THE MAGAZINE OF BOTHWELL PARISH CHURCH ‘SCOTLAND’S OLDEST COLLEGIATE CHURCH’

Registered Scottish Charity No: SC0 9819

IN THIS EDITION

September & October 2013

From the Minister P1& P2.

Church Register P2.

Harvest P2.

Christian Aid Thanks P2.

New Elders P2.

Scarecrow Festival P3.

Church Membership P3.

Home Visits by the Minister P3.

Statement of Purpose P3.

Quire Restoration Appeal P4 & P5.

Sunday Clubs P6.

Cycle Malawi P6.

Car Treasure Hunt P6.

Host UK P6.

Guild P7.

Living the Questions P7.

Allovus P7.

A new way to receive your magazine P7.

Rota Page P8.

Minister: The Revd. J. M. Gibson, TD.

The Manse of Bothwell, 4 Manse Avenue, Bothwell, G71 8PQ

Tel: 01698 853189. Email: jamesmgibson@msn.com Church Office Tel: 01698 854903 (Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am-2pm)

Email: bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com

Church Website: www.bothwellparishchurch.org.uk

Church Centre: 854987 Chapterhouse Café: 858566

1

FROM THE MINISTER … The institution of the Church of

Scotland has a real problem.

Alright, I admit it has many problems,

just like most large institutions. But I

recently discovered something of which

I had not been previously aware. A

sermon I preached in August sent me

back to research the 2012 report of the

General Assembly’s Church and

Society Committee. Can you imagine

my surprise when I read these words in

its introduction: ‘The Committee

continues to provide around 80% of the

content for the external

communications of the national offices.

This is both a continuing challenge to

speak the Gospel with authenticity in

the public square of 21st century

Scotland and a huge opportunity to

offer the Gospel in a way that changes

lives and changes people’s view of the

Church.’

The Strange Silence

of the Kirk

Oh! that that were true. For lives and

people’s view of the Church to be

changed surely they must first hear

what is being offered ? Week in, week

out I try to read a wide cross-section of

our national press. Each evening I listen

to the TV news and, usually, tune in to

programmes discussing news issues.

Rarely (very rarely) do I hear or read

anything emanating from the Church of

Scotland central bureaucracy that, in

any way, grabs my attention far less

change my life or view of the Church.

In fact, all I usually hear is a strange

silence from the Kirk.

Why should this be? Especially when,

year after year, the Church and Society

Committee produce reports to the

General Assembly that are well

researched and relevant to the great

issues people face in their daily life

and with which Governments of the

day struggle and on which they must

legislate. No better example of this is

their recent work on homelessness

and financial management in our

nation. Both these issues affect

people of all walks of life. So why

have the helpful conclusions made by

the committee not been trumpeted

across the media? Is the Church

really so arrogant as to believe Jock

Tamson’s bairns are actually going to

purchase a 500 page volume of

Reports to the General Assembly in

order to read something that will

‘change lives and people’s view of

the Church’ ?

Welcome Action

In August, the Archbishop of

Canterbury Justin Welby announced

he is going to tackle head-on the

extortionate interest rates changed by

pay-day loan companies. Most often

it is the poorest members of society,

desperate to make ends meet until

their next pay comes in, who feel

compelled to do business with such

firms not realising that, should they

default, they are committing

themselves to interest rates of over

5,500%! The Archbishop plans to

use the resources of the Church of

England to establish a network of

Credit Unions within every parish in

England and so compete the

‘loan sharks’ out of business. This

initiative made tea-time television

and was widely reported in the press.

It is a welcome, practical and relevant

response from the Church of England

regarding social poverty in our country;

and I applaud the response of the

Church and Society Committee to

commit the Church of Scotland to ally

itself with such action. But, apart from

making this announcement, what more

has the Kirk said about such a vitally

important issue ?

Not a lot is the answer. Or have I

missed something?

