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The Link September 2015 Issue 77 The magazine for the linked congregations and communities of the West Kirk of Calder and Polbeth Harwood. www.west-kirk-polbeth-harwood.co.uk
The Link
September 2015 Issue 77
The magazine for the linked congregations and
communities of the
West Kirk of Calder and Polbeth Harwood.
www.west-kirk-polbeth-harwood.co.uk
Minister
Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald
8 Manse Court
East Calder EH53 0HF
Phone: 01506 884802 Mobile: 07846 539841
Email: [email protected]
West Kirk
Session Clerk
Stewart MacRae
23 Westmuir Road
West Calder
EH55 8EX
01506 872486
Treasurer
Karen Elliot
01506 418049
Safeguarding Co-ordinator
Kathy Black
01506 871802
West Kirk of Calder(Church of Scotland)
Charity SC004703 Congregation 020161
Copyright Licence No. 218743
Polbeth Harwood
Session Clerk
Marian Kinsman
12 Langside Crescent
Polbeth
EH55 8UW
01506 871125
Treasurer
Sandra McCabe
01506 872593
Safeguarding Co-ordinator
Eleanor Davidson
01506 873590
Polbeth Parish Church of Scotland
Charity SC17373
Congregation 020156
Newsletter Editor
8 Manse Court
East Calder
EH53 0HF
Sept 2015
Dear Congregations
We’ve had an amazing summer – a trip to the USA where
we met up with good friends, spent time with Mickey and
Minnie Mouse, and then of course the fabulous holiday
club at Polbeth Harwood Church…
But the summer holiday is over now (not that it ever
really was summer this year!!), and although it was
special to do lots of exciting things with the boys, it’s also
nice to be back into a routine again.
With the start of the new school year, also comes the
time for a new start here at church. And I am so excited
about everything we are going to do before next summer!
When we were in the USA, we visited friends that we’ve
known for 10 years, but we’ve not seen them since 2008.
So although we were super excited to see them again, we
were a little nervous too, because what would it be like
after all this time? But from the minute they welcomed
us with open arms at the airport, we felt as if we were
with family. They made us feel special and almost treated
us like royalty! Even the rest of the extended family,
whom we’d never met before, treated us as if they had
known us forever.
We treasured every minute spent with them, and that
made me think that we as a church should be exactly the
same. If somebody comes through our doors, whether
they walk through these doors every Sunday, only once in
a while, for the first time in 7 years or for the first time
ever – we should make them feel like family.
Because that is what we are – brothers and sisters in
Christ. In Luke 8 we read: 19 Now Jesus’ mother and
brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get
near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him,
“Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting
to see you.” 21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are
those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
When it was time to leave and we were saying ‘goodbyes’
to our friends, we were already started making plans for
when we would meet up again. Because we had such a
lovely time we can’t wait to spend time with them again.
And that is the way every single person who exit our
church doors should feel – excited about coming back
again soon!
As the cold is creeping closer, slowly but surely, let’s make
sure our churches are places of welcome and warmth –
even warmer that the summer sun in Florida!
May God bless you all.
Nanda
The fun continues every Sunday in
the West Kirk so why not come
along and join us as we explore the
weird and wonderful, strange but
true, amazing characters and facts
in the bible.
We meet first in the church at 9:45am then
head out to the hall for Sunday Club.
All children from 3 years up to P7 welcome.
They came; we explored;
the result -
a wonderful adventure! Last month 71 children joined in
the fun at our action packed
holiday club "Polar Explorers" held at Polbeth
Harwood Glacier.
The children had a great time skiing, and building
snowmen in the middle of summer!! Some of our
craft items the children enjoyed making were
kaleidoscopes, binoculars, crystallised snowflakes,
and maps. Many of the items they made were to
help them on their journey as they explored the
North Pole.
The children also learned about some awesome
bible characters, and heard that we are all never
too anything…to be Part of God’s team!
We would just like to say a huge thank you to
everyone who donated their time, monies, talents,
baking and efforts. Without all your wonderful
help and support this outreach would not have
been possible! To all the parents and carers,
thank you for sending along your children: we all
had a ball!
Well done and a heartfelt thanks everyone!
A mother asked her son, as they waited for the bus, to tell the
driver he was four years old. That way he would ride for free.
So they got into the bus, and the driver asked Jimmy how old he
was, the little boy replied solemnly: "I am four years old."
