URRAY & KILCHRIST CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

MUIR OF ORD, ROSS-SHIRE(Presbytery of Ross)

PARISH PROFILE

Holiday Bible Club

Urray & Kilchrist Church of Scotland Mission Statement

“Our purpose is to bring glory to God through Jesus Christ by committing ourselves to regular worship, prayer and bible study. We offer a warm

welcome to all and aim to reach out to each other, our community and the world with the love of Christ”

Registered Scottish CharityNo. SC 09902

Congregation Reference No. 352220

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INTRODUCTIONUrray and Kilchrist Church became vacant on 21st March, 2009, when The Reverend John Alastair Gordon BD, BSc. was called back to his native country of Northern Ireland to the charge of Fintona and Creevan, Co Tyrone. Urray and Kilchrist was Alastair’s first charge, in which he served for nine years, and to replace him and help us develop the strengths and meet the challenges identified in our SWOT analysis (see annex for full details), we seek an enthusiastic Minister who will promote the growth of our church, relate to and inspire all ages, guide us in our spiritual journey according to sound Biblical principles, and lead us forward in God’s work in the local community and the wider world.

PARISH AND LOCATIONThe parish runs north from the Inverness boundary near Beauly to Brahan (of Brahan Seer fame) on the north side of the River Conon and west from the edge of the Black Isle to beyond Marybank village (a populated area of some 5 x 7 miles. The main places of population are the villages of Muir of Ord (Pop. 2000 +) and Marybank (Pop. 300 +). Another 1700 persons are scattered throughout the eastern edge of the parish. Kilchrist is from the Gaelic, meaning “Church of Christ”. Urray means “fort on a projecting place”.

The East Church, Muir of Ord

The main church, the East Church, with its local red sandstone structure and bell tower, is a significant land mark in Muir of Ord. Adjacent to it is the hall, used daily by church and community groups.

East Church Hall

The West Church, Urray, once the old parish church, lies midway between the two villages and is surrounded by farms, woodland and crofts.

The West Church, Urray

This ancient masonry building, dating back to c.1780, is a category C listed building and is much favoured for weddings, with couples coming from far and near. This church has been described by many as one of the most beautiful churches in Scotland.The church buildings are all in a good state of repair, with no urgent work required.

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Interior view of the West Church

MUIR OF ORDMuir of Ord is situated on the western edge of the Black Isle, a picturesque promontory which juts out between the relatively clean waters of the Moray and Cromarty Firths and is noted for its rich, productive soil. The village is, and always has been, a natural meeting place. A stone lying close to the 18th hole on the golf course marks the spot where a horse market was regularly held. Livestock dealers from far and wide descended on “The Muir” to trade and barter, before the mart eventually moved to Dingwall, shortly before the First World War.The Black Isle Agricultural Show, one of the largest in Scotland, is held annually in Muir of Ord in August.An industrial estate located on the outskirts of the village provides employment for many, although this has not escaped the job cuts associated with the current economic crisis. Muir of Ord enjoys the best of both worlds: on the one hand, an idyllic rural setting, and on the other, a location only twelve miles from Inverness, with all the sporting, cultural and shopping amenities and job opportunities of a major city, the fastest growing in Europe at present. Inverness airport is approx 30 minutes’

away by car, while the rail link from Muir of Ord provides services to the north, south and west. There are regular bus services to Dingwall and Inverness.With bridges over the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths, a day trip to Orkney is a reality, while the pretty fishing village of Ullapool on the west coast is less than an hour’s journey away. The Isle of Skye can be reached in less than two hours.The character of the village has remained remarkably unchanged over the years (although new housing estates have given it something of a dormitory element) and many residents play an important role in the Church and the community.

THE MANSEA five minute walk from the East Church, the substantial manse and gardens are located with in the village limits.

The manse is a substantial, traditional two-storey building of coursed pink Tarradale sandstone with ashlar works at openings. The roof is of Ballachulish slate on timber structure. The ground and first floors are of suspended timber construction. It was built c. 1905 and stands in an area of 0.5 acres at Corrie Road, Muir of Ord. The garden is fairly large, and is mainly grassed with borders. It is well maintained, as is the Manse. The ground floor comprises: Sitting Room,

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Dining Room, Living Room, Kitchen, Larder, Oil Boiler Room, Scullery, Lavatory, Hall, Vestry and Staircase, all in generous proportions. The first floor comprises: Three Bedrooms, Sewing Room, Study, Bathroom, Landing and Staircase, again all with generous dimensions. External structures built in timber are: New Summer House, Garage, Store and Timber Shelter (for wood burning stove in Living Room).

CONSTITUTIONUrray and Kilchrist operates under the Model Constitution.

THE KIRK SESSIONThe Kirk Session has a total membership of 12 (not including the Minister), 7 men (of whom 1 is no longer active) and 5 women. All elders including the Session Clerk have a district and so share pastoral duties. The Kirk Session meets depending on business but on average four times a year. There are four small groups, Worship, Mission, Pastoral and Education and Communication, which meet regularly and report to the Core Group which, in turn, reports to the Kirk Session. The four groups mostly have a free hand to carry out any works that they consider will benefit the church and community. Two elders represent the Kirk Session at Presbytery.

