The Session is responsible for the due and reverent observance of the sacrements - Baptism and the Lord's Supper. It is responsible for the education of the young and for all Youth organisations. The Session is also responsible for all activities within the church buildings.
The minister presides at the Kirk Session as its Moderator. Session is made up of elders with the Session Clerk at the head. The elders of which there are 27 in Dunscore are a cross-section of the congregation and whose role is to assist the Minister. Each elder has a District- comprising on average a dozen families within the congregation. The elder tries to visit regularly delivering Newsletters and Invitations to Communion.
The Congregational Board.
The Board meets every two months and is made up of a cross-section of the congregation. The Board is made up of elders and non-elders and deal with the fabric of the Church. The 'Executive' positions on the Board are re-elected annually and comprise the Chairman, Clerk to the Board, Treasurer and Fabric Convenor. All matters non-spiritual are dealt with by the Board from leaking roofs (hopefully not!) to increased Giving to the Church (hopefully!).
Board members are elected at the Annual Stated Meeting of the Church and serve for a period of three years after which time they can be re-elected.
At the Annual Stated Meeting reports are given by the Session Clerk, the Treasurer and the Fabric Convenor.
The Guild
The Guild meets in the Church on the second Thursday of every month at 7.30p.m., except in January and February when it meets at 2.30p.m. The Guild, for many decades, was the Woman's Guild, but for a few years now men have been welcomed.
The meetings start with worship, prayer, a hymn and a Bible reading and usually there is a speaker. There are special occasions throughout the year e.g. in December there is a candlelit supper and carols. All are welcome.
Young Church
There are currently around 8-10 children on the Young Church 'books'. The Young Church is open to all children of Primary School age and new young faces will be made most welcome.
A recent recruitment drive for new Young Church teachers has resulted in a new band of helpers who have brought with them a new brand of enthusiasm.
The children are keen to learn and the teachers often have to fend off probing questions.
The Young Church sponsor a child through World Vision. He is called Amare Tamarat and lives in Ethiopia.
The Young Church also enjoy a summer outing usually on one of the sunniest and warmest days of the year. They also have a fantastic Christmas party.
Rock Solid
Rock Solid was started in February 1997 when it was felt there was little in the way of further Christian involvement for young people over Young Church age. It is based on a series of manuals bought from Youth for Christ. These manuals offer a weekly activity programme which have been specifically designed to bring a relevant Christian message to a particular age group while tackling such topics as bullying, drugs and sexuality. Saying all that, most importantly it is great fun!
The group is aimed at 11-15 year olds. The older children, as well as joining in the games, also hold their own serious discussions about subjects important to teenagers.
There are currently five adult leaders who give up there Friday evenings to run the group and are very grateful to members of both congregations who help support the group in other ways.
The group meet during school term time at 7.30p.m. in Glenriddel Hall, Dunscore.
Bible Study
There are several groups that meet to study the Bible and people are welcome to join one, some or all sessions. Participants are at different levels of knowledge and some people will take part in, the often, lively debate and some will sit and listen. People are encouraged to do whatever they feel comfortable with.
Thursday morning - The Thursday morning bible study group is a very informal group who meet in the Church at 10.00am for tea/coffee and a chat followed by Bible study on a topic chosen by the group. Sometimes they will undertake a series on a chosen book in the Bible, and at other times the studies may be based on a theme e.g. "Meekness", "Prayer" and the "Holy Spirit".
New members always welcome.
Tuesday afternoon - There is also a group of 10-14 who meet fortnightly at the Manse on a Tuesday from 2p.m-3.30p.m.
Sunday evenings - Occasionally a group will meet on a Sunday evening as intimated in the church notices.
Prayer Groups
Prayer is such a powerful weapon that we believe we need to use it and to see the changes that God will make in response to faithful prayer and to give Him thanks. The church provides opportunities for those who wish to be involved in praying together.
Sunday Morning - New participants are always welcome.
Prayer Diary - Dunscore Church's prayer diary aims to encourage regular prayer time. It is available in Church on the first Sunday of each month.
Included in the prayer diary is information on
Fair Trade Stall
It's easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless when faced with issues such as world poverty, but every time you do your shopping you can make a difference by choosing fairly-traded goods.
Fair Trade aims to fight poverty through trade. Companies like Traidcraft, Clipper and Café Direct pay producers a guaranteed sum for such crops as coffee, even when world market prices fall. This means that you can enjoy Fair Trade goods in the knowledge that producers are not being exploited. A Fair Trade stall runs in Dunscore Church and now offers over 30 products.
The church has recently pledged to use only Fair Trade coffee, tea, sugar and biscuits. The FairTrade stall can be found in the Craig Corner usually every 3rd Sunday after morning service.
Eco-congregation
Dunscore Church has an active Eco Congregation and in April 2005 following an assessment, we received an Eco Congregation Award and became the first congregation in Scotland to achieve the award outright.
The Eco Congregation movement is concerned with stewardship and believes that the world is a gift from God and it is our responsibility not to squander or destroy it. As part of the 'greening' of Dunscore church, a variety of issues have been considered. These include:- recycling and the use of recycled products, ethical finance, energy use and conservation in our church building, facilities for the less mobile in the congregation, 'green theology', Fair Trade and third world issues. The group meets roughly every 6 weeks in members' homes. New faces welcome.
Dunscore Church open
Every Thursday Dunscore Church is open from 9am to 4pm. At 9.45 am there is a prayer group followed with a basic Bible study at 10am. Lunch is available and always tea and coffee on the go.
The church is open to everyone to meet new friends or just quiet reflection. Please come along.
New church group.
Skitter Lane Youth Club (SLYC)
A new group began in April 2009 involving all churches in Mid Nithsdale for young people aged between 14 and 18 years. Meeting on Thursday evenings in Dunscore, Moniaive and Penpont as follows:-
First Thursday of each month in Gladstone Hall, Penpont.
2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month in the Glenriddel Hall, Dunscore
3rd Thursday of the month in the Institute, Moniaive.
Programmes run from 7.30pm until 9.30pm
Contact Rona Gunnell for more information 01387 740326
