IMPORTANT: SOLE NOMINEE
As intimated in Kirkmichael and Straiton Churches last week, a sole nominee has been selected for the charge of North Carrick, in deferred union with Kirkmichael linked with Straiton (St. Cuthbert's). The sole nominee will preach in Maybole on Sunday, 15th June, and at Kirkmichael and Straiton on Sunday, 29th June, a secret ballot being taken after each service. Please make this known as widely as possible, so that the sole nominee is welcomed by a good turnout of members. Please note: only communicant members and adherents on the Electoral Register can vote, and no votes by proxy are permitted. Once again, sizeable congregations would be much-appreciated on Sunday, 29th June, at the usual times of 10.30 and 12 Noon. The result will be made known at 2.30 that afternoon at Maybole's Carrick Centre.
Scotland's Churches Trust - Love Your Local Church: Straiton Parish Church
Here is the link to an interesting blog on the Scotland's Churches Trust - Love Your Local Church by our own Minister, Gerald Jones.
2024 Night Before Christmas donations
Some of the toys collected for the Night Before Christmas Campaign who gift Christmas parcels to local children and their families. Thank you to all who contributed.
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Remembrance Sunday 2024
Myra Paterson* laid a wreath on behalf of Straiton Kirk Session, congregation and community. Major Peter Clapton (Retired) laid a wreath for the community from the Scots Guards Association, Sir Adam Fergusson laid a wreath on behalf of the Hunter Blair family, while Councillor Brian Connolly laid a wreath on behalf of South Ayrshire Council.
* Elder
* Elder
Christmas Fair - Saturday 10th November
Our Christmas Fair took place in the McCandlish Hall on Saturday 9th November. This was very well supported and the Church raised a total of £620 for Church Funds. A further £130 was raised from stallholder fees which will be donated the MPS Society (Mucopolysaccharide). Thank you to everyone for their support with this event.
Shoebox Appeal 2024
As in previous years, the 2024 Shoebox Appeal has been an outstanding success, with 102 boxes being uplifted from the Manse on Thursday 7th November and are now heading to Eastern European Countries.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
THE PARISH OF NORTH CARRICK
On Wednesday, 3rd July, a service was held in Maybole Church (Carrick Centre) to mark the union of Crosshill, Kirkoswald and Maybole congregations to form the Parish of North Carrick. The service was conducted by Mr. Andrew Morton, Moderator of the Presbytery of the South-West, and Christine Murray, Presbytery Clerk, with a good representation of the congregations involved in this process. When formalities are complete, the united charge should be allowed to call a minister in due course.
ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY
On Sunday, 30th June, special services were held in Kirkmichael and Straiton to mark the 40th anniversary of the ordination of our minister to the ministry of the Church of Scotland. Following his two-year assistantship at Glasgow
Cathedral, he has served continuously in our rural charge for almost forty years, and hopes to celebrate that anniversary later next year. An address, appropriate to the occasion, was delivered by the Rev. Dr. J.S. Lochrie, himself assistant at Glasgow Cathedral from 1967-1969, and who took part in the ordination service in 1984. Warmest congratulations were offered to the Rev. W.G. Jones for his four decades of ministry in the Kirk, while he expressed his deepest appreciation of all the love, support and kindness received throughout his years of service.
Cathedral, he has served continuously in our rural charge for almost forty years, and hopes to celebrate that anniversary later next year. An address, appropriate to the occasion, was delivered by the Rev. Dr. J.S. Lochrie, himself assistant at Glasgow Cathedral from 1967-1969, and who took part in the ordination service in 1984. Warmest congratulations were offered to the Rev. W.G. Jones for his four decades of ministry in the Kirk, while he expressed his deepest appreciation of all the love, support and kindness received throughout his years of service.
Sponsored Walk 2024
Our sponsored walk took place on Friday 28 June. The weather was more favourable this year.
As always, we are extremely grateful to all walkers, sponsors and others who made the event possible. The total raised was £740. We are always grateful for the generosity and support of the community.
Below is a selection of photographs which show some of the highlights of the event!
As always, we are extremely grateful to all walkers, sponsors and others who made the event possible. The total raised was £740. We are always grateful for the generosity and support of the community.
