CHURCH BUILDINGS
CHRISTMAS 2022
The church was looking especially beautiful during Advent and Christmas. Many thanks to everyone involved in making these arrangements and displays to enhance our Church. Merry Christmas to everyone.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE November 2021
On 20th November 2021, the Church of Scotland communicated with all parishes to re-affirm the rules regarding mask wearing within Church buildings.
In line with Scottish Government regulations, all parishioners and visitors MUST keep face masks on when inside Church buildings. The only exceptions to this rule are if you are under 12 years old or if you are exempted from wearing a mask due to a medical condition.
This rule is to protect everyone as far as possible and minimise the risk of any onward infection being linked to our Church so we can remain open.
Please support us and our community by adhering to this regulation.
Thank you
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21 November 2021
CHURCH RE-OPENING UPDATE August 2021
With the latest information from the Scottish Government and Church of Scotland and the proposed roll out ouf more information at the end of this month, we are confident that all organisations and groups can work towards starting up again in September/October 2021. We feel you can basically work as normal in relation to numbers and activities, including making use of the kitchen area for teas, coffees, etc but also taking all the necessary precautions in relation to Covid 19 requirements.
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9 August 2021
CORONA VIRUS UPDATE
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The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has made a number of changes to move to Level 0 effective from Monday 19 July 2021. The Church of Scotland in Edinburgh has issued guidelines which take effect from Sunday 24 July 2021 as follows:
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maximum number of people in the Sanctuary increasing to about 90
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stewards in the aisles requesting you sit where the green dots are shown
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additional places for couples and family groups
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seat cushions will be back in the pews
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the pew bibles will be in place for you to use if you wish
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you will be able to sing
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you still need to wear your own face mask
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you will not need to phone to book a place
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we will still take "Track & Trace" details as you enter the Kirk - we ask that you try to pass through the vestibule quickly and avoid crowding
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you will still need to make use of the hand sanitisers
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at the end of the service, you must leave the Kirk through the door next to the pulpit and continue into the courtyard
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Some additional things you should know about are:
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we hope to change the dial-in for services from Conferoo to a new system but will give you these details nearer the time
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we hope that over the next few weeks you will be able to have a tea or a coffee and biscuits in the large hall at the end of the service.
Generally, we are moving in the right direction and we would like as many people as possible to join us in the Kirk each Sunday.
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We will continue the Mid Week Service via conference call on Wednesday's at 9:15am.
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To join these services please call 0345 388 7442 (standard call rates apply)
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You will be asked to key in the PIN number 462824
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Please dial in at least 5 minutes ahead of the Service start time
All are warmly welcome to participate in this.
CHURCH RE-OPENING UPDATE Summer 2021
Probably all of you are aware that we have opened up again for Sunday worship and since our first service on Sunday 25 April, which was for Board and Session members only, we have progressively seen a few more people coming along each week and we are now getting close to the maximum permitted number of 48 places in the pews.
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These places are socially distanced and are clearly marked with green dots and include 6 "double" spaces for the benefit of couples or pairs who are within the same "bubble".
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Due to restricted numbers, we have in place a pre-booking system and those wishing to attend should phone John Duncan on 07849 706147 during the week prior to any Sunday and a place will be reserved for you. This is quite important because the last thing we want is for someone to arrive at the Church doors to be told they cannot join us for worship as we hae already reached our permitted limit.
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We also operate a "Track & Trace" system and have prepared fairly comprehensive list of those who regularly worshipped with us prior to lockdown and, like other Track & Trace systems, we keep the confidential details "on record" for 3 weeks, after which they are destroyed.
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Duty Team members welcome you to church, take your details and invite you to make use of the hand sanitising we have in place, and we also direct you towards seating positions and encourage everyone to use both aisles and go towards the front pews and progressively fill the places from front to back. At the end of the services, we ask you to leave the sanctuary via the door next to the pulpit and then exit the premises into the courtyard and while doing this, maintain social distaning requirements.
According to information available, we feel the system we have in place could be the "normal" for the foreseeable future and we are looking into other methods of broadcasting the services as an alternative to Conferoo which, while it has been very successful, has some limitations; so it's a case of "watch this space" and remember, if you wish to come along to any of our services, please phone John on 07849 706147.
27 June 2021
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CHURCH RE-OPENING UPDATE
Following the recent change by the Scottish Government regarding relaxation of COVID restrictions, we are re-commencing Sunday Worship within the building at Kilsyth Burns & Old Parish Church from Sunday 25th April 2021.
For now, the numbers for attendance at Church are limited to a maximum of 40 people and will be allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis. If you would like to attend Sunday Worship within the Church, please contact John Duncan on 07849 706147 to book your place.
The Conferoo telephone conference call facility will continue, on the same telephone number and time, so everyone will be able to worship together.
CHRISTMAS WEEK 2020
During the week leading up to Christmas Day, the floodlights were switched on which helped to light up the town during this pandemic. Many positive comments were received, including those looking forward to being able to return to the Church sanctuary.
CHURCH BUILDINGS
CHURCH RE-OPENING PLANS
Several posters / information sheets have been positioned in the Vestibule and Sanctuary. Some examples are shown below. You can expect to see these posters and information sheets when we re-open our Church. The signs are typical of what you can expect to see elsewhere and it is important we all do our best to avoid and eliminate the spread of COVID-19.
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We will not be supplying face masks to anyone, so it is therefore important you bring your own.
We have installed a number of Hand Sanitising Points within the Church.
One within the entrance vestibule, one at the back of each of the aisles, one at the exit door adjacent to the pulpit and one in the back vestibule.
When we re-open, we will have Duty Team Members in the Vestibule and the Sanctuary to welcome you, record Track & Trace details and direct you to the seating positions we wish you to use. If you attend church with other members of your family, we will direct you to a pew where you can all sit together.
We are only allowed a maximum of 50 people in the Sanctuary (including Bob, the Duty Team, etc). Some of the pews have been taped off and green marker discs positioned in the others to indicate social distancing seating positions. 2 metre marker strips have also been placed on the floor.
We will also be operating a one-way system. You should enter the church through the Main Entrance. At the end of the service, you will be directed to leave through the door adjacent to the pulpit.
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Initially, you will not be able to access the halls, kitchen and toilet areas. There will be no tea and coffee at the end of the services. Sadly, there will be no singing allowed. All this will change in due course.
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As we get closer to re-opening, we will have to consider the maximum number of 50 people allowed into the Sanctuary. Information regarding this will be provided nearer the time of re-opening.
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Please remember to bring your face mask when we re-open. We appreciate everyone’s help to ensure we provide as safe an environment as possible for all.
NEW MANSE
You will all remember we sold our former Manse (The Grange, 17 Glasgow Road) in December 2019.
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This was part of the Church of Scotland's plan to relieve congregations of the responsibility of the upkeep, maintenance and high running costs of old buildings.
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Understandably, the housing market was less active around Christmas and New Year. This was followed by the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions which caused further delay to the purchase of a new Manse.
We are delighted to confirm we have completed the purchase of the new Manse (as shown in the photograph above) which, apart from some minor cosmetic decoration, was virtually in ‘walk-in’ condition.
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Bob and Anna moved into the new Manse in August (delayed awaiting install of telephone and broadband also impacted by Covid!) and are now enjoying the more comfortable Manse we now have.
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