Maryhill Parish Church A LOVING, WELCOMING FAMILY!! PARISH PROFILE
KEY POINTS FOR APPLICANTS! These are some of the strengths we would look for from our Minister. 1. Team Player - Encourages our already committed team, increasing that team, to do existing things better and do new things. 2. Inspires us through their effective sharing/teaching of God's word. 3. Builds on the work we are already doing in our neighbourhood and shares our passion for the whole of Maryhill. 4. Shares our desire for the whole family - young, old, and others in between. 5. Works with us to visit and care for our whole church community.
OUR PARISH! Maryhill is a priority area parish located in North West Glasgow and is part of the wider Maryhill Parish Group. The parish has a population of 14,337 (2001 National Census) and covers the areas of Maryhill, Summerston, Cadder and Acre. The parish continues to expand with new family housing developments. Its population is one of the largest in Scotland although alongside this runs the fact that it has a long-established staff-team which is able to work creatively and collaboratively across the area. This is supplemented by a substantial youth and family work team operating across the wider parish grouping. Some key figures about our neighbourhood include: Almost one quarter of people (14.6%) living in Maryhill are aged 18 and under whereas 13% are 65 and over Average life expectancy amongst men is 68 seven years lower than the Scottish average and only 70% of boys growing up in the area are expected to live to the age of 65 Almost half (47%) of people of working age in Maryhill are unemployed or on benefits this is a third higher than the Scottish average Approximately one fifth of adults are unable to work because of ill health or a disability and 29% of the population has a long-term limiting illness In 2007 over 1,200 children (approximately one third of all children) were living in households where no-one was working this figure will have grown significantly since then Between 1997 and 2001 there were 75 drug-related deaths in Maryhill 206% above the Scottish average Over a fifth of households in Maryhill are overcrowded approximately 75% above the figure for Scotland as a whole.
OUR PARISH! All of these figures point to the many problems that our community faces and the challenges which our church is constantly seeking to address. The problems should not mask the many incredible and inspirational people who live in Maryhill and the extraordinary privilege it is to be the Church in this neighbourhood. Maryhill Parish Church There are 3 primary schools in the area which are visited by our Ministry Team. Our team also forms part of the wider chaplaincy team for Cleveden Secondary School which, although outside our immediate parish, is the secondary school which most Maryhill pupils attend. Through our Ministry team and wider congregation we are also deeply involved in a wide range of community organisations and initiatives. In particular, we have played an important role in the Maryhill Integration Network in recent years, supporting asylum seekers and refugees as they have come to be an important part of our changing community. Our parish was formed in 1998 as a result of the union of Maryhill High Church and Maryhill Old Church. We have a current membership of 180 and 22 adherents. (taken July 2009) Over the last ten years we have learnt to be a united congregation working together to serve God and our parish. Cleveden Secondary School Maryhill Integration Network
OUR MINISTRY TEAM! The full time ministry team consists of a Minister, Associate Minister - Rev Stuart Matthews and a Deacon - Mr Jim Hamilton The team conduct services in the church at normal Sunday services and mid-week services and are also available for funerals, baptisms and weddings. The ministry team are also involved in taking classes, assemblies and lunch time clubs in the local schools which strengthens the relationship between the schools and the church. The Associate Minister is charged with developing collaborative work among local congregations beyond the Parish area. Stuart has encouraged our young people to participate in holiday clubs in churches within the parish grouping which they have approached with great enthusiasm. Stuart has also arranged the church weekend away to the Atholl centre in Pitlochry which has been enjoyed by all ages of the congregation and allowing people time to get to know each other better. Stuart has established a weekly bible study which is held either in the church or at a members home.
continued Our Deacon is chair of the Maryhill Integration Network which helps to welcome and support Asylum seekers, refugees and members of ethnic minority communities. Jim Hamilton also helps to organize a booklet called M.A.D, Maryhill Activity Directory, which shows activities for all ages throughout the wider community. Jim Hamilton takes rugby clubs within the schools and organizes matches between them to help build their relationship with each other. The Glasgow Warriors also help to coach and play alongside the children at matches. Jim Hamilton is involved in the Cadder community council and is the chair of the annual Cadder Gala Day committee which has proved to be a huge success for Cadder and surrounding areas. OUR WIDER MINISTRY TEAM! In addition to full time ministry team we have a range of others involved in leading our church, including: Margaret Munck - Session clerk, organist, magazine editor Deirdre Eustace - Sunday club Lynn McKenzie - Teen bible class Elspeth Leslie and Shona Logan - Creche Catherine Ellis - Clerk to the board Donovan Logan - Church Officer These are only some of the people who contribute to the smooth running of the church ably assisted by board members, kirk session and volunteers from the congregation who willingly give their time and talent to help with different events and weekly clubs in the church.
