THE MAGAZINE OF BOTHWELL PARISH CHURCH ‘SCOTLAND’S OLDEST COLLEGIATE CHURCH’

Registered Scottish Charity No: SC0 9819

Minister: The Revd. J. M. Gibson, TD. The Manse of Bothwell, 4 Manse Avenue, Bothwell, G71 8PQ Tel: 01698 853189. Email: jamesmgibson@msn.com Church Office Tel: 01698 854903 ( Tuesday, Thursday & Friday mornings) Email: bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com h Church Centre: 854987 Chapterhouse Café: 858566

Autumn 2008 Sept / October

I N T H I S I S S U E

Minister’s Letter Page 1. Minister’s Letter cont. 2. Statement of Purpose 2. Church Register 3. Flower Rota Thanks 3. Harvest Sunday Photos 3. The Station Dental Surgery 4. Golden Anniversary Thanks 4. Guild Update & Dates 4. Welcome 4. Red Sea / Noah’s Ark Update 5. BB Update 5. Beyond Compromise 6. Allovus Dates 6. A Short History of Bothwell 7. Remembrance & Poem 8. Scottish Reformation Anniversary 9. Advent & Christmas 10. Advent & Christmas Services 10. Living the Questions 11. Church Membership Group 11. Rota Page 12.

Winter 2010 / 2011

FROM THE MINISTER ….

1

“We are all in this together!”

…. so said David Cameron and George

Osborne at the time of the recent

Election. They were referring of course

to the ongoing financial crisis our

country is facing. Since then, the

Coalition Government has promised

that a comprehensive spending

review would have to take place as to

how Government spends its money.

Five months on, the Chancellor is now

due to announce the results of that

review. According to the pundits, Mr

Osborne will seek to introduce

measures making £83billion savings in

state spending over the next five years.

However the Government may try to

implement such massive cuts in

expenditure, one things is certain: it is

ordinary citizens, such as many of you

and I, who are going to feel the pain of

it. Those with vast wealth – and, yes,

there are such resident in Bothwell –

may be able to better ride the storm of

increased taxation and reduction in

benefit than those who are

middle-income earners who always

seem to get caught whatever is done

by whichever Government. Inevitably,

of course, the danger is that those on

low incomes or dependent on credits

or pensions will feel crushed. Whatever

the result of this week’s

announcement, for a great many

people lifestyles may change and

things which we simply took for

granted may disappear as collectively

and individually we tighten our

financial belts.

The need to prune in

order to grow

As with businesses and institutions of

all kinds, the national financial crisis

has had its impact on the Church of

Scotland. At the General Assembly

earlier this year, the Ministries

Council reported a £5.7million deficit

budget. This is quite unsustainable

given that the Council is responsible

for 87% of the Church of Scotland

budget. Theirs is, therefore, a crisis

for the whole Church and not just for

the Council.

Out of crisis, however, can come

both vision and opportunity. Just as

the Spending Review is the Coalition

Government’s response to the

national crisis, so the Ministries

Council brought to the Assembly

proposals to tackle the crisis

presently facing the Church. The

most urgent part of which was that

concerned with Building for

Sustainable Future Patterns of

Ministries, Finance and Presbytery

Planning. It is a vision both

theological and financial : there is a

budget to be balanced but, of even

m o r e l a s t i n g t h e o l o g i c a l

significance, there is also the need to

establish patterns of ministry for the

21st

century which sets stipendiary

ministry in its proper context. But

first the Church – like the national

Government – needs to prune in

order to grow.

What this means for the

Church of Scotland

By far the major expense incurred by

the national and local Church is that of

ministry and buildings. The cost of

maintaining church buildings has

soared: exacerbated by the fact that

we simply have too many buildings for

our needs. This is an historical

problem. When the United Free

Church of Scotland reunited with the

Church of Scotland in 1928 there was

no rationalisation of church buildings.

Each congregation within a community

simply kept their own. Hence, today we

have a severe overabundance of church

plant. Too many congregations,

dwindling in size are trying to upkeep

vast suites of buildings which require

ever increasing repair and maintenance

as the years pass. And this

congregations are attempting while

remaining financially solvent by their

fingertips or by steadily eating into

diminishing reserves. It is little wonder

then, that so many congregations can

no longer afford to pay the full costs of

ministry.

Continued Page 2...

2

Statement of Purpose

Bothwell Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland and is part of the worldwide family of people belonging to the Christian Faith, worshipping God through Jesus Christ. In response to the love of God for all, we seek to serve our community through worship, friendship, care and education; and to promote Christian values of concern for others, forgiveness, healing and justice.