"And do you know when will you be five years old?" asked the
smiling driver.
“Oh yes, that’s easy,“ replied Jimmy – “just as soon as I get off
the bus.”!
‘Beyond the Kirk Walls’
Service
This first informal service
for the new season
of hymns, prayer and meditation
will include an informal celebration
of communion.
It will be held on
Sunday 13th September
at 3.00pm
Dickson Court
Anyone is welcome to attend!
The October service will be held at
Stewart Court on Thursday 8th
Minister’s Office Hours: 10.30am – 12 noon These sessions start again for the autumn as follows;
Tuesday 1st September Polbeth Harwood
Wednesday 9th September West Kirk
Tuesday 15th September Polbeth Harwood
Wednesday 23rd September West Kirk
Tuesday 6th October Polbeth Harwood
Wednesday 14th October West Kirk
As previously arranged, if the minister is unable to attend due
to funerals etc, a member from the church will be there to pass
on any enquiries or requests.
Polbeth Harwood SHOEBOX STALL Items suitable for including in the Blythswood shoeboxes will be on sale at the church on
Sunday 20th September Sunday 27th September
Sunday 4th October Sunday 11th October
Eleanor Davidson
Septem
ber
Cro
sswo
rd
Across
8 Where the Ark of the Covenant was kept for 20 years (1 Samuel 7:1) (7,6) 9 One of the parts of the body on which blood and oil were put in the ritual cleansing from infectious skin diseases (Leviticus 14:14–17) (3) 10 Uncomfortable (3,2,4) 11 ‘Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have — ’ (Malachi 1:3) (5) 13 Where Paul said farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17) (7) 16 ‘Jesus bent down and — to write on the ground with his finger’ (John 8:6) (7) 19 Prophet from Moresheth (Jeremiah 26:18) (5) 22 Comes between Exodus and Numbers (9)
24 and 2 Down ‘Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under — the — ’ (1 Samuel 2:11) (3,6) 25 There was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7) (4,3,6) Down
1 Rough drawing (2 Kings 16:10) (6) 2 See 24 Across 3 Underground literature (including Christian books) circulat-ed in the Soviet Union (8) 4 Lo, mash (anag.) (6) 5 The Bible’s shortest verse: ‘Jesus — ’ (John 11:35) (4) 6 ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her — and have no com-passion on the child she has borne?’ (Isaiah 49:15) (6) 7 Can be seen in a dying fire (Psalm 102:3) (6) 12 ‘Send me, therefore, a man... experienced in the — of en-graving, to work in Judah and Jerusalem’ (2 Chronicles 2:7) (3) 14 Second city of Cyprus (8) 15 United Nations Association (1,1,1) 16 One of the women who first heard that Jesus had risen from the dead (Mark 16:1) (6) 17 Braved (anag.) (6) 18 — of Evangelism, outreach initiative in the 1990s (6) 20 ‘Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and — in their own sight’ (Isaiah 5:21) (6) 21 ‘Neither — nor depth... will be able to separate us from the love of God’ (Romans 8:39) (6) 23 What Jesus shed in 5 Down (4)
Bible Blether
After the summer break,
Blethers resume
on Thursday 17th September
in the Quiet Room at Polbeth Harwood Church at 8pm
All welcome!
The theme for this first time back —
‘’Curing’ and ‘healing’
- synonyms, right?
Maybe today, but not in Biblical times!
Come along to the Bible Blether to find out how people
understood disease and its treatment 2000 years ago.
And also what that means for our understanding of getting
unwell and getting better (or not)…
Off to School
After her first day at school, a mother asked her young
daughter: “Well, dear, what did they teach you today?”
Daughter: “Not much. I’ve got to go back again tomorrow.”
West Kirk
New Pulpit Fall
This stunning new fall, for use at the sacraments of Holy Communion, marriages and baptisms, has been generously donated by Mrs Betty Short.
Betty recently discovered her mother had been baptized at West Kirk on 19th July 1896 and wished to commemorate the occasion by gifting a pulpit fall.
The brocade and design match that on the stole presented to Nanda on her induction last year. The cross with the vine and grapes is a reference to believers bearing fruit when they are rooted in Jesus. It is based on John 15:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Commemoration Service for
100th anniversary of the Battle of Loos will take place at West Kirk of Calder
on the evening of Friday 25th September at 7pm.
