OUR ORGANISATIONS

Please select item from table for more information about the organisation.

Kirk Session (and Core Groups)
The Kirk Session, comprising of ordained elders and minister is the ruling body of the church in matters of doctrine, worship, government and discipline. The Kirk Session is responsible for the spiritual life of the congregation and parish and meets approximately eight times a year. The parish we serve is divided up into districts and each district has an elder who is responsible, with the minister, for the pastoral care of those in that district.
The Church was previously contracted with the Church of Scotland Department of National Mission  resulting in the formation of four working groups covering Mission, Worship, Pastoral Care and Education/Communication. These work groups meet on a regular basis and report back to the Core Group. Each working group has two convenors and together with the Session Clerk and Minister, form a Core Group. The Core Group meet quarterly and report back to the Kirk Session. All elders are assigned to one of the groups with each group enlisting the help of members of the congregation to assist with the groups projects.


Child Protection
The Church of Scotland takes the safety and well being of children and young folk very seriously indeed. Consequently we train our staff to the highest standards and ensure that our leaders are checked in accordance with current government standards. All people working with children and young people in the church undergo the church's Child Protection Training Course.
 

Congregational Board
The Congregational Board's function is to manage and control the financial and temporal affairs of the congregation. The Board is made up of 16 elders and an equal number of communicants elected by the congregation. The Board has three operating sections - Finance, Fund Raising and Fabric/Property. Each section has its own convenors. Meetings of the Board are held bi-monthly. All Board members have been allocated to one of the three groups. These sub-groups meet on a regular basis.


Sunday School and Focus Group
Sunday School for young people between the ages of 3 and 11 each Sunday morning. The young people are under the guidance of fully trained Sunday school teachers. The teaching staff use material from SALT,  and other material produced by the relevant religious education companies, including Video and DVDs. An annual prize giving us held every year and the children are involved with Bible readings, prayers and singing and the children enjoy taking part and being part of the Church. The FOCUS GROUP looks after the young people from the age of twelve. The Focus Group is supervised by two of our youth leaders.

There is an emphasis within the Church to make the children an integral part of our worship and the Kirk Session encourage them to participate in communion with their parents/guardians.

A creche is available each Sunday morning for children under the age of 3.


Kirk Choir
The Kirk Choir is an excellent choir and play an important part in the worship at every Sunday morning service. They lead the congregation's singing and help in the learning of new songs. At most services they sing an introit or anthem. The choice of music varies from the traditional to the modern. Rehearsals are held every Sunday at 10am. New members are made most welcome.


The Guild  "Motto - Whose We Are and Whom We Serve"
Whitburn South Parish Church Guild has an active membership and meet on the second and fourth Thursday evening of every month between September and May. The Guild offer a wide and varied syllabus which includes the ongoing Guild Project, speakers whose topics relate to the Guild theme, demonstrations, musical evenings and other practical activities. The Guild also support many charitable organisations through fund raising events. The annual day outing organised each year in May is always well attended. Whilst new members are always made welcome, an invitation is extended to anyone who wishes to attend and share in any of the Guild evenings. The Guild is twinned with St. Bryce Kirk Old.


Boys Brigade For boys aged 5 years to 19 years
"Object: The advancement of Christ's Kingdom among boys by the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian Manliness"
1st Whitburn Company. All sections of The Company meet on Wednesday evenings during school term time. The Company offers a varied achievement programme for boys aged 5 to 19 years of age. The Company is very active within West Lothian Battalion and assists by running some Battalion events and also support many charitable organisations through fund raising events.
Anchor Boy Section (P1 - P3, 6:20pm to 7:50pm)
Junior Section (P4- P6, 6:20pm to 7:50pm)
Company Section (P7 - S1 Upwards, 7:30pm to 9:30pm)


Girls Brigade - For girls aged 5 years to 17 years   "Motto - Seek, Serve and Follow"
1st Whitburn Company. All sections of The Company meet on Tuesday evenings during school term time. The company offers a varied achievement programme and plays an active part in the life of the Church and community as well as supporting charities relating to young people. Explorers Section 6:15pm to 7:30pm and Junior and Brigader Sections 6:30pm to 8:30pm


Prayer Group
Prayer should be at the heart of the life of the Christian. As well as prayer at worship the prayer group meet regularly in the Church Hall. This being an informal group everyone is welcome. The group meet together and share information for prayer for those in need, for the work of the Church and the world. A prayer diary is issued two or three times a year.


South Kirk Singers
The Singers comprise of regular worshippers who meet weekly on a Sunday evenings between September and May to rehearse and share fellowship. They have performed many concerts throughout Scotland's central belt and support many charitable organisations through fund raising events. The Singers hold their annual concert in May.


Womens' Fellowship
This group within the Church allows women of all ages to meet to share faith, fellowship and fun. They meet on the first Thursday of each month where they enjoy a varied syllabus including speakers, demonstrations and practical activities.


Craft Group
The craft group meet on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 10am -12noon in the church hall. Time to share in fellowship and try your hand at making different crafts. You don't have to be experts - come along and try something new.


Friday Teas
Each Friday between 10am and 12noon a coffee morning is held in the church halls. Drop in for a cuppa, home baking and a blether with friends. You will be made most welcome.