Maxwelltown West Church seeks to be a place of welcome to all in our parish – a centre of Christian worship and fellowship. We seek to provide a framework for family life and a place where young people may be nurtured in Christian values.
Sunday worship is at the centre of our church life. Most of our services follow a traditional Church of Scotland pattern. Tea and coffee are served in the hall after the service.
There are four Communions each year, and one less formal Communion service.
Courts of the Church
The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian, which means that the Church is governed by presbyters or elders. The Kirk Session consists of the minister and elders and is responsible for the spiritual oversight of the congregation and its organisations. The Presbytery comprises all ministers and selected elders from every Kirk Session within the bounds. The General Assembly is the Supreme Court of the Church, comprising some 850 ministers and elders from throughout the Church, and meets annually in Edinburgh. Each Court has a Moderator (in the case of the Kirk Session, this is the minister).
Deacons’ Court
The Deacons’ Court comprises the minister, the elders, and the Elected Deacons. It is the Financial Board of our congregation and is responsible for the raising of funds, the payment of all congregational expenses, and the maintenance of the fabric of Church, Halls and Manse. Elected Deacons share with the elders in welcoming worshippers to church and in Offering duties. Deacons are appointed for a three-year term and may be re-elected.
Finance
The Congregation’s annual Budget is in the region of £100,000. This covers maintenance and running costs, payment of salaries, and our contribution to the Church of Scotland Ministries & Mission Fund, which maintains the ministry and meets the cost of the Church’s wider work.
All members are encouraged to give a regular Offering for the work of the Church. Many use Freewill Offering Envelopes or Standing Orders. Anyone who pays Income Tax should sign a Gift Aid form.