Proposed Union between Kilmacolm Old and Kilmacolm St Columba

In conjunction with Clyde Presbytery, the undernoted draft Basis of Union has been approved by both Kirk Sessions and a copy of this document has been issued to each member and adherent.

A period of 14 days is now allowed from 5 January 2021 during which members and adherents may submit to the Kirk Session questions about the Basis of Union which they wish to have answered.  A “questions and answers” document will thereafter be prepared by Presbytery in conjunction with the Kirk Sessions and this document, together with a ballot paper, will subsequently be issued to each member and adherent.

Leon Marshall

Session Clerk

THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND CLYDE PRESBYTERY

 

Basis of Union of the Congregations of Kilmacolm: Old and Kilmacolm: St Columba’s

 

The Congregations of Kilmacolm: Old (Scottish Charity Number SC009291) and Kilmacolm: St. Columba’s (Scottish Charity Number SC007992) shall be united at a date to be determined by the Presbytery, and that on the following conditions:

 

1. Name:

            The name of the united congregation shall be Kilmacolm Parish Church of Scotland.

2. Charity Number:

          The charity number of the new congregation shall be that currently held by St. Columba’s,

          SC007992.

3. Transference of Property and Funds

The property and funds belonging to or on behalf of each congregation shall belong to or be held on behalf of the united congregation and any transference necessary shall be duly effected.

The issue of which sanctuary, chapel, halls, offices shall be used by the united congregation shall be determined by a committee of the Presbytery, appointed specially for this purpose, who shall act as arbiters.  Their decision shall be final and shall be binding on all parties.

All the property currently held by one of the current congregations (except the manse which is dealt with separately in clause 9) shall be retained by the united congregation.  The remaining properties held by the other congregation of shall be sold, let or otherwise disposed of subject to the approval of the Presbytery and the General Trustees. The free proceeds of any such sale or let shall (a) if falling within the scope of Act VII 1995, be credited to the benefit of the united congregation in the Consolidated Fabric Fund; or (b) if not falling within the scope of the Act, be held and applied for fabric purposes in connection with the properties of the congregation.

4. Place of Worship

The sole place of worship of the united congregation for normal Sunday services shall be determined by the Presbytery and that decision shall be binding on all parties.

5. Territorial Responsibilities

The bounds to be served by the united charge shall be the bounds of each of the congregations or as Presbytery shall determine.

6. Kirk Session

The elders of both congregations shall form with the Minister or Interim Moderator the Kirk Session of the united congregation.

7. Congregational Management

The temporal affairs of the congregation shall be administered in terms of the Unitary Constitution, the Delegation of Assembly being authorized to issue an appropriate deed of Constitution to the said congregation.

8       Minister: After the union has taken place, the united congregation shall proceed to the election of a minister.  In the first instance, the Nominating Committee shall be formed by electing six members from each of the former congregations with one additional member elected from the congregation with the larger communion roll.

9. The Manse
   The manse of the Old Kirk shall be retained as the manse of the united church.  The manse of St. Columba shall be sold,let or otherwise disposed of subject to the approval of the Presbytery and the General Trustees. The free proceeds of any such sale or let shall be held and applied for fabric purposes in connection with the properties of the congregation.
10. Ministerial support
    The stipend of the charge shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the National Stipend Scheme.
11. Power to Readjust

While the above articles and terms shall form the Basis of Union for the two congregations now uniting, the united congregation shall be free, like other congregations, to adjust arrangements under the authority of Presbytery as need may arise.