from the minister - bothwell parish churchfrom the minister … than in many other european...

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1 THE MAGAZINE OF BOTHWELL PARISH CHURCH SCOTLANDS OLDEST COLLEGIATE CHURCHRegistered Scottish Charity No: SC0 9819 SPRING 2016 From The Minister P1, 2 Church Register P2 Statement of Purpose P2 Guild P2 MESSY Church P2 2017 Pilgrimage P3 Organist in New Zealand P3 Changed Details? P3 Carson Family ThanksP3 Sunday Clubs P3 Living the Questions P3 Rota Page P4 Minister: The Revd. J. M. Gibson, TD. The Manse of Bothwell, 4 Manse Avenue, Bothwell, G71 8PQ Tel: 01698 853189. Email: [email protected] Church Office Tel: 01698 854903 (Tuesday — Friday 9am-1pm) Email: [email protected] Church Website: www.bothwellparishchurch.org.uk Church Centre: 854987 Chapterhouse Café: 858566 At some points in our lives we find ourselves asking deep questions about our identity, our purpose and our mortality. The need for answers or, at least, pointers become urgent as we try to make sense of our lives, our relationships and our work. WHAT WE BELIEVE Christians believe that every human being is made in the image of God and is loved deeply by God. We believe that each individual is of immeasurable worth despite our shortcomings and failings, our flaws and our inadequacies. We also believe that God has made us to know God in a way that is amazingly fulfilling, liberating and challenging. Throughout the ages, God has invited us to this life of trust and faith by showing what kind of God he is through the beauty of creation, through the way of life (The Law) he gave to the Jews and through prophets: most particularly and fully, through Jesus of Nazareth whose whole life and death shows us who God is and what God is like. The beginning of faith is to trust in this loving God who knows us more profoundly than we know ourselves. And from that initial step a journey that will last a life begins. As we travel, we believe the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen us, leading us to discover more and more of Gods love and also to a place of beauty, wholeness and peace. A place of beauty, wholeness and peacewithin our life. That must be FROM THE MINISTER the dream of every human being (even though they may never consider using such words). For a great many people such a dream ought to be the consequence of political activity and Government action. Sadly, for many people, that is not reality. Day after day, countless numbers of our fellow citizens, whether elderly or young, endure situations, at work or within their home, more akin to nightmarethan dream; and a far cry from any beauty, wholeness or peace’. As these words are written, the campaign to elect the next Scottish Government at Holyrood is in full swing. For what seems like weeks, political leaders have been traversing the country indulging in all manner of activities both meaningful and fun. This is their meet the peopletime. It is also a time for the electorate to meet them and, in doing so, congratulate what has successfully been achieved while ensuring the candidates fully realise where they have fallen short of past promises and what people really need improved in their lives. WE NEED TO SPEAK UP AND OUT This is an enormous task and one which is vitally important for our democratic form of governance. Not everyone has the ability or given the opportunity to speak up and outhowever. More often than not, that means people who are, for whatever reason, most vulnerable or low on lifes wealth rung remain unheard and/or unheeded. The Holy Ministry of the Christian Churches embraces all political affiliations and allegiances. However, while I may hold strong personal political opinions, I deliberately refrain from promoting any partyline either in my preaching or writing. CHURCHS ESSENTIAL ROLE AS SOCIETYS CONSCIENCE That being said, given all I have written about our Christian belief in the immeasurable worth of each individual and how each individual is part of Gods creation: made in Gods own image, I profoundly believe the Church has a primary and fundamental responsibility to speak up and out for those unable to do so for themselves. Society, simply, does not recognise an alternative voice of conscience. NATIONAL SCANDAL OF GROWING CHILD POVERTY One issue on which the Churches must speak up and out ( and there are a number!) is the growing and continuing scandal of child poverty in Scotland. Today, more than 1 in 5 (210,000) of Scotlands children are officially recognised as living in poverty. In 2013/14 the proportion of children in poverty in Scotland was 22%. This is a level that is significantly higher

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Page 1: FROM THE MINISTER - Bothwell Parish ChurchFROM THE MINISTER … than in many other European countries. What is really worrying about such statistics is the forecast by the greatly

