Presbyterianism
is a system of Christian Protestant church government, expounded during
the Reformation by John Calvin, which gives its name to the established
Church of Scotland, and is also practised in England, Wales, Ireland,
Switzerland, North America, and elsewhere. There is no compulsory
form of worship and each congregation is governed by presbyters or
elders (clerical or lay), who are of equal rank.Congregations
are grouped in presbyteries.There are forty nine Presbyteries in
the Church of Scotland, covering all of Scotland, the Shetland and
Orkney Isles, England, Europe and Jerusalem.
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Fairlie Parish Church
is in the Presbytery of
Ardrossan and is represented there by the Minister and an Elder
appointed by the Kirk Session.
Fairlie is
well represented at Presbytery. The Minister is, of course, involved
as also is Douglas Hamilton as Vice Convener of the Property Committee
and Rosemary Jarvie as Treasurer. Both very demanding roles.
I am now in my eighth year
(2010) and I am becoming more familiar with the work of the business
undertaken.
Presbytery meets once a month
from September to June, omitting January. The meetings are held
in in New Trinity Church, Saltcoats.
The Moderator, who serves in this post for a year, opens the meeting
followed by a Hymn and a Prayer. Although the number of females
is increasing steadily, males are still in the majority and I find
that the Hymn singing reminds me of a Male Voice Choir. Obviously
many good vocalists in the Ministry.
New members, bothMinisters
and Elders, are placed on Committees which meet prior to full
Presbytery
with members
usually on two Committees.
Remits to Presbytery and Kirk Sessions are sent from the General
Assembly to be discussed and debated by the
various Committees and then reported to the full Presbytery for
further discussion and approval
The Moderator, Presbytery
Clerk, the Deputy Clerk and the Convenor of the Business Committee
are
Ex Officiis of all Standing Committes.
Committees cover
Business; Church and Society; Property; Finance; Presbyterial Superintendence;
Mission and Discipleship and World Mission.
Business is carried out
in an efficient manner and the Moderator and the Clerk keep us
under control.
Jean Cameron
You can
visit the Presbytery web site at Ardrossan
Presbytery
