WESTKINTYREANDGIGHACHURCHES

KILLEAN & KILCHENZIE PARISH CHURCH

KILCALMONELL PARISH CHURCH

GIGHA & CARA PARISH CHURCH

Welcome

How do you feel about waking up every day to a view across the Western Seaboard? Our parishes stretch along the western shores of the Kintyre peninsula and include the Hebridean island of Gigha.

View from the Manse at Muasdale Standing stones at Ballochroy

People have been settling in this area since Mesolithic times. They have left permanent reminders on our landscape of standing stones, burial mounds, duns and ancient chapels that tell us just a little about how they lived and worshipped. 10,000 years later folk still live and worship in this beautiful part of Scotland. Some were born here and are 5th or 6th generation locals. Attracted by the peace and beauty of the area, many others have now made it their home. Currently our congregations are in vacancy with unrestricted tenure.If you are a Minister and feel called to explore our charge further,we would welcome your enquiry,in confidence.You may well have studied many Church profiles,however we pray God will guide you to a Parish like ours with its own distinctive features. www.westkintyreandgighachurches.org

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CHARGE:-

'Gigha and Cara linked with Kilcalmonell linked with 'Killean & Kilkenzie'

WHITEHOUSE

GIGHA Gigha Parish Church

MUASDALE

GLENBARR

Kilcalmonell Parish Church

CLACHAN TAYINLOAN

Killean & Kilkenzie Parish Church

KILKENZIE

BELLOCHANTUY

The charge is a rural one composed of 2 mainland churches 11 miles apart and a Church on the Isle of Gigha which is a short 20 minute ferry crossing from the mainland at Tayinloan. If the ferry to Gigha is cancelled due to adverse weather, an elder always has a service ready and leads worship. We consist of 3 genial and close congregations.Our formal name is Gigha and Cara linked with Kilcalmonell linked with Killean and Kilchenzie. However our shorter everyday name is the Church of Scotland in West Kintyre and Gigha. The Church of Scotland in West Kintyre and Gigha consistently meets its annual financial commitments. BUILDINGS Killean & Kilkenzie: - 1 Church and 1 adjoining Church Hall at A'Chleit and 1 Village Hall in

Glenbarr. The Manse for the linked charge is in Muasdale. Kilcalmonell: - 1 Church at Clachan

Gigha & Cara: - 1 Church at Ardminish CONSTITUTION Model Deed on the mainland and Unitary on Gigha

CALL

Our congregations are open and inclusive and the call is unrestricted

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CONTACT DETAILS

If you are a Minister of Word and Sacrament and feel called to this charge then

please get in contact with the Convenor of the Nominating Committee:

Ms Marilyn Shedden

marilyn.shedden@btinternet.com Tel:01583 421104/07833 164918 or the Clerk to the Nominating Committee: Mrs Christine Mineham struansh0re@outlook.com Tel:01583 505342/07709581320

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OUR PARISHES

WORSHIP Worship takes place every Sunday in each of our three Churches unless a special joint service has been arranged.Services are led by our Hub Minister,a trained reader or by one of the Local Worship Leaders. Occasionally worship is conducted by lay preachers, retired ministers or visiting ministers. Members of the congregation share in giving the scripture readings from time to time. Argyll Presbytery also supplies 52 weeks of pulpit supply payment. Two of our elders have been trained to conduct funerals if a Minister is unavailable.

GIGHA PARISH CHURCH Our Churches attract many visitors and we are fortunate to be able to leave them open and accessible at all times. We sing and enjoy a variety of praise from traditional psalms to new songs and hymns.A’Chleit Church has an organ,music being provided by two organists on a rotational basis,while Clachan and Gigha Churches lead praise with digital hymnals.We celebrate the sacrament of Communion twice a year in March and November.Home Communion is available, on request, to those who are infirm or housebound.We are open to different forms of worship,however,we desire and respect the place of the traditional and family type service. Easter,Harvest,Remembrance and Christmas have an important place in the worship of each congregation.On Remembrance Sunday we observe the two minute silence at our War Memorials and special services are also held at Easter and Christmas. Sunday School is available in A’Chleit and Clachan Churches whenever children are present with their families.Gigha Church holds family services to welcome children.Our main outreach to children takes place through elders and the Hub Minister working as school chaplains and through Messy Church.

A’Chleit and Clachan Churches share leadership of Messy Church for the children in the parishes and beyond.Messy Church meets in Tayinloan Village Hall 4 times a year and also has a summer barbecue on the beach beside A’Chleit Church.Having covered the main Christian Festivals over the year Messy Church is currently focussing on Bible stories to tell children and families.

