The United Parish of

Carstairs and Carstairs Junction

 

Parish Profile 2008

 

(Presbytery of Lanark)

 

 

Introduction

 

The United Parish of Carstairs & Carstairs Junction was formed on 2^nd March 2006 from the previously linked charge.  Both villages have retained their churches as places of worship.  Following a period of successful Interim Ministry the congregation has an unrestricted call and wants to build on the positive progress already made.  We now seek a minister who will work with us and guide us with spiritual and practical leadership. 

 

Background to Church Life

It was in discussion with the Presbytery of Lanark that the former congregations decided to seek the appointment of an Interim Minister at the beginning of 2005.  This provided us with excellent foundations upon which to explore and build our faith and outreach and we now have a new confidence and a fresh understanding of the way ahead.   The 18 month period provided an opportunity to address the 5 tasks of Interim Ministry: coming to terms with history, discovering a new identity, making the necessary transitional changes, relating to the wider church in a new way, preparing for the next chapter.  As time progresses, the union of the congregations has proven successful and although challenging at times, we are more able to fulfill God’s mission in our parish.  This is most obvious through the workings of the Kirk Session and Congregational Board and the opportunities taken to share resources. 

 

Church Life

A.  Worship

There are two services of worship: Carstairs Junction 10.30am, Carstairs Village 12 noon, with joint services at festival times, summer or as necessary.  Communion is held 4 times a year.  Also on Communion Sundays the young people lead a Mission Praise worship evening.  They also have a form of youth church which has potential for development, and drama and music skills to share with the whole church. 

 

Worship participation is encouraged through the Exploring Worship Group, and members of the congregation regularly participate by reading the lesson.  We mainly use the NIV Bible, and Church Hymnary 3^rd Edition, Mission Praise and Songs of God’s people.  We are open to the possibility of purchasing CH4. 

 

Once a month, on a Sunday afternoon, we take short services for the residents of Monteith House Nursing Home which is located in the parish, and we would continue to support the Minister in this valuable service.   

 

B.  Congregational Structure

The congregational Roll is 312 plus 8 adherents with 39 on the Supplementary Roll, though attendance at Sunday Worship is fairly low at the moment, with under 50 at each service.  We have approximately 25 children and a number of young adults involved with our worshipping congregations, with Sunday School and Youth Church meeting at the 12noon service.   

 

The Kirk Session (20 Elders) and the Congregational Board (19 elected plus Elders) meets most months on Wednesday evenings.  The congregation has always met its financial commitments, and people have responded well to requests for help when major fabric work has been required.  Funerals number about 30 and there are 6 weddings in 2008.

 

C.  Congregational Activities

1. Other Organisations/Groups

·         Meeting for prayer takes place fortnightly for half an hour at 6.30 on a Wednesday evening.

·         The Guild – two branches of the Guild previously worked closely together.  Prior to the Union of the congregation they joined to become one branch with 40 members, who meet monthly between September and April, and raise money for their charities and the church.    

·         Boys Brigade.  We have two successful sections of the Boys Brigade: 

- the Anchor Boys (23 boys) and Junior Section (14 boys), with 6 Officers.     

 

2. The Way Ahead. 

During the 18 months of Interim Ministry we took time to  explore the way ahead for the life of our congregation and under the banner of ‘The Way Ahead’ we identified a number of areas to work on.  Within the following areas we have continued to grow and develop, whilst in vacancy. 

 

a) Pastoral Care

·         The Bereavement Care Group visits people following bereavement and on the anniversary of bereavement.  This group has developed well into a pastoral group and been appreciated by many.  Working with the Exploring Worship Group, we have an annual bereavement service. 

·         Circle of Friends are involved in identifying people in the community who value a regular visit or practical assistance that we in the church can provide. 

 

b) Publicity

This group is responsible for:

·         the quarterly Church Magazine.

·         publicity material for special services and events within the life of the church

·         raising the profile of the church within the community

·         choosing a logo for the congregation - the cross on the front page of this Parish Profile.

·         printing the weekly intimation sheet.

