Our Future at Armadale

Our position at Armadale has been openly discussed at two meetings and we have been provided with updates as well (most recently on 3 November). The situation is well known to most of us: we’re ageing, our numbers are slowly declining and our finances are such that we can’t guarantee adequate financial support for a ministry placement and other expenses for five years (even on a less than full-time basis). Hence we’re not in a position to make a call, even if a minister were to be available (which is improbable given there’s a shortage of ministers).
Much as we would like to “grow” and would be willing to do so, the reality is that there seems no clear path whereby this could occur.
We’ve been fortunate in having the services of Rev Barbara Allen for the past few months, and Ian Thomas and Karel Reus have also contributed greatly (and are continuing to do so). Barbara has greatly inspired us in many ways. However, a supply ministry is usually a short-term arrangement and the burden of arranging services each week and maintaining the property falls on just a few of us. Willing though we are, this isn’t really sustainable on an on-going basis.
In these circumstances, Council’s view is that Armadale ought to close in the early months of next year. Council is liaising with Presbytery about the issues that arise as a consequence. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact a member of the Council.