[Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash]
Can you help?
Our friends at Edinburgh Direct Aid have linked with RBB to respond to the desperate need in Gaza, which is facing one of the worst instances of man-made deprivation of food, water and medical aid in a century.
Together, they are hoping to send a food truck into Gaza, to distribute much-needed supplies, and for this they need to raise many thousands of pounds.
Read about it here, and donate what you can: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/EDAI-a-food-truck-for-gaza
You also read about it on the EDA website here: https://www.edinburghdirectaid.org/Gaza/GazaFamine.htm
The date for Trinity Community Gala has been set and the countdown is on!
Would you like to get involved? If so, contact us on trinitycommunitygala@gmail.com!
Wardie Parish church, a living wage employer, is looking to recruit an administrator to work in our church office three mornings per week (9 hours) during term time.
Applicants should have a good working knowledge of office computer programmes and previous administration experience.
The job description is below, including how to apply. Informal enquiries are welcome – please contact Rev Dolly Purnell: dpurnell@churchofscotland.org.uk
Job Description: Church Administrator
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
To provide efficient and effective administrative support to the Minister, Kirk Session and other office bearers who are responsible for the organisation, management and delivery of the wide range of services that constitute the life and work of Wardie Parish Church.
These are broken down in to four areas – Office Administration, Worship & Services, Building and Facilities and Communication.
Office Administration
Tasks to allow for the smooth running of the Church Office including:
- General management of the Church Office environment – phone, mail, email
- Maintaining the office diary
- Photocopying and scanning
- Updating of membership database, ensuring all changes noted.
- Completing required returns – e.g. music copyright
- Maintenance and archive of computer files, including those on Dropbox
- Maintaining a tidy and welcoming office environment
Worship and Services
Tasks to aid the organisation and running of services:
- Add required intimations to Order of Service provided by the Minister
- Print Order of Service
- Maintain and communicate Welcome Team rotas and information
- Co-ordinate quarterly Communion invitations
- When there is a visiting Minister, produce order of service and accompanying PowerPoint
Building and Facilities
Tasks to aid the efficient running of the building and halls
- Manage all aspects of Hall Booking
- Maintain Hall Booking System
- Display weekly diary of hall use
- Issue annual contracts, which include payment details (where required)
- Issue regular contracts and undertake invoicing at regular intervals (default is monthly)
- Issue single use contracts and ensure access arranged
- Maintain the key register
- First point of contact for building issues including Entry Phone and Fire Alarm, ensuring issues dealt with promptly or escalated
- Order supplies of cleaning materials and other building items
- Check and maintain first aid kits and accident book
Communication
Tasks to aid the efficient communication across people, groups and platforms:
- Co-ordinate advertising of internal events – designing posters and tickets as requested
- Maintain all noticeboards (both internal and external) ensuring clear information is available and out of date items removed.
- Produce and issue weekly E-News via Mailchimp system and maintain email addresses within it.
- Prepare and produce paper copies of the weekly E-News for distribution
- Organise group mailings and communications to groups as directed
These lists are not exhaustive and are intended to describe the key responsibilities and tasks.
Essential to the post
A good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Publisher and Dropbox is desirable, though training can be given.
This is an administrator’s post which requires good interpersonal skills as telephone and personal enquiries are an integral part of the church’s life.
Hours of Work
9 hours per week over three mornings during term time (40 weeks per annum)
A PDF of this job description is available here: Job Description – Church Administrator – February 2024
How to Apply
Applications in writing with an accompanying CV to Rev Dolly Purnell, email: dpurnell@churchofscotland.org.uk by 15th March 2024.
This Lent, we’re holding a series of Lent reflections based on a book by Steven James, Never the Same, that explores the stories of some of the people who encountered Jesus.
They will be on Sunday evenings from 6–7pm, starting on 25th February.
Come along, have a coffee, and, like the people featured, draw closer to God.
Programme:
25th February: Eavesdropping in the desert. Luke 4: 1–13
3rd March: The party animal. Matthew 9: 9–13; Luke 15: 11–32
10th March: Night and day. John 3: 1–21
17th March: The good life. Mark 10: 17–24
24th March: The cell. Matthew 3: 1–17; John 1: 19–34; Matthew 11: 2–11
Come along to our Family Valentine! Crafts, games, story, songs and a pancake picnic lunch.
Everyone welcome. Children must bring a grown-up!
On 9th December 2023 we held a Christmas tree festival. The trees are above! Below are some details about the groups and organisations that displayed a tree: top row to bottom row, left to right.
4Men is our informal group for men, meeting every couple of months in the local area for food, coffee, quizzes, and even Q&A sessions with sporting stars and other people of interest. Contact Grant Ballantine on grantb600@gmail.com to be put on our email list.
We hold Beavers, Cubs and Scouts on a Friday evening at Wardie Parish Church. Find out more about the Scouting Association.
Our Gentle Walking Group is an alternative to Wardie Walkers, and suits those who like to get out for gentle exercise, fresh air and friendly company. We meet monthly for a variety of short local walks followed by a sociable cafe stop.
Lomond Park Tennis Club offers tennis courts, coaching and classes in the local area.
We have Rainbows, Brownies and Guides groups at the church. Brownies meet on a Wednesday evening; Rainbows and Guides meet on a Thursday evening.
St Columba’s Hospice is just across the road from Wardie Parish Church and we’re delighted to have a close relationship. Many of our church members have volunteered there over the years, and we’re grateful to the Hospice for providing a meeting space for church events such as our recent elders’ planning conference.
Starbank Park is our nearby community park, with breathtaking views of the Forth. It regularly holds seasonal events and has often welcomed our uniformed organisations for fun gardening sessions.
Wardie Church Youth and Children’s Groups include Saturday Club (10–13 year olds) and Network (S2 and older) that meet twice monthly on a Saturday night, and also Kids at Wardie who meet on Sunday mornings during the morning service. For more information about our groups for children and young people, email Mo at youthwork@wardie.org.uk.
We have two toddler groups at Wardie Parish Church: Tuesday morning Drop-In Toddlers, and Thursday toddlers (currently full) which meets on a Thursday morning.
Wardie Primary School is our catchment primary school and we’re delighted to welcome groups from the school to the church regularly for seasonal services and concerts. Dolly, our minister, visits the school and talks at morning assemblies.
Every Christmas, Wardie Parish Church displays a large tree at the front of the church sanctuary and lights a candle for every passing week of Advent. This year we have also had a ‘light a candle’ tree. Members and visitors are invited to write, on a paper candle, something or someone that is on their heart and then attach their candle to a dedicated tree.
Wardie Guild meets every fortnight on a Wednesday for friendship, support, and plenty of coffee and cake. It has a lively programme of speakers and entertainment. Every year it chooses one or two charities to support, and these are then the focus of its fundraising.
Trinity Bowling Club is the oldest lawn bowling club in Edinburgh, instituted in 1855. It is a very friendly club, welcoming new members and offering excellent clubhouse facilities.
Susan Welsh offers Beginners and Intermediate Pilates classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings at Wardie Church. You can view her class timetable here, and contact her at susan@livethestudio.com.
On 9th December we’re holding a Christmas Tree Festival at Wardie Parish Church. Come and see the trees, decorated by local community groups and organisations, and enjoy refreshments provided by Wardie Guild.