Give With a Will

a legacy to the Church Did you realise that Bothwell par-ish Church is a registered Scottish Charity? Did you know that giving a LEGACY is one very important way by which you can continue to support the work of Bothwell Par-ish Church after your death? A LEGACY may be a specific sum of money, a property, share in a company or the residue of your estate. Through a LEGACY you can en-sure that funds are available for the

Worship Outreach

and Service of YOUR Church here at Bothwell.

LEGACIES are exempt from In-heritance Tax and may provide vi-tal funds for a particular project of our Church or may be invested to produce annual income for ongo-ing work. All LEGACIES are only used in accordance with the donor’s wishes. So why not speak with your Solicitor … and give with a will?

Continued from Page 1...

Indeed, the sad fact is that

a p p r o x i m a t e l y 8 0 % o f

congregations are dependent on the

financial help which comes through the

remaining 20% fully paying their

annual allocations to Central funds.

While this may be a worthy example of

‘the strong helping the weak’- as our

faith rightly encourages us to do – it is

hardly a sustainable economic

outlook. m

T h e G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y

therefore decided that urgent action

must be taken now to face the

challenges such problems present.

Presbyteries have been instructed to

consult with ministers and

representatives of all congregations

(through their officebearers) in order

that new, realistic plans may be agreed

on the future – or, otherwise – of each

congregation within the Church of

Scotland. It also decided to reduce the

number of ordained ministers to 1000

by the year 2014. This represents an

11% reduction.

What this means for

Bothwell Parish Church

Bothwell Parish Church is part of the

Presbytery of Hamilton. Over the next

four years, our Presbytery is required

to lose 9 posts for ministers. Already, a

series of discussion meetings have

begun concerning how this might be

achieved. Representatives of our

congregation are very much involved,

with the Kirk Session being kept fully

appraised. There is little doubting the

pain and disillusionment many will

experience at the end of this process

as their congregation is designated to

be linked with another, united with

another or closed. Hopefully, from our

discussions together, a new sense of

vision for the Church in our Presbytery

area may give congregations the

confidence to grasp new opportunities

for outreach – and life.

What all this will eventually mean for

us at Bothwell, no-one yet knows. We

are fortunate in being, still, a

congregation with a very strong core of

active, interested and loyal

worshippers and supporters. We have

one of the highest income levels in the

Presbytery; and, thanks to the myriad

activities of the church Centre, we are

one of the most ‘open’

congregations within any community.

But we do have some tremendous

responsibilities to bear, not least with

the upkeep and maintenance of the

prime historical church building in

Lanarkshire. To vacate such a

wonderful building, with its historical,

ecclesiastical and architectural

significance, would be inconceivable

– and no-one is suggesting that we

should. But the Quire does need

renovation and that will mean raising

considerable sums of money.

Meantime, like most congregations,

the majority of our membership have

retired or are approaching

retirement age.

In case this all this ‘reality’ is

beginning to depress, let me assure

you that, within our Kirk Session and

congregation, all is being done to

face the challenges with which we

are presented, strengthen the life

and witness of our congregation and

‘be’ the Church of Jesus Christ within

our community in our day. But there

is absolutely no scope for

complacency.

In the end, what the future will hold

for the Church of Scotland

community at Bothwell will very

much depend upon the reaction of

each and every one of our members.

There is a place for everyone within

our church. It is up to everyone to

decide whether or not they want it.

We will keep you all informed about

the progress of our meetings at

Presbytery. Meanwhile, why not give

some thought to what I have written;

and, please, remember your church,

your minister and your fellow

congregational members in your

prayers.

Jim Gibson

Minister

3

Baptisms: “By water and the Holy Spirit” 27th August Markus Morberg Madsen, son of Michael and Lina Madsen, 63 Wick Avenue, Airdrie

29th August Ellie Moore, daughter of Roahry and Kelly Moore, 45 Dunsmere Drive, Hamilton

Marriages: “Whom God has joined” September 3rd Johanne McIntosh and David Raeside, 111 Lilac Wynd, Cambuslang September 25th Suzanne Carroll and Paul Smith, 3 Rosemount, Westerwood, Cumbernauld October 1st Grace Banks and Daniel Foster, 44 Craigievar Avenue, Glasgow October 8th Roslyn O’Shea and Scott Wilson, 9 Leacroft Gate, Uddingston Funerals: “confident of Life Everlasting”

The Minister invites the prayers of the congregation for the family and friends of the following who recently received Christian funeral: July Mrs Jenny McLelland, Lornebank Nursing Home August Mrs Rebecca McKechnie, c/o Bellevue Home, Ayr September Mrs Jean Haggart, 28 Elmwood Court October Mrs Jean McPherson, Flat 3, Fairfield Lodge Mr Roy Williamson, 5 Blantyre Mill Road Mr John Russell, 26 Old Bothwell Road

Harvest Sunday—3rd October 2010

Thank YouThank YouThank YouThank You

The ladies of the Flower Committee would like

to thank all those people who are on our Flower

rota ensuring that the Church is enhanced by

the addition of flowers every Sunday

throughout the year. After the Sunday service,

these flowers are distributed to persons in our

congregation who are elderly, ill, hospitalised or

bereaved etc, and these are always much appre-

ciated by those who receive them.