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

Registered Scottish Charity No: SC0 9819

SPRING

2016

From The Minister P1, 2 Church Register P2 Statement of Purpose P2 Guild P2 MESSY Church P2 2017 Pilgrimage P3 Organist in New Zealand P3 Changed Details? P3 Carson Family ‘Thanks’ P3 Sunday Clubs P3 Living the Questions P3 Rota Page P4

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

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

Tel: 01698 853189. Email: [email protected]

Church Office Tel: 01698 854903 (Tuesday — Friday 9am-1pm)

Email: [email protected]

Church Website: www.bothwellparishchurch.org.uk

Church Centre: 854987 Chapterhouse Café: 858566

At some points in our lives we find ourselves asking deep questions about our identity, our purpose and our mortality. The need for answers or, at least, pointers become urgent as we try to make sense of our lives, our relationships and our work.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Christians believe that every human being is made in the image of God and is loved deeply by God. We believe that each individual is of immeasurable worth despite our shortcomings and failings, our flaws and our inadequacies. We also believe that God has made us to know God in a way that is amazingly fulfilling, liberating and challenging.

Throughout the ages, God has invited us to this life of trust and faith by showing what kind of God he is through the beauty of creation, through the way of life (The Law) he gave to the Jews and through prophets: most particularly and fully, through Jesus of Nazareth whose whole life and death shows us who God is and what God is like.

The beginning of faith is to trust in this loving God who knows us more profoundly than we know ourselves.

And from that initial step a journey that will last a life begins.

As we travel, we believe the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen us, leading us to discover more and more of God’s love and also to a place of beauty, wholeness and peace. A ‘place of beauty, wholeness and peace’ within our life. That must be

FROM THE MINISTER

the dream of every human being (even though they may never consider using such words).

For a great many people such a dream ought to be the consequence of political activity and Government action. Sadly, for many people, that is not reality. Day after day, countless numbers of our fellow citizens, whether elderly or young, endure situations, at work or within their home, more akin to ‘nightmare’ than ‘dream’; and a far cry from any ‘beauty, wholeness or peace’.

As these words are written, the campaign to elect the next Scottish Government at Holyrood is in full swing. For what seems like weeks, political leaders have been traversing the country indulging in all manner of activities both meaningful and fun. This is their ‘meet the people’ time. It is also a time for the electorate to meet them and, in doing so, congratulate what has successfully been achieved while ensuring the candidates fully realise where they have fallen short of past promises and what people really need improved in their lives.

WE NEED TO SPEAK UP AND OUT

This is an enormous task and one which is vitally important for our democratic form of governance. Not everyone has the ability or given the opportunity to speak ‘up and out’ however. More often than not, that means people who are, for whatever reason, most vulnerable or low on life’s wealth rung remain unheard and/or unheeded.

The Holy Ministry of the Christian Churches embraces all political affiliations and allegiances. However, while I may hold strong personal political opinions, I deliberately refrain from promoting any ‘party’ line either in my preaching or writing.

CHURCH’S ESSENTIAL ROLE AS SOCIETY’S CONSCIENCE

That being said, given all I have written about our Christian belief in the immeasurable worth of each individual and how each individual is part of God’s creation: made in God’s own image, I profoundly believe the Church has a primary and fundamental responsibility to speak up and out for those unable to do so for themselves. Society, simply, does not recognise an alternative voice of conscience.

NATIONAL SCANDAL OF GROWING CHILD POVERTY

One issue on which the Churches must speak up and out ( and there are a number!) is the growing and continuing scandal of child poverty in Scotland.

Today, more than 1 in 5 (210,000) of Scotland’s children are officially recognised as living in poverty. In 2013/14 the proportion of children in poverty in Scotland was 22%. This is a level that is significantly higher

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Church Register

2016. Baptisms: March 6th. Matilda Poppy Gibson, daughter of Mr and Mrs Niall Gibson, 69 Woodlands Crescent, Bothwell. Funerals: The Minister invites the prayers of the congregation for the relatives of the following who recently received Christian funeral: March Mrs Jean Glendinning, Castle Court, Bothwell. Ian Maillie Esq, 2 Eden Park, Bothwell. Tommy Menzies Esq, Fife Court, Bothwell. April Mrs Janet Naismith, 13 Fairfield Lodge, Bothwell. Mrs Elizabeth McManus, Croftbank N. Home, Uddingston Mrs Isobel Greenhalgh, formerly Fairfield Lodge, Bothwell.

