The Vestry
Introduction
The Vestry is the name of the church board.
Westhill Community Church is currently in the process of changing both its legal form and its affiliation, and for an interim period 'Westhill Community Church' is the working name of two different charities, each with its own vestry.
'Westhill Community Church' is a Scottish Charity (No.SC015206) and its legal form is an Unincorporated Association. It is a Member of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney.
'Westhill Community Church SCIO' (No.SC049910) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), and is not part of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Pending transfer of the assets of Westhill Community Church to Westhill Community Church SCIO, both charities are operating in parallel.
At the end of this process, it is expected that the WCC Charity (No.SC015206) will be wound up.
The descriptions below of Vestry Responsibilities, Membership and Meetings apply to both charities.
Westhill Community Church is currently in the process of changing both its legal form and its affiliation, and for an interim period 'Westhill Community Church' is the working name of two different charities, each with its own vestry.
'Westhill Community Church' is a Scottish Charity (No.SC015206) and its legal form is an Unincorporated Association. It is a Member of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney.
'Westhill Community Church SCIO' (No.SC049910) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), and is not part of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Pending transfer of the assets of Westhill Community Church to Westhill Community Church SCIO, both charities are operating in parallel.
At the end of this process, it is expected that the WCC Charity (No.SC015206) will be wound up.
The descriptions below of Vestry Responsibilities, Membership and Meetings apply to both charities.
Responsibilities
The Vestry is responsible for the sound management of the church’s finances and property, for appointment of staff including the rector, and it supports the rector and staff in the spiritual welfare of the church.
Vestry members are trustees of the charity. Trustee qualifications and responsibilities are prescribed by Scottish charity law.
In addition to ensuring health and safety in church activities, the vestry has a specific responsibility for the protection of children and vulnerable adults in the care of the church. It appoints a Co-ordinator for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) who administers implementation of PVG requirements.
The vestry operates in accordance with the charity's constitution.(See Resources/Reference Docs/Status change)
The church’s financial year runs from 1st October till 30th September.
Vestry members are trustees of the charity. Trustee qualifications and responsibilities are prescribed by Scottish charity law.
In addition to ensuring health and safety in church activities, the vestry has a specific responsibility for the protection of children and vulnerable adults in the care of the church. It appoints a Co-ordinator for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) who administers implementation of PVG requirements.
The vestry operates in accordance with the charity's constitution.(See Resources/Reference Docs/Status change)
The church’s financial year runs from 1st October till 30th September.
Membership
The Vestry consists of the Rector, ex-officio members and lay members of the church. It may also have co-opted members.
Lay members are elected by the congregation at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Nomination forms are available from the church office three weeks before the AGM. Each member must be a communicant member of the church in good standing with the church community, and be over 16 years of age. Lay members serve for three years and may put themselves forward to serve a further three year term. After that they must stand down for at least a year.
Ex-officio members include the Rector, treasurer, and secretary. The Rector is the vestry chairman but a vestry lay chairman may be appointed to chair vestry meetings.
Lay members are elected by the congregation at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Nomination forms are available from the church office three weeks before the AGM. Each member must be a communicant member of the church in good standing with the church community, and be over 16 years of age. Lay members serve for three years and may put themselves forward to serve a further three year term. After that they must stand down for at least a year.
Ex-officio members include the Rector, treasurer, and secretary. The Rector is the vestry chairman but a vestry lay chairman may be appointed to chair vestry meetings.
Meetings
The vestry meets up to ten times per year, normally monthly. Other meetings are convened as necessary. It may set up sub-groups to work through detailed issues, eg finance, property, administration and resources. The vestry also arranges the AGM (annual general meeting) held in late November.
Current Vestry Members, 2020-21
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Westhill Community Church
Scottish charity number SC015206 - Rector (ex-officio) Hugh Kelly Co-chair Jeremy Norris Co-chair Lesley Mavor Secretary (ex-officio) Allan Clews Treasurer (ex-officio) Mark Beecroft Fiona Fitzgerald Ken Mavor Rory McGregor Phyllis Read PVG Coordinator Jenny Townsend |
Westhill Community Church SCIO
Scottish charity number SC049910 - Rector (ex officio) Kees Bressers Chair George Laing Secretary Allan Clews Treasurer (ex-officio) Lydia Balogun-Wilson Rachel Danley Matt Skellern Moira Smith Judith Wells Steve Townsend (co-opted) PVG Coordinator Jenny Townsend |
