2001 - Beyond
As we moved into the 21st century, we as a church tried to embrace the ethos of Church Without Walls as we sought to become the church we are called to be, in the place and time that we find ourselves. As we formed ourselves round our Mission Statement – “To know Christ and to make him known”, we also realised that we had to do that sensitively, and so another proviso was formed, that all that we did would be done “with an eye to the future, but with respect for the past”.
So in the first few years of the new century what have we done?
As we looked at what opportunities could be developed within a children’s ministry, the Tom-toms group was started, reaching out to parents with young children in our community, giving them the opportunity to come together to learn the old nursery rhymes, songs and choruses (musical instruments are also shaken, rattled and rolled). The Toddlers’ Group continued and looked again at its shape and function, seeing themselves as a place to offer activity. The Baptismal Group was formed and looked once again at how we might reach out to those whose children have been baptized in this church. They organized a supervised crèche and various people were approached to help out, and families invited along. We looked at the success of our youth ministry, which is seen as a model within the Church of Scotland, and took the decision to employ someone who would focus on, and work with, the families and children within our church and community, and we were pleased to see Laurie Wheeler take on the role. (Laurie had previously worked as the Youth Worker for the Joint Youth Ministry Programme here in Banchory in the early 1990s before returning to the States to complete her Divinity Degree. She has come back to Scotland, temporarily, to undertake her PhD).
In reaching out to our community and beyond the Fellowship Lunches were launched, which also served a supportive and pastoral role . In looking at the new housing in our Parish - The Hill of Banchory Initiative was launched, now called Reachout as its focus and remit became broader. We are currently seeking to employ a community outreach worker. We have also taken a keen and active interest in all that is going on in the community, and because of this, the church is represented at, and invited along to, various meetings to do with the future of Banchory as well as hosting events such as the Community Consultation Exercise and Making it Real. Our links with other churches and denominations in Banchory continue to be strengthened as we work together in various ventures to bring the Christian message to our area – Joint Services, Christian Aid, Tents at the local shows, and our work within the schools. Further afield our link with UPC in Seattle continues through our Joint Youth Work Ministry as various groups visit back and forth, to undertake missions and to take up internships within the two youth ministries. Our Magazine along with our website became a way to reach out not only to our membership but also the community and beyond, and our latest additions to our website are podcasts of our services. Our recent partnership with the Scot’s Kirk and Women’s Development Centre in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and our support of the Nansato Nursery Trust in Southern Malawi also links us to the wider world. And, what has now become an annual event – our Great Recycling Sale – has allowed us to work together, enjoy fellowship, welcome the community into our halls, and reach out to the wider community, local and worldwide, with the proceeds.
We have a Pastoral Care Scheme which continues to run well, and which has expanded into Short Term Visiting of those who have been unwell. We now have a team of people who help lead the weekly services at Bellfield Care Home and the monthly services at Dalvenie Sheltered Housing. We have recently been looking at material relating to Bereavement Visiting.
In building people up and helping them grow in their talents and understanding, and their faith, we have run successful Alpha and Christianity Explored Courses, and follow-on bible studies. We continue to use the gifts of various members of the congregation as they help lead the worship week by week through the reading of the word and prayers, as well as during the summer, by organising and leading services. We continue to encourage and involve a wide range of musicians in services, as we have introduced contemporary hymns to compliment the traditional. Our organ is currently being repaired and refurbished and should be back with us by the end of September 2008.
As our work with the young people has continued we have seen a number of our young people go out into the world, taking the gospel with them in word and in action, and we have supported them both prayerfully and financially.
In seeking God’s plan for this church and making suggestions about how we can be the church here in Banchory in the 21st century we have also strived to make our church buildings more inviting and usable. We have completed a long-term vision of alteration to the chancel area, which was a great success. We have updated our sound system and introduced visual equipment. This has meant that we have been able to invite various choirs, orchestras, bands, solo artists, drama groups, etc to perform in the church and to invite the wider community in. Our halls are continually being brought up to standard and the kitchen has recently been extended and refurbished. We have computerised our records.
We are continually looking at developing new, as well as existing ministries, to ensure the presence of the Church in Banchory. The Kirk Session and our Committees are encouraged to take seriously the motto of the Church of Scotland “reformanda semper reformandi” meaning reformed and always requiring to be reformed.