 

c)  Exploring Worship Group

·         This group evolved from exploring AlterNativity for Christmas 2005 when we included a simple Advent liturgy in our weekly worship.  This was based on a ‘Chrismon Tree’.

·         The Chrismon Tree was later made into a Lenten Cross as the central symbol for a Liturgy during the season of lent. 

·         This group also set up a very successful 2006 Holy Week Labyrinth in Carstairs Junction Church when members of the congregation and other congregations were invited to walk along the path taking the opportunity at various points to stop and reflect and think about some aspect of life or faith.   Around 110 people attended. 

·         In December 2006 the group set up an Advent Labyrinth in Carstairs Junction Church.  During the 3 days it was open around 72 people attended.

·         We are also able to provide support for worship services.  

·         Please visit our web site for further information about the Labyrinth - www.carstairschurches.ik.com

 

D.  Other Information

  The Minister is chaplain to both Primary Schools in Carstairs and Carstairs Junction and is warmly received.  There is also potential for involvement with chaplaincy at our secondary school – Lanark Grammar.  The main hospitals for pastoral visiting are Wishaw General Hospital and the Lockhart Hospital in Lanark. Also the Presbytery plan includes exploring a parish grouping with Carnwath. 

 

Future Development

We believe that our mission for the future involves:

 

 

 

 

Location & Background to the Communities

 

•   Carstairs and Carstairs Junction are two small rural villages 1½ miles apart in South Lanarkshire.   Lanark, a good centre for shopping, is only a few miles away and the villages are conveniently placed within 45 minutes off-peak travelling distance of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Stirling, and 20 minutes from Livingston and Hamilton.  The small communities of Cleghorn and Ravenstruther are also within the parish boundary.
• Carstairs and Carstairs Junction both have mixed housing - Council and owner occupied - and there are several housing developments underway or in planning. 
•  There are well used Community Centres as well as shops and post offices in both villages. 
•  There is a main line railway station at Carstairs Junction, on a limited timetable, and a half hourly train service from Lanark to Glasgow. 
• There are no other churches in the parish, though we have a good relationship with neighbouring parish churches. 
• The Population of the parish area as per the 2001 Census is 2,801.

 

The Property

 

Carstairs Church

The church was built in 1795. 

There is no church hall in Carstairs, but there is an upstairs room which can be used for small meetings.  The local Community Centre is quite close to the church and is used for Sunday School and other meetings as required.  There is a Glebe located close to the old Manse which is leased out on a full agricultural tenancy. 

 

Carstairs Junction Church

Built in 1879, with pews removed some years ago to make a multipurpose building.  There is no church hall at Carstairs Junction. 

Church House at Carstairs Junction was originally built as the Manse and has been used over the years for Sunday School, Guild, Committee meetings, Coffee Mornings etc.  However, it required a great deal of work to bring it up to standard and it no longer provided the accommodation we need. It is in the process of being sold.   

The Manse

The Manse (80 Lanark Road) is centrally located in Carstairs, has a large garden, and private driveway.   It is a 1½ storey house with 7 rooms.  There are 4 rooms, a newly fitted kitchen and utility room, and bathroom downstairs, with a further 3 bedrooms, toilet and wash hand basin upstairs, and loft space.  It has double glazing, oil central heating, and new wiring.  There is also help provided to maintain the lawns.  There is a garage with light and power.  Further redecoration will take place in consultation with the minister.  

 

 

Further Information

If you wish to look around or have a chat about the vacancy then please do not hesitate to contact:

 

Interim Moderator:   Rev Sarah Ross

                                   St Paul’s Manse

                                   22 Learig

                                   Forth

                                   Lanark

                                   ML11 8EA

                                  ( 01555 812832)

                                   e-mail: rev_sross@btinternet.com

 

 A colour A5 version of this profile is available for posting.

 

Please also visit the United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction Web Site: www.carstairschurches.ik.com

Other links:  www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/carstairs

 

Applications with CV and two referees to:

 

Clerk to the Nominating Committee

Mrs Irene Williams

Killara

13 Hagholm Road

Cleghorn

Lanark

ML11 7SG

( 01555 664694)