It’s so easy to score points at the Kirk’s

embarrassment. I know that only too

well. In time past, I served the

Church’s Assembly as one of its

national conveners. It is because I once

had such responsibility that I know the

high quality work being

faithfully carried out by the present

generation of ministers and laity who

serve on these demanding committees

needs to be far better communicated to

a wide public audience. Equally I

believe the task of the Church’s

Moderator needs to be radically

revisited. Presently, the Moderator is

effectively prevented from speaking on

national issues unless he/she articulates

the position of the General Assembly.

(Presumably, this is in case he/she goes

off like a loose cannon and commits the

Church to some unimagined heresy).

Continued on Page 2 ….

Baptisms: “By water and the Holy Spirit”

May Lucia Amanda Rennison Sherry, daughter of

Mr & Mrs Brian Sherry, 1 Highwood Gardens, Bellshill

Ellie Boyd, daughter of Mr & Mrs Scott Boyd, 3 Gainerhill

Cottage, Strathaven

June Andrew Charlie Mannering, son of Mr & Mrs Richard

Mannering, 31 Old Bothwell Road, Bothwell

August Annabelle Claire Elaine Hutton, daughter of

Mr & Mrs Colin Hutton, 16 Newford Grove, Clarkston

Weddings: “Whom God has joined” June 7th Donna Griffiths and Stephen Lynch, 21 Baillie Drive,

Bothwell June 8th Joanne Nicolson and William Cashmore, 26 Goldcrest

Court, Wishaw July 13th Karen Nelson and David Anderson, 98 McCracken Drive,

Uddingston July 19th Kelly Anderson and Darren Cheney, 66 Lime Tree

Avenue, Viewpark August 3rd Nicola Eadon to Gary Logue, 45 Barrachie Crescent,

Glasgow and

Tracy Eadon to Ross McMann, 8 Forteviot Place,

Baillieston August 22nd Nicola Muircroft and Stephen Andrews, 24 Castle Court,

Bothwell

August 31st Laura Simpson and Lewis Younger, 7 Cumnock Drive,

Hamilton

Funerals: “Confident of Life Everlasting”

The Minister invites the prayers of the congregation for

the family and friends of the following who recently

received Christian funeral:

July Mrs Marie Dunn, Highgate Nursing Home

August Mrs Betty Campbell, 13 Albany Place, Bothwell

Mrs Jessie McAdam, Netherton Court Hursing Home,

Wishaw

PLEASE

SAVE

STAMPS

FROM THE MINISTER

Continued from Page 1 ….

As a result, the voice of ecclesiastical

response heard on, or in, the media

more often than not comes from the

Roman Catholic hierarchy, while that

of the Church of Scotland remains

silent. Yet the irony is that it is

supposed to be the Church of Scotland

which is the national Church of

Scotland. This is a situation which, in

our contemporary world of round-the-

clock-news is simply unsustainable.

Each year, individuals of substance are

appointed to serve in this position. Can

the General Assembly not trust them

enough to speak intelligently; and to

seek information from committee

conveners when necessary ?

Good things are happening within the

Church of Scotland and through the

Church for Scotland in communities up

and down the land. Ministers can be

heard preaching sermons that are

relevant and intelligent. People still

long to hear the voice of their Kirk.

The fact that YOU are reading this,

proves it.

Jim Gibson

Minister of Bothwell

and

Interim Moderator at

Gilmour & Whitehill Parish Church

HARVEST Sunday 6th October 10.30am

As always, it is a celebration of the

gifts God showers on us.

As members of a suburban

congregation, it is not always easy for

us to show our gratitude for all the

benefits harvest brings. We take them

for granted.

However, each year Christian Aid

envelopes are provided and an

invitation given to us to make a gift of

money to those in parts of the world

whose harvest is not as abundant as

ours.

In this way, our thanksgiving and our

concern for the poor go hand in hand.

BOTHWELL PARISH CHURCH

WELCOMES NEWLY ORDAINED / ADMITTED ELDERS

A further two members of the congregation were Ordained and Admitted to serve

as Elders within the Kirk Session on Sunday, 2nd June.

We wish Mr Alan Wilson, 3 Lairds Gate, Bothwell and Mr Russell Parsons, 30

Clyde Avenue, Bothwell well as they assume allocated duties and responsibilities

and hope members of the congregation take opportunity to give them a warm

welcome. JG.

