Basis of Union and upcoming congregational vote 23rd of February
On Sunday 23rd of February after the 10:30am service (so at approximately 11:30am) all current members and adherents of St Machar's Ranfurly Church will be able to vote on the Basis of Union that has been agreed by the respective kirk sessions. Our congregation will have two votes that day: one on the Basis of Union (i.e. whether you support a union between our church and Freeland Church) and one on whether you accept Rev Kenneth Gray as the minister of the united church. You can only vote in person on the day. If you need transport to church, please let your elder know. Your name will be checked off on the roll on arrival. If you are not sure if you are a member or can be classed as an adherent (someone who regularly worships with us and takes part in the life of the church), please contact Dennis Taylor our session clerk ASAP (email: dennis1taylor@msn.com tel: 01505 612417).
We post the Basis of Union below, as well as some Questions and Answers you may have. We encourage you to come along to the information sessions held by the joint steering group on Sunday 19th January at 2:30pm in St Machar's Ranfurly or Thursday 23rd of January at 7:30pm at Freeland Church. Both meetings are open to members of either congregation.
There is more background information on the process we have made towards this union in the December issue of the Lych Gate magazine, page 4.
Basis of Union
The congregation of St. Machar’s Ranfurly Church of Scotland (SC003766) and the congregation of Freeland Church of Scotland (SC002293) shall be united on 1st April 2025, or from a date to be determined by Presbytery, and that on the following terms and conditions:
1. Name: The name of the united charge shall be Bridge of Weir Parish Church of Scotland and SC002293 will be retained.
2. Transference of Property and Funds: The property and funds belonging to or held on behalf of each congregation shall belong to or be held on behalf of the united charge and any transference necessary shall be duly effected.
3. Places of Worship: The church at present used and occupied by the congregation of Freeland Church of Scotland shall be the place of worship of the united charge. The church at present used by the congregation of St. Machar’s Ranfurly Church of Scotland shall be sold, let or otherwise disposed of subject to the titles on which it is held, subject to the approval of the Presbytery and, if necessary, the General Trustees or the General Assembly. The free proceeds of any such sale or let shall: (a) if falling within the scope of the General Trustees (Delegated Powers) Act (Act 7, 1995) be credited to the benefit of the congregation in the Consolidated Fabric Fund; or (b) if not falling within the scope of the said Act, be held and applied for fabric purposes in connection with the properties of the congregation.
4. Territorial Responsibility: The bounds to be served by the united charge shall be designated as the bounds of the parishes of St. Machar’s Ranfurly Church of Scotland and Freeland Church of Scotland or as the Presbytery shall determine.
5. Kirk Session: The elders of both Kirk Sessions shall form with the minister the Kirk Session of the united charge.
6. Congregational Management: The affairs of the united congregation shall be administered by the Kirk Session in terms of the Unitary Constitution, the Delegation of Assembly being authorised to issue the appropriate Deed of Constitution to the said congregation.
7. Minister: The Rev Kenneth Gray, currently minister at Freeland Church of Scotland shall be the minister of the united charge in terms of section 8.2 of the Presbytery Mission Plan Act (Act 8, 2021).
8. The Manse of the united charge will initially be the manse of Freeland Church. Upon the retirement or other demission of the current minister, a review will be undertaken by the Kirk Session of the united congregation and the manse will then either be retained as the manse of the united congregation or sold, let or otherwise disposed of and a new manse purchased.
The manse of St Machar’s Ranfurly Church will be sold, let or otherwise disposed of; subject to it being retained, if required, for use by the current minister on a caretaker basis after the 3rd March 2025 for a period of up to 6 months, which period may be extended at the discretion of the Kirk Session of the united congregation but subject also to the approval of the Presbytery.
The sale, lease or other disposal of either manse shall be made subject to the titles on which it is held and the approval of the Presbytery and, if necessary, of the General Trustees or the General Assembly. The free proceeds of any such sale or let shall: (a) if falling within the scope of the Church of Scotland General Trustees (Properties, Funds and Endowments) Act (Act 5, 2024), be credited to the benefit of the congregation in the Consolidated Fabric Fund; or (b) if not falling within the scope of the said Act, be held and applied for fabric purposes in connection with the properties of the congregation.
9. Ministerial Support: The stipend of the charge shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the National Stipend Scheme.
10. Power to Readjust: While the articles and terms shall form the Basis of Union for the two congregations now uniting, the united charge shall be free, like other congregations, to adjust arrangements under the authority of Presbytery as need may arise.