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SCOTTISH CHARITY NUMBER SC006235 THE CHARITY’S LEGAL NAME St Andrews Church of Scotland: Dumbarton |
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Church Profile Vacancy for the Ministry of St Andrew’s Parish Church Bellsmyre Dumbarton West Dunbartonshire
This profile has been prepared as an insight into the ministry and vision of St Andrew’s to further our “Kingdom Work” in the community of Bellsmyre, the wider parish and the town of Dumbarton. We invite applications from those who see themselves able to minister and strengthen us in our vision for the 21st century, leading us on our Kingdom Journey within our wee church on the hill and in the community. Applications should be made to the Clerk of the Nominating Committee and should include a CV with details of three references. A sincere thank you for taking the time to consider us as your charge. St Andrew’s Parish Church Aitkenbar Circle Bellsmyre Dumbarton G82 3EU Web: www.standrewsdumbarton.co.uk Active Membership 138 Adherents 11 Supplementary Roll 222
St Andrew’s Manse 17 Mansewood Drive Dumbarton G82 3EU
Stipend The Minimum stipend appointment is fixed for five years in the first instance.
Location (see Where We Are page for maps) St Andrew’s Church is situated on a commanding position, standing high on the brow of the hill overlooking the town of Dumbarton with panoramic views of Dumbarton Rock, Rivers Clyde and Leven and the hills towards the Vale of Leven. Bellsmyre is nestling behind with the Kilpatrick Hills at the rear. It’s elevated position is a constant reminder for the people of St Andrew’s of our mission in our community.
St Andrew’s Church History On Palm Sunday, 30th March 1958 the Bellsmyre Hall Church was opened as a Mission Hall under the umbrella of Dumbarton Old Parish Church and until 1961, the work of the Church of Scotland in the rapidly expanding housing scheme, was carried out by the Rev. Dr. Campbell assisted by the Rev. Peter Houston. In 1961 the General Assembly formally established the Church as an Extension Charge and the Rev. Bill Kenny was appointed minister. During this time, the building was extensively used by both Church and community for a wide variety of events. Close ties were being built with St Peter’s RC Church, quarter of a mile up the road. In the “great storm” of October 1968 the roof was blown completely off the hall and the mammoth task of restoration took place. Within a few months we were back worshiping in our Hall Church. In 1969 the Rev. Mike Mair became minister and during his time we continued to grow our involvement with the community. In 1974 a new wing was added to the hall, providing much needed extra space. In the same year the General Assembly raised the charge to full status as the Parish Church to the area of Bellsmyre and environs and became known as Dumbarton St Andrew’s. When the Rev. Mair moved on in 1976, the Rev. Ronald Lawson was called as sole nominee. He gave 12 years of dedicated service to St Andrew’s, instituting Christian Healing services, bible study and youth Fellowship, shepherding three people in their final year of study for the ministry and two others towards Auxiliary Ministry. Involvement with the community continued to mature. In 1988 The Rev. Lawson moved on and The Rev. Irene Bristow was appointed our 4th minister as a Parish Church. During this time our mission of outreach to the community of Bellsmyre and the wider parish was expanded with many links made and initiatives taken. (See Go For It below) We built links with the Area Development Group, Drugs Forum, Community Council, Local Authority and local MP. Initiatives included developing an exhibition of the profile of the Parish which included St Peter’s. We had an ongoing campaign of distribution of information to newcomers to the Parish about both Churches. For many years we held a joint Summer Gala day. Relations with St Patrick’s RC Church in Dumbarton town centre are also excellent. One particular joint project which we see as important is the Home from Home second hand furniture redistribution centre which has gone from strength to strength over the years and has expanded it’s work by opening a factory unit in Clydebank. The Rev. Bristow moved during late 1997 and the Rev. Lesley Donaghy was inducted in July 1998 as our fifth minister. During his time he has worked on our inner spirituality and faith, giving us the strength from within for our continuing outreach activities. During this time House Groups have grown out of a series of Alpha Courses and Dumbarton Churches Together has sprung out of our varied ecumenical activities within Bellsmyre and the town of Dumbarton. Recently one of our members has been licensed for the Auxiliary Ministry.The Rev. Donaghy retired from the ministry during 2004. Each minister has brought many different gifts to St Andrew’s throughout the years, each appropriate for their time.
