Frequently Asked Questions

It is important to recognise that our new parish is made up of different communities in a social and demographic perspective. However, there is a great deal that connects us the people in this part of North Edinburgh and Leith. It is these generational and social connections that we need to focus upon if we want to faithfully serve the needs of all in our communities.

This is a question for the Ministry Team to look at. However, as with all worship, over many decades, it has adapted and changed to fit the context it is in. The introduction of live streaming in one of our churches as one indicator. The use of all skill and talents of our new parish members is also important in determining this. All our congregations live in the 21st Century so I am sure our development of worship will reflect this.

The Steering Group is working on various plans and is looking at all areas in regard to the formation of the New Parish. As plans are developed and agreed, it will enable us to determine what is required in terms of people and physical resources. Where they are located and what is needed to fulfil the plan for the new parish. The use and location of buildings will form part of that process. But we, as the Steering Group, keep emphasising that it is up to us, the New Parish congregation, to put forward to Presbytery and others, what buildings we need and where they should be located, if we are to fulfil the vision and mission plan for the New Parish.

There has been no decision made in regard to the maintaining or disposal, if any, of our buildings. The Steering Group is working on various plans and is looking at all areas in regard to the formation of the New Parish. As plans are developed and agreed, it will enable us to determine what is required in terms of people and physical resources, where they are located and what is needed to fulfil the plan for the new parish. The use and location of buildings will form part of that process. We, the Steering Group wish to emphasise that it is up to us, the New Parish congregation, to put forward to Presbytery and others, what buildings we need and where they should be located, if we are to fulfil the vision and mission plan for the New Parish. We will continue to update you as plans and decisions are made.

The church nationally is going through considerable change and is asking itself the very same question. The Church of Scotland is for all, regardless of age and so it should be. However, we do think many churches have many interactions with younger people, but perhaps not at 10:30am or 11am on a Sunday morning. It is for us as the church to go out and seek engagement with the younger generation, be this through our connections with schools, with uniform groups like the BB, Guiding, Scouting etc. Be it through Messy Church, Holiday Clubs, Family Fun Days, Christmas Nativity Services, or being present in the community. Church is changing and it would be naive to think that church, in the future, will all be focused around a diet of Sunday worship.

To be honest we do not know for sure. Perhaps as part of moving forward together we have to look at what we can do and what we can do well, but more importantly we need to ensure what we do is about mission and focused upon the Five Marks of Mission as set out by the Church of Scotland. Here is link to the Church of Scotland site detailing further info on this https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/our-faith

We will be continuing to have joint services once a month rotating round the three church buildings. The steering group will continue to revise and work on various plans as we move forward to union.

There has been no decision made in regard to the maintaining or disposal, if any, of our buildings. The Steering Group is working on various plans and is looking at all areas in regard to the formation of the New Parish. As plans are developed and agreed, it will enable us to determine what is required in terms of people and physical resources. Where they are located and what is needed to fulfil the plan for the new parish. The use and location of buildings will form part of that process. But we, as the Steering Group want to emphasise that it is up to us, the New Parish congregation, to put forward to Presbytery and others, what buildings we need and where they should be located, if we are to fulfil the vision and mission plan for the New Parish. I hope this helps explain where we are in regard to buildings and be assured, we will keep all informed as plans and decisions are made.'

As plans are developed and agreed, it will enable us to determine what is required in terms of physical resources. Where they are located and what is needed to fulfil the plan for the new parish. The use and location of buildings will form part of that process. We, the Steering Group wish to emphasise that it is up to us, the New Parish congregation, to put forward to Presbytery and others, what buildings we need and where they should be located, if we are to fulfil the vision and mission plan for the New Parish. We will continue to update you as plans and decisions are made.

As plans are developed and agreed, it will enable us to determine what is required in terms of physical resources, where they are located and what is needed to fulfil the plan for the new parish. The use and location of buildings will form part of that process. We, the Steering Group, wish to emphasise that it is up to us, the New Parish congregation, to put forward to Presbytery and others, what buildings we need and where they should be located, if we are to fulfil the vision and mission plan for the New Parish. We will continue to update you as plans and decisions are made.

Under the new union there will be one session/ treasurer etc.

It will be up to the new parish Ministry Team to determine this. However, it is important to take into account the existing patterns and styles of worship within the each church setting, which the new Ministry Team will certainly consider.

This is something the Steering Group are currently looking at. As Church law states, any union to form a new parish will have a Kirk Session made up of the combined sessions of the existing churches. This may be seen as impractical for our new parish, therefore the Steering Group will look at how the new Kirk Session will be more representative of the new parish and the existing churches.

There has been a full survey of all church building throughout Scotland, by the General Trustees. This survey was completed in May this year. The outcome has been presented to Presbytery and shared with each church. This survey is just one part of the overall assessment of buildings and their relevance in being the 'right spaces in the right places'. The next step is for the General Trustees, Presbytery and individual parish congregations to work together to determine the best and sustainable use of all buildings in their new parish. This will be done over the next 12 months as the Plan for Mission is developed and implemented.

This is a question for the Ministry Team to look at. However, as with all worship over many decades it has adapted and changed to fit the context it is in. The introduction of live streaming in one of our churches is one indicator. The use of all skills and talents of our new parish members is also important in determining this.

Text below taken from the Church of Scotland website on Presbytery Reform - As part of the Radical Action Plan accepted by the 2019 General Assembly, the Church agreed to a series of measures to reduce the number of presbyteries across the country, support local congregations in their ministry and mission and encourage new expressions of church. The number of presbyteries in Scotland is to be reduced from 43 to about 12, and new networks, hubs and other new local church structures will be developed. The Church is also moving to dispose of land and buildings which no longer serve the mission of the church. This is in line with the 2019 General Trustees report, 'Well Equipped Spaces in the Right Places'. The changes are part of a larger effort to reform church governance structures and devolve resources to presbyteries to support the local church in carrying out its mission. They are set against the backdrop of financial pressures exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a reduction of £11.3 million in Ministry and Mission contributions and investment income in the 2021 budget. (You can read the text in full here https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/radical-action-plan/presbytery-reform)

There has been no decision made in regard to the maintaining or disposal, if any, of our buildings. But we, as the Steering Group want to emphasise that it is up to us, the New Parish congregation, to put forward to Presbytery and others, what buildings we need and where they should be located, if we are to fulfil the vision and mission plan for the New Parish.

We are intending to have a joint congregational meeting and hopefully this will happen in the month of September 2022. We will continue to update you as plans and decisions are made.