KILLEAN & KILCHENZIE PARISH CHURCH 4

A monthly magazine called “Church Chat” is produced for distribution, not only to regular churchgoers but also for the wider community and is particularly appreciated by those who are housebound, aged or infirm and no longer able to attend Church. One of our elders also writes a weekly “Thought for the Week”column in our local newspaper

KILCALMONELL PARISH CHURCH

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THE MANSE AND GLEBE The Manse for the three Churches is a large, detached, well maintained bungalow situated in the village of Muasdale. From the front of the manse there are wonderful views across the sea towards the islands of Gigha, Cara, Islay and Jura. The manse consists of two public rooms, a study, four bedrooms, fitted kitchen, utility area, a bathroom with shower and a separate cloakroom. Our next Minister will be able to choose new kitchen units and fittings. The manse has a large open garden with attractive shrubs, small trees and a patio area to the rear and a smaller garden to the front with hedging surrounding it. There is off road parking for two or three cars. Recently, extensive insulating work has been successfully completed to enhance the comfort of those occupying the manse. There is a wood burning stove in the living room. All three congregations happily contribute to maintenance costs and there is an ongoing property maintenance schedule to ensure regular re-decoration. Each congregation has property committee members who meet together to oversee larger projects. As with many country parishes a glebe is attached to the Manse for the Minister’s horse!! However,with the advent of motorised transport, the glebe is currently rented to a local farmer.

The Manse from the front garden

The rear view of the Manse

The secluded rear garden of the Manse

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THE INTERIOR OF THE MANSE

The kitchen Public room

Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3 Minister’s office/study 7

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE The Church plays an important part in our local community. Organisations within the community which are associated with the Church include:

• Church Guild in A’Chleit (other congregations very welcome at Open Meetings)

• Prayer Shawl Ministry (knit and natter)

• Messy Church

• A’Chleit Hall Art Club

• Glenbarr Hall Badminton Clubs

• Line Dancing

• Work Parties (Church and Hall cleaning squad, painting and decorating team).

More details about these organisations can be found on the ‘Organisations’ page of our website. We are well aware of the need to keep our buildings in good order and have a programme of fundraising events which also promote social fellowship and provide an opportunity to raise the profile of the Church within the community. Such events include:

• Regular coffee evenings in the village halls which are well attended by Church members,locals and holiday makers

• Soup and sandwich lunches after special services • Tea and chat afternoons for Church members, locals and guests from

residential homes • An annual meal and social evening attended by up to eighty people • A Men’s Night where the men of the congregation organise and serve teas and

coffees and staff stalls and fun events • After service friendship cuppa (and a chance to hear if anyone needs help or

company) • Church calendar depicting local scenes of outstanding beauty.This has proved

to be a good source of income as it is popular with local people and holiday makers alike.

• In preparation for Easter,some men and women knit small chickens in such a way that a Cadbury’s cream egg can be fitted inside.Local hotels,tea rooms and shops sell them on behalf of the Church.

• A “Fun Day” is held on a local farmer’s field attended usually by over one hundred people.A tea tent and various stalls surround a sporting arena where children’s races and adult challenges and events are enjoyed by everyone.

• Every July A’Chleit and Clachan Guilds hold Sales of Work in the local village halls.The home baking at these sales enjoys a splendid reputation and this brings in customers from far and wide.

• An annual harvest supper • Occasionally a Quiz Night is held in Tayinloan Village Hall where tea, coffee

and baking is served. • Flower festivals held in our Churches in aid of local charities • Carol singing around the village • Annual breakfast in the Church in aid of Christian Aid • Gift Day in aid of Church Funds • Retiral collection for specific charities e.g Kintyre Food Bank,Erskine Homes

Some of the “staff” at the Men’s Night 8

THE WIDER COMMUNITY Kintyre is often described as the 'Mainland Island'. It is on the extreme west coast of Scotland, joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus at Tarbert, Loch Fyne. The peninsula is about forty miles long and contains within it everything that makes Scotland such an attractive living and holiday destination for many people. There are several caravan and holiday sites within the parish and some holiday makers regularly come to church and take part in church life.

Each village in the Parish has its own unique character. There are local well stocked shops in the villages of Clachan,Glenbarr and Gigha where post office services are also available.Fuel is available at Gigha and Clachan shops and in the nearby town of Campbeltown .

There are lots of activities within the villages including active branches of the SWRI, badminton clubs for adults and children, indoor bowls, youth clubs and lunch clubs for all ages.

In nearby Campbeltown there is a busy harbour, lifeboat station, hotels ,cinema, leisure centre,two supermarkets, five golf courses ,heritage centre, three distilleries, several Churches of various denominations and a number of excellent tea rooms and family run shops.

