Camelon Parish Church
The Congregation of Camelon Parish Church seek to be the
people of God serving all of God’s people through faithful witness. Working to
build God’s Kingdom in our local community and beyond by receiving and
proclaiming His Word, we welcome all in Christian fellowship to share in
worship, prayer and action directed towards the fulfilment of our mission.
Camelon Parish Church ~
Church of Scotland ~ Dorrator Road, Camelon, Falkirk.
Parish Information
The community of Camelon on
the west edge of Falkirk is one with a distinctive and long history. The first
church was established in 1840, details on the history of the church in the
community can be found on the church web site. The community has adapted over
the years to the different opportunities that came its way. In the past it has
been a heavily industrialised area with many foundries providing local
employment for many. This work would embrace all genders with the outbreak of
war and the extensive war work that was undertaken in the area. The decline in
heavy industry has seen a lot of change in the area. The main employer now is
“Alexander’s” bus building company and Johnston Press, though it is hoped that
future regeneration would bring new opportunities to the community.
The Parish
is mainly comprised of Public Sector or ex-Public Sector housing with a few
pockets of Private Sector housing which has added a few hundred family homes in
the North of the parish. In the main the population would be classed as
“working class” or from a manual working background. There are pockets of
social depravation within the parish and also significant numbers of elderly.
Over recent years there has been some regeneration and the Falkirk Wheel is
within the parish boundary. The regeneration of the canal links is seeing a
change in usage of the waterway and there are local plans for further
commercial and domestic regeneration.
There are
two mainstream primary schools, a special school unit for primary aged children
and the chaplaincy to Falkirk High School is shared with other neighbouring
churches. We also have 4 nursing homes catering for a range of needs and a
large number of sheltered housing units. There are also 2 special housing units
for adults with special or physical needs.
Camelon as
a community is fairly well defined and its residents hold onto that distinction
from other parts of Falkirk even though urban sprawl has merged many of the
small surrounding communities.
Church Information.
On 30th
December 2003 the former congregations of Camelon: St. John’s and Camelon:
Irving were united forming Camelon Parish Church. At the union the Congregation
elected to operate under the new Unitary Constitution and so there is only one
legal court within the church. The parish is the largest in Falkirk district
and the 5th largest in Falkirk Presbytery. At present an average of
2 funerals a week are undertaken by the ministry team
The
congregation has a membership of around 400 with a small but growing number of
children, but the general profile of the congregation is in line with church
trends and it is mainly the older age groups that comprise the membership. Attendance
on a Sunday is approximately 100-120 with more at communion.
The
Basis of Union approved a team ministry as being the most effective way of
developing the work of the church in the community. The approved team was set
at 2 ministers of Word and Sacrament and 1 Parish Assistant. At present the
minister from St. John’s was elected to serve the new congregation and the
Deaconess’ appointment to St. John’s was confirmed and transferred to Camelon
Parish Church.
Since the
union the focus of ministry has been on sustaining the existing congregation
and enabling the transition process involved in the union. The Kirk Session has
recently devised a Mission Statement for the church to help direct our future
efforts:
The
Congregation of Camelon Parish Church seek to be the people of God serving all
of God’s people through faithful witness. Working to build God’s Kingdom in our
local community and beyond by receiving and proclaiming His Word, we welcome
all in Christian fellowship to share in worship, prayer and action directed
towards the fulfilment of our mission.
Though our
worship is set at 11am on each Sunday it cannot be described as typical or
traditional. We use a digital hymnal for music and use power point to project
the words of the hymns and teaching points for adults and children. We use
hymns from a range of resources though mainly Complete Mission Praise but are
looking to expand this to include CH4 and the updated Mission Praise and draw
regularly on a great diversity of music from old favourites to new music. We
encourage others to be involved in taking readings and occasional prayers. Communion is celebrated four times a year as
well as informal celebrations at Easter.
The Kirk
Session is agreed that there is a need to reach out with the Gospel to the
wider community and seek to add to our numbers and also to continue to develop
the gifts and talents of the membership and encourage them into greater
participation.
Vision for the Future.
This can
be broken down into two main elements. First, at the point of Union a remit was
given to the new congregation to seek and establish a new worship centre as the
existing buildings are dated and in need of extensive repairs and upgrading.
This is a challenge in the present financial climate but one the office bearers
are committed to.
Secondly
ministry, we seek to continue to develop the team ministry within the
congregation in which the gifts and talents of each member are put to best use
and to develop the latent gifts of the members of the congregation. Moreover,
we seek to grow the church as God directs and gives vision; to disciple God’s
people, strengthening their faith, developing their worship and energising
their service. In so doing be prepared to try new things and if they are
unsuccessful to try something else.
Team Ministry Roles and
Expectations.
The
Associate Minister should be committed to team working. This means having the
ability to share in the full range of duties of ministry (such as pastoral
responsibilities, leading worship and preaching, funerals and school
involvement) and also sharing in the planning and development work of the
Ministry Team. Team Ministry also means accepting and appreciating the
diversity of service and, where possible, supporting and encouraging those
involved. The commitment to team working has been developed and continues
through the process of prayerful planning and reflection to identify who is
best placed to lead on an item while others seek to provide the necessary
support.
In saying
that the Associate would share in the full range of duties of ministry it is
expected that opportunity would be given to exercise specific areas of interest
or giftedness. The two main strands of ministry presently identified are
mission and discipleship. It is envisaged that within the three whole-time
members of the Ministry Team there would be sufficient diversity and
complementarity of ministry to meet these needs.
The
Ministry Team is also committed to ongoing development and would seek to
establish appropriate structures and mechanisms to allow this to occur.
The
existing Team members pursue a ministry of preaching and teaching God’s
inspired word in a meaningful and applicable way and the Associate Minister
would be expected to share in an evangelical outlook to church and ministry.
The specific duties of the post will be determined through consultation within the team, which will seek to allow all members to fully explore their areas of giftedness while ensuring that the full range of responsibilities are covered. The broad job description will be agreed in advance amongst all parties with ratification with the appropriate boards and committees of the church. We are looking for someone who is flexible and creative in their outlook, committed to the sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and open to and dependant on the guiding, leading and enabling of the Holy Spirit. It is expected that each applicant would be able to express what they see as their main area of ministry and subsidiary interests.
Applications should be in writing and include a CV and 2 referees.