Below is a selection of photographs which show some of the highlights of the event!
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The Kirk Session and Congregation would like to congratulate our minister, Rev W Gerald Jones on the 40th anniversary of his ordination as a minister to the Church of Scotland. He was ordained at Glasgow Cathedral on 26th June, 1984. We at Kirkmichael and Straiton have been fortunate to have had Gerald as our minister for nearly 39 years. We wish Gerald well on this special anniversary and do hope he enjoys his day!
Margaret Logan Session Clerk |
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2023 Gifts for Whiteleys Retreat, Alloway
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Some of the toys collected for the children and their families staying at Whiteleys in the coming weeks. Thank you to all who contributed.
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Remembrance Sunday 2023
Andrew Kay* laid a wreath on behalf of Straiton Kirk Session, congregation and community. Major Peter Clapton (Retired) laid a wreath for the community from the Scots Guards Association, while Councillor Brian Connolly laid a wreath on behalf of South Ayrshire Council.
* Elder and well-known farmer in the parish
* Elder and well-known farmer in the parish
Christmas Fair 2023
Our Christmas Fair took place in the McCandlish Hall on Saturday 11th November. This was very well supported and the Church raised a total of £707 for Church Funds. A further £130 was raised from stallholder fees which will be donated the Night Before Christmas appeal. Thank you to everyone for their support with this event. Special thanks to Margaret Logan for organising the fair.
Shoebox Appeal 2023
As in previous years, the 2023 Shoebox Appeal has been an outstanding success, with 127 boxes being uplifted from the Manse on Wednesday 8th November and are now heading to Eastern European Countries.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support, especially in a year such as this, and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support, especially in a year such as this, and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
Annual Shoebox Appeal 2023
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Sunday 1 October saw the launch of the 2023 Shoe Box Appeal and you are warmly invited to take part in this annual project. Please feel free to bring materials or a completed shoe box to the Church on any Sunday, or alternatively leave them in the Manse porch at any time.
The last day for receiving material or shoe boxes is Sunday, 29TH October 2023. Shoe boxes will be leaving the Manse for Eastern European countries in early November. Spare empty shoeboxes are always welcome too! |
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Update on North Carrick Parish
Below shows the situation regarding the union of the churches in the North Carrick Parish. As you can see, this
is a phased process.
Current Situation:
Kirkmichael l/w Straiton - Rev Gerald Jones (Unrestricted Tenure)
Maybole l/w Crosshill – Vacant
Kirkoswald (l/w Fisherton) – Vacant. This linkage will be severed.
(Fisherton will unite with Alloway)
Step 1.
Basis of Union for Maybole, Crosshill and Kirkoswald.
Step 2.
Deferred Basis of Union for
Step 3.
Seek permission to call a minister to the deferred Parish.
(If this is permitted under the terms of the Presbytery Plan)
Once permission to Call is received:
Step 4.
Appointment of new Minister for the Deferred Union.
Step 5.
Retirement/demission of Rev Gerald Jones leads to Union of complete Parish.
(This is the final stage in the whole process)
is a phased process.
Current Situation:
Kirkmichael l/w Straiton - Rev Gerald Jones (Unrestricted Tenure)
Maybole l/w Crosshill – Vacant
Kirkoswald (l/w Fisherton) – Vacant. This linkage will be severed.
(Fisherton will unite with Alloway)
Step 1.
Basis of Union for Maybole, Crosshill and Kirkoswald.
Step 2.
Deferred Basis of Union for
- the parish created in Step 1
- with Kirkmichaal l/w Straiton.
Step 3.
Seek permission to call a minister to the deferred Parish.
(If this is permitted under the terms of the Presbytery Plan)
Once permission to Call is received:
- Formation of Nomination Committee:
- the Parish created in Step 1 (Kirkoswald, Maybole, Crosshill)
- Kirkmichael
- Straiton.
Step 4.
Appointment of new Minister for the Deferred Union.
Step 5.
Retirement/demission of Rev Gerald Jones leads to Union of complete Parish.
(This is the final stage in the whole process)
Sponsored Walk - Friday 30 June
With fun-raising and fundraising events suspended during the pandemic, the Church Sponsored Walk on Friday, 30th June, was a bold attempt to bring the congregation and community together in an event which has always proved popular in the past with participants of all ages.
