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A Statement from the Kirk Session regarding the future of the congregation.
8 November, 2023
The Kirk Session of St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church is aware that discussion has been taking place in a number of settings about the future of the congregation, its minister, and buildings. The Kirk Session welcomes the wider interest being taken in the future of the church but issues this statement in order that all interested people should have accurate information.
The Presbytery of Lothian and Borders, through the current round of Presbytery Planning, has indicated its wish to unite the congregation of St Nicholas Buccleuch with the congregation of Newbattle Parish. The Kirk Sessions of both congregations are exploring the implications of this and how a union would work. Such a union can only legally take place following a vacancy in both congregations. A vacancy will occur by the end of June 2024 at Newbattle when the Transition Minister, Rev Gayle Taylor, reaches the end of her appointment. The Presbytery is working on the assumption that a Basis of Deferred Union between the two congregations will be drawn up and agreed, which would allow Newbattle, with the involvement of St Nicholas Buccleuch in the process, to call a minister who would begin work in Newbattle Parish and who would become the minister of the united parish of St Nicholas Buccleuch and Newbattle upon the demission of the Rev Sandy Horsburgh from St Nicholas Buccleuch.
The Rev Sandy Horsburgh, has not set a date for his retirement or demission (i.e. leaving) from the charge. He has full tenure and therefore the right to stay for as long as he deems appropriate. He is not currently able to set a date for his demission and will only be able to do so when a number of personal and family circumstances have been clarified, which is not yet possible. The Church of Scotland wishes that planned changes be made by the end of 2025 and this, while not determinative, will have a bearing on the timing of his demission. In making his decision about when to demit, he will take into account what is, in his judgement, in the best interests of the congregation.
The buildings at 117-119 High Street, Dalkeith, are not yet for sale. They remain, for now, in the care of and under the management of the Kirk Session. Ultimately, in a situation where a union with Newbattle has actually occurred, there will be further discussion involving local trustees (i.e. the elders of the united congregation), the Presbytery, and the Church of Scotland General Trustees over the retention or disposal of the buildings. Work has begun to explore whether there is sufficient interest, within the wider community, in taking over ownership of the buildings through a community buyout so that they will be preserved for the use and enjoyment of the people of Dalkeith. The work on exploring this possibility has begun now because it is a long and complex process. The Kirk Session would welcome expressions of interest from anyone in assisting with this process.
The Kirk Session of St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church is aware that discussion has been taking place in a number of settings about the future of the congregation, its minister, and buildings. The Kirk Session welcomes the wider interest being taken in the future of the church but issues this statement in order that all interested people should have accurate information.
The Presbytery of Lothian and Borders, through the current round of Presbytery Planning, has indicated its wish to unite the congregation of St Nicholas Buccleuch with the congregation of Newbattle Parish. The Kirk Sessions of both congregations are exploring the implications of this and how a union would work. Such a union can only legally take place following a vacancy in both congregations. A vacancy will occur by the end of June 2024 at Newbattle when the Transition Minister, Rev Gayle Taylor, reaches the end of her appointment. The Presbytery is working on the assumption that a Basis of Deferred Union between the two congregations will be drawn up and agreed, which would allow Newbattle, with the involvement of St Nicholas Buccleuch in the process, to call a minister who would begin work in Newbattle Parish and who would become the minister of the united parish of St Nicholas Buccleuch and Newbattle upon the demission of the Rev Sandy Horsburgh from St Nicholas Buccleuch.
The Rev Sandy Horsburgh, has not set a date for his retirement or demission (i.e. leaving) from the charge. He has full tenure and therefore the right to stay for as long as he deems appropriate. He is not currently able to set a date for his demission and will only be able to do so when a number of personal and family circumstances have been clarified, which is not yet possible. The Church of Scotland wishes that planned changes be made by the end of 2025 and this, while not determinative, will have a bearing on the timing of his demission. In making his decision about when to demit, he will take into account what is, in his judgement, in the best interests of the congregation.
The buildings at 117-119 High Street, Dalkeith, are not yet for sale. They remain, for now, in the care of and under the management of the Kirk Session. Ultimately, in a situation where a union with Newbattle has actually occurred, there will be further discussion involving local trustees (i.e. the elders of the united congregation), the Presbytery, and the Church of Scotland General Trustees over the retention or disposal of the buildings. Work has begun to explore whether there is sufficient interest, within the wider community, in taking over ownership of the buildings through a community buyout so that they will be preserved for the use and enjoyment of the people of Dalkeith. The work on exploring this possibility has begun now because it is a long and complex process. The Kirk Session would welcome expressions of interest from anyone in assisting with this process.