Vacancies do occur on the rota, and if there is

anyone who would like to put flowers in the

Church, please contact Jean Hamilton. You do

not have to put them in yourself – we can do

that for you, and there are a number of

occasions throughout the year when extra

monies for flowers would be very welcome, ie

Christmas, Easter, Harvest, etc.

Thank you once again for your valued support.

Jean Hamilton Ellen Buttery Maureen Watt

Sally Rutherford-Young

Church Web Site

www.bothwellparishchurch.org.uk

SAVE STAMPS

PLEASE

4

1911—2011 Bothwell Parish Church Guild’s Centenary Year

* * * Special Request for Memorabilia * * *

The Committee and members of the Guild are looking for help from Bothwell

Res iden ts i n t rac i ng o ld Gu i l d Memorab i l i a such as

photographs, brochures, press-cuttings, pamphlets, tickets and in fact anything

w h i c h w o u l d h e l p i n t r a c i n g t h e G u i l d a n d i t s

members down through the years. Please note that all articles will be returned.

With our thanks.

Th_ St[tion D_nt[l

Surg_ry

Home visits are now available for elderly and disabled patients. Do you know anyone who is unable to manage the stairs to the practice or is unable to leave their home for treatment? For those who are housebound or have problems with mobility, dental care is often neglected. Regular oral health checks are very important, even for patients who have none of their own teeth. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in a dental visit at home - please call 01698 813887.

Golden Wedding Anniversary

Thanks

Bob and Louise McLean thank our friends in the

congregation for the lovely cards, presents and

the delicious cake given to us on our Golden

Wedding celebrations.

GUILD DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

November

1st Stage Struck

15th Guest Night—Singing Policewoman: Inspector Eleanor Kelly

20th Guild Week Bric-a-Brac

29th Malawi—Mr Jim Anderson

December

6th Christmas Outing

January 2011

10th Minister’s Get Together

24th Project ‘Linus UK’ — Mrs Elspeth Russell

We welcome Mr Jonathan Fleming, a final year student at Glasgow

University, who will be our assistant Minister until June 2011.

Jonathan is studying for the BD(Min) in Theology & Religious Studies

having already graduated with an MA(Hons) degree in French

Language & Literature. He is married to Karyn and has a two year

old daughter called Rachel.

5

This photo shows the South

African children who live at

the House of Restoration

sending greetings to the

children of Bothwell Parish

Church.

The Red Sea Club have decided to fund raise for these kids by having a "Meringue

Sunday" on November 7th. After the service everyone in the congregation is invited by the children to come over to the

Church Centre and purchase a delicious, sweet, homemade, fresh cream meringue costing £1. All proceeds from this event

will go to the kids pictured above. Put this date in your diary—It will be a treat !!

Thanks to Alastair and Hazel Scott we now have a Holiday Club where the children meet when the usual Sunday Clubs are

having a break. The Holiday Club met during the summer, September holiday weekend and again during the school October

break when some of the children enjoyed different activities with Hazel and Alastair. Watch the noticeboard for news of

future dates.

Red Sea / Noah’s Ark Club Update

Our kids learnt about these

children who have no family and

are being cared for, given a

home and opportunity to attend

school from our friend Monica.

Company Section work for this year started in May when we attended our first weekend Camp for a number of years. We were away to the Urban Saints centre at Tweedsmuir for 3 nights and had a great time. There was a Barbeque on the Friday, a small 9.5 Mile walk on the Saturday followed by quiz and a movie (and unsurprisingly an early night), various games including a Nature Trail on the Sunday, before a short stop in New Lanark on the way home. If all that exercise was not enough the following weekend 3 of our seniors completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition – 25 miles over some big hills just above Calendar. We had a month off and then in Mid August we all got back together and went for another wee walk round Barons Haugh. Since then we have started back on Friday nights with a new programme structure and a new Officer in Charge of the Section. Competitions have just started and we have two parades coming up – all in all a busy time. We also have a few up coming events. First up is our Coffee Morning on the 23rd October. Following this we will be attending the annual Remembrance Service on 14th November, and as a special offering we will be running a soup kitchen in the hall after the Service at the Cenotaph – and we would be delighted if you were able to join us for this. We have a busy year ahead of us which we are all looking forward to immensely. Finally on a personal note – I was delighted to be invited to be the Course Leader for this years King George VI Officer Cadet Training course at Carronvale. This course is for Young Leaders who want to become BB Officers but unlike the normal training it involves two 1 week training blocks, 1 this year, followed by a year working in their Company and then another week at Carronvale next year. 3 of our Current staff have graduated from this course with 3 of us having been on the staff at various times and it is the flagship course the BB offer. Although none of our lads were there this there were 35 Young People from Companies as far apart as Stornoway and Sanquhar, and every single one was a complete credit to themselves and their Companies. Young People get a very bad press sometimes but on the evidence that I saw at Carronvale this year this is unjustified, The BB and other such organisations need to harness the enthusiasm of their young leaders – and take it from me our future is in very good hands. I am really looking forward to meeting up with the Cadets and Staff again next year.