Go For It – Bellsmyre Childrens’ Project, 1995 to 2004 GFI was an innovative Church and community partnership initiative charity working with children between the ages of 9 and 12 within Bellsmyre. The aim was to heighten children’s concept of own self worth and esteem and offered a range of varied activities, which were fun, entertaining, challenging and educational. It was initially funded by the Church of Scotland till 1999 then till 2004 by Children in Need, Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland, West Dunbartonshire Council and the Archdiocese of Glasgow. The project was managed by a committee of volunteers mainly from St Andrew’s but also from St Peters and the community. It was decided during 2004 to close the project because it had run it’s natural course with funding coming to an end and difficulties in recruiting new employed staff and volunteers for the Board of Directors. Additionally, there were now other organised activities for the children of Bellsmyre that previously did not exist. The project was the first of it’s kind for the Church and Scotland as a whole and from this seed of inspiration the model is being used with great success in other parts of Scotland.
The Parish of St Andrew’s Our Parish consists of the social housing scheme of Bellsmyre, incorporating Mansewood, Garshake, High Overton, Argyll and Sutherland Avenues. There are also members who live outside the parish and town. Bellsmyre Bellsmyre is situated in scenic surroundings on the hill to the north, about a mile and a half from Dumbarton town centre. It is separated from the rest of Dumbarton by the A82 Stirling Road (the Boulevard) dual carriageway and the Barloan Roundabout. The housing provision is mixed, both with owner occupied and tenanted housing from desirable cottage types, semi detached, terraced through to maisonettes and three storey flats. There are also several multi-storey flats which are currently used for housing people with social and immigration difficulties. Bellsmyre represents the largest proportion of the parish and has a population of 4,266 (2001 census) with over 40% under the age of 25. One family in five is lone parent. There are around 850 households with almost half with children under 15 years of age. Unemployment is high and contains the most deprived area (datazone) in West Dunbartonshire which is SIMD ranked no.217 Scotland wide. Further details are available at www.sns.gov.uk Despite difficulties associated with the above statistics and generally with being a social housing scheme there is a strong and friendly community spirit, which is distinctive from the rest of Dumbarton and a fierce pride, which declares that Bellsmyre is a good place to live. A programme of regeneration is currently taking place within the Whiteford Avenue/Stoneyflatt Road area where blocks of three storey flats are being demolished to make way for more modern terraced houses. It is envisaged 83 new houses will be built for Bellsmyre Housing Association, with preference given for first time buyers, those on housing association lists and those with local connections. St. Andrew’s views this as development potential for future outreach opportunities. Garshake: Garshake is a smaller area of social housing with many owner occupied properties which is distinct to Bellsmyre. Mansewood: Mansewood is a small pocket of privately built housing to the west and front of Bellsmyre which is at the rear of the Church. The manse is situated here. High Overton, Argyll and Sutherland Avenues These are two areas to the east of Bellsmyre and Garshake along the A82. These are areas of the parish, which are poorly represented within St Andrew’s congregation. A new private housing development of 31 private houses is currently under completion on the site of the old Crosslet Farm, at the east end of Argyll Avenue and again represents a potential outreach challenge.
Church Life Worship Sunday services are held at 10.30AM. There is a crèche for parents who wish to attend the service. The Sunday Gang meets at 10.30 AM providing for young people aged 3 to 12 years. Currently there are few children who attend regularly. Communion Communion is celebrated monthly and quarterly. The monthly communions are more relaxed with changing experimental formats from time to time. There are also quarterly home communions available for the housebound. Ecumenical Events St Andrew’s has a long tradition of working with St Peter’s RC Church also located in Bellsmyre. For many years we enjoyed our joint Easter Service where we carried St Peter’s cross from one church to the other. This has now been included within the activities of Dumbarton Churches Together (DCT) where we march together into the town centre for an Easter outdoor service. St Andrew’s plays a full part in the activities of DCT. St Andrew’s Senior Citizens are invited to attend the annual St Vincent de Paul summer outing to Loch Lomond. There is a standing invitation to St Peters members to attend our Advent and Lent studies. Kirk Session The Session has 29 members both male and female. Meetings are normally held every 6th Wednesday evening. Congregational Board The Board has 24 members and meets bi-monthly with individual task groups meeting as often as they require. The task groups cover items such as communication, property, hall lets and social activity. Chaplaincy St Andrew’s has an excellent relationship with Aitkenbar Primary School to which our Minister is Chaplain. We also have a warm relationship with St Peter’s RC Primary School. We hold weekly services at Dalreoch Home for the elderly. Hospital and home visits are undertaken by the Minister, Session and members of the congregation as the need arises. There have been around 30 funerals per year and 5 weddings. The Guild Although a small group, the dedication and commitment of Guild members continues to offer support to all aspects of St Andrew’s life. The syllabus is interesting and varied ensuring that there is something for everyone. A hired minibus ensures members are transported as required. Study Groups Traditionally, there has been a group who have met monthly in the manse on the morning of the first Wednesday of the month for bible study. There are two house groups led by Elders who meet weekly on Monday and Tuesday evenings. They have been meeting for around 5 years and all members are welcome. During the 6 weeks of Lent and the four weeks of Advent there are opportunities for developing our understanding of faith and there is a standing invitation to our friends St Peters RC Church. Christmas Fayre There is a Christmas Fayre held in the main hall each year when considerable funds are raised for the Church. Charitable activities St Andrew’s has two representatives on the local Christian Aid Committee and we participate in fundraising activities. There are also members who volunteer for Amnesty International and others charities.
