Our charge is currently vacant
Informal enquiries to the Interim Moderator: Rev. Bob Gehrke Tel: 01501 751239, Email bob.gehrke@gmail.com
Applications with CV and details of two referees to the Clerk: Iain Glen 10 Redmill Court East Whitburn, West Lothian EH47 OPL Tel: 01501 742886, Email: iaglen@btinternet.com
Whitburn South Parish Church
Parish Profile
Mission Statement
We aim to be a friendly, welcoming family, encompassing people of all ages, which joins together in faith to worship God joyfully and prayerfully.
We endeavour to express God’s love in the way we live our daily lives and show love to others in the way we act and speak.
We seek to encourage and nurture those we meet, whether friends or strangers, while affirming our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
We are prayerfully seeking a Minister to lead our faithful congregation and well supported organisations in meeting the challenges we face in developing our active membership and in reaching out to the community. We are a lively congregation of all ages, with a strong musical heritage and an established parish infrastructure.
Brief history
The present church built in 1730 is the only listed building in Whitburn. Our church was gutted by fire on 17th December 1955. It was restored to its present form and re-dedicated on 11th November 1959. The church halls were built in 1963 and an extension added in 1992. The present manse was built beside the church in 1973.
Church Management
Church Membership
Our roll currently comprises around 400 members with around 70 names on the Supplementary Roll and 14 Adherents.
Kirk Session
Our Kirk Session currently comprises 26 Elders, 13 men and 13 women. It meets on a regular basis. Most elders serve a small geographical district, while those without a district have other specific duties such as Session Clerk, Roll Keeper and Treasurer.
Some years ago the church entered a contract with the Department of National Mission which resulted in us forming four working groups covering Mission, Worship, Pastoral Care and Education/Communication.
We have maintained these four groups as the work they carry out is of significant value to our church. Most elders are involved with one of these groups along with members of the congregation.
Congregational Board
Our Congregational Board comprises equal numbers of elders and non-elders, currently 14 of each. The board meets bi-monthly and comprises three operating sections dealing with Finance, Property & Fabric, and Fund Raising & Events.
Weddings, Funerals & Baptisms
Over the past few years, we have averaged around 10-12 weddings, 25-35 funerals, and 3-5 baptisms each year.
Church office
We have recently increased the specification of our copying and printing equipment, which is housed in the office in the Halls.
Church Buildings
The Church
Our Church has a modern interior within the original 18th century walls giving it a unique character. We benefit from two ancillary rooms adjoining the church as well as a wc and have a security alarm system fitted. We have installed full gas central heating, an induction loop system, PA system and recording equipment to record Church services. Space for wheelchair users has been incorporated into our pews with a wheelchair also located in the church for anyone who requires the use of one during worship or activities held in the church.
Church Halls
Our Church halls are situated across the road from the Church. Accommodation comprises of a large main hall, a small hall, three sub rooms, a large kitchen with a gas fired oven unit, ladies, gents and a disabled toilet facility which incorporates a baby changing unit. There is a large tarmac car park, adjacent to the halls. As well as being utilised by the various Church organisations, the halls are used by external organisations e.g. Sporting, Community services, Religious conferences. The halls have a Health and Safety certificate.
The Manse
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The Manse, a detached bungalow, stands in a moderately sized walled garden adjoining the Church. Accommodation comprises Living room, Dining room, Kitchen, four Bedrooms (one with en-suite facilities), Study and Bathroom. It is heated by Gas Central Heating and has been fitted with a security alarm linked to a monitoring agent. Externally, there is a separate single garage and paved paths around the house.
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Church Services
Worship
Morning worship is held weekly throughout the year commencing at 11:00 am each Sunday. There are also monthly evening services from September through to June commencing at 6:00 p.m. Music for our services is provided by our team of organists on a Makin Overture two manual electronic organ. We currently use CH3, Mission Praise and occasionally hymns from other sources. Communion is celebrated four times a year with two tables each time, morning and evening.
We hold a number of special annual services which incorporate services for the main festivals, re-dedication of our organisations, Harvest Thanksgiving, Remembrance Sunday, Cradle Roll and carols in the town centre. These are all services of public worship.
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Our Kirk Choir plays an important part in leading the congregational praise in worship at each Sunday morning service. At most services the choir sing an introit and item of praise during the offering. The choice of music varies from traditional hymns to modern praise items. The choir also occasionally joins with our neighbouring church Brucefield to lead evening worship services and perform items of praise. Sunday School is for young people between the ages of 3 and 10 years old each Sunday morning. The young people have fully trained Sunday school teachers to guide them, with Scripture Union the main material used.
Youth bible study is for 11 years upwards and is very relaxed and informal, working from the Youth Bible.
A Crèche is available each Sunday morning for children under the age of 3. |
A stained glass window in our Church |
Church Organisations.
Boys Brigade “Sure and Steadfast”
Founded in 1964, our company meets on a Wednesday evening during school term and has boys aged between 5 and 19 years old. We offer a varied achievement programme and are active within West Lothian Battalion. Anchor Boys: 5yrs–7yrs, Junior Section: 8yrs–10yrs, Company Section: 11yrs upwards
Bridges
This group meets once a month and is for P7 upwards. It is an evening of games, crafts and occasional cooking with our aim to keep it very informal. We have a ten minute ‘God slot’ at the end of the evening.
Friday Coffee
The Church Halls are open every week for coffee and fellowship and this attracts many people from the community.
Girls Brigade
“Seek, Serve
and Follow Christ”
Started over 20 years ago, our company is thriving. We meet on a Tuesday evening and have girls ranging from 5 to 17 years old. Christian values play a large part in the programme and our company is active both in the life of our Church, wider community and Division. Explorers: P1–P3, Juniors: P4-P7, Brigaders: Secondary school ages.
