God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to God’s power that is at work within us.
EPHESIANS 3:20
Joy and generosity
The story of Christianity in Dunkeld stretches all the way back to the 6th century, when a group of missionaries came from Iona to create a base from which they could share the joyful news of Christ throughout central Scotland.
Like those first missionaries, we too seek to share God’s story of love, joy, service and faith. We are therefore excited to share with you our plans for the coming year. In these pages, you will discover not just a financial plan but a testament to the joyous spirit that defines our shared journey of faith and our stewardship of resources.
Giving, in all its forms, is a joyful celebration of God’s love manifested in our lives. As you read the story of our life and work as a church, we hope that you will feel inspired to support us financially as part of our Giving to Grow initiative, and to help continue the legacy of Christianity in Dunkeld. You can find information at the end of this leaflet about the different ways to give. Together, let us continue to build a community that radiates the joy of the Lord, shares the Good News, and serves as a beacon of love.
All of the money given to Dunkeld Parish Church goes to support our ministry and our mission in the wider world, and to maintain our ancient place of worship. When we think about what our money enables us to do, we can divide our expenditure into three main categories: Worship and Prayer, Mission and Education, and Care and Community.
When you support the church with your offerings, your money becomes ministry, and through our ministry God changes lives.
WORSHIP AND PRAYER
Worship is at the heart of our faith. Through music, scripture, prayer and preaching, we come to know God and to love God more. We open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and strengthen ourselves to show the love of Christ in the world.
The worship and prayer portion of our plan pays for maintenance and improvements to our buildings, including our ancient place of worship, salaries for our minister, organist and support staff and utilities. These costs allow us to create diverse and meaningful worship opportunities:
- Sunday Worship: Our choir, worship group and organist lead us in traditional and contemporary praise, and we hear readings and teaching on the Gospel in fellowship together
- Songs and Silence: a reflective evening service which draws on the peace, beauty and centuries of prayer embodied in the Cathedral
- Prayer for Help & Healing: an ecumenical service held monthly with St. Mary’s Episcopal church, focusing on prayer for ourselves and others
- Prayer Network: A prayer coordinator collates and distributes prayer requests on behalf of people who request it
Worship and prayer comprise 31% of our plan, for a cost of £51,980.
We hope to create new opportunities for worship, including concerts, retreats and other events.
MISSION AND EDUCATION
We seek to share the Good News of Christ and nurture all believers, both new and old. The mission and education portion of our plan allows us to maintain learning spaces, provide programmes for children and youth, train elders, and help everyone to explore their faith. Some of our intiatives include:
- Youth group: a group from Primary 7 and secondary age which meets weekly for activities and discussion
- Messy Music: an after-school programme which meets weekly to sing, play and enjoy crafts
- Faith Explored: a monthly group for young adults which offers a “café-style” forum for worship and discussion
- Pilgrim group: A group with a vision to reinstate Dunkeld as a site of pilgrimmage and a national mission centre
- Bible Study: regular meetings for Bible study and fellowship
Mission and Education comprises 36% of our plan, or £61,125.
We aim to develop further opportunities for faith sharing, fellowship, retreats, pilgrimages and training.
CARE AND COMMUNITY
The Church has been at the heart of the community in Dunkeld for centuries. We strive to continue this legacy by creating opportunities for service and connection with our friends and neighbours.
Offerings and donations help to create effective spaces for fellowship and connection, maintain our website, purchase food and goods, and support those in need. Some of our projects include :
- Pastoral Care: supporting those in the church and wider community needing help and encouragement
- The Lunch Club: a get together for seniors. Transport is provided for those who need it and a soup lunch is shared
- The Meeting Place: A chance for everyone in the community to meet with friends over coffee and cakes
- Men’s Breakfast: A group of men from the community meet for a breakfast, to put the world to rights … with all proceeds supporting Mary’s Meals
- Knit & Natter: knitters and crafters bring along unfinished projects to work on while having a chat
- Christian Aid Group: an ecumenical group dedicated to understanding world justice issues and raising money for global charities
Care and Community comprises 33% of our plan, or £55,895.
We seek to create wider community events, holiday clubs and more targeted pastoral care.
JOURNEY TO GENEROSITY
Our shared journey of faith in Dunkeld stretches back over centuries. As we embark on a new chapter in this journey, we invite you to join us as we review our giving to meet the challenges we face. We ask that you prayerfully reflect on your giving and consider increasing it to help us create meaningful worship opportunities, help others in our community, and share the Good News. Together we can move on with hearts full of gratitude, trusting that as we give, we receive the joy of the Lord.
To find out more about ways to give click here.
