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~~To mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, the congregation of Kirk of Calder, which worships in a pre-Reformation building, has a vision of linking up with a project in the developing world, where age-old European  differences are not recognised. Kirk of Calder are doing this in a spirit of ecumenism, as a shared experience with  friends in the local Roman Catholic congregations, together with other local churches and community groups, thus marking the event as a celebration of the ways in which churches in the 21st century are working together in Christian unity to help some of the poorest people in the world.

In partnership with the Vine Trust, the vision is to link up with the people of Tanzania, in a project to build a safe home where, by the autumn of 2017, 40 vulnerable children will be cared for and educated - a fitting way to mark the anniversary, bringing our local people together to work for the future well being of our friends in Tanzania.

£85,000  needs to be raised and so far £10,300 has been accrued through the generosity of various churches and schools in West Lothian as well as individuals.

During Stewardship month of February in the congregations of West Kirk and Polbeth Harwood, there will be  the opportunity for members and friends of both congregations  to show our support for this project by donating through retiring collections at all services during the month and at the Communion meals on March 1st.
 

Doing anything on the evening of Saturday 24th January?

On a dark, perhaps snowy, winter's evening there's no need for you and your family to leave the village to enjoy yourself!

Come along to a Scots Night in the West Kirk hall that night, starting at 7pm, where, as well as a warm welcome, there will be a traditional meal, music, fun and dancing.

All for £10 per adult and £6 for a child.

Tickets are available from Jill Murray, Victor Ferguson and Bill Russell (Phone 871693)

Congratulations to Linda Eardley, her hard working team of helpers and all who donated and supported the Polbeth Harwood Christmas Fayre last Saturday. A marvellous total of £1726 was raised!

As well as the ever popular Santa in his Grotto - at which there was a long queue, face painting proved popular (with even a tiger prowling the premises!) and all the usual stalls were doing brisk business. Finding a free seat at the teas was well nigh impossible too.

A successful afternoon socially for the community as well as a financial one for the congregation.

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