The Church Building and its uses The Hall Church The main hall can seat 150 to 200 people. There is a speaker and loop system in use for the hard of hearing and a tape/cassette system in the pulpit. We use liturgical pulpit falls and lighting conducive to worship. On the wall facing out towards the congregation we have two tapestries. On one side, the Tree of Life, celebrating our Fortieth anniversary and on the other, a traditional Leonardo Da Vinci, the Last Supper. We also have a hand painted 5 foot El Salvadorian style cross celebrating local life and a Celtic cross. Although this hall is multipurpose and used for many activities throughout the week it is beautiful when set out for Sunday Worship. This in combination with our people the church has a warm and friendly atmosphere, which is continually commented on by visitors. The Vestry doubles as a small meeting room and has audiovisual equipment including a video player and television. The front entrance hallway has a disabled toilet off. At the Rear of the main hall there is a lesser hall with a well equipped kitchen off. The lesser hall is used on a Sundays by the Sunday Gang then afterwards for tea, coffee, soup lunches etc. It is also used throughout the week for other activities. To the other side of the kitchen there is a smaller hall/larger room, which is known as the Session Room where the Crèche is based on a Sunday morning. The Congregational Board and Session meetings are held in this room and there are also other activities throughout the week. At the rear of the Session Room there is a large storage area with lockable cupboard space used by many of the committees and organisations in the church A rear entrance and hallway are used as the main entrance for all activities other than worship. The main Ladies and Gents toilets are off this hallway as is a smaller storage room formerly known as the Chancel. Lunch Club The Lunch Club is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Lesser Hall. This is a facility we offer the community and is not an income generated event. There are around 25 senior citizens who are provided with meals that are cooked by the kitchen staff at Aitkenbar Primary School. Tea and Coffee is also provided in the Session Room where there is much hilarity and discussion before and after enjoying a sing song accompanied by a pianist. There is then a taxi to return then home. Senior Citizens Club The Club is held weekly on a Thursday afternoon and there are around 10 members who attend regularly. They enjoy playing Bingo etc and tea or coffee is provided while blethering. Other activities Throughout the week church facilities are used by the following:- Parent and Toddlers Group Andrew Cameron Nursery Over 50’s Keep Fit Trefoil Guild Aerobics Rainbows Brownies Guides We are keen to make our building available as a resource to the community to provide a facility which develops its life.
St Andrew’s Church Manse 17 Mansewood Drive, Dumbarton. The Manse was built in the 1970’s and has been modernised over the years as part of the normal upkeep of the property. It is conveniently situated within the quiet residential area of Mansewood and is only a short walk from the Church. The town centre of Dumbarton is only 5 minutes away by car, offering a range of shopping. The Clydebank and Braehead shopping centres are around 15 minutes away by car. Glasgow is 16 miles and Stirling is a 40 minute drive. There are nursery, primary and secondary schools within walking distance. The property On the Ground floor there is a small entrance porch leading to the square hallway with lounge, dining room, study, kitchen and toilet off. There is an L-shaped staircase leading to the upper floor with 4 bedrooms and a bathroom. There is a large built in storage space on the upper landing and in the bedrooms. Access to the floored loft is from the upper landing via a trapdoor with built in loft ladder. The property is double glazed throughout with gas fired central heating and a living flame gas fire in the lounge. The kitchen is fitted with modern units with space for either gas or electric cooker, plumbed in washing machine and fridge/freezer. The bathroom has been modernised and features a corner bath, separate shower cubicle with electric shower, WC and wash hand basin. An alarm system is fitted with detectors on both the front and back doors, movement detectors in all downstairs rooms, hall, upper landing and garage. There is a (never been used) panic button in the rear master bedroom. There is a relatively easily maintained garden front and rear.
That concludes St. Andrew’s Dumbarton Church Profile If YOU are interested in contacting the Nominating Committee regarding our Vacancy please do not hesitate. All the contact information is listed below. We will be delighted to hear from you. Nominating Committee Secretary Chair Interim Moderator |
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