An airport, on the outskirts of Campbeltown, has daily flights to Glasgow. There are 5 buses daily, each way, between Campbeltown and Glasgow.

Employment in the area is divided fairly evenly between farming, fishing,forestry,tourism, public and health services and support services. However, farming is still the mainstay of our community. Some people commute as far as Lochgilphead for employment.

The annual Mull of Kintyre Run is a very popular event

which attracts many visitors to Campbeltown.

Jobs are often available on a casual (as needed) basis - especially during the summer months. There are many opportunities to do voluntary work.

In Kintyre you will find those 'little extras' which make us almost unique; the palm trees showing the effect of the Gulf Stream; two world class golf courses on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, one of which features the 'best first hole in the world'; and an uninterrupted view of the Atlantic Ocean towards Ireland and the Inner Hebrides. 9

Educational facilities within the whole parish area include 4 primary schools, three of them on the mainland and one on Gigha. The school on Gigha and Rhunahaorine Primary,near Tayinloan also provide pre -5 facilities.End –of –term services are conducted in school or Church by the Session Clerk or School Chaplain. Kintyre Schools Pipe Band

There are two Secondary schools in the area, one in Tarbert (Tarbert Academy) and one in Campbeltown (Campbeltown Grammar School). The Grammar School is a new building with first class facilities.

Both schools are very much community orientated, acting as a focus for many of the area's cultural, social and sporting activities. School transport is provided for children attending either Primary or Secondary School. A branch of Argyll College (part of the University of the Highlands and Islands) offers classes and flexible learning, including Distance Learning in Campbeltown. The local area is serviced by a GP surgery which sits just on the outskirts of Muasdale village. It covers the same geographical area as the linked Parishes.

The local Community GP Hospital in Campbeltown is 15 miles from Muasdale. There is a District General Hospital with general medical and surgical facilities in Oban.

There is a vast amount of sporting activities in the Kintyre area with a great range of outdoor sports such as hill walking, fishing, shooting, angling, tennis, horse riding, running, mountain biking, shinty and football. The long sweeping sandy beaches, with extensively clean water around much of the coast and its exposure to the Atlantic also make it an adventure playground for surfing, canoeing, and sailing.There is also a great music tradition in Kintyre.Both secondary schools have concert bands, choirs, ensemble groups and Campbeltown has a proud tradition of brass bands, pipe bands and folk music. The Kintyre Music Club provides a great variety of artistes in concerts once a month and there are annual Music festivals in Campbeltown and Tarbert, and an annual Drama festival too. We have an active Antiquarian Society and many other interesting groups. Locally we have a Churches Preservation Group seeking funding to preserve the 12th Century ancient chapels of Killean & Kilkenzie.

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OUR NEW MINISTER It is said that there are three main strands to a Minister’s parish duties. He or she could be a good preacher,an excellent organiser and administrator or a provider of pastoral care.It would be unjust of us to expect our new Minister to be accomplished in all three.However in West Kintyre and Gigha,as well as leading our Kirk Sessions, we identify pastoral care as a priority.We seek a compassionate Minister who is happy to go out into the community among the people giving encouragement and spiritual uplift to those in need,be they suffering from depression,unemployment,the loss of a loved one or experiencing a loss of any kind and to be their confidant and counsellor when required. A Minister who also has a sense of humour and is interested in innovative outreach work by perhaps holding meetings outwith the Church buildings,be they in homes,farm buildings,hotels,tea rooms or the pub,bringing news of the embrace of the local Churches and their relevance in our community today.In our rural community this would entail our Minister having a current driving licence.We also recognise the growing importance of communication through modern technology and would appreciate our new Minister using this approach to promote the role of the Church and to reach out,especially to young people, through this form of media. Could you be the one to minister to us in this way? What our congregation can offer you. *we will endeavour to support our Minister by regular attendance at worship *keeping our Minister informed of those needing pastoral care and if appropriate, providing background information in confidence *ensuring our Minister has personal time for private or family matters *strong support from elders and office bearers as Church matters arise and influence our direction *an aspiration to ensure that our congregations continue to meet their financial commitments *welcoming,friendly,sociable congregations holding out the hand of friendship to visitors *providing encouragement to our Minister by voicing appreciation for the work done on our behalf *support from an excellent team of Local Worship Leaders *healthy organisations with committed and reliable leaders *a comfortable Manse with outstanding views to inspire and share God’s wonderful world If you feel called to explore our charge further, we would be pleased to hear from you in confidence. 11

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS FROM OUR PARISHES

Sunset over Islay The beach at A’Chleit

Winter sun over Clachan One of Gigha’s many beaches

Regular visitors to our shores A windsurfer’s paradise

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