Robin McLean

Captain 1st Bothwell Company, The Boys' Brigade

The BB Session is now in full swing and all three sections are showing an increase in numbers. The Anchor Boys have 26 on the roll and we have already started to earn points towards Badges. The Boys really seem to be enjoying themselves taking full part in the games and other activities. We have also reintroduced the clos-ing prayer which all the boys have now learned and enjoy joining in. We have already joined some of our friends from the Battalion at the Anchor Boys Games held at Holy Cross High School at the start of October. The Anchor Boys will be attending Remembrance Sunday and also will be having Halloween and Christmas Parties. The Junior Section have 18 on the roll. They have already started working on their Badges and we have also intro-duced some new activities – simple gymnastics being a particular stand out. Battalion events have already started with the Cross Country and we have the table games to look forward too in November and then the PT in December.

ALLOVUS (for the senior in years but young at heart!) meets within Church Centre 11.00am till 1.30pm - 1st & 3rd Thursdays each month.

6

Following a recent sermon preached by the Minister

BEYOND COMPROMISE

a member of our congregation reflects on her experience of the pain of marriage breakdown, and of moving forward in the family of the Church.

Divorce is an ugly word. Divorce is an ugly situation. It comes after the giving up of hope; the admission that hopes and

dreams will not be fulfilled. To live with hopelessness is dreadful.

Divorce is hard. It is the dismantling of the structure of your life. It is having a feeling of nothingness in its place for a

while. It is the brave building up of a new structure at an unusual time in life, a time when there are wounds and fear.

There will always be reminders of divorce. One of the sadnesses for me is that my children will not be able to bring an

grandchildren to visit grandparents who are "together". You feel the huge sadness for your children that divorce has

happened; it affect everything in your life.

Yet I believe God wants our growth and fulfilment. God does not want our unhappiness, or fur us to be stuck in loveless

situations. Some probably do enter marriage and divorce without reasonable thought. However, many people who are

totally committed to their marriage can find themselves facing divorce. It is a very painful and bitter struggle to find the

best way forward.

In any relationship there has to be an element of compromise. When there is abusive

behaviour the situation is beyond compromise. Goodness needs to be supported; divorce

is a valuable option for those in an abusive relationship. A happy relationship is good for

those in it; an abusive relationship is bad for them. Children tend to go on to copy what

they have seen in their parent's relationship. It is important therefore that they learn

that an abusive situation is wrong, and they can have a different loving family situation,

albeit in a new shape or form.

Divorce is easier now, and this is a good thing. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity of a different kind of life

following an abusive relationship. This will have been denied by many people in my situation in the past.

As with other times in life, you have to try and keep going. Sometimes that's all it can be; at other times you actually

make progress. you pick yourself up, dust yourself down and keep going. The "picking yourself up" bit can be the most

difficult. Bad times in life can be times of growth and learning. You can see more clearly what is important, and have a

better perspective on things.

The Church has a responsibility to encourage people towards spiritual growth. We need

to be aware of those in situations where their growth is

being stunted. We must give them our acceptance and support as they find ways

forward.

Each one matters to God. I was very fortunate to be supported by many Church people

in different ways, and this has made a tremendous difference. I hope the Church will

continue to reflect God's love and care in the "big picture" of life.

"Marriage is honourable; let us all keep it so, and

the marriage bond inviolate".

"If your right eye is your undoing, tear it out and

fling it away; it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for the whole of it to be thrown

into hell".

November: December: 4th. Film Day 2nd. Skittles 18th. Darts Comp & Raffle 16th. Christmas Luncheon

HOLY COMMUNION

SUNDAY 7th NOVEMBER at 10.30am

and 12.30pm (around Crossing Table)

7

@ Short History of

Bothw_ll

A second instalment of the notes prepared by the late Rev. S. J. Hamilton, B.A., on the history of the parish.

