All News

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.

A commemoration Service for the 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 (kelliot@paywizard.com)
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.

Dear Congregations

Excitement about the summer holidays is running high in this house! I think everybody is ready for a break. As I was going round the schools conducting the end-of-term assemblies, all the teachers were counting the sleeps along with the kids! It’s been a busy year – but we wouldn’t want it any different…

It’s been a busy year at the church too. I can’t believe that it’s been a whole year since my induction as the new minister at Polbeth Harwood & West Kirk of Calder. I got to know so many lovely people, and I look forward to getting to know you all even better!

But talking about taking a break – we people need that, even if it is just a wee break in our day-to-day routine, doing something different, to build up our energy for the demands we face every day. Luckily, God never takes any breaks. In Psalm 121:3&4 we read: “He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel, will neither slumber nor sleep”.

This was written against the background of the gentile nations who lived around the Israelites, and believed in gods who had to go for a “winter sleep” and had to be woken up again in the spring.

Our God is not like that – he is always awake, always there, taking care of us. He never goes away on holiday. So whether you are going away somewhere exotic this summer, or whether you are staying home enjoying the lovely sunshine (that we are going to get!!), remember, God is there with you too. And he will not let your foot slip.

May God bless you this summer, and always:
Bless me in the city, and bless me in the country.
Bless me in the present, and bless me in the future.
Bless me in the busyness, and bless me in the calm.
O Lord of contrasts and continuity, carry me through your world.
(From “Livings Stones”, by the Pray Now Group)

Kind regards, Nanda

Dear Congregations

This year I was commissioned to attend the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in the Assembly Halls in Edinburgh. What a privilege that was! As it was my first Assembly, I didn’t really know what to expect, and to be quite honest, I wasn’t looking forward to the long hours and attending a meeting that lasted a whole week! But to my surprise it was very interesting and relevant, and I feel fortunate to have been a part of the decision making process for the future of the church.

I was accompanied by George Stott from the West Kirk and Jessie Kelly from Polbeth Harwood, who also both enjoyed the experience very much. It was a full week, starting with a training session for first time commissioners on the Friday evening, and including lots of different events alongside the actual meeting. On the Sunday morning I attended the Assembly Service at St Giles Cathedral, and stayed on for the communion service afterwards. Sunday afternoon I went to “Heart and Soul” in Princes Street Gardens, a lovely event with lots of displays and activities, attended by about 4000 people.

During lunch time every day there were fringe events which you could attend if you wanted to. It was like a treasure chest full of information… One evening I attended a lecture on John Knox and his influence on the Church, and on another I was invited to Holyrood House Palace for a Beating of the Drums ceremony and a reception afterwards. On the last day of the assembly all the new ministers were invited to lunch with the new moderator, Rev Dr Angus Morrison, after which we were presented to him at the Assembly. What a humble and inspirational person he is!

Throughout the week I met lots of interesting people, listened to people competently debating about important issues, and worshipped God alongside more than 700 others. I loved the singing, and found the worship enriching. Everything was based on the theme “Living Stones” (1Peter 2:1-10).

I left the assembly feeling that I have learnt so much about the workings of the Church and all the different people who worship in the Church of Scotland.
I also felt motivated for working in our own congregations and I am proud to be able to say that I am a minister in the Church of Scotland -  a Church that takes her responsibility seriously as a beacon of hope and bringer of change in society.

My wish is that we will all realise that we have important responsibilities in the Church of God as his livings stones – we are all needed to keep this church standing for generations to come.
I regard myself as extremely fortunate to be a stone in the living Church of Christ.
I hope you do too!

God bless,
Nanda