Many thanks

again to all who

contributed to

Christian Aid.

This year a total of £680.45 was

raised.

Eleanor Terrace

2

3

Statement of Purpose

Bothwell Parish Church is a

congregation of the Church

of Scotland and is part of the

worldwide family of people

belonging to the Christian

Faith, worshipping God

through Jesus Christ.

In response to the love of God

for all, we seek to serve our

community through worship,

friendship, care and

education; and to promote

Christian values of concern

for others, forgiveness,

healing and justice.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Those interested in exploring the

possibility of membership of the

Church should be make contact with

the Minister who will be happy to

speak with them.

Discussions held are entirely

open-ended with no prior

commitment being involved. The

emphasis is upon informality and

sharing our thoughts.

An open invitation is, therefore,

extended to all who may be

interested.

The Minister may be contacted on a

Sunday at church or during the week

via the Office or at the Manse.

If you know of anyone requiring

a home visit from the Minister,

or if you have a change of details,

please complete the ‘Welcome Card’

placed on each pew and hand

it in to the Church Office, or

to Revd.Gibson direct.

Thank you.

BOTHWELL

SCARECROW FESTIVAL

11- 15 September 2013

During the scarecrow festival, the

church will be open on

Thursday,

Friday & Saturday

from 11am until 4pm

for all to see inside and learn about the

Restoration of the Quire.

There will also be the opportunity to

leave a donation or speak with

volunteer members from the

congregation about the history of the

church.

RESTORATION APPEAL

Can YOU help??

Time is steadily slipping by. The Heritage

Lottery Fund will soon be asking us to

identify the sources of our total funding for

the restoration programme. Their grant

depends on us being able to do so. Our

appointed engineer and architect are both

anxious that repair work begins as soon as

possible. Pressure to be able to satisfy the

demands being made is considerable.

Members and friends of the congregation

have responded well to our Appeal.

If YOU have not yet made a donation,

please can you help?

Help save this historic building for Scotland.

.

HISTORY

Bothwell Parish Church is the oldest Collegiate Church in Scotland in which worship is still held. Locally, it is referred to as The Cathedral of Lanarkshire. The building is the principal Grade ‘A’

Listed Building in central and Southwest Scotland.

The Quire is the oldest part of the current building. With 12th century foundations, the present Quire was rebuilt in the 14th century and consecrated in 1398. Though the building of the church has changed dramatically over the centuries, the Quire has been in continuous use

unchanged.

Throughout its long life, the Quire has witnessed the changing liturgies of Christian Worship in Scotland from Roman Catholicism, through Episcopalianism to Presbyterianism. It has been a place for royal weddings and has housed military forces engaged in battle. Today, it contains a Sacristy of outstanding architectural importance, memorials of major significance for Scottish history and superb stained-glass by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and more contemporary tapestries as well as the Bothwell Embroideries. A place of great beauty, prayer and peace, it is much visited by tourists and

worshippers alike.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Violent storms during the winter of 2011 brought substantial downfall of masonry from the ceiling of our 14th century Quire. Investigation was immediately carried out by our architect and officials from South Lanarkshire Council. The Quire was deemed unsafe for public use, emptied of contents and vacated. Since last Easter, it has been separated from the Crossing and Nave of the church by a protective wall. And so, sadly, it remains.

WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM ?

Investigation by engineers has discovered that the foundations of the Quire are 800 years old and are constructed on clay. During the last 80 years, the foundations along the south wall of the Quire have slipped. This has caused the wall to move outwards by some 11 inches and the massively heavy 600 year old stone roof-slabs to become displaced. The result is serious damage to the structure of the Quire building, the priceless Burne-Jones stained-glass windows and the internal stone ornamentation of the Quire ceiling.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

The foundations need to be secured, the walls of the

Quire building stabilised and the Quire roof stripped of its

stone covering, and a solid structure inserted upon which

the ancient stone roof-slabs can be replaced. Thereafter,

stone indentation is required, the stained-glass windows

removed, restored and replaced and the memorials

refurbished.