II THE CELTIC OR COLUMBAN PERIOD

"The Church in Strathclyde suffered greatly in the fifth and sixth centuries through the pressure of heathen Scots, Picts and Teutons, but definite strengthening and encouragement must have come to it as a result of the visit which St. Columba paid to its bishop towards the end of the sixth century. Though operating from distant Iona and casting the net of his missionary efforts mainly to the north and north-east. St.Columba with quick perception saw the importance of the Church in Strathclyde for the evangelisation of the whole country; hence his visit to the southern kingdom. It was not a mere courtesy call, as some make out. He did not undertake that long journey, accompanied by a number of his friends, merely for the purpose of greeting Glasgow's saint. He had a more serious purpose in view. His visit was in connexion with the revival and extension of the Church in Strathclyde - the work in which St.Kentigern (St.Mungo) was engaged. The two saints spent several days together, doubtless in conference on the subject. It was of great importance for the work of St.Columba that the ancient Church of Strathclyde should be strengthened, and part of the arrangement made probably was that he should leave some of his disciples to help in this part of the country. The leader of this band of missionaries from Iona was doubtless St.Columba's trusted friend Baithene (Bothan), who may have made Bothwell his own special care and who therefore would give his name to the church of the district and afterwards to the district itself (Bothwell = Bothan's wife = St.Bothan's town). The church of Bothan would be small, not more than 16 feet by 12, and would be built of wattle and turf. Around it clustered the huts in which the monks lived, the whole being surrounded by a mound for protection.

This church would be the church of the tribe inhabiting the north bank of the river Clyde, and the chieftan's stronghold was in all probability on the almost island position which is now the site of the manse and other residences. Towards the end of the Celtic period the Church in Scotland had lost much of its spiritual vitality and missionary zeal. A great weakness of the Celtic Church was its incapacity to organise. It never was an institutional church, and hence was unable to conserve what it had won. A change was manifestly needed, and before the eleventh century ended a momentous change took place - under the influence of the Norman Conquest in general and Queen Margaret in particular".

Pick a Hymn Pick a Hymn Pick a Hymn Pick a Hymn

One Sunday a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people

to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be

able to pick out three hymns.

After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a

$1,000 bill in the offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and

said he'd like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.

Rosie, all the way in the back, shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she

made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving

asked her to pick out three hymns.

Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the

building and said, "I'll take him and him and him !”.

This year is the 70th anniversary of the Bat t le o f Br i ta in—when the horrors of the Luftwaffe bombs were heavy over British skies. On this Remembrance Day we can only imagine the terror of living in Coventry, in Liverpool, in London during these months 70 years ago. It must have seemed like the beginning o f t h e e n d o f t h e wo r l d . It is a good time to stop and thank God that in the end, evil did not prevail. Hitler did not win the battle to dominate Europe. His expected ‘rule of a 1000 years’ lasted a mere 12 years (1933 to 1945). And we can thank G o d f o r t h e c o u r a g e a n d endurance of our fathers and grandfathers, our mothers and grandmothers, in the midst of such towering darkness and destruction. 70 years on, the world is still at war. Man’s greed and arrogance and desire for domination have not gone away. There are still battles to be fought for our land, major problems to be solved. Economic uncertainty, terrorism, climate warning…. the threats are different, but our need for courage, endurance and perseverance is the same. It is a good time to pray for our nation and ourselves, to turn to God in repentance and in faith, to ‘walk more nearly’ and ‘follow him more clearly’. It is a good time to be ready to serve our God and serve our neighbour in whatever way lies open before us.

A Prayer for Remembrance m

O Gallant Youth

Through long dark years our young heroes have fought

and died,

In Freedom’s name our country’s foes defied;

Now in Remembrance they are glorified,

O Gallant Youth, we owe so much to you.

Though they were young, when came their country’s call,

Ready they were to stand up strong and tall.

They did not flinch when asked to give their all,

O Gallant Youth, we give our thanks to you.

Rows of graves, with headstones white

Tributes to our gallant men,

From Sun’s rise till it sets from sight

We’ll always remember them.

Though they know well how high the price before -

Legions of men and women lost in war -

Our young today are standing firm and sure!

O Gallant Youth, we are so proud of you!

Desert sands, through wind or flame

Far flung seas, or skies of blue

Where you go in Freedom’s name

We’ll always think of you.

Go, in our name, to duty or to fight,

Go, with our hopes into the darkest night;

The hand og God will lead into the light.

O Gallant Youth, we send our prayers with you!

Follow your fellow men from ages past

Stand side by side with them, sincere, steadfast;

Fight for the right until you come at last

Home, Gallant Youth, to those that wait for you.

By Nigel Beeton

8

RemembranceRemembranceRemembranceRemembrance 70 Years On70 Years On70 Years On70 Years On

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

November 14th at

10.45am m

Followed by an ACT OF REMEMBRANCE

at War Memorial on Main Street

9

450th Anniversary Service 450th Anniversary Service 450th Anniversary Service 450th Anniversary Service of the Scottish Reformationof the Scottish Reformationof the Scottish Reformationof the Scottish Reformation

On Sunday 21 November a special service to mark the above will be held in Bothwell Parish Church at 2.30pm. The service is being held by the Presbytery of Hamilton and is open to the congregation and public who may wish to attend. The following article may help readers understand what the Reformation was about.

