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Summer 2014 Letter

  • 27 June 2014
  • nanda.groenewald

Dear Congregations

At my induction service, worship was led by the Rev Angus Kerr from Whitburn South. The theme for his sermon was: “Are we there yet?” (2 Samuel 7:1-11 & Ephesians 2:13-22).

I don’t think he could have come up with a more appropriate theme for our situation! Because the linked charge of Polbeth Harwood and the West Kirk of Calder has been vacant for 3 long years. The Nominating Committee most probably felt like parents trying to get everything ready for a long and exciting journey, but then one thing after the other happened, causing delays. It wasn’t an easy job getting the car neat and tidy and packed with everything that might be needed on this trip, it took planning, head scratching, soul searching, organising, repacking, calming down of impatient passengers on the one hand and trying to prevent others from getting bored and wandering off on the other.

But, of course, as always, God had a plan. And now, at last, the job is done – the car (or bus!!) is packed, and we are ready to embark on a new journey together. Just in time for summer!

But this isn’t just any journey – it’s a journey of faith…

I, for one,  am very excited about this journey we are now undertaking. Thank you very much for inviting me along, for giving me the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat. I can’t wait to show you some amazing sights and tell you some interesting stories about others who have travelled here before us. But just like on any other journey – we’ll need each other to make it worth our while. There is such a huge variety of talent here – we have people who can entertain us along the way, so nobody gets bored. We have people who will provide snacks and flasks of tea and coffee, without which no trip is fun; we have people who will be able to fix the bus when it brakes down, to adjust the brakes when we are going too fast and to keep their eyes on the petrol gage to make sure we never run close to empty. We’ll have people who’ll be able to assist injured passengers, dry off tears and give hugs, advice, or just a quiet nod if needed, and if ever we get stuck, if we all get out and push together, we’ll be off again in a  jiffy.

So – are we there yet? Well no, we’ve just departed. I don’t know about you, but I’m not in a hurry, I want to enjoy every single minute of the trip. And if there is one thing I’m not worried about, it’s getting lost – because we have God as our sat.nav, and He never makes mistakes.

So please enjoy the ride, because I’ve got it on good authority that our destination is quite some place!

Hope you have a blessed summer.

Nanda

Summer Services 2014

  • 27 June 2014
  • liz.dyer

A reminder that, following last year's successful united services, services from July 6th to August 24th inclusive will be held at 10.00am only.

July services will be conducted at West Kirk whilst those in August will be held in Polbeth Harwood Church. As last year, Polbeth Harwood will look and feel a little different these first two Sundays in August as the Holiday Club opens its doors on 4th August.

Both churches, too, always have their doors open to any in the community who would like to come along and join in worship.

Congratulations Lorna!

  • 15 June 2014
  • liz.dyer

A fair number of members and families turned up this afternoon in Whitburn to see Lorna take part in the Queen's Baton Relay as it made its way at quite a gentle pace through West Lothian, giving everyone a chance to see the Baton and enjoy the festive atmosphere of the event. Well done, Lorna!

Lorna's running with the Queen's Baton!

  • 11 June 2014
  • liz.dyer

The Queen's Baton arrives in Scotland on 14th June before ending its journey  of over 190,000Km around the Commonwealth for the opening of the Games in Glasgow on 23rd July.

The Baton Relay will be travelling through West Lothian on Sunday 15th June. Taking part will be Lorna Graham, Sunday Club superintendent. She will be carrying the baton along West Main Street, Whitburn from Union Road to Manse Road, starting at about 2.44pm.

This is a great honour and privilege for Lorna to have been chosen as one of the 100 baton bearers in West Lothian and it would be wonderful to give her cheers and support along her route from familiar faces. It promises to be a memorable occasion all round.

 

Induction of Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald

  • 8 June 2014
  • liz.dyer

The Induction of Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald to our linked charge will take place on Wednesday 18th June under the auspices of West Lothian Presbytery.

The Induction service will take place at West Kirk at 7pm.

Arrangements have been made to use the car parking facilities at West Calder Medical Practice over the road from the church and a bus has been organised to leave Polbeth Harwood Church at 6.15pm for travel to West Kirk for the service.

Following the service, the bus will again be available for anyone wishing travel to Polbeth Harwood Church where a buffet supper and social will complete the evening's agenda.

