“Fogo Parish Church has now completed two years  under Presbytery Guardianship; a team from Presbytery met with Rev. Dane Sherrard, interim  moderator, the Kirk Session, Congregational Board and members of the congregation on 22nd November.

At the end of November, 2018, a team from Presbytery met with us to consider how we were progressing with the three years of Presbytery Guardianship we had been given since the retiral of Alan Cartwright at the end of August, 2016.

At the December meeting of presbytery the Business Convener, Mrs. Susan Patterson, delivered the following report:

The congregation has produced a report charting the background, what had been achieved over the last two years and their vision for the future. Out of a Parish of approximately 135, Fogo has a membership of 47, all of whom are active and of varying ages. This is a growing congregation. They have moved from one  service a month to weekly services with additional  services throughout the year. Services are well attended. Worship is mainly led by the interim  moderator, but within the congregation is a Lay Reader and two other members who have experience of leading worship who also take services; members read and lead prayers and children present Bible stories. A number of social events have been arranged which have attracted new people to the church. Mission and education are of great importance to the congregation, every home is visited monthly with a parish newsletter, and a “History of the Bible” course is run by Fogo as part of the University of the Third Age set up in Duns.

The congregation has set up a resource library in the church, and is planning a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2020; they work with the High School, and support B.C.Y.T. among other organisations; they have a full and varied programme planned for next year.          

Financially the church is in a sound position, and is able to meet all obligations. The church is no longer damp, is water-tight, has new heating and lighting, and a toilet and kitchen have been created; the building is now fit for purpose. Fogo Kirk Session wishes to ask Presbytery to appoint the interim moderator as a non-stipendiary minister of Fogo Parish Church for a period of five years; he would not conduct all services, but would ensure an ordained minister was there when required. In the future the congregation plans to invite retired ministers and exchange ministers from across Scotland and abroad to come and stay and take services at Fogo. With regard to the building, separate from the church, as instructed by Presbytery, a charitable trust is being set up to take over the ownership of the church building as a community asset, which if the congregation failed in future years would continue to look after the building for the community. However the Church of Scotland General Trustees do not want to hand over the building to a charitable trust, but would rather the trust leased it from the General Trustees, for a peppercorn amount, for 10 years, with a break clause after 5 or 6 years – when the situation could be reassessed. The arrangement could continue or the Trust could buy the building from the General Trustees. 

This is a very different way of proceeding, but could become a template in other areas; we are encouraged to think radically and look at different types of ministry. Both the Church of Scotland and Presbytery commend Fogo for what has been achieved thus far, and wish it to continue to grow and flourish.  If the issue with the building can be agreed, we would support Fogo’s wishes.”

The following deliverance was proposed and agreed:

“Presbytery appoints the Rev. Dr. Dane Sherrard as non-stipendiary minister of Fogo Parish Church on a reviewable tenure of five years, subject to the agreement of the Kirk Session and congregation of Fogo Parish Church.”

Over the Christmas period a confidential ballot of members was conducted and Dr. Sherrard received the unanimous approval of the congregation (45 ballots in all were cast).

The result of this ballot was reported to Presbytery and at its February meeting the following deliverance was proposed and agreed:

“Presbytery notes that the congregation and Kirk Session of Fogo Parish Church have concurred in the appointment of Dr. Dane Sherrard as their non-stipendiary minister under a five-year reviewable tenure. Presbytery removed Fogo Parish Church from Guardianship from today’s date (2nd. February, 2019).”

For those in Fogo who had concerns about what would happen once our three years of Presbytery Guardianship was completed this is extremely good news. The value of what we are doing as a small congregation has been recognised and we are now a congregation of the Church of Scotland standing on our own feet and ready to play our full part in the life of our national church.

Readers will note that there is still a question mark over the future of the church building. We hope that this will be quickly resolved but the important thing, of course, is that our building is now in an excellent state and will be ours to use as long as we continue as a congregation.