"If you think properly of the Gospel, please don't imagine that its cause can be advanced without tumult, offence and sedition... The word of God is a sword, it's war, ruin, offence, perdition and poison. If I am immoderate, at least I am simple and open." Martin Luther on Protestantism (1520). The 16th century was the age of the European Reformation: a religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics which divided Western Europe for over 150 years, and continues to do so until this day in certain areas. It started with a protest in 1517, when Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk, nailed his 95 Theses to a church door in Wittenberg. What started as the spiritual doubts of one monk, spiralled into a religious movement known as Protestantism - named after Luther's "protest". What was Protestantism? Luther, a gifted Renaissance scholar, returned to the primacy of the scriptures: to the actual text of the Bible, and then rejected all the Church's practices that were not written therein. He interpreted the Bible as the literal word of God. Specifically, Luther rejected the authority of the Pope, an action that usually led to a charge of heresy and being burnt at the stake. However, he was given time to reconsider his heretical views, which Luther did, before deciding that he had to stay faithful to his conscience. Fortunately for Luther, various German princes ensured his survival and funded the propagation of his theories through the printing press. Soon Lu th e ran t ex t s were sp read ac ro ss Eu rop e , fanning the flames of religious conflict and inciting rebellion throughout Christendom. Scotland Reformed? Religion was important to Scots in the 16th century. Socially, the Church was crucial to everyday life. It was responsible for education, health, welfare and discipline. It was also very important on an individual level. The Church was the vehicle for expressing inner spirituality and changes to its forms of w o r s h i p c o u l d e n d a n g e r y o u r c h a n c e s o f salvation. In other words, your future in either Heaven or Hell was at stake. The Reformation split the Church into Catholic and P ro t es t an t f a c t i o n s , c r e a t i n g t wo ro ad s t o salvation - both of which claimed to be true. So it was very impor-tant to people that the Scottish state chose to travel down the right road. When Lutheran books in Latin started to appear in Scotland, t h e r a d i c a l m e s s a g e w h i c h t h e y carried quickly made a strong impression on many Scots, and, a l though King James V t r ied to ban thei r distribution, print always had the knack of avoiding the censor when necessary. In the early 16th century, Scotland was a piously Catholic nation. Devotion flourished, and an increasingly educated populace sought more personal forms of spiritual experience. Rome and its doctrines, it seemed, were not always up-to-date with the needs of a nation heading at high speed for the modern world. Reform was in the air, but only a tiny minority at this stage favoured Protestantism and a complete break with Rome.

John Knox Before his capture, Knox had been trained as a Catholic priest and had worked as a tutor in East Lothian. He spent 19 months at the oars of a French galley, even finding time to edit a Protestant Confession of Faith before he was released. Knox then began his life as an exile: first as a minister in England, and then, after England reverted to a Catholic monarchy, in Frankfurt and Geneva to preach to exiled English congregations. For most of the 1550s Knox stayed in exile, however, what made John Knox unusual was that he returned home once the Reformation crisis broke in 1559. The Scottish Reformation 1559—1560 Within a year, events changed everything. The accession of the Protestant Elizabeth I to the throne of England gave the reformers renewed confidence. Only about 10% of the population, mostly lairds and townsfolk, were Protestant, but their numbers included some very important nobles: the Duke of Châtelherault (head of the Hamiltons), and the Earls of Argyll, Glencairn and Morton, to name a few. Known co l lect i ve ly as the "Lords o f the Congregation", they were led by James Stewart, the illegitimate half brother of Mary, Queen of Scots. The Lords were the real power behind Protestantism and in May 1559 they unleashed it that power. Knox was roused from exile and returned to Scotland, preaching a sermon against idolatry in Perth which unleashed a seething Protestant mob. Iconoclasm (the destruction of religious images) swept the nation. In St Andrews the army of the Lords of the Congregation stripped the altars, smashed the icons, destroyed the relics and whitewashed the walls of its churches over night. People would no longer be distracted from God's glory by the glitter and rich hangings of the Catholic Church. For the men who "cleansed the altars" this was direct action against the iconography of Catholicism. Its abbeys and great cathedrals, irrelevant to the new godly society they envisioned, were left to decay. A great deal of Scotland's Renaissance artistic legacy was lost forever. The message, however, didn't inspire widespread support across Scotland. Mary of Guise successfully portrayed the group as rebels. The Lords of Congregation answered with the printing press, justifying their rebellion as an attempt to free Scotland from French domination rather than a religious revolution. Luck didn't desert them either. Their greatest foe, Mary of Guise, died in June 1560 and the English sent support to counter her French troops. By 1560 the majority of the nobility supported the rebellion; a provisional government was established, the Scottish Parliament renounced the Pope's authority, and the mass was declared illegal. Scotland had officially become a Protestant country.

