growth there is no life!’ We need change, we needto be radical, we need to live for Christ.

May God’s blessing be upon you all as we seek toserve him faithfully in our congregations and in thePresbytery of Ayr.

Alistair H. Morrison

REVIEW AND REFORM CONFERENCE

The Review and Reform Committee are pleased tothank the 120 people who gave up their Saturdaymorning on the 21st January to attend the ‘Challengeof Change Conference.’ The Carrick Centre provedto be an excellent venue. The keynote speaker theRev. Bill Hewitt gave an inspirational talk. Followingthe talk delegates broke into groups to discuss andreflect on the life of Ayr Presbytery.

One of the key themes emerging was the desire tomove the Presbytery’s life from being that of simplya court to one of also holding conferences. Therewas a desire for there to be more priority given toMission and Fellowship. It was felt that Area Groupsin particular were not functioning as envisioned. Itwas hoped and anticipated that a greater purposeand direction for them might be forthcoming. It wasalso felt that communication between Presbytery andcongregations could be improved.

Rev. Neil McNaught commented: ‘We felt we had auseful Conference. Clearly there are lessons to belearned. I hope this Conference will come to be seenas a stepping stone. Where we go now is up topresbyters and Presbytery. With six long termvacancies it was acknowledged that we live inchallenging times indeed.”

NEWSLINESMODERATOR’S MESSAGE

At the recent Presbytery conference we took a lookat ‘The Challenge of Change.’ The Church ofScotland would claim to be ‘Reformed andReforming’, that means change should be part ofour ongoing life within the Church. Not simply changefor the sake of change, but change for a purpose andwith an objective in mind.

Many of our congregations within the Presbytery andindeed many in Scotland are worried about falling orfailing membership, lack of finance and buildings inneed of renovation, repair or re-decoration. Perhapsthe time has now come for us, as Christ’s disciples,to look for a radical response to those situations, afterall Jesus was extremely radical in the way hepreached the message of God’s love and God’sKingdom to the people of his day.

Nowadays local authorities and other organisationslist buildings that they consider worth preserving,categorising them in importance as A, B, or C listed.This affects many churches and causes problemsregarding repair, finance etc. How would we respondwere our churches listed in terms of their spirituality,mission and outreach?

There is a very real danger in spending vast amountsof our time and efforts concerned about buildings andfinance and forgetting about Christ’s command to allhis disciples. “All authority in heaven and on earthhas been given to me. Therefore go and makedisciples of all nations, baptising them in the nameof the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I havecommand you. And surely I will be with you always,to the very end of the age.”

Buildings are simply buildings. They are not theChurch. They may have a certain use, but the Churchis the congregation - the people of God. We have aremit from Christ to reach out to those who do notknow him as their personal Saviour and who havenot heard of his offer of salvation. We do not needbuildings to proclaim our faith and trust in God, weneed to know the power of his Spirit at work in ourlives, giving us strength and encouragement.

I said at the end of our conference in January ‘If thereis no change, there is no growth and if there is no

March 2017

Published by Ayr Presbytery - Scottish Charity Number 020576 www.presbyteryofayr.org.uk

Presbytery of AyrThe Church of Scotland

GOOD NEWS AT STAIR CHURCHA communicants’course at StairChurch, organisedby the locumminister IanJamieson, had ahappy outcomewhen on February19th six newmembers were

admitted to the roll. The memory of the happy serviceof confirmation led by Ian that fine Spring morningwill live long in the memories of those present, notleast the six young people who have chosen to jointhe Church.

STREET PASTORSIn April 2015, followinga meeting with PoliceScotland on anunrelated matter PoliceScotland expressedtheir desire for StreetPastors in Ayr &Prestwick. A series ofmeetings were organised in August, attended bySandy Scrimgeour CEO of Ascension Trust. In themorning the police and South Ayrshire Councilexpressed their support. In the afternoon thechurches gave their support but were not certainwhether they could meet the deadline to get Pastorson the street for Christmas. To resolve this it wasagreed that the launch would be on 23rd September.If there were more than 16 volunteers they could beout for Christmas. Following the launch 22 peoplecame forward and the training took place to enablethem to be commissioned on 5th December at HolyTrinity Church Ayr. This was the quickest ever startanywhere in the United Kingdom. Street Pastorsrely on the active support of three groups - that isPolice, Council and Churches.