Prayer Meeting
We are a small faithful group of 8-10 people who meet each Monday evening to pray for our church, community and the wider world. All are welcome.
South Kirk Singers
The Singers comprise of
regular worshippers principally from within our own congregation and also the
congregations of other churches in West Lothian. We meet weekly on a Sunday
evening between September and May to rehearse and share fellowship. We undertake
fundraising for charity through various concerts
throughout the year, in the town and beyond.
The Guild “Whose we are and whom we serve”
The Guild was started in our church in 1904 and we were affiliated to the general office of the Church of Scotland guild in 1911. Currently we have approximately 40 members in our guild. We still have that strong sense of spirituality and dedication that our past members had in the early years. That work is ongoing with the same love and dedication.
Women’s Fellowship
Our group allows women of all ages to meet to share faith, fellowship and fun. We meet on the first Thursday of each month where we enjoy a varied syllabus including speakers, demonstrations and practical activities.
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Our church halls
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Church publications
Linkline We produce a Church magazine ‘Linkline’ on a quarterly basis with contributions from many sources. Typically this includes ‘Message from the Manse’, updates on finance, organisations and other Church activities.
Additionally a separate children’s magazine is produced for the younger children and youth of the church.
Prayer Diary On a regular basis our Prayer Secretary produces a prayer diary focussing on those individuals, organisations or countries in need of prayer. The prayer diary is issued not only within the Church but beyond. |
Finance
Our church is fortunate enough to be able to contribute fully to the National Ministry and Mission Fund. The Congregation gives using a combination of envelope schemes and direct giving via bank standing orders and we promote Gift Aid. We run successful fund-raising events during the year to boost our regular monthly income.
The Congregational Board has available relatively moderate funds which have been accumulated over a number of years, including bequests for specific purposes. These are managed by the Treasurer in accordance with the conditions attached to each. We pride ourselves on meeting our obligations, and make suitable payments to those who provide services for us. We take a prudent approach to safeguarding assets through full insurance and regular maintenance as required.
Notable financial achievements over recent years include the replacement of the heating boilers and controls in our halls, maintenance to the exterior of the Manse, replacement of the windows and kitchen in the halls, substantial replacement of floor coverings in the Church, and surfacing of the car park. These have been completed without recourse to specific fund-raising exercises.
In addition to this, we make generous contributions to a number of outside organisations, both on a regular basis and for one-off causes. Recent examples of regular causes include Blythswood Shoebox Appeal, Erskine Hospital, and Christian Aid, while one-off sums have been donated to The Haven, the Pakistan Flood Appeal, Borderline, Love in Action, Tear Fund, Church of Scotland HIV/Aids Project, and Haiti Earthquake Appeal. Donations are made by the Congregation and by the various Church organisations.
Outreach
Whitburn South Parish Church is part of a School Chaplaincy Team involving Brucefield Church of Scotland and Whitburn Pentecostal Church. The team covers the primary and secondary schools in the town providing class talks as well as ‘end of term’ church services for Harvest, Easter and Christmas.
In the past our Minister has acted as chaplain to the elderly in two of the sheltered housing complexes in the town, holding short services and administering the sacrament of Communion.
We use leaflet drops to invite people within the developing parish to our special services.
The Church Halls are used on a regular basis throughout the year by all organisations associated with the Church. In addition they are used by Government & Local Authority - Local & National Elections, Fairtrade Coffee Mornings, Blood Transfusion Service, Rugrats Childcare, Tai Kwan Do - Martial Arts and Big Bird Nursery.
Whitburn Town Facilities
Whitburn is one of the most desirable places in West Lothian in which to live because of its facilities for all ages and the wonderful community spirit.
Whitburn is conveniently located equidistant from Edinburgh and Glasgow, just off the M8. Regular public transport is provided to all the surrounding towns as well as Edinburgh and Glasgow with their international airports. Within 2 miles of Whitburn you have the choice of 2 rail links both of which cover Edinburgh and Glasgow. Stirling is also easily reachable.
Two of our oldest organisations, Whitburn Brass Band which formed in 1871 and Whitburn Bowling Club which formed in 1887, are known throughout Great Britain.
For all ages we have Swimming Pool with modern Keep Fit Club attached (www.westlothianleisure.com), Library, Community Centre and for the community there is a Doctors Surgery served by 7 doctors, 2 Dental Surgeries, Post Office, Police Station, Fire Station, 3 Homes for the Elderly, Whitburn Junior Football Club including children’s teams, Community Council, Cemeteries, Masonic Lodge and a good mix of clubs and shops. Local A&E services are provided at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.
Our Children's Gala day was formed in 1907 and the Queen is chosen from one of the local primary schools. A civic week was added in 1968 and it is now reckoned to be the biggest Gala Day in central Scotland.
The beautiful Polkemmet Country Park with 169 acres on Whitburn’s boundary was opened to the public in 1981 and has a 9 hole Golf course, Bowling green, Children's play areas, Walks and Picnic areas.
The proposed regeneration and development of Whitburn including housing and golf courses will further enhance the town. Further details of the development which is underway, can be found via the following link www.polkemmettoccs.co.uk
One of the biggest shopping centres in Scotland, Livingston, is 8 miles from Whitburn with further information available from www.shopthecentre.co.uk and www.livingstondesigneroutlet.com/index.htm
Useful websites
www.westlothian.gov.uk - West Lothian Council Website
www.westlothian.gov.uk - Link to primary and secondary schools in West Lothian
