Strathaven Rankin and Chapelton Parish Churches are both part of the Hamilton Presbytery of the Church of Scotland. The Vision of the Church of Scotland is to be a church which seeks to inspire the people of Scotland and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ through enthusiastic worshipping, witnessing and serving communities.
As congregations, we were linked in 1960 and have operated very successfully by co-operating together under a shared ministry. Both churches have active Sunday Schools, creche facilites and a range of organisations.
We would be especially pleased to see you in person in one of the congregations at Sunday worship (9.30am in Chapelton and, normally, 11am in Strathaven) whether you are visiting the town of Strathaven or the village of Chapelton or are new to the area. Pew Bibles are available and there is an Induction Loop System fitted in both churches. Please note that the Service of Remembrance at Rankin Church on Sunday 8 November will commence at 11.30am.
Mid-week services at both Chapelton and Rankin Churches have now recommenced. The arrangement is to have an informal lunchtime Service on alternate weeks along with an opportunity to enjoy fellowship. There will be two Services per month at each Church.
The Services last approximately half an hour and include some music, prayers and a short meditation. It is hoped that, in time, folks within the congregations will feel able to use their gifts and contribute to the Service by taking part and by contributing their ideas for the themes of the meditations.
'Time Out' on the first and third Wednesdays of the month in Rankin Hall is from 10.30am. Come along for a coffee + cake and, if you wish, you can stay for a short Service at 11.30am.
The Chapelton Services are on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 11.30am with an opportunity to go to the Lunch Club afterwards and enjoy good food and fellowship.
Celebrating 50 years of linkage
Next year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the linkage between our two Parishes of Strathaven:Rankin and Chapelton. To celebrate this successful partnership, there are a number of events being planned throughout 2010 - details of which will follow in the New Year.
One of our plans is to gather unforgettable memories of the two churches as a record of the past 50 years and we are looking for everyone in both congregations to contribute to this project. If you have any memories you would loke to share, please pass them on to the Minister or use the contact form on this website. Just to help focus the mind, we propose the folloeing headings: Sunday School, Christmas, Easter, The Minister, Harvest, The Buildings, Special Events and 'Funnies' - or any others you can think of. Hopefuly this will trigger a story or two!
For up-to-date news about what is going on in each of the churches, see the "Notice Board" pages.
Latest Update: 6 January 2010