All have been very supportive in getting StreetPastors up and running in Ayr & Prestwick. TheCouncil funded the purchase of all the uniforms aswell a supply of flipflops. A number of churches havegiven substantial donations. We have now becomea Charity and started Text Giving as some people onthe street wish to contribute to the work.Teams have been out every Saturday night exceptone which was due to a team member unable tocome due to the weather. Usually there are twoteams, one in Prestwick and one in Ayr. If there isonly one team it starts in Prestwick & moves to Ayrat 12.30am. We had extra patrols out over theChristmas period.

In the last year we have given over 1000 hours to thecommunity; handed out over 400 Flip Flops; pickedup over 500 glass bottles; and swept up broken glassover 250 times. A recent Facebook entry stated: ‘ Iwas a steaming mess and my feet hurt but thankfullythe street pastors were there to help me and give mea pair of flip flops which I am so grateful for.’

As we enter our second year we are looking tostabilise our finances. We have relied on thegenerosity of the churches and South AyrshireCouncil. In the coming the year we hope that the localchurches will make regular donations to allow for ourco-ordinator to be paid for all the work sheundertakes. Three Pastors have resigned but wehave three replacements. However sometimes it isdifficult to get six pastors due to other commitments.We would appreciate if people could encourage theircongregations to consider becoming a Street Pastor.There is a Training Course starting shortly. StreetPastors are happy to come and speak at localchurches. We only ask for volunteers to come outone Saturday a month, convenient to them. Wewelcome people coming out as Observers to see ifthey would like it.

Although we operate only in Ayr & Prestwick someof your parishioners, who do not come to church,come to Ayr & Prestwick on Saturday nights wherethey come in contact with the Street Pastors. Weshare the love of Christ and hopefully plant a seedwhich the Lord cultivates and might in time bring themcloser to the Lord and come to your church.

Richard Wiggins

AYR JOINT EASTER CELEBRATION

Rev. Brian Hendrie informs us that; ‘The Ayr JointChurches Easter Celebration will be held on EasterSunday evening, the 16th of April at 6.30 p.m. in St.Leonard’s Parish Church in Ayr. This is anecumenical event and it attracts worshippers from avariety of churches in Ayr and is the continuation ofa series of joint Advent and Easter celebrations whichbegan in 2015. Come and join us on the greatestday in the Christian calendar andcelebrate the risen Saviour.’

Ayr & Prestwick Street Pastors34 Auchincruive AvenuePrestwick KA9 2DUScottish Charity No 046583Tel: 01292 470082 Ayr & Prestwick Street Pastors

EVERYONE NEEDS SAFEGUARDING

The Church’s safeguarding journey began way backin 1997 when the General Assembly approved the“Code of Good Practice for Kirk Sessions andCongregations” referring at that time to the protectionof Children and Young People in the Church. Wehave travelled far on this journey and there havebeen several deliverances by the General Assemblyon Safeguarding.

In 2009, it was made mandatory that allcongregations appoint a Safeguarding Panelincluding the Safeguarding Coordinator and that allpanel members be trained. In 2010, it was mademandatory that Kirk Sessions had safeguardingtraining and that the Policy Statement was displayed.In 2015, Kirk Sessions were instructed to ensure thatall paid staff and volunteers were members of thePVG Scheme and attended Safeguarding Training.

The Safeguarding Office and Legal Department arecurrently working to consolidate these deliverancesinto one Act which will be presented to the GeneralAssembly in the next few years. It is alwaysworthwhile to give a little time to review the situationin our own congregations, are we all complying withall the Deliverances? The Safeguarding Auditchecklist that now has to be submitted in the annualreturns is a good guide to start on. Please rememberthat all volunteers and employees that are doingregulated work with children and vulnerable adultsrequire to be members of the PVG scheme.Volunteer, Session, and Coordinator training can bearranged within the Presbytery although sometimesneighbouring Presbyteries work together for thesetrainings.

If you require advice or wish to arrange training,please contact me on bill.jan.duncan@gmail.com ortelephone 07813068770. Advice can be obtainedalso from the Safeguarding Office on 0131 240 2256

Bill Duncan

THE THIRD RURAL CONFERENCE

Following on from two very successful RuralConferences held in Girvan South Church Halls, itwas decided that for the third Conference it would beheld in a different area of the Presbytery- namelyOchiltree Church and Hall. The Conference will starton Saturday the 6th of May beginning with registrationat 10 a.m. This year’s event is called ‘Sowing seedsfor a sustainable future.’

