The Cathedral Committees

The Kirk Session

The Kirk Session consists of the Minister (who is Moderator, i.e. he chairs the meetings), a Session Clerk, ministers associated with the congregation, and the elders. There are 50 active elders, and 20 on the retired list.

The Kirk Session has oversight of the congregation and the parish, and it deals with all aspects of the business of the cathedral. In St Machar's much of the work of the Kirk Session is conducted through its seven standing committees: the Community Contact Committee, the Fabrics Committee, the Finance and Personnel Committee, the IT Committee, the Education and Communication Committee, the Psalmody Committee and , the Stewardship Committee. Each of these meets at least three times a year (some meet monthly), and each reports to the Kirk Session.

Community Contact Committee

The Community Contact Committee organises a number of events through the year to raise the profile of the Cathedral and commend the church and what it stands for to the whole community and to encourage Christian fellowship and greater commitment to Christ and his ways.

In early May each year they organise a Cathedral Open Weekend in which members of the public are encouraged to come along to the Cathedral and learn something of its activities, its history and see exhibitions and displays about the Cathedral and its people. On the Sunday all regular worshippers are encouraged to bring a friend to church.

The Committee also man the Cathedral Shop throughout the Summer months, which sells souvenirs, guidebooks and postcards and provides a ministry of welcome to the many visitors who make their way to Old Aberdeen whilst on holiday in the Northeast.

Acting Convener Mrs Janice Milton.

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The Fabrics Committee

The purpose of the Cathedral Fabrics Committee under the convenership of Mr Allan Wilson is to ensure that both the Manse and the Cathedral are properly maintained. Fifteen members at present serve on the Committee, which reports regularly to the Kirk Session.

Routine repairs are carried out, often by Committee members, annual servicing of equipment from safety alarms to the care of the clock in the tower are arranged. The inspection of our extensive roofing is of prime importance.

A program of restoration of the stained glass windows is in the process of being arranged. This is a vital part of our forward plan.

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Finance and Personal Committee

This committee under the convenership of Mr Donald Mackay has oversight of all the Cathedral's income and expenditure. Much of the work is, of course, done by the Kirk Treasurer (Professor Donald Macnab) but the Committee scrutinises all expenditure over £200 to ensure that budgets are maintained. It proposes to the Kirk Session a target for income, and it is then the job of the Stewardship Committee to consider how the targets might be met.

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IT Committee

This committee has grown from a small group who lent their expertise on computing to a growing need to include and manage other aspects of Information Technology (IT).

St Machar's Cathedral has developed in much the same way as many other "small businesses" over the last number of years. This has been shown in the increased use and reliance upon various technologies. As a result, we must recognise the importance of managing the information that is held and that we adequately resource and support the technologies used to host this data. Basically, we should recognise our increased dependence on electronic data, and the responsibility this brings within an organisational sense.

Convener Ian Munro

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Education and Communication Committee

This committee of the Kirk Session has responsibility for any Cathedral activity involving young people.  It supports the work of the creche and Sunday School and shares with the Artistic Matters Committee an interest in the Junior Choir.  Claire Moir and Lucy Macnay (SS), Ros Coleman (Junior Band) and Margaret Downie (Junior Choir) are members.

The work of the Child Protection Coordinator is increasingly heavy, given both Scottish Executive and Church of Scotland procedures for screening all those working, however casually, with children. Jan McRobbie is the CPC and the committee acts as a support to her in her work. Hers is the task of initiating the screening process and organising training for new Children's Workers.

Because of financial constraints on the congregation, together with the extended illness of the one-time Education Officer, the position is presently on hold.  However, the facilities of the Education Centre in the Gatehouses, and some excellent materials are still available to visiting school parties.  The ECC manages these arranged visits.

The twice yearly St Machar News is produced by the ECC which also distributes to the parish flyers advertising services at the Easter and Christmas seasons.

The committee will consider any initiatives suggested.  In recent years, a summer holiday scheme was run for primary children in the neighbourhood and a  'youth club' for youngsters of a similar age (this with the help of a Girl Guide group.) Twice, with our neighbouring congregations, a 'pilgrimage' has been made round the six churches in the area.  All ideas considered!

ConvenerJudith Norton

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Psalmody Committee

This committee has responsibilities for the music of the Cathedral: the state of the choir (poor recruitment is a source of great concern), the work of the Junior Choir, recitals, music development, and so on. The big project of 2001-02 was the refurbishment of the organ early this year.
Convener Robert Loughridge.

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Stewartship Committee

People think of the Stewardship Committee as concerned with raising money for the Cathedral, and this is indeed an important part of its remit. But Christian stewardship is about more than just money. It includes the whole range of activities through which we as individuals and as a church seek to live out the ministry of the gospel in the city of Aberdeen. A central task of the Stewardship Committee is therefore to see to it that everything about the ministry of St. Machar's, from planning to delivery, is as widely known and discussed as possible.

This is a two-way process. After all, when individuals give their time or money to the Cathedral, they have a right to know why it's needed and where it's going, and they need to know that the congregational leadership is managing the Cathedral's affairs responsibly. It's the Stewardship Committee's job to communicate that information effectively to members of the congregation - and to ensure that their concerns are communicated back to the congregation's leaders.

Stewardship is particularly challenging at St. Machar's because our magnificent building requires regular maintenance and sensitive restoration. You may be surprised to learn that the government does not pay for this work, and that we only have minimal reserves available for attending to the fabric of the building. Our continuing work is made possible through the generous support of people just like you! For this reason, we always welcome gifts and legacies, big or small, from members of our congregation, the Friends of St Machar's, other charities, commercial organisations or just individuals who have been inspired by our building and what we do here.

If you would like to help please send a cheque or postal order (payable to "St Machar's Cathedral") to:

The Cathedral Church of St Machar
The Chanonry
Old Aberdeen
Aberdeen AB24 1RQ
SCOTLAND

If you have any questions related to stewardship at St. Machar's please contact Mr Kevin Campbell

Thank you for your interest in the stewardship of the Cathedral!

Convener Mr Kevin Campbell.

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Pastoral Care Committee

The Pastoral Care Committee supports the minister and the Kirk Session in the pastoral work of the congregation and the on-going work of the church in the world.  This includes supporting links with local churches.  It monitors issues of peace and justice within the city, Scottish and international society.  It supervises the work of the Lichtoun Guild – a visiting outreach to long-term sick or elderly people.  It encourages links with the Donside Partnership and the World Church, which has links with Malawi – supplying goats, trees and bees through The Ekwendeni Fund (www.theekwendenifund.co.uk) charity no.  - SC036701.  This fund has help from four Malawians who worshipped in the cathedral while studying at the University of Aberdeen and now hold responsible positions in their own country.

Convenor Alexis Darg

Currently

For further information contact Church Secretary 01224 485988.

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