FROM THE MINISTER … than in many other European countries. What is really worrying about such statistics is the forecast by the greatly respected Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) which expects a massive increase in child poverty with up to 100,000 more children living in poverty in Scotland in 2020 than in 2012. (This forecast does not take into account Policy announcements affecting working age benefits made since 2014).

The effect of child poverty should never be underestimated. It can so easily undermine the health, wellbeing and potential educational attainment of children. Not to mention its wider cost for society by way of long term losses to the economy.

The fact that this exists at all in 21st Cy Scotland is a national disgrace.

Politicians throwing money at school development that is not targeted at spending on Early Years programmes, will make little impact on the alleviation of child poverty other than gain a cheap headline or two. Nor does much good come from Scottish Government discussion papers that lack strategic priorities or actions.

Such is the seriousness of this reality detrimentally affecting young peoples’ lives that at the very least, political cross-party cooperation working in partnership and taking heed of those who suffer most (charity professionals, perhaps, being their ‘voice’ if need be) is urgently needed. For one thing is certain: unless people in poverty are included, all attempts to develop a better and fairer Scotland will fail.

The Church in Scotland has a long history of campaigning against poverty and injustice. Given its vocation, how could it be otherwise ? The Church in Scotland must not fail the people of Scotland now.

Jim Gibson.

On the afternoon of the last Sunday in April, ladies of the Guild joined forces with members of the Tuesday Club at St Brides' RC Church to host an Afternoon Tea to raise funds for the Scottish charity Mary's Meals. This organisation provides one hot meal every school day to some of the worlds poorest children, currently feeding over one million boys and girls in their place of education in countries around the globe.

The marvellous sum of £1100 was raised and the Guild wish to thank all members and friends in the congregation who supported this event in any way.

NEW TIME & DAY

FOR

MESSY CHURCH

MESSY Church enjoyed a GREAT session at Easter when we welcomed a whole lot of new families. Lots of fun (and messy!) activities were enjoyed by ALL ages — painting a graffiti wall, growing herbs, an obstacle course, decorating biscuits and experimenting with spices. There was time to ask questions about what is known as one of the most incredible stories ever told, the Easter story, before sharing friendship and a delicious meal in our Chapterhouse Café.

Our next MESSY Church will be held in JUNE

A fabulous BBQ fit for All the FAMILY

LOTS of games & activities

Come and join the FUN !

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 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.

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Have Your Details Changed ?

If you have moved house recently or know of any forthcoming

changes, please let the church Office know

either by telephoning 854903

or sending an email to Bothwellparishoffice

@btconnect.com

Ever since the first announcement was made that a new discussion group was going to be formed called Living the Questions, uptake for places in the various groups held has been almost immediate.

In the early Autumn the present group will meet again to take their discussions further.

Perhaps over the coming weeks you may hear about it from those taking part. The course is repeated at different times of the year and, so, if you hear favourable comments and think it might be the sort of thing for you in the future, just let the Minister know or contact the church Office to book a place!

NEW ZEALAND—It’s not all rugby and Anchor butter!

Hi Folks! You may know I spent the weeks of Lent and Easter in the southern hemisphere as Visiting Director of Music (DoM) at the cathedral of Christ Church in Nelson, New Zealand. Nelson lies at the north end of the South Island.

Therein lay my first difficulty, orientation. I was quite prepared to concede that, being south of the Equator, the sun would rise in the usual east and heard through north instead of south to its western resting place; my head knew this. But my instincts were not so prepared for it to track across the sky from right to left in order to accomplish this. No, no, that just feels wrong. Except that it isn’t wrong. It is perfectly right and proper; just different, not what I was used to, nor what I had anticipated.

A lot of learning curves are like that, steeper than expected and surprising. Some of my work there was similar.