4

WHY MUST THIS WORK BE DONE?

Very simply because, unless this restorative work is carried out as soon as possible, the building of the Quire will degenerate

until it becomes a ruin. Scotland, as a nation, would then lose for ever a place of unique historical,

architectural and social significance. The important necessity of this project for the ongoing witness of the Christian Church in

Scotland is clearly demonstrated by the willing support of:

our Royal Patron

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal

and our Patrons

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow

The Episcopal Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway

The Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland (Church of Scotland).

NEWSFLASH !!

Donations received to date...

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

The total project cost, from start to finish, is £2million.

HOW IS THIS MONEY BEING RAISED?

Already just over £1million has been secured !

Funding has been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund,

Historic Scotland and Patersons Quarries of Greenoakhill (Landfill Trust).

Other monies have come from congregational donations.

A congregational Appeal has been launched.

An Appeal has also been launched nationally and internationally in Canada and

the United States of America (where we have obtained charity status).

Numerous applications have been made to UK wide Grant funding agencies.

With the support of South Lanarkshire Council, our special

Appeal Video can be viewed on YouTube.

1. CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER—Please make payable to: “Bothwell

Parish Church Quire Restoration Fund” and send to: Bothwell Parish Church

Office, 48 Main Street, Bothwell, G71 8EX

2. VIA PAYPAL—Visit this link on our website:

http://bothwellparishchurch.org.uk/gifts-remembrances/

and follow the instructions. Please state your donation is for

the ‘Quire Restoration Appeal’.

3. CASH—You are very welcome to call into the church

office during opening hours: Tuesdays, Thursday & Fridays—

9am-2pm.

5

Where A River Bends

by

Jack Gallacher

Mr Jack Gallacher, the author of

“stories from a Scottish village”,

has very kindly donated several

copies to the church in aid of the

Quire Restoration.

If you are interested in obtaining a

copy—and helping a most needy

and worthwhile case—please call

into the church office.

Copies are limited—

first come first served basis.

RED SEA & NOAH’S ARK

SUNDAY CLUBS

Car Treasure Hunt

Sunday

8th September

Leaving the

Church Centre car

park at 2pm

Entry fee = £10.00 per car

6

Many international students come to Scot-

land to study at our universities.

Will they make contact with people and

life beyond the academic environment?

What will they do for a homely break if

home is too far away?

For 26 years, national charity HOST has

been linking students with volunteer

hosts, who invite a student to spend a day,

a weekend, Christmas or New Year in

their home.

Chatting; eating together; playing games;

seeing the area; joining in with the local

community; making friends – a HOST

visit lays down wonderful memories to be

re-lived in China, India, the USA and

many other parts of the world. And hosts

learn

from their guests too.

If you could make a student welcome,

please contact HOST through

www.hostuk.org

or call HOST’s voluntary regional

organiser in Scotland

Anne-Marie Ringler

on 01738 621633.

Thank you.

After prize-giving on the last Sunday of the session, a small number of

children, teachers and parents/grandparents went over to the Livingstone

Centre to enjoy Picnic Praise.

This event brought back memories of Sunday School Picnics of the past, with

traditional races, a sing-along and a chance to try old fashioned games e.g.

gird and cleek, marbles, skipping, peever etc. It was well organised and

attended by many Lanarkshire Sunday Schools, some arriving in coaches.

Unfortunately the weather was unsettled but it didn’t spoil the fun. Hopefully

due to its obvious success, this event will be repeated next year.

Thanks to everyone who helped to run our Holiday Club once again this

summer. Numbers attending were fairly small, but those who came along

enjoyed the activities, while their parents attended church.

Now the new session gets underway, after a great summer of sunshine and we

look forward to welcoming all our familiar friends ------ maybe some new

faces too!

Anne Sharp

Cycle Malawi 2013 By Alison Freeland

Cycle Malawi, including Dave and I

reached its destination at Mulanje Mission Hospital in South Malawi.

