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/salucofs• Twitter@salucofs

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LOOKINGTOTHEFUTURE

Weareacongregationthatpulls togetherandwouldwelcomeaministerwhosefresh ideascoulduseourstrengthandtalentstodevelopandencouragenewavenuesofworshipandoutreachinourpredominantlyruralparish.

Weareopentonewideas.Beforeourministerlefttotakeuphisnewchargeinearly2016wehadbeenexploringourpotentialinvolvementwiththeChurchofScotlandPATHOFRENEWALinitiative.Asthisisnowopentochurchesinvacancywerenewedcontactlatein2019andarenowinvolvedasoneofthecongregationsinthecurrentPATHOFRENEWALphase.

__________________________________________________________________________________Strengths

• Weareverywelcoming,warm,supportiveandcaringtooutsiders• Strongwellrunandsupportedgroupswithinthecongregation• Astrongkirksessionwithagoodmix&wideskillbase• OurfaithandcommitmenttoGod;desiretoputGodatthecentre• Eagernessandenthusiasminfacingchallengeandopennesstonewideas• Willingnesstouseourpersonalgiftsandtalents

__________________________________________________________________________________Weaknesses

• Geographicallocationofthechurch–toofarfromthevillage;toofarfromtheschool• Age spectrum: lack of young people generally –we need to connectwith and attract the

youngfolkinLhanbryde&Urquhart• Narrowsocialspectrumwithinthecongregation;needtoengagewiththewholecommunity• Churchaesthetics:non-flexibleseatinginsanctuary

• Lackofhelpers-somepeoplebecomingover-loaded

__________________________________________________________________________________Opportunities

• OpportunitytoattractnewmembersfromUrquhart,coffeemornings?Holidayclub?LunchClub?WehaveaphysicalpresenceinStMargaret’sHall.

• TOFM–hasattractednonchurch-goers,someofwhomnowattendchurch• Opportunitytoreachawidedemographicofpeoplee.g.buildingonMessyChurchoutreach• Opportunityforgreaterinvolvementinourcommunities–practicalwork(seeaneed,meet

aneed)publicisingwhoweare• IncreasedinteractionwithschoolsdevelopingworkofnewChildren’sWorker

__________________________________________________________________________________Threats

• ConflictingdemandsonfamiliesonSundays• LackofconnectionwithpeopleinUrquhart• Societymovingawayfromfaithtoa“shoppingculture;”relevanceofchurchtopeople• Ageingcongregation–whatwillourchurchlooklikein20yearstime?• LackofabaseinLhanbrydevillage

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THEINVITATION

God has brought us to the stagewherewe have undertaken a period of self-reflection and havebegunsomenewinitiatives.WebelievetheParishProfiledemonstratesanexcitingpropositionandopportunity to lead and take forward theministry of SALU supported by a congregationwho areopentonewhorizonsandchallenges.

AreyoutheministerGodiscallingtoSALU?

Have you found yourself saying as you have read our profile - “Yes! They sound likemy kind ofpeople!Icouldworkwiththem!That’smykindofvisionforthechurch!”

Thenweneedtomeet!

At a Kirk Session ‘Talkabout’ -wewerepraying and askingourselves – “What arewe looking for,hopingfor,prayingfor,inournewminister?”

Wewantournewministertobehimorherself,andforustobewillingandopentogivinghimorher the space and the encouragement to lead us, perhaps in ways we had not considered orimagined,andtochallengeustostepoutinfaithalongnewpaths–towalkandworkwithusinasharedvisionaswestepouttogetherwithGod.

Wehavewhatweimaginetobethecommonhopesofmanycongregations,whichfindexpressioninthequalitieswewouldhopeforinournewminister:

• AministerwhowillhelpusunderstandtheBibleandhowtoapplyitinourlives• Anindividualwithgoodpeopleskillsandanenthusiasmforoutreachtoallwithinourlocal

community,especiallytofamilies,schoolsandyoungpeople• Someonewhoisopentoinnovation• Apersonwhohasadeeppastoralcareforpeoplewithinourchurchandparish• Aleaderwhowillwalkandworkwithustoshapeourchurchforthefuture,includingnew

initiativesinlocalcommunities

Whilewe have compiled the list above, itmay be of course that God is preparing someone verydifferent as the right person to be ourminister andwe are open to hearing and followingGod’sleading.

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InformalVisit&Enquiries

We appreciate youmay wish to find out more or tomake an informal visit to SALU before youconsidermakinganapplication. Wewouldbepleased to showyouandyour family thearea, thechurchandthemanseandcanarrangeavisitinconfidenceifrequired–pleasecontactourInterimModerator,MrsAnnBowietodiscussthis.

ContactDetails

InterimModerator: MrsAnnMCBowie BenShiel 1GordonStreet Fochabers MorayshireIV327DL Tel: 01343821476 Email: annmcbowie@aol.comApplicationsandrecommendationsshouldbemadeto:

ChairNominatingCommittee: FionaCumming Email: salucofs@gmail.com