Session Meeting - 22 November 2005

The Interim Moderator, Rev Margaret Muir, declared herself "delighted to be appointed" and promised to work alongside the congregation during the vacancy. The locum minister, Rev Susan Cowell was also "happy to be back amongst friends". She would be leading most Sunday services, with Alan Grant taking some . She would also be working an additional day on Parish business each week.

To supplement the work by Rev Cowell, a small group of Elders, Dr Ann Jackson, Sandra Peat and Iris Nelson have made themselves available to visit members who are ill or in hospital.

Lanark Presbytery had proposed that The Parish Appraisal Committee would be meeting in Edinburgh during the week beginning 28 November to decide whether St John's be allowed to call a minister "without restriction". A Nominating Committee could not be formed until such a decision had been made and advised to Presbytery. The next meeting of Presbytery is in mid-January 2006, so the result of their deliberations should be known at the next Session meeting. The Interim Moderator suggested that Session could make a start on the preparation of a "Parish Profile" in anticipation of a favourable outcome.

It was generally agreed to maintain "business as usual" as much as possible during the vacancy. Accordingly, Session agreed to the holding of a Watchnight Service at 11:30 pm on Christmas Eve. Since Christmas Day is a Sunday this year, there was some discussion as to the nature of the service on that day. It was agreed to hold an All-Age service at the normal time of 11:00 am, but that this service would be shorter than normal, lasting half a hour. Another sign of normality would be the organisation of a third Annual Shindig, date to be arranged. Session also agreed to participate in the joint service on Sunday 1 January 2006 in Kirkton Church.

Mrs Anne Forrest reported to Session that Choices had donated the sum of £200 to each of the five churches involved in the running of the charity shop. This money would be used towards the purchase of gifts for housebound members.