WORSHIP/CONGREGATION! The congregation is a mix of all ages with an average Sunday attendance of 60 people. We are encouraged by the number of young families becoming involved in parish life. The church offers worship at 11am every Sunday with crèche and Sunday club for the children and teenagers. The Sunday Club consists of approximately 35 enthusiastic children ranging in age from 2 to 17 years and a staff of 4. On Sundays they take part in a programme of fun, games, crafts and bible stories/study. They regularly take part in the Sunday service. Outside activities such as bowling, trips to country parks, cinema and panto visits are also enjoyed by the young folk throughout the year. After the service, tea and coffee is offered to those who want it, a time to chat with others, and soup and sandwiches once a month. There is also a mid-week service every Wednesday at 11.30am. Music is an important part of our service led by Meg Munck (organist) and the choir using Church Hymnary edition 4 providing a range of old and new music. The congregation are encouraged to take part in the service by doing the Bible readings, saying prayers, playing instruments for worship and participating in the children s address.
continued Communion is celebrated on the last Sunday of March, June and October and during the Easter and Christmas seasons. During Easter week there is a service in different churches each night. On Easter Sunday we meet in Maryhill Park to roll eggs before going down to the church for breakfast and our morning service. During Christmas we have a Sunday Club nativity play, a Christmas Eve service and a celebration on Christmas morning.
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE! Maryhill Parish Church is a vibrant welcoming community with activities to suit all ages: Youth: Monday- Rainbows, Brownies and Guides Tuesday- Parent and Toddlers group Wednesday- Boys Brigade Junior and Company Thursday- Thursday Club for Primary Children Friday- Parent and Toddler Sunday- Sunday Club for all children We also have a Summer holiday club at our church and in Cadder Community Centre in the first week of the school summer holiday. In addition the teenagers have developed and produced 3 Fashion Shows raising ethical clothing and fair trade issues. Adult: Monday The Guild Tuesday Parent and Toddlers, Men s Club Wednesday- Bible Study Thursday- Highway Club Friday- Parent and Toddlers/Drop-in The drop-in is for Asylum seekers to come for friendship and to learn some English taught by people from Maryhill Integration Network. Social Events: Spring and Christmas Fairs Coffee Mornings, Daffodil Teas Quiz Nights Burns Supper
CHURCH BUILDING! Our church was recently refurbished and has a bright modern interior with a blue glass cross as the main focal point. The welcome area is a multi-purpose space allowing the opportunity for people to chat before and after he service. Tea and coffee is served from the kitchen hatch after the service. There are 2 small halls which open to make one bigger hall available for use by groups at various times during the week. MANSE! The manse is an ideal family home, with two spacious sitting-rooms and an unusually big entrance hall with an open fireplace. Also on the ground floor there is a dining-room (or bedroom) as well as the kitchen and bathroom. Upstairs are three more good-sized bedrooms and an additional toilet. The manse sits in a big garden, and has a garage in addition to off-the-road parking. Westerton Station is three minutes walk from the house, with eight trains in to the centre of Glasgow each hour. It is also quite easy to get to the church by train or bus or 10 minutes in the car. Westerton Primary School, the local library and community hall are all about five minutes walk from the house, and the bus stop for free bus travel to Boclair Academy is one minute's walk along the road. The house has been recently double-glazed and has gas central heating. FINANCE! The congregation is in good financial health. Details on request
PARISH GROUPING! In 2008 the Glasgow Presbytery recognised the formation of a Maryhill Parish Grouping which currently includes the Church of Scotland congregations of Maryhill, Gairbraid, Ruchill and Kelvin Stevenson Memorial churches. Together their parishes cover a population of over 30,000 people. The grouping aims to combine the talents of ministers, parish workers and volunteers in Christian mission and service to the greater Maryhill area. The parish grouping ministry team is as follows: Rev. John Matthews - Ruchill Church Rev. Gordon Kirkwood - Kelvin Stevenson Memorial Rev. Stuart Matthews - Associate Minister who facilitates the grouping - Maryhill Parish Church Mr. Jim Hamilton - Deacon - Maryhill Parish Church Prof. Roger Sturrock - Reader - Ruchill Church Mr. John Finch, based at Ruchill Church, is the Youth Coordinator across the four churches. Ruchill Church Gairbraid Church OUR FUTURE! We are entering a new chapter in the life of Maryhill Parish Church which will be an exciting and challenging time for ourselves and the person called to be our minister. It is our prayer to: - Deepen our faith - Increase our numbers - Remain a place of open acceptance, healing and growth. Kelvin Stevenson Memorial Church
CONTACT DETAILS! If you feel called to our parish please apply with a CV and the names of 2 referees to: Mrs Margaret Munck Clerk to the Nominating Committee 19 Spence Street, Glasgow G20 0AW Tel. 0141 946 6667 meg.munck@googlemail.com Informal enquires can be made to the Interim Moderator: The Rev Dr Martin Johnstone Tel.07710509061 mjohnstone@cofscotland.org.uk Closing date for applications: 16 September Maryhill Parish Church 1990 Maryhill Road Glasgow G20 0EF Scottish Charity no. SC 002102 www.maryhillparishchurch.org.uk