Coming together – Where are we now?
In a few weeks’ time, Airth, Larbert East, Larbert West and Stenhouse & Carron Churches will vote on the Draft Basis of Union.
If accepted, the four churches will unite very soon to become Larbert Tryst Parish Church of Scotland, worshipping in the building now used by Larbert East Church. Please read carefully the draft Basis of Union and if you have any questions about any of it, please speak to your elder, or another member of the Kirk Session.
Voting
Once Presbytery has agreed to it, we will find out when we will have the opportunity to vote. Elders in each church will vote separately but at the same time, and then the congregations have their say. This will be in the form of a meeting after the Sunday service in each individual church. The votes are organised by the relevant Presbytery Committee who will lead us through the process. You will see that the proposed date of Union is May 1. At this point we do not yet have Presbytery’s formal agreement, and so this may change. The Union also depends on positive votes from all four churches. It is important that as many members and adherents as possible take part in the congregational vote, The date for this, which is set by Presbytery, will be announced soon.
And after the votes …
All being well, on 1st May Larbert Tryst Parish Church of Scotland will go forward. At this point, the presbytery will appoint a new interim moderator for Larbert Tryst Parish Church of Scotland. The Kirk Session, made up of existing elders from all four churches in proportion to the membership of each one, will be formed. The Session will appoint a new locum, Session Clerk, Treasurer and other office bearers, and organise Kirk Session teams. The aim is to make the most of the talents of all of the new congregation to serve God and our community. The new Parish will cover the same area as the four parishes do now. The search for a new minister of Word and Sacrament will get underway, and then for the additional ministry role allocated to the new church. It’s been a long time coming but we are getting there!