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December Letter

  • 28 November 2014
  • nanda.groenewald

Dear Congregations

My boys are busy writing their letters to Santa. They’re not ready to post it yet, just in case they think of something else they want to ad! And that got me thinking…

Letters have been an important part of life in the early Church too. The apostle Paul travelled from city to city to share the good news about Jesus Christ with the people, and as soon as he left a city he started writing them letters to answer questions they had and also to encourage them to stand strong in their new-found faith. Some of these letters are included in our New Testament.

In one of these letters, Philippians 4:4-7, Paul said: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Paul had to endure lots of trials and tribulations because he stood up for his faith. But he never once allowed anything to put him off from believing in God. So when he says that we can ask God anything we want, I take his word for it, because he is speaking from experience. Paul doesn’t say that God will always give you what you’ve asked for straight away, but that he will give you what you need. And if you have the courage to ask, the one thing you will most certainly get, is the peace of God. Because very often, that is all we really need. The peace to move on, to accept, to let go, to adapt, to forgive… The peace of knowing that God is in control of your life, no matter what.
So let’s all ask God for everything we need and everything we long for this Christmas, but let’s also accept that His peace, the peace that transcends all human understanding, is the biggest gift anybody could ever ask for – and we’ve already been given that in Jesus Christ.

May God bless you all this Christmas, and be close to you in the new year.

Nanda

Polbeth Harwood Remembers

  • 15 November 2014
  • liz.dyer

During morning worship on Remembrance Sunday, not only was a wreath laid in the church garden but, in this centenary year, the children from JAM Club released red balloons  - one for each person from the area who died in the fighting during World War 1.

Later the same day, at the informal service held at Dickson Court, a single red balloon was also released in memory of all those who had died in battle over the last 100 years.

(See the gallery for further pictures)

Minister's Office Hours: 18th & 19th November 2014

  • 14 November 2014
  • liz.dyer

The minister will NOT be in attendance this week at Polbeth Harwood on Tuesday 18th Nov nor at West Kirk on Wednesday 19th Nov.

She will be available again the following week.

New Elders ordained at Polbeth Harwood Church

  • 2 November 2014
  • liz.dyer

At morning worship on Sunday 2nd November at Polbeth Harwood Church, Sandra McCabe and Jessie Kelly were ordained as elders in the Church of Scotland

It was with great pleasure that the congregation witnessed these two ladies, who have already given years of work and support to their congregation, commit themselves further to the service of the Church here at Polbeth Harwood.

We wish them every blessing in their new role.

Admission of Elder at West Kirk

  • 2 November 2014
  • liz.dyer

On Sunday 2nd November, as part of morning worship, Alan Redmond was admitted to the eldership at West Kirk and welcomed by the minister, his fellow elders, and the congregation. We are delighted to welcome Alan to our session and wish every blessing on him and his family as he takes on this responsibility and service in our midst.

Alan had been ordained previously in another parish prior to transferring with his family to West Kirk.

 

Long Service Certificate

  • 2 November 2014
  • liz.dyer

At morning worship on Sunday 19th October, Gordon Erskine was presented with his Church of Scotland long service certificate.

Gordon was ordained as a deacon in 1964, and two years later, in 1966, he was admitted as an elder in the Church - officially serving for 50 years.

Congratulations, Gordon. What a record!              

And he still takes a very active role in Polbeth Harwood Church, where he holds the post of Fabric Convener and in West Lothian Presbytery, where among other activities he is presbytery elder for Polbeth Harwood.

 

November 2014 Letter

  • 30 October 2014
  • nanda.groenewald

Dear Congregations

The four of us we went to the Netherlands for the October break, and we had a lovely time. We ate lots of cheese and caramel wavers, walked for miles alongside the canals, and then, of course, we laughed a lot!

Nehan’s favourite thing was the Dutch clogs – he desperately wanted me to buy him a bright orange pair… But after much deliberation he settled for orange clog look-a-like slippers (which he put on straight away and never took off until we arrived home)!

Henro was fascinated with the windmills. I’ve never been inside a windmill before, and it was very interesting to see how it works. If the wind doesn’t blow, nothing happens. But as soon as the wind picks up, the machinery inside the windmill starts working and continues to work as long as the wind is blowing.

And standing outside a huge windmill, looking at the big arms turning in the wind, I thought that God works through us in a very similar way. He sent us his Spirit, and through his Spirit we are able to be the people he wants us to be and to do the things he wants us to do. The Holy Spirit is our “wind”, and interestingly the word used for “Spirit” in the Old Testament can also be translated as “wind”. We can’t see the wind, but looking at the arms of a windmill, we can easily see the effect of the wind. 

We can’t see God’s Spirit either, but we can see the effect of his Spirit when we are able to handle things, say things and do things that we thought impossible. The only difference between the wind and the Spirit is that where we do get days when it’s not windy at all, God’s Spirit is always with us. We don’t have to wait for a good day to work hard and make a difference, like a miller who is dependent on the wind; we can accomplish anything we want to, every day, because the Holy Spirit empowers us non-stop (Acts 2:1-13).

So let’s not waste any of the energy given to us by God. If the wind can make a windmill change grain into flour, just imagine the change we can bring here on earth if we all work together!

May God bless you all,
Nanda

Blythswood Shoebox Appeal Deadline

  • 24 October 2014
  • liz.dyer

Have you got your shoebox ready yet?

Boxes must be handed in to either church by SUNDAY 2ND NOVEMBER.

If you haven't got your box, already wrapped shoeboxes are available at both churches for £1.50 and leaflets are on hand giving you details of goods acceptable for including.

Safeguarding Training

  • 24 October 2014
  • liz.dyer

West Lothian presbytery has given us the following dates for locally organised safeguarding training courses.

Monday 17th November at Boghall parish Church at 7pm

wednesday 26th November at Livingston United Parish Church, Carmondean at 7pm

These courses are for anyone wishing to work within the church environment with children and young people. Anyone interested in attending either of these courses, please get in touch with a Safeguarding Co-ordinator - Kathy Black for West Kirk and Eleanor davidson for Polbeth Harwood.

Minister's "Office Hours"

  • 25 September 2014
  • liz.dyer

Our minister, Rev Dr Nanda Groenewald, now has regular "office hours" once a week at both churches.This is an opportunity for people to meet her locally.

She extends a very warm welcome to members of the congregations and the communities who wish to meet with her for an informal chat or just pop in to say ‘hello’ over a cuppa.
Funerals permitting, Nanda will be available as follows (except in school holidays)
Polbeth Harwood Quiet Room on Tuesday mornings 10.30am— noon
West Kirk vestry on Wednesday mornings 10.30—12 noon

This arrangement will be reviewed after December 2014
 

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