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The Congregational Board met on
Wednesday 12th. September in the Church Hall at 7.30 p.m. After
reading and prayer, in which our thoughts turned naturally towards
all that had been happening in America, the Board considered the
congregational finances and in particular our income and expenditure
against the budget which had been set at the start of the year. It
was noted that our offerings had increased from last year but were
slightly down on our target for this year (in fact we were down by
about £436). Our Fund Raising was, however, up by some £397
and with a number of additional Fund Raising events in the pipeline
the Board was satisfied that we will reach the end of the year with
the total of our target income raised. We do all need to be aware
that every little bit we give to our offering is important and will
make the difference between us reaching our target or not!
It was noted that under
expenditure we had coped with the almost three thousand pound bill
which was outstanding from last year's account (for electricity which
hadn't been billed until the end of the year). This will stand us in
good stead next year when we will receive a little more than three
thousand pound less from the Church of Scotland in grant aid as we
move in a planned way towards becoming self supporting.
A recommendation was received from
the Finance Committee that the situation regarding wedding fees be
regularised. The suggestion of the committee, accepted by the Board,
was that there be no fee for getting married in Arrochar Church for
those who live within the parish of Arrochar or who are members of
the Church other than the fee for the Church organist. For those from
out with the parish a fee of £200 will be payable in addition to
the organist's fee. It was further agreed that where a parent or
grandparent of the bride or groom lived in the parish or was a member
of the Church only half of the £200 would be requested in
addition, of course, to the organist's fee. It was agreed that for
the present the organist's fee be £30.
From the property report, the
Board learned of all of the work which had been completed on the
Church building over the summer months. The roof had, in reality, not
just been overhauled, but almost entirely rebuilt! The joists had
been repaired, new underfelt installed, the whole roof re-slated. All
of the woodwork inside the worship area had been completed - the
paneling round the walls, the screens on the chancel. A sound centre
had been installed behind the chancel, from which centre microphone
and music levels can be set and controlled. Walkways have been built
above the ceiling to enable the soon-to-be-fitted new light fittings
to have light bulbs changed and the fittings cleaned. Two more
stained-glass windows have been refitted - the Palm Sunday window to
the left of the front entrance and the 'I to the hills' window beside
the organ. It was also reported that all of the structural work had
been paid for out of the money raised for the Restoration Fund. Money
would be required for the window restoration and for the window
guards which it was agreed would be fitted and the Board agreed to
drawn £10,000 down from the monies held in Edinburgh on behalf
of the congregation. This would still leave £10,000 as a reserve
for any property repairs on the Manse which would fall to the
congregation to pay; and a slightly larger figure as a reserve for
any property matters in the Church itself.
Considerable disquiet was raised
about the state of the Church Yard - the grass was often uncut and
when it was cut, the cut grass was left to blow around the Church
Yard. It was decided to ask for a meeting with the official of the
Council who was responsible for the Church yard.
There was also some discussion
about plaques which had not yet been reinstalled within the Church
building. The property convener agreed to give thought to where would
be the most appropriate place in which to site these reminders of
people who had played a part in the story of our Church.
The housekeeping report drew
attention to the fact that the Church and halls were now being
used almost to capacity. In particular, attention was drawn to a
children's pantomime planned for 4th. and 5th. January, 2002 which
will require the use of a considerable amount of rehearsal time. Half
of the proceeds of the pantomime will be given to Church Funds and
half to a children's charity. Attention was also drawn to the
diligent work of all who keep the Church clean and tidy week in and
week out.
The fund raising committee
reminded the Board that of the annual target of £1,500 already
some £1,064 had been raised. In addition, a Fiddlers' Rally was
organised for Friday 5th. October (tickets £5 and £2 for
children) at 7.30 p.m; and the Christmas Fayre would be on Saturday
1st. December. Memory Stars would be on sale again this Christmas and
in connection with these stars there would be a special service on
the final Sunday evening of the year. (These stars, which cost £5
each, carry the name of a loved one who has died and are put on the
Church Christmas tree each year.)
The stewardship report highlighted
the fact that its annual exhibition would be set up on Saturday 6th.
October, would be opened after the service on 7th. October and would
run throughout the month of October. The property committee had the
task of making display boards well in hand, and exhibition materials
were being prepared on the local and national life of the Church and
on the work of Christian Aid throughout the world.
This led into a discussion of the
Annual Service of Re-dedication and Celebration which would be on
Sunday 7th. October at 10.30 a.m. followed by lunch at the Loch Long
Hotel. Thanks to the generosity of the hotel the price for a three
course lunch with all the trimmings will be held at £7 - the
price we paid last year.
The next meeting of the Board will
be on Wednesday 12th. December at 7.30 p.m. |