Draft Basis of Union

We will be holding a Congregational Meeting before the start of worship on Sunday 19th November at 10.45am in order to vote on the proposed Draft Basis of Union. Only those present and whose name is on the Electoral Register can vote – proxy votes for anyone unable to attend are not allowed under church law. Representatives from Presbytery will be on hand to oversee the vote which will be done by secret ballot paper. Please bring a pen/pencil to church if possible! Printed copies of the Draft Basis of Union are available to uplift at the church.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats – DRAFT BASIS OF UNION 

The congregations of Ardrossan Park Parish Church of Scotland (SC004736); Ardrossan & Saltcoats Kirkgate Parish Church of Scotland (SC023003), Saltcoats North Parish Church Of Scotland (SC003299) and Saltcoats St Cuthberts Parish Church of Scotland (SC002905) shall be united from 1st January 2024, and that on the following terms and conditions:

1. Name: The name of the united charge shall be Ardrossan and Saltcoats Church of Scotland and SC023003 will be retained.
2. Transference of Property and Funds: The property and funds belonging to or held on behalf of each congregation shall belong to or be held on behalf of the united charge and any transference necessary shall be duly effected.
3. Places of Worship: The churches at present used and occupied by the congregations of Ardrossan: Park and Ardrossan and Saltcoats: Kirkgate shall be the places of worship of the united charge. The churches at present used by the congregations of Saltcoats North and Saltcoats St Cuthberts shall be used, sold, let or otherwise disposed of subject to the titles on which they are held, subject to the approval of the Presbytery and, if necessary, the General Trustees or the General Assembly. The free proceeds of any such sale or let shall: (a) if falling within the scope of Act VII 1995, be credited to the benefit of the congregation in the Consolidated Fabric Fund; or (b) if not falling within the scope of the said Act, be held and applied for fabric purposes in connection with the properties of the congregation. Services shall be conducted in Ardrossan and Saltcoats Church of Scotland (former Park building) and in Ardrossan and Saltcoats Church of Scotland (former Kirkgate building) each Sunday at times to be decided by the Ministers and Kirk Session, subject to the approval of Presbytery.
4. Territorial Responsibility: The bounds to be served by the united charge shall be designated as the bounds of the present four parishes or as the Presbytery shall determine.
5. Kirk Session: The elders of the four Kirk Sessions shall form with the ministers the Kirk Session of the united charge.
6. Congregational Management: The temporal affairs of the united congregation shall be administered by the Kirk Session in terms of the Unitary Constitution, the Delegation of Assembly being authorised to issue the appropriate Deed of Constitution to the said congregation.
7. Minister: The Rev Nigel Chikanya, currently minister at Ardrossan and Saltcoats Kirkgate shall be the minister of the united charge in terms of Section 8.2 of Act 8, 2021, as amended. Presbytery will create a Team Ministry Charge within the new charge to include a second Minister of Word and Sacrament subject to their agreement to the Basis of Team Ministry. Appointment shall be through the vacancy processes set out in Act VIII 2003.
8. Manse: The manse of the present congregation of Kirkgate shall be the manse of the united charge. In due course, a second manse, selected from the other three present manses, shall be chosen for the second minister of the charge. The remaining two manses shall be sold, let or otherwise disposed of, subject to the titles on which they are held, and subject to the approval of the Presbytery and, if necessary, of the General Trustees or the General Assembly. The free proceeds of any such sale or let shall: (a) if falling within the scope of Act VII 1995, be credited to the benefit of the congregation in the Consolidated Fabric Fund; or (b) if not falling within the scope of the said Act, be held and applied for fabric purposes in connection with the properties of the congregation.
9. Ministerial Support: The stipend of the charge shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the National Stipend Scheme.
10. Power to Readjust: While the articles and terms shall form the Basis of Union for the four congregations now uniting, the united charge shall be free, like other congregations, to adjust arrangements under the authority of Presbytery as need may arise.