The event is being organised by West Lothian Armed Forces Day, and the service will be led by both our
minister, Nanda, and Rev Nigel Anders, Legion Scotland Livingston Branch chaplain.
The event is free, however, tickets are being issued (on a strictly first come, first served basis) to manage the
numbers and for catering purposes. If you would like to attend the service, please contact
Karen Elliot ([email protected]) or pass your details to the Session Clerks,
Marian Kinsman or Stewart MacRae.
If you have any family members who fought at Loos during World War 1, and you would like them to be
remembered during the Service, please pass details to Karen, Marian or Stewart.
Karen Elliot
New planter at Polbeth Harwood Church Lots of people will have already noticed the new planter in the centre garden.
It was made by S2/3 pupils from all the local high schools who attend BLES training. This is a scheme where pupils who do not engage well in school go to learn all sorts of practical things - woodwork and joinery, painting and decorating, etc. The planter is made in 6 sections which are then put together to give this beautiful addition to our garden. Each section has a plaque to say which schools were involved. Go and take a look!
Because West Calder High School was involved with the work, and Jak Trueman was a pupil at West Calder, Jak's mum Allison was asked to suggest a worthy recipient.
She wanted Polbeth Harwood Church to be given it as a thank you for our support of Star Harmonies and Team Jak. It is much appreciated, Allison.
Marian Kinsman
West Kirk Fundraising
Group News
The Candy Bars resumed on Saturday 5th September after the summer break and will continue to be held throughout the year on the first Saturday of the month, with the exception of January, until June 2016.
Morning coffee is served from 10am with lunches from 12 noon - 1pm. Everything is home cooked and excellent value. There are also stalls selling home baking, soft goods, books and gifts as well as a chance to win at the raffle, tombola or Betty's Corner. Good quality donations are always appreciated and collection of any items can be arranged. Just phone 871755. A wee reminder— please no CD,s, DVD,s or electrical goods.
Over the years , the Candy Bars have become popular social occasions as well as raising funds towards the upkeep of the West Kirk so come along for a pleasant time to meet friends old and new.
We are in need of new members with fresh ideas to join our (now all retired) group. We currently meet in the afternoon but this could be changed to the evening to fit in with people of working age. Just let any group member know if you are interested in helping or phone me (Jill) on the above number 871755 . .
or email:- [email protected] Meetings are short and informal.
We are planning to hold our annual Whist Drive on Monday 26th October. Details next month.
We look forward to seeing you at these events.
Jill Murray ( Convener)
Thanks to everyone who supported Polbeth Harwood Church’s summer quiz on
cakes and desserts. A great total of £60 was raised and will go towards
church projects. There were a variety of answers given to the clues but
the winner was Liz Coats, of Polbeth. There may even be a promise to make next year’s quiz
easier! Margaret Hampson
Contribution deadline for the next issue….. All contributions for the October edition of the magazine should be submitted to the editor, preferably by email, before 25th September 2015
POLBETH HARWOOD CHURCH
JAM CLUB
Hi everyone. Jam Club starts back on 6th September.
We are really looking forward to seeing everyone back
refreshed after the summer break and would love to see
some new faces this year.
If anyone knows of any children who would like to join us
on a Sunday morning to hear some bible stories and take
part in some fun arts and craft activities then please
bring them along at 11.15 any Sunday or contact Sandra
on 07855 861223.
See you all soon
Sandra, Astrid and Carol
A supply teacher was teaching a class about groupings.
In one exercise, pupils were asked to label a group of
items according to their common characteristics. There
were pictures of onion rings, doughnuts, and party bis-
cuits. The correct answer would have been that all the
items have holes in the centre.
But one health-conscious boy pointed out: "All of those
things contain too much cholesterol."
West Kirk Guild
The Guild resumes on Monday 5th October at
7.30pm in the West Kirk church hall, where a
warm welcome awaits.
The Guild needs new members—not just women—men
are also welcome to join. Membership has been declining
over the past few years and sadly it has been decided to
cut back on our meetings over the coming session, as we
felt it was unreasonable to invite speakers to talk to such
a small group.
BE BOLD: BE STRONG is the title of the Guild’s new 3 year
strategy, taken from the hymn by Morris Chapman, the
first line of which reads “Be bold, be strong, for the Lord
your God is with you.”
The Guild has always been at the forefront of charitable
action for those in need. This was highlighted in a recent
Scotland on Sunday article, about last strategy’s project
‘Out of Africa—into Malta’, urging David Cameron to
follow the charity’s example in dealing with refugees and
asylum seekers.
