THE WOMAN'S GROUP

Fairlie Parish Church Woman's Group is affiliated to the Church of Scotland Guild. The Guild is a movement within the Church of Scotland which invites and encourages women to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and enable them to express their faith in Worship, Prayer and Action.

The Group in Fairlie do just that in no uncertain manner. They meet regularly from October to March on the first Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm and the next meeting is usually 2 weeks later in the evening at 7.30pm.We have a lively and varied syllabus which can be seen on the noticeboard in the Session House & outside the church door.

The Group is organised and led by Team Leader (Catherine Brown), Secretary (Norma Whyte), Treasurer (Joan Cameron].
For more information and a friendly welcome Tel: 01475 568200

Activities include painting, music and outdoor events (weather permitting!). There is an annual picnic.

The group take part in the service at key points in the year, including Prizegiving, Harvest and the Nativity Service. There is opportunity for drama and poetry reading as well as the musical activities within the service.

Fairlie Parish Church choir was formed by the amalgamation of the choirs of St Margaret's and St Paul's churches when they united in 1968.

At present the choir has a nucleus of twelve/fourteen mixed voices and there is an ongoing effort to recruit more members, particularly gentlemen singers. The dedication of the choir members and their leading of the singing at Sunday worship appears to be much appreciated by the congregation. Choir practice is held once a week during the period September - March/April.

The choir is under the general direction of the Church's Director of Music assisted by the organist.

• Church Hymnary 4th. Edition
• Junior Praise
• Let's Praise
• BBC Songs of Praise
• Commom Ground
• Songs of God's People

Additional music is obtained as required from music publishers including the Royal School of Church Music to whom the Church is affiliated.

Basic music for Sunday is chosen by the minister and any supplementary items (anthems,etc.) by the Director of Music.

An organ was first installed in the Church in 1908. In 1951 it was found to be infested with woodworm and beyond economic repair. The present instrument, which is sited in the Chancel at the North end of the Church, was built in 1936 by Wm Hill & Sons and was bought from Alexandra Parade Church when it was closed in 1952. It is a two manual pneumatic actioned instrument with a full pedal board, 21 stops and 781 pipes.

The praise band was formed some three years ago from just two people who were really assisting the choir on the odd occasion. From the start it was clear that there was an opportunity to grow into a prase band with all ages taking part.

The praise band has around 12 members and plays every Sunday except during school holidays as the main part of the band is made of school aged boys and girls. We also have three special "Gigs" every year which are always enthusiastically received.

There are six adult helpers who are around most times at our Thursday practises.

Instruments include; drums, keyboard. guitars, Base guitars, flutes occasional fiddle as well as several singers.

For more information contact:-
David Clark, 01475 675153,
or E Mail davidandlizclark@btinternet.com

The meetings are very informal and relaxed, and led by the minister.

Currently a Bible discussion Group meets two or three times a year. The time and place of every series of meetings is different and as a result, so are the members of the group. We try to make it possible for anyone who might like to attend to be able to find a convenient time and a setting that appeals to them at least on some occasions. . We tend to use a published study to focus our thinking. This might involve looking at a book of the Bible or it might concentrate on a particular theme, like a study for Lent or Advent. In fact we usually meet at these two special times in the Church calendar.

By getting together in this way, members can air their convictions and their doubts and encourage one another. Our Christian faith is strengthened, as is our Fellowship.

The Kirk Session and the Congregational Board (along with Presbytery and General Assembly) are Courts of the Church.

The Kirk Session is composed of members of the congregation chosen by the members to become Elders, to assist the Minister in the Spiritual affairs of the Church. Each Elder has a district in the parish and keeps the Minister informed regarding the Church members in their district. The Kirk Session meet at regular intervals throughout the year to discuss and act upon the affairs of the Church, locally and nationally. The Session Clerk acts as secretary, keeping minutes and dealing with correspondence and administration. The Session has sub-committees to deal with things like Worship, Education, etc.

The job of the Congregational Board is to look after the temporal or secular affairs of the Church. It consists of Elders and lay members elected by the congregation. The lay members are appointed each year for a term of three years at the Annual Stated General Meeting. The Clerk to the Board (Secretary),Treasurer and Fabric convener are the main appointments and there are several committees to cover such things as finance, fabric, publicity, social events etc.