Unfortunately, the weather was an unwelcome participant, and the evening was one of pouring rain! This did not, however, dampen the enthusiasm of the small but cheerful group who took part, and successfully completed the route, returning safely to the McCandlish Hall for food and refreshments.
As always, we are extremely grateful to all walkers, sponsors and others who made the event possible, and in spite of the weather, it proved to be financially successful, raising £740 for Church funds. We are always grateful for the generosity and support of the community, and our appreciation will be properly acknowledged when a final total is available.
In the meantime, we have a selection of photographs which show some of the highlights of the event!
Unfortunately, the weather was an unwelcome participant, and the evening was one of pouring rain! This did not, however, dampen the enthusiasm of the small but cheerful group who took part, and successfully completed the route, returning safely to the McCandlish Hall for food and refreshments.
As always, we are extremely grateful to all walkers, sponsors and others who made the event possible, and in spite of the weather, it proved to be financially successful, raising £740 for Church funds. We are always grateful for the generosity and support of the community, and our appreciation will be properly acknowledged when a final total is available.
In the meantime, we have a selection of photographs which show some of the highlights of the event!
Good Friday Service
There will be a Good Friday service at Straiton Church on Friday 7th April at 7.30pm. All Welcome to attend
2022 Gifts for Whiteleys Retreat, AllowaySome of the toys collected for the children and their families staying at Whiteleys in the coming weeks. Thank you to all who contributed.
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Christmas Fair 2022
We were delighted to be able to host our Christmas Fair again this year after a period of absence due to covid. Our Christmas Fair took place in the McCandlish Hall on Saturday 12th November. This was very well supported and the Church raised a total of £713 for Church Funds. Thank you to everyone for their support with this event. Special thanks to Margaret Logan for organising the fair.
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Shoebox Appeal 2022
As in previous years, the 2022 Shoebox Appeal has been an outstanding success, with 117 boxes being uplifted from the Manse on Tuesday, 15th November and are now heading to Eastern European Countries.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support, especially in a year such as this, and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support, especially in a year such as this, and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
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Remembrance Sunday 2022
James Murdoch* laid a wreath on behalf of Straiton Kirk Session, congregation
and community. Major Peter Clapton (Retired) laid a wreath for the community
from the Scots Guards Association, while Councillor Brian Connolly laid a wreath
on behalf of South Ayrshire Council.
* Chairman of the Hall Committee and well-known farmer in the parish
and community. Major Peter Clapton (Retired) laid a wreath for the community
from the Scots Guards Association, while Councillor Brian Connolly laid a wreath
on behalf of South Ayrshire Council.
* Chairman of the Hall Committee and well-known farmer in the parish
Shoebox Appeal 2022
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Sunday 2 October saw the launch of the 2022 Shoe Box Appeal and you are warmly invited to take part in this annual project. Please feel free to bring materials or a completed shoe box to the Church on any Sunday, or alternatively leave them in the Manse porch at any time.
The last day for receiving material or shoe boxes is Sunday, 30TH October 2022. Shoe boxes will be leaving the Manse for Eastern European countries in early November. Spare empty shoeboxes are always welcome too! |
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Harvest Service - Sunday 2 October 2022
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We had a good attendance at our Harvest Service on Sunday 2 October. The produce donated by the congregation was taken to the Maybole Foodbank.
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2021 Gifts for Whiteleys Retreat, Alloway
2021 Shoebox Appeal
As in previous years, the 2021 Shoebox Appeal has been an outstanding success, with 138 boxes being uplifted from the Manse on Wednesday, 17th November. These are now being taken to Moldova, a landlocked country bordered by Romania and the Ukraine in Eastern Europe. This is one of Europe's poorest countries, having suffered a serious economic crisis in the 1990s, leaving most of the population below poverty level. It has also undergone constitutional and political turmoil, which has worsened social/economic conditions.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support, especially in a year such as this, and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support, especially in a year such as this, and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
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2021 Presbytery Mission Plan - Congregational Meeting
IMPORTANT
Over the last six weeks, meetings have been taking place with congregational representatives from all the churches in the Presbytery with regard to the new Presbytery Mission Plan. In May 2021 the General Assembly resolved to do away with 200 full-time ministerial posts over the next three years - Ayr Presbytery will thus have its full-time ministers cut from 32 to 19. To do this requires a complete redrawing of existing church arrangements, and it is now time to share the possibilities with members of the congregations.
