I am really pleased to be able to contribute a few thoughts to our new Presbytery website. The first thing I would like to do is thank Karen Kelman for the many hours of work she has put into creating the website. She has done a fantastic job, and I hope you will agree that it is a brilliant resource. It contains a huge amount of information about all aspects of Presbytery life and work, and I hope people will make good use of it.
Going forward, you will see it continue to develop, particularly when it comes to online worship and the showcasing of the work of our congregations through our YouTube channel. Thank you, Karen, for all your hard work.
Over the past three years as Presbytery Clerk, I’ve come to appreciate more and more the work of the volunteers in our congregations who give their time and energy to help advance the Good News of the gospel.
The Church of Scotland website reminds us, based on Philippians 2, that when we take on roles within the Church, we should remember that:
• it is a call to service, not promotion
• it is a privilege, not a prize
• it confers responsibility, not power
• it is a task for a season, not a right for life
I would like to highlight one group of people who often do not receive the recognition they deserve: our Session Clerks.
Every few months I meet with groups of Session Clerks to talk about the issues they face, and to hear both their good news stories and their concerns.
Being a Session Clerk is far more than simply taking the minutes of Session meetings. It is a highly demanding role which the Church could never afford if it were a paid position. The role has expanded over the years due to changes in charity legislation and the requirements which come from the Church’s central offices and from the Presbytery.
Many clerks have also found themselves playing a key role in the Presbytery Mission Planning process. When a congregation is in vacancy, the demands can increase even further.
Session Clerks also play an important role in supporting ministers and acting as a vital link between them and the Kirk Session. During my 33 years in parish ministry, I was fortunate to work with excellent Session Clerks. They made a huge difference, not only in terms of administrative support, but also through the pastoral encouragement they offered in what can sometimes be a lonely role.
I know there are times when Session Clerks might say, “Not another email from the Presbytery Office!” However, I also know that they appreciate the work undertaken by the office, especially through the always reliable and helpful Presbytery Depute Clerk, Ed Morton.
I would therefore like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of our Session Clerks for everything they do in our congregations across the Presbytery of Perth.