CONGREGATIONAL BOARDThe Congregational Board consists of 23 members, (11 men and 12 women) plus the Minister who does not normally take the chair. All the elders serve on the Board. The elders are elected for life. Elected members retire after three years but can, and are generally, re-elected. The Board meets about every two months depending on the business.

MEMBERSHIPMembership of the congregation at April 2009 is as follows:Communicants: 82Adherents: 31Average numbers attending services are: West Church 45, East Church 85, and the average attendance at communion (May and November) is 55. About 40 attend the informal Easter communion service.Age and infirmity prevents some members from attending church. The age profile of the active congregation is weighted towards the over-50s, apart from the youth organisations led by a team of committed volunteers.

WORSHIPServices are held as follows:Morning Service1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at the West Church, Urray at 11.00 am; 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays at the East Church, Muir of Ord at 11.00 am. The format is traditional. A team of volunteers is available to read the lessons and lead Intercessory Prayers.Evening Service Sundays at 6.30 pm in the East Church Hall.Sunday School meets every Sunday at 11.00 am in the East Church Hall, spending the first part of the service in church on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays.A crèche is provided in the East Church Hall every Sunday.A Youth Group meets on Friday evenings in the winter and a Youth Fellowship Group meets throughout the year after Sunday evening service.

THE GUILD“Whose we are and whom we serve”, Acts 27: 23The Guild meets at 7.30pm in the Church Hall on the fourth Monday of the month from September through to April, except for December when they meet on the second Tuesday for a

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festive lunch. The evening starts with devotions, arranged by a different member of the Committee each month, and this is followed by a guest speaker or one of the members. Then comes the obligatory cup of tea after which the members attend to any outstanding business. The Church of Scotland Woman’s Guild was formed at General Assembly in May 1887 and became the Church of Scotland Guild in 1997. Urray & Kilchrist Guild will celebrate its 65th anniversary in September 2009.The Guild joins with the other Guilds in the Presbytery for the Presbyterial Council Annual Rally – usually on the last Tuesday in May. Each Guild takes a turn hosting the rally. Urray & Kilchrist Guild last hosted it in 2008 when the guest speaker was the Right Reverend Sheilagh Kesting, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. An annual event for which the Guild has responsibility in the parish is the World Day of Prayer. Members of neighbouring churches are invited to join and take part in the pre-set order of service which is produced by the Christian women of a different country each year.

OTHER GENERAL INFORMATIONWe share with neighbouring Church of Scotland churches under the “Sharing Resources” scheme. Our sharing churches are Castle Street, Dingwall, and Ferintosh, Conon Bridge.

Church walk, summer 2008

A Joint Outreach Project runs in conjunction with the Muir Community Church and the Free Church. Activities involve meeting after evening service on the 1st Sunday of the month for fellowship and praise, village events with donations benefiting local organisations, joint services (Easter, Harvest), and running a drop-in centre, The Living Room, in the village on Mondays (prayer 2 pm), Tuesdays (Bible reading and discussion 10 am), Fridays (Youth Outreach 9-11 pm).School assemblies are shared with the Muir of Ord Free Church minister at Tarradale, Mulbuie and Marybank Primary Schools. Visits to Dingwall Academy are shared with Ross Presbytery ministers. Short services are held on the 2nd Sunday of the month at Urray Care Home and twice yearly at Ross Memorial Hospital, Dingwall.Various housing developments have been erected during recent years and are expected to continue at a reduced pace over the next ten years. The parish population has increased from some 3500 in 2001 to around 4000 at present. Sadly, this has had little impact on increasing membership.Mission is pursued as follows:The Joint Outreach Group meets regularly to agree and carry out new initiatives.

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Elders and minister visit in their districts, especially in the new housing developments, to seek new members.

A Summer Holiday Bible Club has been organised every July for the last 13 years. This is usually a very successful event attended by 40 to 50 primary school age children, and faithfully run by a team of dedicated volunteers, some of whom actually take a week of their holidays to dedicate to this event.

Holiday Bible Club photos

Challengers Youth Club for secondary school age youngsters (Friday evenings from October to March) and Youth Fellowship (Sunday evenings) are organised to reach out to young people in the locality.

For the last 3 years “Coffee at the Kirk” has been organised between

April and October. An average of 25 people come along for coffee and a blether. Donations have gone towards pastoral care, the youth and Urray House Care Home.

Urray & Kilchrist Church of Scotland complies with all disability discrimination, health and safety and food and hygiene legislation.

Church summer barbeque

A church website is currently being set up, with funding already in place.

STATISTICAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATIONThis is available in the appendix, which also includes floor plans of the manse and the SWOT analysis.

Informal enquiries can be made to the Interim Moderator, Rev. Dr. Bruce Ritchie, BSc, BD16 Achany Road, DINGWALL, Ross-shire, IV15 9JBTel: 01349 963167E-mail: brucezomba@hotmail.comA printed and/or electronic copy of the Parish Profile is available from the Clerk to the Nomination Committee:Mrs Ivy Garriock, “Bethany”, 5 Drynie Park, MUIR OF ORD, Ross-shire, IV6 7RATel: 01463 870308E-mail: ivygarriock@mypostoffice.co.uk

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