Whilst I knew that I would be working with two choirs, for instance, I hadn’t realised that they really hadn’t cooperated for years. I knew I would be playing a glorious three manual pipe organ, but not from a console twelve feet up in the air, with my back to the choir. I knew that thee cathedral had had a succession of personnel problems and had been without a permanent DoM for a couple of years, but not just how much difficulty, resentments and genuine pain and hurt had been caused. A steep learning curve, or two, or three !;

However, not to worry. A stubborn and determinedly insistent regime of smiles, laughter and positive, enthusiastic optimism eventually ground many down to join in; probably recognising that resistence was fruitless. That’s the problem with organists. Hence, we ended up with much better atmospheres and much better music: a win/win ! Oh, in case your wondering …. their rugby players were huge, the dairy products delicious, the folk all kind and lovely; and the wine … all too plentiful.

CHURCH PILGRIMAGE to

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

JUNE 2017

Pilgrimage is making something of a come back in popularity, especially among the churches in Scotland. Over the years, we have organised pilgrimages to the Holy Land (twice) and Turkey following the footsteps of Jesus throughout Palestine and of St John and St Paul as the early Church began to spread along the Mediterranean shores and countries.

Our pilgrimage destinations have been very different and, yet, our pilgrims report they hugely enjoyed each experience, finding their journeys not only informative but, just as importantly, deeply moving.

The proposed pilgrimage of 2017 promises

to be no less rewarding. Very different again in style, content and destination, our pilgrimage will allow travellers the chance to walk parts of the historic ‘camino de Santiago’ - way of St James/road to Santiago. All walking will be done in easy stretches and for short periods, with the coach on hand for those wishing a little more comfort. This was one of the great pilgrimages of the Middle Ages and one of the most popular today.

Together, we shall see cathedrals, wayside chapels, monasteries, Romanesque churches and bridges all of which stood in those ancient times.

En route we stay in very comfortable hotels with good facilities and serving delicious food.

Once in Santiago, we visit the Shrine of St James within the famous cathedral where we see the Botafumeiro swing.

A pilgrimage is not strictly a holiday. On a pilgrimage, the journey itself is as important as the destination with its unique opportunity for fellowship. Interested? Then, please contact the church Office and let us know. Bookings are now being taken. You will be very welcome.

JIM and NAN CARSON would like to thank you all for your suppor t and prayers concerning the recent kidney transplant operation for James, with Jonathan as the donor. Both boys are doing very well with their recuperation.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLUBS for children aged 3yrs/ teenage meet almost every Sunday in the Church Centre at 10.30am for fun-filled activity & discussion New children always welcome

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Church Flowers

Chancel War Memorial May 1 Mrs P Mosley Mrs A Walker 8 Communion Mrs N Robertson Mrs J McPherson 15 Pentecost Mrs H Duddy Mrs M McMurdo 22 Mrs S Cook Mrs M Greenshields 29 Mrs I Gilmour Mrs F Lorimer

June 5 Mrs A Watt Miss Maureen Wilson 12 Mrs M McIntyre Mr & Mrs David Cameron

19 Mrs M Watt Mrs A Thomson 26 Miss H McWhinnie Mrs J Henry

July 3 Mrs J Campbell Mrs E French 10 Miss M Jack Mrs M Mitchell 17 Mrs L Horn Mrs M McArthur 24 Mrs M Chalmers Mrs U Morris 31 Mrs J Neely Mrs J Marsh

August 7 Mrs N Robertson Mrs E Barr 14 Mrs C Jack Mrs S Greenshields 21 Mrs A Hood Mrs P Brown 28 Mrs L Leckie Mrs C-A Cahill

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

May 1 Eleanor Terrace Eleanor Barr 8 Nan Carson Elizabeth French 15 Hazel Gilmour Morven Donnelly 22 Jaynie Craig Janette Provan 29 Pat Maxwell Julie Wilson

June 5 Gillian Ormiston Suzanne Smith 12 Elaine Easton Aileen Hepburn

19 Eleanor Barr Eleanor Terrace 26 Elizabeth French Nan Carson

July NO CRECHE NO CRECHE

August 7 NO CRECHE NO CRECHE 14 Hazel Gilmour Morven Donnelly 21 Jaynie Craig Janette Provan 28 Pat Maxwell Julie Wilson

MAY

1 J Cumming, J Dalziel, E Dempsey, M Dobie 8 Communion Arrangements 15 H Duddy, B Gillespie, H Gilmour, J Gilmour 22 S Greenshields, K Hamilton, J Hart, I Henderson 29 J Henry, D Hepburn, L Horn, M Hutchison

