THE CHURCH

Christ Church was consecrated in 1864 and today meets the needs of Episcopalians and other Anglicans living in the town and surrounding communities.

These are fairly extensive but are all within reasonable distance. These communities – Airth, Avonbridge, Bonnybridge, Brightons, California, Carron, Carronshore, Denny, Dunipace, Larbert, Laurieston, New Carron, Polmont, Reddingmuirhead, Slamannan and Stenhousemuir – are all mainly residential with members of the congregation in all.

Sir Robert Rowan Anderson, a leading Scottish architect of the nineteenth century – who was also an Episcopalian – designed the Church. The building is large enough to seat 120 comfortably but small and compact in design, thus not a huge drain on financial resources. The original interior has had alterations made over the years – including disabled access, room at the front for wheelchairs and installation of a loop system. New seating was installed in the Lady Chapel in 1995.

The membership is around 220 with a weekly average of 113 communicants – taken over the last 6 months.

The congregation has grown in strength (both in activity and spiritually) during the last dozen years.

To the south of the Church there is a Garden of Remembrance where the ashes of past members are interred.

THE RECTORY - FLAT AND HALL

a large Victorian Rectory alongside the Church, looking southwards at the rear towards a small park, and altered several years ago provides:

on the first floor the Rector's flat - upgraded in 1996 comprising 5 rooms, kitchen and 2 bathrooms

on the ground floor the Rector's study and a utility room with washing machine

also on the ground floor with a separate entrance is the church Hall with disabled access, with recently refurbished kitchen with parish room and toilets.

There are other plans in the pipeline to upgrade and refurbish the building. There is no garden as such at the Rectory, but to the rear, there is a south-facing terrace, which runs the length of the house. There is ample space for parking at the front and at the side of the Rectory, near to the entrance to the hall. Entrances to the Rectory and the Hall are completely separate.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

MINISTRY - In addition to the Rector we have one non-stipendiary Priest

CHAPLAINCY - The Rector is recognised as the Episcopal Chaplain at the local hospitals, nursing homes and schools

VESTRY - made up of 6 elected members and 6 ex-officio members - 2 of whom are the Rector's Warden and the Peoples' Warden. The Vestry meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The Bishop and 2 senior members of the Vestry are the Trustees. The Constitution was revised in 1987.

OFFICIANTS - 3

LICENCED TO ADMINISTER THE CHALICE - 8

SERVERS - 8

CHOIR - 7 - augmented on special occasions

READERS - there is a team of readers and intercessors for both Sunday services and the Thursday morning service

FLOWERS - a flower arranging rota operates and flowers are provided from the flower fund

MOTHERS' UNION - meet every Tuesday afternoon

BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER GROUP - meet every Thursday evening to study and discuss lectionary-based content

CURSILLO - 36 members of the congregation have experienced Cursillo - many of them meet on the first Saturday of the month for breakfast, and also attend the monthly meetings of the West Forth area

MISSION 21 - we participated in Mission 21 raising awareness of our own identity as a congregation

UGANDA - we have been linked with the Kinkiizi diocese and the Nyakinoni parish since the 1980s. Our Education Fund has financed the schooling of youngsters in the diocese. Our most recent ongoing project is the funding of the medical clinic. We funded the reconstruction, we were responsible for equipping the clinic with medical supplies, and we have undertaken to help fund personnel.

ACAT - Action by Christians Against Torture - a small group meet every 6 weeks to write letters of concern to relevant bodies

CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER - has been appointed in line with current guidlines

OUR WEBSITE - was created by, and is maintained by a member of the congregation

STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP - small but keen groups have worked through various study programmes both congregationally and ecumenically. Participation in Lent programmes arranged by local Churches, fellowship at post-Eucharist coffee in the hall on Thursdays and Sundays.

LINKS

membership of ACTIF (Action of Churches Together in Falkirk)
local Clergy fraternity
Strret Plus
Falkirk Homeless Project
Traidcraft
Christian Aid
Alzheimer Care use the Church hall on Thursdays

FINANCES

We have a balanced budget of £40,000 and we pay our Quota in full