the link - issue 45
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church magazine polbeth harwood west calderTRANSCRIPT
The magazine for the linked congregations and community of the West Kirk of Calder and Polbeth Harwood
The Link
Issue 45
Interim Moderator
Rev Dr André Groenewald 01506 884585
8 Manse Court, East Calder, EH53 0HF
Parish Assistant
Diane Stirling 01506 426887
28 Kaims Court, Livingston Village, EH54 7DB
West Kirk Session Clerk Stewart MacRae 01506 872486 23 Westmuir Road West Calder EH55 8EX [email protected] Treasurer William Calder 01506 871281 25 Harburn Road West Calder EH55 8AJ [email protected]
Polbeth Harwood Session Clerk Marian Kinsman 01506 871125 12 Langside Crescent Polbeth EH55 8UW [email protected] Deputy Session Clerk Irene Stevely 01506 411899 Treasurer Sandra McCabe 01506 872593
News Editor
Colin Dempster 01506 414565
West Kirk of Calder (Church of Scotland) Charity SCO04703 Congregation 020161
Polbeth Harwood Parish Church of Scotland Charity SC17373 Congregation 020156
www.west-kirk-polbeth-harwood.co.uk
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Preaching in Our Churches Date Minister Date Minister
01 January 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald 08 April 2012 Rev Gordon Jamieson
08 January 2012 Rev Dr Andre Groenewald 15 April 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald
15 January 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald 22 April 2012 Rev Martin McKean
22 January 2012 Rev Gordon Jamieson 29 April 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald
29 January 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald 06 May 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald
05 February 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald 13 May 2012 Rev Martin McKean
12 February 2012 Rev Martin McKean 20 May 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald
19 February 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald 27 May 2012 Rev Dr Andre Groenewald
26 February 2012 Rev Gordon Jamieson 03 June 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald
04 March 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald 10 June 2012 Rev Dr Andre Groenewald
11 March 2012 Rev Martin McKean 17 June 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald
18 March 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald 24 June 2012 Rev Martin McKean
25 March 2012 Rev Dr Andre Groenewald 01 July 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald
01 April 2012 Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald 08 July 2012 Rev Gordon Jamieson
Parish Registers
OUR SYMPATHIES GO TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF:
• Robert Davidson, Polbeth Road, Polbeth • Thomas Smith, Northfield Cottages, West Calder • Elizabeth Gallacher, Dickson Court, West Calder • George Alexander, Langside Crescent, Polbeth • Roy Weston-‐Lewis, Chapelton Drive, Polbeth • David Nimmo, Burnside Crescent, Polbeth • Walter Baker, Burngrange Cottages, West Calder • Andrew Curson, Burngrange Park, West Calder • Marjorie Porter, West Calder
To all who have lost a loved one, we extend our sincere sympathy and the assurance of our prayers.
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The Editorially Independent Magazine of the Church of Scotland www.lifeandwork.org
JANUARY ISSUE
‘In the service of Christ’ for 125 years. Jackie Macadam looks at the first 125 years of the Church of Scotland Guild, and General Secretary Iain Whyte looks forward to the next 125. Plus The Big Question: What does the Guild mean to you? To the Manse Born The Very Rev Dr James Simpson looks at some of the distinguished contributions made by manse children to church and public life. Capturing God’s Creation Jackie Macadam meets artist Hamish Montgomery and finds the influence of faith alive in his work.
Stepping Out in Faith The Rev Fiona Mathieson appeals to readers to project a more positive image of the Church. Ministry of Flowers In the introduction to a new series focussing on the Christian themes of flowers and plants, Muriel Armstrong emphasises the importance of flowers in Church. View from the Pew Jean Langlands considers the issues of hymns and musical keys. A Chance to be Children Jackie Macadam describes the work of the award-‐winning charity CHICKS. Beyond the ‘Big C’ A doctor whose illness and faith provided artistic inspiration. Moses – Liberty, Law and Grace The Very Rev Gilleasbuig Macmillan highlights the additional gifts of Moses. Plus all the regular columnists, letters, reviews and crosswords – all for just £1.80 Did you know an audio version of Life and Work is available, free, for people registered blind and partially sighted? Contact Andrew Murray at the Dumfries Tape Service, 122-‐124 Irish Street, Dumfries DG1 2AW, call 01387 273657.