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WORSHIP FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS

November 28th at 10.30am — WORSHIP FOR ADVENT SUNDAY

December 12th at 10.30am — CHILDREN’S GIFT SERVICE AND NATIVITY

December 24th at 11.15pm — CAROLS AND WORSHIP FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

December 25th at 10am — SHORT FAMILY COMMUNION ON CHRISTMAS MORNING

December 26th at 10.30am — WORSHIP ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS

January 2nd at 10.30am — WORSHIP FOR SECOND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS January 9th at 10.30am — WORSHIP FOR EPIPHANY SUNDAY

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As November closes, Advent begins. The exact birth-date of Jesus is not known, but during the 5th century the date of 25 December was chosen to become the Feast of the Nativity, or Christmas. By the sixth century, the Christian Church was in the habit of spending several weeks leading up to Christmas in prayerful, expectant preparation. The fourth Sunday before Christmas Day became Advent Sunday. ‘Advent’, of course, means ‘coming’, or ‘coming in’, and traditionally special candles have been lit, and more recently, advent calendars used, as the Church prepares itself for the coming of the Holy Child, the long-awaited Messiah. The apostle Andrew is patron Saint of Scotland. According to the gospel of Matthew, Andrew and his brother Simon Peter were the very first two disciples whom Jesus called. “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:18,19). Without more ado, they obeyed. “At once they left their nets and followed him”. The story is touching for the simple but total faith which they had in Jesus. Whenever the gospels mention the disciples, Andrew’s name is always in the first four. Rather than a boisterous leader of men (like Peter), he seems to have been an approachable person who wanted to help people. It was Andrew

who helped introduce a group of Greeks to Jesus (john 12:20-2) and Andrew who offered Jesus the five small barley loaves and two small f i s h e s w h e n Jesus challenged them to feed the five thousand (John 6:8). His faith in Jesus over small things was richly rewarded, and this faithful, kindly Galilean fisherman turned disciple went on to become one of the 12 apostles of the Christian Church. Andrew never settled back in Caperneum by Galilee. Instead, his ‘fishing for men’ seems to have taken him far. One ancient tradition links him with Greece, where both Scythia and Epirus claimed him as their apostle. Another place in Greece, Patras in Achaia, claimed to be the place where Andrew was eventually martyred. Like Jesus, he was crucified, but the story goes that during the two days it took him to die, he preached earnestly to the people about Jesus. Andrew was was not afraid of death on a

cross, he had seen it before, and knew one thing for certain: because of Jesus, there was nothing but eternal life ahead of him. In the West, Andrew’s feast-day was universal from the 6th century, and hundreds of churches were named after him in Italy, France and England. But how did he end up as patron saint of Scotland? Well, according to one ancient legend, his relics were taken from Patras to Scotland in the 8th century, and ended up in Fife, where a church dedicated to him was built and became a centre for evangelization and later pilgrimage. As Andrew was the only apostle to make it as far as Scotland, he was chosen as the patron saint. But Andrew did not stay in Scotland. After the fall of Constantinople in 1204, it is said that the Crusaders took his relics to Amalfi. From there the despot Thomas Palaeologus sent his head to the pop in Rome in 1461—where it became one of the most treasured possessions of St Peters—until it was sent to the church in Constantinople by Paul VI. In art Andrew is depicted with a normal Latin cross in the most ancient examples. The saltire cross ‘X’ commonly called St Andrew’s cross, and which represents Scotland on the Union Jack, was associated with him from the 10th century.

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Starting in the Spring of 2011— a chance to join

“Living the Questions”

a new programme of learning for anyone who wishes to explore faith in a stimulating and open way.

Living the Questions is a study for the countless people of faith who have suffered in silence as the voices of fear and certitude claim to profess the unchanging truth of Christianity. Its purpose is to provide a resource for the discussion o f what I a lready believed by many faithful people still holding on within institutional

re l ig ion, whi le harbour ing a conviction that what the church teaches isn’t the whole story. It is an open-minded alternative to courses that attempt to give people all the answers and instead it strives to create a safe environment where people have permission to ask all the questions they have always wanted to ask but have been

afraid to voice for fear of being thought a heretic. It is intended not only for church members, but also for those who have left the Church because of its refusal to take their questions seriously.

How does it work?

Living the Questions (LtQ) is a DVD-based programme exploring themes of Christian faith. We will be looking at the first unit of 7 sessions “Invitation to Journey” . Each section lasts about 20 minutes, featuring many prominent teachers and theologians and supplemented by participant guides with weekly reading and discussion questions (go to YouTube and type in “living with questions” for a useful taster!) Our meetings will be quite informal, built around discussion and sharing our responses to what we have watched. The Minister will lead each session.