For this purpose a congregational meeting will take place in Straiton Church on Thursday, 21 October 2021 at 7.00p.m., at which several possible future arrangements will be presented, and an indication sought of the preferred choice. It is most important that notice of this meeting is made known as widely as possible among our membership - please make it known to those in your district. For mainly legal reasons, only members of the congregation can attend - this is not a meeting for the community. (Presbytery Clerk)
The options at present are as follows:
KIRKMICHAEL & STRAITON UNITE
WITH PATNA WATERSIDE & DALMELLINGTON
KIRKMICHAEL & STRAITON UNITE
WITH DALMELLINGTON, PATNA WATERSIDE, DALRYMPLE
CROSSHILL, MAYBOLE & KIRKOSWALD
TO FORM A NEW PARISH UNDER A TEAM MINISTRY
A POSSIBLE UNION OF KIRKMICHAEL & STRAITON
WITH KIRKOSWALD, MAYBOLE & CROSSHILL
OR A VARIATION OF THE ABOVE
There will be no linkages in future but full unions with other churches.
This would come into effect on the demission of the present minister, who is not being replaced. Nothing is finally decided and the meeting is not to make a binding decision. The Presbytery Clerk has expressed concern that information is not being made known as extensively as he would like, and this meeting is one way of bringing this matter to the notice of members.
Bearing in mind the Covid limit on numbers (70), it is hoped that as many as possible will attend this meeting, the outcome of which will determine the shape of Christian witness in this area for many years to come.
Kirkmichael Church
A similar meeting will take place at Kirkmichael Church on Tuesday 26 October
starting at 7.30 p.m., and will follow the same format as above. As at Straiton, it is
hoped that a good representation of the congregation will be present.
Over the last six weeks, meetings have been taking place with congregational representatives from all the churches in the Presbytery with regard to the new Presbytery Mission Plan. In May 2021 the General Assembly resolved to do away with 200 full-time ministerial posts over the next three years - Ayr Presbytery will thus have its full-time ministers cut from 32 to 19. To do this requires a complete redrawing of existing church arrangements, and it is now time to share the possibilities with members of the congregations.
For this purpose a congregational meeting will take place in Straiton Church on Thursday, 21 October 2021 at 7.00p.m., at which several possible future arrangements will be presented, and an indication sought of the preferred choice. It is most important that notice of this meeting is made known as widely as possible among our membership - please make it known to those in your district. For mainly legal reasons, only members of the congregation can attend - this is not a meeting for the community. (Presbytery Clerk)
The options at present are as follows:
KIRKMICHAEL & STRAITON UNITE
WITH PATNA WATERSIDE & DALMELLINGTON
KIRKMICHAEL & STRAITON UNITE
WITH DALMELLINGTON, PATNA WATERSIDE, DALRYMPLE
CROSSHILL, MAYBOLE & KIRKOSWALD
TO FORM A NEW PARISH UNDER A TEAM MINISTRY
A POSSIBLE UNION OF KIRKMICHAEL & STRAITON
WITH KIRKOSWALD, MAYBOLE & CROSSHILL
OR A VARIATION OF THE ABOVE
There will be no linkages in future but full unions with other churches.
This would come into effect on the demission of the present minister, who is not being replaced. Nothing is finally decided and the meeting is not to make a binding decision. The Presbytery Clerk has expressed concern that information is not being made known as extensively as he would like, and this meeting is one way of bringing this matter to the notice of members.
Bearing in mind the Covid limit on numbers (70), it is hoped that as many as possible will attend this meeting, the outcome of which will determine the shape of Christian witness in this area for many years to come.
Kirkmichael Church
A similar meeting will take place at Kirkmichael Church on Tuesday 26 October
starting at 7.30 p.m., and will follow the same format as above. As at Straiton, it is
hoped that a good representation of the congregation will be present.
