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Congregation Profile

St Paul’s is a member of the St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane Diocese and serves the area once known as Kinross-shire, now part of Perth and Kinross District. There are other churches serving the Kinross area but St Paul’s is the only Episcopalian Church, the nearest Episcopalian neighbours are in Dollar, Perth, Lochgelly and Glenrothes.

The congregation roll comprises 62 members plus 39 adherents from 62 households. Sunday communicants average 16, peaking to around 50 for the major Christian festivals. The majority of the congregation reside in the immediate area but some families travel from outside what would be considered the normal “catchment area” of Kinross and Milnathort.

Leadership is by our Rector, supported by an elected Vestry. The Vestry comprises 8 elected members, plus the Rector and Lay Representative, up to 3 additional persons may be co-opted to assist the regular Vestry.

Sunday worship centres around the Eucharist. There is a 10am Sung Eucharist. Other services take place throughout the year, especially at Christmas and Easter. Hymns of Glory Songs of Praise (the Anglican version of Church Hymnary 4) and Common Ground provides the backbone of the music with a supplementary Carol Book for use at Christmas.

The Rector and other members of the congregation share a joint responsibility with ministers from across Kinross Churches Together for the leadership of regular mid-week services at the Kinross-shire Day Centre. St Paul's take a regular and active role in a program of ecumenical services and activities throughout the year, especially during Advent and Lent.

St Paul’s has outreach interests with the Ethiopia Medical Project, co-chaired by a member of Vestry. The church had historically supported the Aberlour Child Care Trust, especially through the Christingle services. The church's main local outreach work continues alongside Broke Not Broken, a charity that oversees a local Food Bank initiative.

Within St Paul’s there are a number of ad hoc groups, with no specific membership, who convene for specific purposes at irregular intervals, e.g. Advent and Lent bible studies on Sunday mornings and property and monthly gardening work parties.

Communication with the congregation is maintained by a weekly pew leaflet, a monthly newsletter and within the wider community through the Kinross Community Newsletter.

St Paul’s is a finely balanced congregation which may be considered to be at a religious crossroads. We have our traditionalists and our progressives, senior members and very young members. Leading such a diverse group of people is a considerable challenge, balancing the needs of the traditionalists with those of the modernists, the quiet contemplative worship usually preferred by our senior members with the more upbeat worship that appeals to younger people and families.