The morning session will begin with a talk from theRev. Dr. Richard Frazer who will be looking at theChurch’s role in rural congregations and willdemonstrate how the church is supporting and linkingcommunities. This will be followed by a talk by Mrs.Isabell Montgomerie about the very successful C6and how communities working together can produceexcellent results. The morning session will concludewith three workshops with participants being able tochoose to attend two out of the three. There will bea free lunch (although a donation towards the costwould be most welcome!). In the afternoon Miss.Mary MacLeod from the Law Department of theChurch of Scotland will explain what help herDepartment can give to rural congregations. Theevent will conclude with two group discussions withthe event due to finish around 3.30 p.m. Hopefullyparticipants will come away from the Conferencefeeling that they have been given some practical helpand advice and that they are not alone when it comesto some of the challenges that churches have to dealtoday.

If you would like to attend the Conference then pleasebook it through Dorothy at the Presbytery office(ayroffice@churchofscotland.org / 01292 678556)as soon as possible giving you name, church anddietary requirements.

PRESBYTERY’S GOT TALENT!Friday 31st March, at7pm, sees a variety oflocal people perform inKingcase ParishChurch Hall, 11Waterloo Road,Prestwick. KA9 2AA.Exactly who will star inthis variety spectacular- remains to be seen.Tickets (suggesteddonation of £3) can beobtained from the Rev.Jill Clancy (01292540969). There is arequest to come along wearing bright colours!

This special event is being held so that £2,000 canbe raised for the gifts that the team going out toMalawi will give to Hospitals, Orphanages, theEkwendeni HIV/AIDS Church of Scotland Project,Guilds, Schools, Churches and many moreorganisations. All these gifts will be given in thename of the Presbytery of Ayr, which is twinned withthe Presbyteries of Limphasa and Bandawe inMalawi. Therefore if any church, which is or is nottwinned, would like to help support the team by wayof donation, please contact Rev Jill Clancy (detailsabove).

The team that are going out to Malawi are:-

Julie Griffiths, Alloway Fiona Ferrans, New Cumnock Bill Duncan, Alloway Bill Weir, Troon: Portland LInda Bryson, Prestwick: Kingcase Rev George Fiddes, Prestwick: St Nicholas Beth WHittington, Ballantrae

NEWS FROM THE RAVEN TRUST‘The Raven Trust’ are no longer sending containersto Malawi and the last one will leave Dundee inMarch. This is very disappointing as our brothersand sisters in Malawi have appreciated the contentsof these containers over the years. We have beenvery grateful for their work, as well as the countlessnumber of people who have donated clothes, shoes,books and many other items.

REV. MICHAEL DICKIE RETIRESAFTER YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICEThe Presbytery appointed Rev. Michael Dickie asHealth and Healing Correspondent in 1985 a post heheld until he retired to Perth in 1993. On returningto Ayr in 1998 Michael was reappointed and has nowcompleted 26 years as Correspondent. Throughoutall these years he has organised the annual HealingConferences (which were attended by between 80and 100 people from different congregations anddenominations. During this time Michael alsoconducted Monthly Healing Services in Castlehill,Kingcase, and Perth: St. Matthew’s. Churches.These have been open services and were attendedby people from different congregations. As regardsthe services in Kingcase, apart from other towncongregations, there have been people attendingfrom New Cumnock, Dundonald, Drongan andHurlford. Michael helped Ken Yorke and Alan Telfer(from Dalmellington and Mauchline) initiate HealingServices. He also helped Douglas Irving atKirkcudbright. Although Michael hopes to continueconducting Healing services at Kingcase as long ashe is able to, he has asked Rev. Richard Moffatt tosucceed him as Health and Healing Correspondent.Richard has accepted and this was approved at theFebruary Presbytery Meeting. Michael says: ‘I amgrateful to Presbytery for propelling me into this formof ministry although I was given no specific remit orguidance. These years have taught me a great dealand I have been richly blessed by all those - TeamMembers in each congregation and those who cameseeking God’s healing – with whom I have come incontact.’ I am sure that everyone in the Presbyteryarea would like to wish Michael all the best for thefuture and to thank him for all that he has done forus over the years.

EDITORIALAs I write this, all our churches will be getting readyfor the season of Lent. Different churches will bepreparing for Easter in different ways and perhaps inthe next News Lines some of you might be willing toshare what new initiatives your church embarked onthis year during this special time of the year.Hopefully more people will want to be involved in thelife of their local church not just during this specialseason but also throughout the rest of the year aswell. It is important that as Easter comes round wereflect on how much it cost Jesus to be our Saviourand how much we owe to Him for all that He said anddid during His time on the earth. Easter gives us alla feeling of hope. Not just about this life but alsoabout the life to come as well. I am grateful toeveryone for their contributions to News Lines,because without their help there would be no NewsLines. A very happy and peaceful Easter to you all.Ian.

Malawi News