The cycle Malawi team of 30 riders

from all professions in UK cycled 405

kilometres to deliver £70,000 raised

collectively to the hospital, which

relies on donations and grants to fund

primary care programmes.

The hospital treats diseases like TB,

malaria, HIV and Aids and cholera. It

also delivers babies and those born too

early. The hospital gets over half its funding from donations and grants, about a

third from the Christian Health Association of Malawi, a fraction from the

government and patient fees.

The battle to save lives is up against a struggle to retain supplies of basic drugs, like

insulin and intra-venous fluids. They regularly run out of supplies. Problems arise

when power cuts ruin drugs that require refrigeration, drug suppliers shut down or inflation limits the value of the local currency. A “solar power” project is currently

underway and will help to alleviate this problem.

We got an insight into the way of life of many Malawians and their resourcefulness and vulnerability due to dependence on the land. People passed with bikes laden

with wood, goats, sugarcane, sacks and buckets of maize flour balanced on their

heads. Poverty was visible at every turn. It brought back many emotional memories

from my childhood fifty years ago.

Despite this, the warm welcome was breathtaking, and we were spurred on by the

hundreds of children waving and smiling at the roadside, high-fiving as we went

along!

We arrived at Mulanje Mission Hospital to the most tremendous welcome, with

families and hospital staff dancing and singing in a carnival atmosphere. There was

not a dry eye in the house.

The visit to the hospital was both humbling and uplifting and was satisfying to see

where the funds were being used.

Dave and I would like to thank all those who have supported us and this wonderful

project.

CHRISTMAS ISSUE OF

THE LANTERN Please submit all news, events,

articles, rotas & photos for the next

edition by

Tuesday 8th OCTOBER

You can email the office: bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com

Thank you!!

A New Way to Receive

Your Magazine? In these days of laptops, Kindles,

tablets and i-phones, have you ever

considered reading The Lantern

electronically? Did you know that

the magazine can be found on our

Church website?

http://

bothwellparishchurch.org.uk/

category/magazine

By reading your magazine on-line,

and not receiving a paper copy, you

would be helping the Church to

continue to develop as an

eco-congregation. In addition you

would also be helping us to save

money in printing costs.

I would ask you to consider whether

you would be happy not to receive a

paper copy of our magazine. If you

decide this is an option for you,

please send an e-mail to the office bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com

detailing your name and address, to

allow us to make adjustments to the

number of copies printed.

John Crichton

THE GUILD

Please help us

support the

Restoration Appeal.

We are collecting old,

broken, unwanted

gold and silver

jewellery.

Please pass any donations of this

nature to the church office.

Thank

you.

* * * * *

The Guild 2013/2014 syllabus

commences in October and any new

members will be made most welcome.

7 October at 7.30pm

Re-Dedication Service

Revd.J M Gibson

21 October Cameron Merrieweather

Glasgow Cathedral

Oonah Lambert

Secretary

LIVING THE

QUESTIONS

A new session of Introductory

Level 1 has been arranged as

follows:

September 11th, 18th & 25th

October 2nd & 9th

Each session commences at

7.30pm and is held in the Church

Centre.

If you would like more

information or would like to

attend, please contact the church

office or Revd.Gibson.

7

The Aim of the Guild

is to invite and encourage

men and women to commit their lives

to Jesus Christ

and enable them to express their faith

in worship, prayer and action.

A great time was had by all and the sun

shone for the Allovus outing to

Sandyholme Garden Centre on 20th

June.

Allovus are now meeting again on the

first and third Thursdays of the month

following their summer break, and have

a schedule packed with exciting

activities and special days of

celebration.

Why not come along and join them?

You can find out more from the church

office or from Revd.Gibson direct.