Do come along to our first meeting and be part of this
forward thinking organisation and hear our minister talk
on our theme for the coming year—GO IN PEACE.
Evelyn Paterson (Convener)
CONGRATULATIONS
to
Olive & Alan Gibson
on the occasion of their
Golden Wedding
will be celebrated in both congregations on
Sunday 11th October at 9.45am and 11.15am.
Contributions for distribution by West Lothian Foodbank will be gratefully received
Girl Guiding—West Calder
Rainbows ages 5—7
Brownies ages 7—10
Guides ages 10—14
Senior Section ages 14—25
Adult Volunteers age 18+
To register a child or to volunteer,
please go to girlguiding.org.uk
and enter details on the ‘Join Us’ site.
2nd West Calder Rainbows,
who meet on Thursdays in Polbeth Harwood Church,
are putting out an urgent plea for a new leader.
Could this be YOU?
At the moment, the future of the Unit is looking bleak.
If you have the time and enthusiasm to take this on, or
would like further information, please contact
[email protected] tel. 01506 883216
Ann McWhir, County Commissioner job share
West Lothian
Parish Record
Deaths
Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life.”
27th June—Drew Johnstone, Parkhead Crescent, West Calder
6th July —Matthew Cowan, Hucknell, Nottingham
13th July—Alexander Clark, Burnside Terrace, Polbeth
4th Aug—Christina Brash, Dickson Court, West Calder
21st Aug—Mary Laidlaw, Limefield Avenue, Polbeth
To all who have lost a loved one we extend our sincere
sympathies and prayers.
Living God,
We thank you that,
wherever we are,
whatever we face,
You are with us through Christ,
constantly by our side,
travelling with us
and looking to lead us forward
into new experiences of your love,
through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen.
Nick Fawcett
Saturday 3rd Candy Bar West Kirk 10.00am
Monday 5th West Kirk Guild West Kirk 7.30pm
Tuesday 6th Minister’s Office Hours Polbeth Harwood 10.30am
Thursday 8th ‘Beyond the Kirk Walls’ Stewart Court 10.30am
Sunday 11th Harvest Thanksgiving West Kirk
Polbeth Harwood
9.45am
11.15am
Events: October
Events: September
Tuesday 1st Minister’s Office Hours Polbeth Harwood 10.30am
Thursday 3rd Board then Session West Kirk 7.00pm
Saturday 5th Candy Bar West Kirk 10.00am
Sunday 6th
Holy Communion
Sunday Club and
JAM Club resume
West Kirk
Polbeth Harwood
9.45am
11.15am
Wednesday 9th Minister’s Office Hours West Kirk 10.30am
9th Board & Session Polbeth Harwood 7.00pm
Sunday 13th ‘Beyond the Kirk Walls’ Dickson Court 3.00pm
Tuesday 15th Minister’s Office Hours Polbeth Harwood 10.30am
Thursday 17th Bible Blether Polbeth Harwood 8.00pm
Friday 25th Battle of Loos 100th
Anniversary Service
West Kirk 7.00pm
25th Youth Group Polbeth Harwood 7.00pm
Saturday 26th Thrift Shop Polbeth Harwood 10.30am
Church Calendar
Sunday Morning Worship West Kirk
Polbeth Harwood
9.45am
11.15am
Sunday Club
JAM Club
West Kirk Hall
Polbeth Harwood
9.45am
11.15am
Monday Beavers West Kirk Hall 6.00pm
Tuesday Craft Club West Kirk Hall 10.00am
Babies’ Painting
Class
Polbeth Harwood 10.00am
Minister’s Office
1st & 3rd weeks
Polbeth Harwood 10.30am
Star Harmonies Polbeth Harwood 5.30pm
Bridge Club West Kirk Hall 7.00pm
WRI Handcrafts Polbeth Harwood 7.00pm
Wednesday Calder Kids West Kirk Hall 9.30am
Minister’s Office
2nd & 4th weeks
West Kirk 10.30am
Dance Class Polbeth Harwood 5.00pm
Cubs West Kirk Hall 6.15pm
Strategy Games West Kirk Hall 8.00pm
Thursday Rainbows Polbeth Harwood 5.15pm
Scouts West Kirk Hall 6.30pm
Slimming World Polbeth Harwood 7.30pm
Weekly Events