Anyone wishing to travel on the bus  - either one way or both journeys - should contact the respective Session Clerks, Marian Kinsman or Stewart MacRae.

June Letter

  • 8 June 2014
  • gordon.jamieson

Dear Friends

On Sunday 8th June we gather round the Lord’s Table to celebrate Holy Communion – the family meal of the church. On that day we shall also be celebrating Pentecost – the third great festival in the church’s year. Pentecost is the day when we remember the Holy Spirit coming to the apostles in Jerusalem. It was the coming of the Holy Spirit that gave the apostles confidence to go out into the streets and proclaim the gospel, the good news of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ, incarnate, crucified and risen.

Throughout the history of the church the Holy Spirit has empowered people to proclaim the gospel with their words and in their lives. The Holy Spirit guides, strengthens, encourages and inspires all who are willing to be led in God’s way. It is the Holy Spirit that has led people in new ways, to new places, when that has been God’s will for his people.

Ten days after we celebrate Pentecost we shall be celebrating the beginning of a new chapter in the life of our congregations as we gather, on Wednesday 18th June, for Nanda’s induction. This should be a wonderful occasion when we look forward with hope and expectation.

Through the Holy Spirit, God will lead Nanda as your minister. Through the Holy Spirit, God will lead you to support Nanda and follow her lead. As I said in the April ‘Link’, these are exciting times for Polbeth Harwood and the West Kirk of Calder!

Yours sincerely

GORDON

Fit for a King - Register now!

  • 4 June 2014
  • lorna.graham

Holiday club latest, register now to ensure your place this summer!

A warm welcome awaits all children who are age to start primary school in August 2014, right up to and including children who are currently in P7 and moving on to S1 after the summer holidays.

Post boxes and registration forms are currently available in Polbeth Harwood Church, West Kirk of Calder church hall and Parkhead primary school, or you can down load a form on our web page and drop it in any of the boxes in the village.

So don't delay get your place booked today!

 

 

File Attachments: 
File Holiday Club Registration Form 2014.docx

Fit for a King - This summer's Holiday Club

  • 4 May 2014
  • lorna.graham

Plans are now well under way for this summers holiday club "Fit for a King" which will run for one week from Monday August 4th - Friday  8th.

It is free for all primary school age children and will take place in Polbeth Harwood Church.

This will be an action packed week for everyone involved and one not to be missed!

Registration forms available soon.

Election of Minister to vacant charge

  • 4 May 2014
  • gordon.jamieson

THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

I hereby declare that the following are the results of the voting for election and appointment of a minister to the vacant charge of POLBETH HARWOOD CHURCH linked with WEST KIRK OF CALDER:

FOR electing the Revd Dr Jonanda Groenewald                       140

AGAINST electing the Revd Dr Jonanda Groenewald                  4

and that the said Revd Dr Jonanda Groenewald has accordingly been elected and appointed subject to the judgement of the courts of the Church.

4 May 2014                         Gordon D Jamieson   Interim Moderator

 

May Letter

  • 2 May 2014
  • gordon.jamieson

Dear Friends

Easter is past for another year – or is it?  The eggs may have been removed from the supermarket shelves, and Easter bunnies and cards may no longer be prominently for sale, but Easter is not just a day or a weekend for the church.  Easter is always at the heart of our faith and our mission.

We are not a community of people who follow the teaching and example of a great man who died over two thousand years ago.  This would mean that Good Friday was the end, and we would be GOOD FRIDAY PEOPLE.  No, we walk with one who is risen and alive – one who walks with us every day of our lives, just as he walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus.  We are EASTER PEOPLE – crucified with Christ and risen with Christ.

It is Easter faith which gives the church optimism and confidence as it faces the future, even though it is a difficult future with the majority of the population showing little or no interest in the Christian faith.

The month of May begins with Nanda leading worship as the sole nominee of the Nominating Committee.  Then there is Christian Aid Week, which once again challenges us with the plight of the poor in so many parts of God’s world.  The second half of the month brings this year’s General Assembly – a gathering where it is easy to think that we are managing a church in decline.

As EASTER PEOPLE, we should approach everything believing that our glass is more than half full and not more than half empty.  Jesus is risen!  He is alive!  He is with us today and every day!

Yours sincerely

GORDON

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