Session Clerk's Report for 2009

March 23, 2010

Statistics
We started 2009 with 461 on the roll, and ended the year with 453. 3 members were admitted, 4 left and sadly there were 7 deaths. 17 funerals were conducted during the year and 5 Baptisms and 2 services of Thanksgiving and Blessing of Children. We have 75 children aged 17 or under involved in the life of the congregation and 5 aged 18 or over who are not on the Communion Roll. The Kirk Session consists of 25 Elders with Jim being the Moderator. The Congregational Board consists of several Elders and a further 13 people who are not Elders.
Achievements and Community outreach
Our outreach to the Community is integral to Drumoak-Durris church's work. Fundraising is an important part of this and throughout 2009 we raised funds for groups including but not limited to the Children for Christ Camp at Varfurile, Christian Aid, Cyrenians, Scottish Poppy Appeal and Bellfield Care Home for the Elderly. During the school summer holidays we ran a very successful Holiday Bible Club with the theme „Seaside Rock“ which was attended by 62 children from our community.
In September we had a weekend event run by the internationally famous children's performer and songwriter Doug Horley. These events were attended by a large number of people from the community.
At Christmas we had a Christmas Tree Community Carol Service whereat 20 different local groups and organisations were allocated a Christmas Tree to decorate as they wished. The service was packed.
We maintain close links with the two local primary schools in Drumoak and in Durris.
We publish a quarterly church and community letter and arrange free delivery of 1,100 copies around the whole parish.
We promote dinners for the menfolk, golf competitons for all – the next one being on 10th April – and on the 24th April we're running a Celidh.

In keeping with our being an Eco-congregation, our most recent example involving the community was the Fairtrade Event, „Food, Fashion and the Future“ held in the Drumoak Church Hall. This was packed with people from the congregation and from the wider community. There was a variety of speakers including Friends of Durris Forest. I'd like to pay a special tribute to Amanda Fowlie and YSunday for their outstanding work during the evening.

And speaking of Ysunday, our YSunday group has members ranging from 12 years old to 17 or 18. Whatever one's idea of a YSunday group might be, let me point out that ours undertakes tasks as varied as organising and running church services on the one hand to building roads and fences as well as do domestic chores at the Children for Christ Camp at Varfurile in Romania. I'm sure that they are as willing to do domestic chores at home ….....  And let's not forget that two years before that the group went to Malawi. During 2009 we appointed a part-time Youth Worker.

Our relatively small church runs several organisations. We have a thriving Sunday Club which meets in the Drumoak Church Hall and the Durris Log Cabin. A Ladies Guild, a Focus Group, Home Groups, Friendship groups, Coffee Shop and a SPLAT groups. Details of these are on our website.

We owe a debt of thanks to the many people who contribute so much to the life of our Church and therefore to our community.  The publications team; Ian Blackhall and Andy Coutts who ensure we've a roof over our heads; Roz and her formidable team who do so much to encourage our youngsters; There's Harry Podesta and his finance team who keep our finances straight;Sue Marshall who keeps us on the Eco path; Sarah and John Marshall who do so much behind the scenes, as do Jim Robertson and Robert Harper. The Afternoon Guild for the Teas tonight.

Now having said thanks to so many people I have to appeal to you all for some volunteers. During 2010, and indeed quite soon we're going to lose the services of three or four Congregational Board members, including the Clerk, William. Andy Coutts has been looking after the Church Hall for several years and he needs to hand on the job to someone else. We have to have willing volunteers to support our Church so please, don't be bashful – put yourselves forward.

Last but by no means least, in October we'll be losing Jim and Roz. This meeting is not the time to say farewell but it is the time for me to say that the successes which I've reported owe a great deal to Jim and Roz. But they'd be the first to say that it's not just thanks to them - the work of the church needs your help and I think we owe it to Jim and to Roz to keep going forward and making Drumoak-Durris Church a thoroughly successful Christian organisation playing a significant and growing role in the Community.

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