Clerk to the Nominating Committee
Miss Margaret I Pollock (Email : )

Interim Moderator
Rev Dr George Whyte, Colinton Parish Church (Email : )

Informal enquiries and recommendations to the Interim Moderator.

Applications, with CV and minimum two referees, to the Clerk to the Nominating Committee.

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10. World Church

Through its remit the World Church Task Group endeavours to help the congregation to become more aware of the world church family of which they are part; to experience and enjoy sharing in God's mission as partners with others and to promote worship, witness and service with other churches and organisations in order to further these objectives.  

At present, together with other congregations in the Presbytery, support is being given to the Rev Roy and Dr Jane Dodman our Mission Partners in Jamaica. We are also actively involved in Christian Aid.  

11. Homelessness

Because of our position just off Lothian Road and King's Stables Road we have been conscious of the number of homeless people in this area. A number of these people were sleeping in our churchyard and this stimulated a number of members to take an interest in this. One of those members was later instrumental in setting up the Rock Trust. The congregation's interest in homelessness continues in the shape of participation in the provision of night shelters. In the winter 2007/2008 there will be weekly provision of night shelters in partnership with the Bethany Christian Trust and other churches using our premises.  

12. Raven

Raven originated under the title "Exploring Church for Clubland" as an attempt to reach young people visiting the city centre by taking the gospel to them in the clubs and cafes where they meet. The project was supported by the congregation by providing substantial finance, and by members who assisted in it. The greatest part of the work of the project was carried out by a small group of younger members who felt particularly called to it. As time went on, it became clear that the project had developed its own sense of identity, and that it could function better if it ceased to be directly under the charge of the Session and/or congregation. At this point, it was renamed, and arrangements were made by which it would operate independently, but still with some connection with St Cuthbert's. There is a Board of Trustees and an Elder of St Cuthbert's is Chairman.. (website : www.ravenlive.info) 

13. OASIS

OASIS was established fourteen years ago as a means of outreach to the business community. The idea arose from the thinking about the very large number of employees of major financial and other institutions who come to our parish every working day. Many of them may have church connections in the places where they live and it has never been the intention to encourage any of them to move to St Cuthbert's. The objective is to meet them in the places where they spend their working lives, to seek to understand the conditions under which they live and work and to try to show them what the church and the Gospel may be able to offer. In these terms the project is successful. (website : www.oasisedinburgh.com) 

14. Statistics

15. Website

St Cuthbert's has an excellent website - www.st-cuthberts.net 

16. Manse

The present Manse is the lower flat of a converted detached villa in the Murrayfield area of Edinburgh. It has seven rooms, large well fitted kitchen and second kitchen - laundry room, front garden, backyard and triple garage. Good schools are within a two mile radius. There is office provision within the church.  

Minister can park in the churchyard. 

17. Finance

The accounts and financial strategy of the Church are relatively complex in comparison to many other parishes, largely because of the history and funds left over the years by benefactors and the fact that we have a large listed building and an ageing Congregation. The unrestricted funds of the Church amount to somewhere in the region of £2 million if you take the full value of the investments and properties into account.  

Our contribution on an annual basis to the Church of Scotland for Mission and Ministry amounts to £135,000 and in addition we are budgeting a further £85,000 of salary costs for other staffing and a further £78,000 for office costs and necessary heating and repairs. Against this, we enjoy an income from our investments and hire of premises and property rents of around £90,000 per annum and our normal offerings come to around £100,000, leaving a shortfall of £100,000 which historically has been made up by generous legacies.  

We understand that many of our members are on fixed incomes and therefore the normal weekly giving does not expand as much as it would in other places but is off set by the generous legacies which we receive.

It is our policy to use our capital resources wisely for Outreach and the maintenance of the building at a high standard for dignified worship and other uses. We intend to increase our income from the letting of premises as time goes on and also are presently carrying out a campaign to increase our Gift Aid income during the vacancy period. In addition to the General and Fabric Funds, there are other Funds such as the Poor Fund which is available to the Minister to look after needy situations and the OASIS Fund for Outreach activities. 

18. New Minister

The new minister of St Cuthbert's needs to be someone whose qualities will include an openness of mind, an empowering nature allowing his/her congregation and those around it to take risks with new ideas, a will to work with colleagues in the other city centre churches and a respected preaching ability which recognizes the traditionalist as well as the modernist. This is an exciting challenge and an appointment for someone with vision and energy who, without question, will have encouragement from a supportive Kirk Session and congregation.