OVERTOWN PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 2024 Congregation No. 171141 Charity No. SC007360 References and Adminlstratlon Infomiation Charity Name Overtown Parish Church of Scoljand Charity Regi8tration No. SC007360 Congregational Reference No. 171141 Contact Address Tru8taa8 Kirk Session (26 activo membern) Eldors transferred lo Emoriliis St2tiJs Principal Officg B•ar•r8 Ministor So88ion Clerk Church Treasurer Indgpondont Examln•r 8ankers Trustees, Annual Report Trustees, Annual Report Year Ended 31 Docember 2024 Structure, Govemance and Management Governing Document Throughout the year Overtown Parish Church has operated under the Unitary Constitution which comprises the Kirk Session. Recruitment and Appointment of Trustses Members of the Kirk Session are Trustees. The Kirk Session members are the elders of the Church and are chosen from those members ofthe Church who are considered to have the appropriate gifts and skills. The Minister, who is a member of the Kirk Session. is elected by the congregation and inducted by Presbytery. Org#nlsatlonal Structuro The Kirk Session is moderated by the Minister and Currently meets on a bi-monthly basis. Minister and Kirk Session have the responsibility to oversee the Pastoral, Educational, Mission and Outreach interests of the Church. Under the Unitsry Consiitution the Kirk Session oversees the work of various Teams comprising Trustees and co-opted members. These teams meet on altemate months to fuffil the requirements of their remits. Worship, Pastoral, Mission, Youth, Media, Hospitalty and Fundraising, Finance and Property. The Treasurer (Finan￿ Team Convener) is responsible for making and recording all payments to and from the General and Associated Funds, together with the preparation of the Annual Accounts. The Propety Convener is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Church, Hall and Manse, together with any development or improvement of the properties. An annual condition inspection of the Church, halls and manse must be carried out and reports prepared on all buildings for submission to the Kirk Session and Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale for attestation. ObJectlve8 and Actlvltles The Church of Scotland is Trinitarian in doctrine, Refonned in tradition and Presbyterian in polity. It exists to glorify God and to work for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom throughout the world. As a national Church it acknowledges a distinctive call and duty to bring the ordinances of religion to the people in every parish of Scotland through a territorial ministry. It Co-operates with other Churches in various ecumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond. The parish of Overtown extends to cover Ihe area surrounding Overtown (including the north side of Garrion Bridge), Waterloo and Gowkthrapple. Services of Worship A wide range of worship experiences is offered. Weekly services are held at 11.00 a.m. on a Sunday. The formal dispensing of the Sacrament of Communion occurs four times a year. Special services are held in accordan￿ with the principal Seasons of the Christian year.. these include an annual Christmas Gift Service in aid of a Charity, Christingle Service, Nativity, Christmas Watchnight se￿1￿, Christmas Morning Service, Maundy Thursday Communion and Good Friday servI￿s, an early morning Easter ServiGe wrth breakfast to follow. Easter Family Communion, PenteGost celebration and Harvest Thanksgiving In addition, services are tailored around the themes of Fair Trade, Christian Aid, All Saints Service for the bereaved and Remembrance Day, as well as our Annual Boys Brigade Awards Service and Thanksgiving Service for our Sunday Club members. Membership: During 2024. 1 adult baptism was administered; trrfo new members vRre admitted by Profession of Faith and seven by transference certrficate. The Sunday Club continues to rneet, albeit with smaller numbers and meets during the Sunday morning service. Lessons are delivered by a dedicated team of leaders featuring. songs, a Biblical story, activity sheets, prayer and crafts. The children join the congregation for the first part of the service then move through to the hall for their own activities. Blble Study is offered through study programmes throughout the year Crafty Church is h81d bi-monthly to catar for families of all ages. This was launched in September. 2022, as a fresh expressions initiative to replace Messy Church and has been successfully run by a ialented team of leaders. The programme is based on Bible storie5, songs, prayer. games and crafts with a snack meal to follow Prayer tlme is available on Wednesdays from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Pastoral: The Pastoral Team is responsible for visiting housebound members and augments the pastoral responsibilities of the Minister. In addition. our Flower Ministry continues to distribute flowers to the housebound due to the support of individual members. Mission: The church also continues to support the local Foodbank by donating food and making monetary donations and essential items. Over the past year the church. through the Mission Team, has continued to support the local High School's Little Shop of Happiness, an initiative to support vulnerable youngsters through the provision of food and other necessary items. An initial donation from our Legacy Funcl helped with its setting up and monthly cash donations continue to provide addilional support to this project in addition to donations of supplies. The Mission Team is also responsible for promoting Fairtrade and supporting Christian Aid. Liaison wrth our Missionary Partner in Malawi is maintsined regularly and we were delighted to host him for a visit to both our Primary and Secondary schools within the parish. Once again this year a Christmas gift was distributed to 250 people within the local community. Youth Actlvltle8: Our Boys Brigade and Sunday Club for children along with the Brownies continue to attract healthy membership. Adult Organisations: ASI adult Groups, i.e. The Guild, The Monday Craft Group, The Game Changers (afternoon activities to address Issues of health and well-being and isolation) and Line Dancing are all actively supported. Fundraising and Hospitality Events: A variety of events are organised during the year and are driven by the focus on Health and Well- being. Successful events included a Concert, Sponsored Walk, Plant Sale, Summer Afternoon Tea, Harvest Supper and Christmas Afternoon Tea. All events are well supported by members of the wider community and the additional generosity of members and friends within the community in supporting the Fundraising events and the Community Lunch has been greatly appreciated. We are alsograteful to individual memberswho have supported the church by making card-craftchurches and greetings cards which were sold to members and friends, proceeds being donated to church funds. In addition members have continued to diligently make donations through our small wooden church collection boxes. Achievements and Perfomianco: The congregation and church organisations continue to uphold our Christian lrfe and witness. We remain at the heart of the community through the contribution of all organisations which have contributed to the wider life of the congregation and to maintainin9 our purpose and presence within the community. We have been greatly encouraged by the numbers (members and otherwise) who have also engaged with our Facebook posts. Chaplaincy to the two local schools, Clyde Valley High School and Orchard Primary School, has been well established. The minister has regular contact and conducts assemblies on a regular basis. This affords an opportunity for personal support and engagement with both pupils and staff. End of term services are held in the church with pupils taking an active part. Charltable Donation8: The congregation has continued to offer invaluable financial support to various charities over the course of the year as noted in the Statement of Accounts. Clothing, Fu•1 and Hardship Grants: The support given to families facing hardship through the distribution of Grants received from the Household Hardship Fund and also our own Outreach Fund has been widely acknowledged and appreciated by parents of pupils at both the local Primary and Secondary Schools. We appreciate the assistance of the Schools for their help in the distribution. Food Bank: Over the past year we have continued to support the local Food Bank with donations of food and funding. Community Lunche8: A talented team of volunteers provide a 2