2020 Shoebox Appeal
As in previous years, the 2020 Shoebox Appeal has been an outstanding success, with 129 boxes being uplifted from the Manse on Thursday, 12th November. This is (amazingly) the same total as last year! These are now being taken to Moldova, a landlocked country bordered by Romania and the Ukraine in Eastern Europe. This is one of Europe's poorest countries, having suffered a serious economic crisis in the 1990s, leaving most of the population below poverty level. It has also undergone constitutional and political turmoil, which has worsened social/economic conditions.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support, especially in a year such as this, and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their overwhelming support, especially in a year such as this, and for making the project possible in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project this year, and over the last two decades.
Remembrance Sunday
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Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we regret that there will be no ceremony at Kirkmichael or Straiton War Memorials this year. We apologise for any distress this may cause but current restrictions are such that it cannot take place. Hopefully, this tradition will be restored next year.
The Principal Clerk has ruled that services at War Memorials that are not inside church property cannot take place in Level 3. They can only take place in Levels 0 and 1. He apologises for this, but asks people to understand the present situation and its high risks. |
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Shoebox Appeal 2020
We have recently received confirmation that the 2020 Shoe Box Appeal will go ahead, and you are warmly invited to take part in this annual project. Completed shoe boxes, or contents for shoe boxes, can be left at the Manse porch at any time. There will be no collection day this year, and contributions should be received no later than Saturday, 31st October 2020. This year's gifts are being taken to Moldova in Eastern Europe. Alternatively, shoe boxes or donations may be exchanged outside, but not inside the Church. Thanking you most sincerely for your continuing support!
Church building re-opens - Sunday 20 September 2020
Our lovely Church reopened today for communal worship, under the strict conditions laid down by the Church of Scotland's Covid-19 Committee. We can accommodate about 25 people comfortably, using the total available seating - including the chantry chapel. While we warmly welcome you to worship with us, we would ask you to consider any underlying health issue that might impact on your attendance, while anyone displaying Covid-19 symptoms, or living with someone with the virus in their household, or has had contact with a sufferer must NOT in any circumstances attend. While the shortened service follows a different format, we hope that it remains a meaningful one, and that our Church remains welcoming and inviting!
Watch our website for updates.
W.G. Jones
Watch our website for updates.
W.G. Jones
Gifts for Whiteleys Retreat, Alloway
Our Church at Christmas
Christmas Fayre 2019
Our Christmas Fayre took place in the McCandlish Hall on Saturday 9th November. This was very well supported and the Church raised a total of £617 for Church Funds from the sale of teas. £125 from the stall rentals this year was donated to Whiteleys Retreat in Ayr. Thank you to everyone that supported this event.
2019 Remembrance Sunday
Following a good turnout at the Church service, the congregation proceeded to the War Memorial for the customary wreath-laying ceremony. This year the wreath was laid on the community's behalf by Councillor William Grant (Maybole), Deputy Provost of South Ayrshire Council. Our picture shows Councillor Grant with the Rev. Gerald Jones, shortly before the wreath was laid.
2019 Shoebox Appeal
Once again, our 2019 Shoe Box Appeal has been an outstanding success. On Wednesday, 6th November, 129 boxes were uplifted from the Manse and taken to Fullarton Church Halls in Irvine for checking, before being sent out to Eastern Europe. Here are some pictures of the shoe boxes, neatly stacked up and awaiting uplift. In fact, they were taken away within minutes of the pictures being taken.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their generosity, and for supporting the project, undertaken in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project again this year.
Warmest thanks to everyone for their generosity, and for supporting the project, undertaken in partnership with Kirkmichael Church. Special thanks to Janet Jones for co-ordinating the project again this year.
Harvest Service - Sunday 6 October
We had a good attendance at our Harvest Service on Sunday 6 October. The produce donated by the congregation was taken to the residents at Combat Stress at Hollybush House.
Sponsored Walk - June 2019
We had a great turn out of walkers, young and old, for our Annual Sponsored Walk on Friday 29 June. The weather was kind to us, if a bit too warm!! The present total raised is £900 for Church Funds.
Remembrance Service
Remembrance Service 2018 - Rev Jones and Peter Clapton prior to the wreath laying ceremony
