Join us at Methlick Parish Church
Candidate Brief
The Position
Methlick Parish Church seeks to appoint a new minister on a 0.5 FTE basis. This could be Sunday plus two other days. The working hours will form a key part of the discussion at interview.
This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about joining an active and growing church community, interested in gospel interpretation in relation to modern day challenges and how it can further guide our Church in attracting and supporting the wider community.
The overall purpose of the role is to give a solid foundation and fresh thinking to our regular worship services whilst providing leadership and guidance to everyone involved across all facets of church life.
The successful candidate will be required to draw up and deliver a coherent strategy to improve and grow our church community through prayer, congregational consultation and excellent community engagement.
The Role of Minister
The role will offer the successful candidate several opportunities and benefits including:
• Working in a friendly rural community in a much sought after part of Aberdeenshire with a diverse population.
• Living accommodation provided in a modern manse in the village of Methlick
• Ability to influence and drive new thinking with a supportive church family
• Potential for professional development where appropriate
• Creating church growth and impact through wider stakeholder interaction
Key Responsibilities
• To assemble and build up the body of Christ by proclaiming and teaching the Word of God, by celebrating the sacraments, and by guiding the life of the community in its worship, its mission, its prayers and its caring ministry
• At all times to provide strong worship and spiritual leadership with Jesus at its core
• Guide and interact in a meaningful way with all Methlick Church groups
• Provide guidance/direction and leadership with the Kirk Session, sharing information at all times
• Work with the local community and local organisations to provide knowledge of who we are, what we provide and develop ways to interact at every opportunity
• Interface with Presbytery, the wider Church of Scotland, other denominational groups and other local churches as agreed with our Session and Congregation
• Children and Youth are a major priority for our church and the need for a well thought out and ongoing plan to support and develop them is critical.
• Provide pastoral care at all levels
• Together with the Kirk session and Treasurer, ensure that the church operates efficiently and effectively from a financial perspective
Person Specification
We are seeking someone with superb leadership skills and is a fully qualified Church of Scotland Minister. Ideally the individual will, at their core, have a compassionate and caring nature matched with a lively outgoing people orientated personality.
Recruitment Process
Applications in the form of short CV and covering letter should be sent by email to:
Katherine Storey, Nominating Committee Clerk at katherine.storey@aol.co.uk
If you need to speak with Katherine she can be reached on 07968268360
Informal enquiries and questions should be directed to Derrick Thomson, Nominating Committee Member at derrickthomson@mac.com or by calling 07463988200
It is anticipated that interviews for the post of Methlick Parish Church Minister will take place in July/August 2025.
Interviews will take place in person in Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scotland with the selected Nominating Committee panel. The Nominating Committee will also seek to hear the candidates preach at a separate location (TBA) as part of the selection process.
Dear All,
Methlick Kirk Session received an update at our meeting on 13th June 2024 as to our application to call a part-time minister. As previously explained, our Grouping with Formartine Parish Church (Union of Barthol Chapel, Tarves and Udny/Pitmedden) has been allocated only 1.5 full-time ministers in total. Methlick’s application is progressing and lies with Presbytery and its various committees, and we are hopeful of progress in the next few months to be in a position to call a minister.
In the meantime, we continue to be led in our Sunday Worship by a committed team organised by Rev. Valerie Mitchell who diligently compiles the rota weeks in advance. We are very fortunate to have an active Church, despite being in vacancy thanks to so many willing individuals and teams of people who help organise Alpha and Prayer Groups, our FYP Youth Group, our Mainly Music and Sunday School, our Guild, our Stewardship and Finance, our weekly Café in the Kirk, our Safeguarding and our Property Maintenance and more. None of these would be possible without the time and different talents of so many of our Congregation and Community who help support different aspects of the life and work of our Church.
Methlick Parish Church is open to all and a warm invitation is extended to everyone to join us at a Sunday morning Service and/or to participate or help with a number of activities that go on.
If you have any queries regarding Methlick Church, of a pastoral nature, or if you’re contemplating becoming a member, arranging a wedding, baptism or funeral, or volunteering your help in any way, please do contact our Interim Moderator, Rev Ricky Reid, or any Session member including myself.
With kind regards,
Colin Presly, Session Clerk (Tel 806220)
Try Alpha
What is Alpha?
Alpha is an eleven-week series that explores the basics of the Christian faith in a relaxed and informal environment. Small groups meet, watch a short video and then discuss it. Alpha courses are currently being run all over the world in a wide variety of settings from churches to prisons, schools and in people’s homes. Everyone and anyone is welcome to take part. While no two Alpha courses are the same, probably the most important part of any Alpha is the chance to share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and simply discuss it in a small group. There's no obligation to say anything and there's nothing you can't say (honest!). It's an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly and open environment.
What Topics are Covered?
Is There More To Life Than This?
Who is Jesus?
Why Did Jesus Die?
How Can I Have Faith?
Why and How Do I Pray?
Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
How Does God Guide Us?
How Can I Resist Evil?
Why and how should I tell others?
Does God Heal Today?
What About The Church?
Day/Weekend Away (TBC)
What Have Others Said About Alpha?
“ I found the Alpha course reassuring, informative, and sometimes challenging ..but most importantly it felt like a warm hug and a soft blanket from afar (even on a zoom call) and the wonderful people involved and the discussions we had have allowed me to move forward with my life in the knowledge that “I am not alone”.
“Alpha lets you explore ideas and thoughts across a variety of subjects and with the Bible and Faith at the centre the discussions can be wonderfully varied. Getting to know others in the group and learning through them and their perspectives is part of the bonus of Alpha. . I didn’t know what to expect but would be happy to recommend it.”
“It was lovely to follow the Alpha Course with such a caring group of people. It was really interesting to learn together and share different points of view and interpretations as we went. “
“Alpha was a safe place for me to ask the questions I had and not feel daft for asking them.”
“The best bit about Alpha was making friends”.
Watch this space for details of our next Alpha course.
To Register Contact: alpha@methlickparish.church
