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Aberdeen St. Mark’s Church of Scotland
Sharing God’s love in the City Centre
OUR CALL
We seek a Minister who will share our passion for the City Centre and, with 0.5 extra staffing from Presbytery and other possible ministries funded through congregational resources, will work along with us to shape the future of Ministry and Mission in the City Centre.
We see worship and the proclamation of the Gospel as central to our faith and are keen to develop new ways which will help us grow in faith and involve the Parish and City Centre community in the advancement of God’s Kingdom. We believe that God has a vision for his Church in Aberdeen City Centre. It may not be what we are used to or even what we anticipate it might be, but if like Paul we are willing to walk through the doors which open for us, then we are sure to find that God not only walks through those doors with us, but that He has already gone before and prepared the way.
We are calling someone of strong faith, big heart and integrity and a good sense of humour.
The Kirk Session has decided to depart from the Church of Scotland’s traditional position in relation to human sexuality in order to be inclusive.
We hope that our Parish Profile will help you decide to be our Minister. We can assure you that you will have our support as we work together.
THE PARISH
The area of our Parish consists mainly of residential properties which includes public and social housing, student accommodation and Commercial and Retail properties.
Skene Square Primary School lies within the parish boundary and therefore offers the potential for Chaplaincy as does Aberdeen Grammar School where the previous minister worked in a team with other ministers.
THE CHURCH
The Church was designed by A. Marshall McKenzie in 1892 and comprises a giant portico surmounted by a drum and a high leaded dome, modelled on St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Church along with the Central Library and His Majesty’s Theatre “forms the most distinguished grouping of major buildings in Aberdeen” (Historic Buildings Council for Scotland) and provides the “salvation” in the weel kent “Education, Salvation and Damnation” frontage on Rosemount Viaduct.
CHURCH SUPPORT
Secretarial assistance in the church office, Organist, a part-time church officer/hall keeper and a church cleaner. Beadle duties on Sundays are performed by a rota of office-bearers.
Going forward we will also have half-time Ministry Support.
UNITARY CONSTITUTION
We are organised under a unitary constitution with a team structure allowing us to worship and work with greater flexibility and creativity. This structure makes it much easier for the congregation and wider parish to have a fuller and focused involvement in the life of the church. It also helps align talents with tasks.
Finance and Stewardship
Purpose – to encourage contribution to the life of the church through time, talents and money to seek financial sustainability of the church.
Financially St Mark’s performs well, and our 2018 Accounts have been approved by Presbytery and lodged with OSCR. This was an exceptional year, due to the sale of surplus property arising from the union in 2017.
St John’s Church for Deaf People has the use of our Session Room every second Sunday of the month for their services, joining with us for refreshments afterwards.
Worship and Education
Purpose – to develop and nourish the worship life of the congregation.
THE CONGREGATION
We are a caring and welcoming congregation, who offer friendship, fellowship and active support within our church and the wider community. We have a committed and united Kirk Session and have been able to move forward with many positive changes in recent years. We have a deep love and concern for all and work hard to ensure that everyone feels cared for and appreciated and encouraged in all they do.
We are a group of people who believe in Jesus as our friend, role model, Lord and King! We are people who are on the journey of learning how to be more Christ-like. We aim to be kind, friendly, accepting, loving and to grow in faith. The roll of the congregation stands at 430 with attendance at Sunday worship around 80 – 90.
Currently there is one service each Sunday at 11 a.m. There is a rota of members giving Bible Readings and an enthusiastic choir. Refreshments and fellowship are provided after the service. Communion is celebrated four times annually (January, around Easter, June and October) with three additional services at 2.00pm on Palm Sunday and in June and October which includes members of our “Circle of Care” who are transported to Church and served afternoon tea in the hall following worship.
We also worship with Crown Terrace Methodist Church during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, alternating between the two churches.
Property
Purpose – to ensure that the property and fabric of the church is well-maintained.
THE MANSE
This is a terraced granite and slated house in Osborne Place in the West End area of Aberdeen with 4 Bedrooms and a detached single garage.
Social and Fundraising
Purpose – to prepare and organise a programme of social and fund-raising events that supports and encourages regular fellowship within the church family.
Many events take place during the year
These include a Burns Supper and St Andrew’s Night (both bi-annually), Student Show Concert, Summer and Christmas Coffee Shops, Indoor Garden Party and many others.
Outside organisations also use our premises and provide a welcome source of revenue.
Pastoral Care
Purpose – to develop care and concern for each other, within the church and the local community, to provide a welcoming environment and to encourage the congregation to reflect the love of God through fellowship and fun.
Mission and Outreach
To develop interest in the work of the church at home and abroad, promote partnerships and links overseas and to encourage the church to reach out to the local community.
News of the Church events and other notices appear in the weekly order of service, our website and the “Messenger”, our quarterly Church Magazine, which is delivered to every household.
OAK
St Mark’s is a member of OAK (Organisation of Aberdeen Kirks) and in a joint venture with Crown Terrace Methodist Church. A café is open Tuesday to Friday in the hall for teas, coffees and light lunches and is served faithfully by volunteers from these churches with help from the Kirk of St. Nicholas Uniting. Special Lunches are served four times a year to raise funds for selected charities.
The ‘Big Issue’ magazine is distributed from St Mark’s by volunteers. We celebrated its 10th year in July 2018.
Services are held at Constitution Court (a Sheltered Housing Complex) on the first Sunday of the month.
The Foodbank run by ‘Somebody Cares’ is well supported by regular generous donations from our members.
The Supper Club provides a freshly cooked evening meal, once a month, in a safe and welcoming environment for the homeless, lonely and vulnerable.
Three of our members are Street Pastors working in the City Centre
We support Christian Aid throughout the year.
Stamps are collected for World Mission Council.
We have an overseas partnership with Rev. Daniel and Grace Rugut in Eldoret, Kenya. In association with Abigail Ministries we fundraise for the Ruguts to help support their projects.
OUR ORGANISTIONS
The St Mark’s Players meet for rehearsals on Sunday evenings and regularly present Cabarets & Plays on our well-equipped stage in the Church hall.
The Guild meets on alternate Monday evenings and Thursday afternoons.
The Men’s Club meets weekly on Monday evenings and joint meetings are held with the Guild from time to time.
The Chapel Chimes meet on Tuesday mornings to practise although most of their performances are given elsewhere, eg at local Guilds and Care Homes.
The Ramblers meet for activities ranging from city-based walks and hill climbs.
The Guild of Friendship meets weekly on Monday afternoons.
The Scottish Country Dance Club meets every second Wednesday evening.
The Lamp Associates meet once a month on a Monday.
VACANCY CONTACT DETAILS
Interim Moderator Rev Duncan Eddie (Holburn West Parish Church) 01224 325873 DEddie@churchofscotland.org.uk
Convenor of Nominating Committee Mrs Gail Hogg 01224 868924
Clerk to Nominating Committee Mrs Helen Burr 63 Fairview Manor, Danestone, Aberdeen AB22 8ZY 01224 824805. Helen.burr@hotmail.co.uk
APPLICATIONS
Written applications, including CV and names of two referees, should be submitted to the Clerk to the Nominating Committee.
Informal enquiries can be made to the Interim Moderator.
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