What does it involve?

♦ Meeting weekly in May / June 2011—dates to be con-firmed. All meetings within Church Centre.

♦ Each evening will begin at 7.30pm and will end by 9.30pm at the latest.

♦ For this first programme there will be space for 16 people, on a first-come basis—it is hoped to repeat the programme at a future date and so provide further opportunity to take part.

♦ Those wishing to take part are asked to commit to the whole series (inevitably there will be unavoidable absence, but the intention should be to attend all 7 meetings).

♦ The programme is expensive to purchase. There will be a charge of £10 per person for the whole course.

If you are interested…. Please give your name and contact details, as soon as possi-ble, to the Minister (Office 854903 / Manse 853189 or email bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com).

Disclaimer: The producers of LtQ say this programme is NOT for: ♦ those who personal faith requires them to believe that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible word of God. ♦ those who believe that the doctrines of the church are sacrosanct and never to be questioned. ♦ those who believe the reason the mainline churches have been losing members is because they haven’t been teaching

‘orthodox’ Christianity or preaching the true Gospel.

Living the Questions does not try to provide easy answers, but to be a resource for people who are in the midst of a life-long conversation about the mysteries of religious faith and life.

Church Membership GroupChurch Membership GroupChurch Membership GroupChurch Membership Group

The Minister is willing to meet with those seeking to join the membership of the Christian Church here at Bothwell. Those wishing to participate in such a group should please inform the Church Secretary or the Minister as soon as possible (see front cover for telephone numbers). It is hoped the group will meet for the first time after Worship on Sunday February 20th 2011Sunday February 20th 2011Sunday February 20th 2011Sunday February 20th 2011. All are invited to attend without obligation.

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Church Flower Calendar

Chancel War Memorial NOVEMBER: 7th (Communion) Mrs H Bryce Mrs A Freeland 14th(Remembrance) Mrs J Lee Mrs E Somerville 21st Mrs M Miodek Mrs D Gibson 28th Mrs D Abercromby Mr J Thomson DECEMBER: 5th Mrs J Hamilton Mrs V Crate 12th Mrs M Greenshield Mrs U McLundie 19th Mrs P McAulay Miss M Jack 26th Mrs A Hamilton Mrs J Hamilton JANUARY 2011: 2nd Mrs M Mitchell Mrs J Henry 9th Mrs N Robertson Mrs A McMillan 16th Mrs A Sharp Mrs N McLenachan 23rd Mrs J McDougall Mrs A McQueen 30th Mrs E Terrace Mrs E Smith

SUNDAY WELCOME / DUTY ROTA Officebearers unable to be present on allocated Sundays should arrange cover.

Elders on duty are expected to arrive at Church before 10.00am.

NOVEMBER 7th Communion Arrangements 14h A Watt G Whitton E Buttery J Carson 21st M Clark S Cook D Craig J Crichton 28th J Cumming J Dalziel E Dempsey Dr Fairlie DECEMBER 5th B Gillespie J Gilmour T Goodsir S Greenshields 12th K Hamilton L Horn I Henderson J Henry 19th J Hart M Hutchison M Jack D Lee 26th G Moore S Mowat H Marsh J Marsh JANUARY 2011 2nd L McLean C McMurdo C McQueen Dr ritch 9th R Robertson B Sharp J Shaw K Simpson 16th E Terrace E Somerville B Somerville Dr Thomson 23rd A Watt G Whitton E Buttery J Carson 30th M Clark S Cook D Craig J Crichton

SUNDAY COFEE ROTA

As usual, volunteers are asked to please swap any inconvenient dates with each other. New volunteers are most welcome to join the list and should please contact

Sara Crichton - 854421.

NOVEMBER: 7th Mrs J Hamilton DECEMBER: 5th Mrs M Cumming JANUARY: 2nd SOCIALISERS 14th Mrs M Cumming 12th Mrs E Buttery 9th Mrs E Dempsey 21st Mrs N Carson 19th Mrs H Gilmour 16th Mrs C Cahill 28th Mrs A Thomson 26th HOLIDAY 23rd Mrs J Craig 30th Mrs S Crichton

.

NOVEMBER

7th Eleanor Barr Elaine Gibson 14th Suzanne Smith Shirley Frew 21st Eleanor Terrace Nan Carson 28th Janet McDougall Jaynie Craig DECEMBER 5th Pat Maxwell Gillian Ormiston 12th Elspeth Hamilton Elizabeth French 19th Eleanor Barr Elaine Gibson 26th NO CRECHE JANUARY 2011 2nd NO CRECHE 9th Suzanne Smith Shirley Frew 16th Eleanor Terrace Nan Carson 23rd Janet McDougall Jaynie Craig 30th Pat Maxwell Gillian Ormiston

Sunday Crèche