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More about the Parish | |
Communicant Membership
Most of the communicant membership of 699 is drawn from East Linton, Stenton and Whittingehame, with a proportion from throughout the rest of the parish and beyond. It is largely made up of middle aged to elderly but with an encouraging number of younger parents attending regularly.
Minister
On the evening of 20th March, 2000, in a service at Prestonkirk, the induction took place of the Reverend Howard J Haslett B.A., B.D. as the first minister of the new parish.
Services
Services are held every Sunday in Stenton Church (9.30 am) and Prestonkirk Church (11.00 am), where visitors will be made most welcome. Whittingehame Church is now only used for special services, at the discretion of the Minister and Kirk Session.
Special services are held at Christmas and Easter, as well as on Harvest Thanksgiving and Remembrance Sunday.
Holy Communion
The Sacrament is celebrated at both Stenton (9.30am) and Prestonkirk Church (11.00am) on the 1st Sundays of February, June and October. On the 1st Sunday of all other months, a shortened form is held after morning service at Prestonkirk.
Constitution
Quoad sacra
Kirk Session
There are 33 elders on the Kirk Session, (22 male and 11 female).
Congregational Board
The Congregational Board, which discusses the temporal affairs of the church, is made up of 15 elders and 15 members of the congregation.
Halls
Prestonkirk Church Hall (The Stables)
Following the sale of the former St Andrew's Church in East Linton in 1996, a new church hall was converted from the manse stables adjacent to Prestonkirk Church. The new hall can accommodate 60 persons seated, is carpeted, centrally heated and has adequate kitchen and toilet facilities. Off road car parking with good lighting is available for those who use both church and hall.
There is no church hall at Stenton, but the Village Community Hall, a short distance away, is usually available for all the needs of the church.
Whittingehame Church has no halls attached, but, a nearby hall, owned by the Guide Association, can be used on occasion.
Organisations
The Guild, which currently has 40 members, meets fortnightly from October to March in Prestonkirk Stables.
Sunday School meets at Prestonkirk Stables during church time, and has a roll of 24 children.
Prestonkirk Choir (15 in number) performs most Sundays and on special occasions, under the leadership of a most enthusiastic organist.
Crèche facilities, staffed by ladies of the congregation, are available at Prestonkirk and Stenton every Sunday.
Pastoral Group is a small group of members who assist the minister in visiting the sick, housebound and elderly.
A Social Events committee has hitherto been active at Prestonkirk and has been responsible for social functions such as a Ceilidh and a Burns' Supper, various coffee mornings, as well as the Annual Garden Fête.
Youth Activities Group This enthusiastic group attracts young people of secondary school age.
Kirk Magazine A quarterly magazine "Contact" is produced and distributed to all 1150 households in the parish.
Stenton Singers Although not a church organisation, Stenton Singers regularly use Stenton Church for their performances. Their enthusiastic leader is also the organist at Stenton Church.
Allison Cargill House belongs to the East Lothian Girl Guide Association and has had a long association with the church at Whittingehame.
Further details may be had by email from the Session Clerk
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