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Shoebox Appeal 2011 Thank you to everyone involved in making the appeal the success it was this year. 219 Shoeboxes were collected by Marshall Green the area co-‐ordinator and his team of volunteers a few days after the shoebox sorting Sunday. Our boxes are bound for the Ukraine to be there in time for Christmas morning. The children, young adults, women a nd men will be deeply humbled and happily affected by the arrival of the Annual Shoebox. Beyond seeing the practical contents within the box, the message of hope and unconditional love of a stranger thinking of them so many hundreds of miles away from them is valued very highly. The statistics showed women and children had the highest number of boxes made up so if you are looking for a different category to do next year why not care for the teenage boys and men and do a box for them as a change! Special thanks must go to the Shoebox Wrapping Teams from both congregations who expertly over several months wrapped the boxes ready for selling and raised the amazing total of £100 which has been added into the total monetary donations of £510 which has been forwarded to the charity to help towards the travel costs of sending the boxes. Grateful thanks must also be expressed to Mr and Mrs Stirling for collecting and storing countless empty shoeboxes for several months over the past year. Diane Stirling has also been a great source of strength and support as the Lawton Clan took up the reins again of co-‐ordinating the project. Her help along with that of her father was much appreciated when setting up the hall for the sorting Sunday (even if Aonghas had to share his newly acquired poke of chips with Mr Stirling!!). Diane and Kathryn efficiently ran the cafe, whilst Eleanor became the statistician for the day with Aonghas and Rachel Hull doing most of the running back and forward to carry the boxes from checking to departure area. Advertising the Sorting Sunday in the local press saw people drop by from Auchengray and Longridge who had done the project years ago in their own area but had no contact nowadays. They encouragingly said they hope to return next year and help for longer. The workers were fewer this year at the sorting session due holidays and ill health amongst
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stalwart regular helpers who were disappointed to be missing the atmosphere and fun of the day. So another Appeal comes to an end and we must praise the Lord for his goodness and mercy throughout and to all who took part in the project in any small or large way. As we sign off for now....... may the season of advent be peaceful, joyful and most of all filled with the message of rejoicing in our Saviour's birth.
Every Blessing from Rhoda & the Lawton Clan. PS. Remember and bring any left over rolls of Christmas paper you have or if you see rolls of festive paper in the January sales at knock down prices please consider buying some and donating them towards next years wrapping service. Please give them to Rhoda or Diane during the month of January. Thank you in anticipation.
Thank You: Digital Projector Thanks to generous donations from the congregation, a digital projector has been purchased for use within the West Kirk. This brings to the congregation a facility, which allows us the opportunity to add the use of modern means of communication in the wider worship, fellowship and service of the Church. A very big ‘thank you’ to all who made this possible.
Liz Dyer
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Christmas Wordsearch
Scout Post is Back! The Scout Post will once again deliver cards in Polbeth and West Calder at a cost of 20p per card.
Boxes for drop off of cards will be in the West Kirk Hall, Polbeth Harwood Church, The Library, West Calder or may be handed into Library House, Harburn Road, West Calder by the Sunday 18 December. Deliveries will commence on Monday 19 December.
Jean Walkinshaw Group Scout Leader
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Contributions for the next edition … Contributions for the next edition of The Link Magazine can be submitted at any time by email. The next edition will be published in early Spring. Your contributions are always welcome.
Paws… for thought
"Ye who now will bless the poor" Following the latest round of public spending cuts there is growing concern amongst numerous charities that those who are likely to be most affected will be those who can least afford it. The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken of people trapped in a “spiral of despair” and leading economists cast doubt on some of the proposals, while students demonstrate in huge numbers and even some of the government’s friends, like the Mayor of London, wonder where it will all end. In contrast to this gloomy picture the supermarkets, and even the airlines, announce record and growing profits and people seem to be spending as much as ever in the run up to Christmas. Within minutes of going on sale tickets for the recent Take That Tour were selling on eBay at vastly inflated prices. No shortage of cash there it seems. Quite how it will all work out is anybody’s guess! In his famous story “A Christmas Carol”, published over 150 years ago, Charles Dickens vividly highlighted the great gulf that existed then between rich and poor, in a pre-‐benefit culture. The central character, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, came to his senses just in time for Christmas. We’ve come a long way since then but the Bible stories have that same theme: Mary rejoiced that God had “filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent empty away.” Poor shepherds were the first to worship the new baby. Almost the first words we hear from the adult Jesus are: “I have come to bring good news to the poor”. The last line of the Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas” has an urgent relevance today. “Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing”. www.thetfordteamministry.org.uk