8

Church Flowers

Chancel War Memorial

SEPTEMBER 1st Mrs Lillias Leckie Mrs Mary Cunningham 8th Mrs Elsie Forrest Mrs Muriel Jaap 15th Mrs Sara Crichton Mrs Marion Maillie 22nd Mrs Sally Rutherford-Young Mrs Grace Whitton 29th Mrs Irene Glen Miss Muriel Gordon

OCTOBER 6th (Harvest) Mrs Janette Provan Mrs Myra McMurdo 13th Mrs Jean Hamilton Mr John Dalziel 20th Mrs Gillian Ormiston Mrs Fiona Lorimer 27th Dr Ken Chisholm Mrs Jenellen Young

NOVEMBER 3rd (Communion) Dr Genevra Ritch Mrs Patricia McAulay 10th (Remembrance) Mrs Jan Lee Mrs Elizabeth Somerville 17th Mrs Helen Bryce Mrs Alison Freeland 24th Mrs Ellen Buttery Mrs Doreen Gibson

DECEMBER 1st (Advent) Mrs Dorothy Abercromby Mr John Hart 8th Mrs Jean Hamilton Mrs Veronica Crate 15th Mrs Meg Greenshields Mrs Una McLundie 22nd Mrs Patricia McAulay Miss Marilyn Jack 29th Mrs Ann Hamilton Mrs Shirley Frew

Sunday Welcome / Duty Rota Office bearers should please arrive at Church for duty by 10am. Anyone unable to fulfil their duty should please arrange cover.

Please note that only two of the office bearers will be required to assist with counting the collection after the service.

Sunday Coffee Rota As usual, volunteers are asked to please swap any inconvenient dates with each other.

New volunteers are most welcome to join the list and should please contact Marilyn Jack—tel 852138.

Sunday Crèche SEPTEMBER 1st Eleanor Terrace Elizabeth French 8th Shirley Frew Nan Carson 15th Hazel Gilmour Jean Moyes 22nd Janie Craig Janette Provan 29th Pat Maxwell Julie Wilson OCTOBER 6th Gillian Ormiston Suzanne Smith 13th Elaine Gibson Aileen Hepburn 20th Eleanor Barr Eleanor Terrace 27th Elizabeth French Shirley Frew NOVEMBER 3rd Nan Carson Hazel Gilmour 10th Jean Moyes Jaynie Craig 17th Janette Provan Pat Maxwell 24th Julie Wilson Gillian Ormiston DECEMBER 1st Suzanne Smith Elaine Gibson 8th Aileen Hepburn Eleanor Barr 15th Eleanor Terrace Elizabeth French 22nd Shirley Frew Nan Carson 29th Hazel Gilmour Jean Moyes

SEPTEMBER 1 M Jack, D Lee, G Moore, L McLean 8 H Marsh, J Marsh, C McMurdo, C McQueen 15 G Ormiston, J Provan, Dr Ritch, B Sharp 22 E Terrace, E Somerville, Dr Thomson, A Watt 29 G Whitton, E Barr, E Buttery, S Cook

SEPTEMBER 1 Mrs C Cahill 8 Mrs J Craig 15 Frew & Hepburn Families 22 Mrs S Crichton 29 Bryson Family

NOVEMBER 3 Mrs A Thomson 10 Mrs E Buttery 17 Mrs H Gilmour 24 Mrs E Dempsey

DECEMBER 1 Mrs C Cahill 8 Mrs J Craig 15 Frew & Hepburn Families 22 Mrs S Crichton 29 Bryson Family

OCTOBER 6 Mrs J Hamilton 13 Parson & Wilson Families 20 Mrs N Carson 27 Ormiston Family

NOVEMBER 3 Communion Arrangements 10 J Henry, D Hepburn, L Horn, M Hutchison 17 M Jack, D Lee, G Moore, L McLean 24 H Marsh, J Marsh, C McMurdo, C McQueen

DECEMBER 1 G Ormiston, R Parsons, J Provan, Dr Ritch 8 B Sharp, E Terrace, E Somerville, Dr Thomson 15 A Watt, G Whitton, A Wilson, E Barr 22 E Buttery, J Carson, N Carson, S Cook 29 D Craig, J Crichton, S Crichton, J Cumming

OCTOBER 6 J Carson, N Carson, J Crichton, S Crichton 13 D Craig, J Cumming, J Dalziel, E Dempsey 20 V Gibson, B Gillespie, J Gilmour, T Goodsir 27 S Greenshields, K Hamilton, J Hart, I Henderson