JULY

3 A Watt, G Whitton, A Wilson, E Barr 10 E Buttery, J Carson, N Carson, S Cook 17 D Craig, J Crichton, S Crichton, J Cumming 24 J Dalziel, E Dempsey, M Dobie, H Duddy 31 B Gillespie, H Gilmour, J Gilmour, S Greenshields

AUGUST

7 K Hamilton, J Hart, I Henderson, J Henry 14 D Hepburn, L Horn, M Hutchison, M Jack 21 D Lee, H Marsh, J Marsh, G Moore 28 B Moyes, C McQueen, G Ormiston, R Parsons

JUNE

5 M Jack, D Lee, H Marsh, J, Marsh 12 G Moore, B Moyes, C McQueen, G Ormiston 19 R Parsons, J Provan, J Provan, B Sharp 26 S Smith, E Somerville, E Terrace, B Thomson

MAY 1 Mrs J Hamilton JUNE 5 Mrs E Buttery 8 The Parsons & The Wilsons 12 Mrs E Dempsey 15 Mrs A Thomson 19 Mrs C Cahill 22 Mrs N Carson 26 Mrs J Craig 29 The Ormistons JULY 3 Mrs S Crichton AUGUST 7 Mrs N Carson 10 The Frews & The Hepburns 14 The Ormistons 17 Mrs J Hamilton 21 Mrs E Buttery 24 The Parsons & The Wilsons 28 Mrs E Dempsey 31 Mrs A Thomson

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4

From the Organist’s Bench

(A wee bit further south than usual!)

Many worshippers must know or, at least, suspect that I am English.

For this, I make no more grovelling apology than is usual, not crave indulgent understanding for my consequent, frequent trips south across the border.

However,it seems that I am destined to head a lot, lot farther south and across many borders during the next few weeks. In fact, just as far south as can be gone without finding one-self on the way back again!

I have been invited to visit friends in New Zealand and have been asked to temporarily help out by acting as Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral in Nelson on South Island. They are ‘between’ Organists and have also lost their Dean who has retired unexpectedly due to serious health problems. It is a huge privilege to be invited to fill such a position and I am hugely grateful to be grated extended annual leave from Bothwell to take up the task. I leave mid-February and return on April 10. During my absence, Phil Fox, already well known to the congregation at Bothwell, will kindly deputise for me. So, here’s me for a big adventure, already sharpening my baton and pressing my shorts, wondering whether I’ll need to play an as yet unknown anthem or improvise a Haka ! I will be delighted to convey greet-ings from our ‘cathedral’ at Bothwell to theirs. Please remember me and all in NZ in your thoughts and prayers. I’ll not forget in which direction lies Bothwell—north and home.

Phil Hotham.

Rona Crate writes ….

Dear Friends I send my warmest thanks for the support received from Mr Gibson, my husband Angus, family and friends by way of cards, flowers. good wishes and visits during my recent time in hospital and recuperation at home.

Thankfully, I am making good progress and look forward to seeing you all soon.

Saying It With Flowers!Thank You.

On behalf of the ladies of the church Flower Committee, I would like to say thank you to all who have contributed to the flower rota throughout 2015 en-suring that flowers adorn our church every Sunday. If you would like to have your name added to our flower list, please do make contact and let me know. If able, you can either arrange thee flowers yourself, or give a donation and we will happily arrange flowers on your behalf. As always, it is a pleasure to be involved in decorating the church come Advent ensuring it is ready for worship over the Christmas period. My thanks to everyone who worked so hard both preparing the church and, then, taking the decorations down again to be stored away until next Advent.

Jean Hamilton Flower Convener

(853835)

donated £1136.06 from their special Pre-Christmas Luncheon held last November within the Strathaven Hotel along with a fur-ther £1863.94 from past fund—raising activities. Thanks to all who organised and contributed in any way.

Marilyn Jack.

ERSKINE HOSPITAL BENEFITS FROM

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY COFFEE

The Session Clerk reports that £80 was raised at Coffee following our worship on Remembrance Sunday. This was sent on behalf of our church to further the work of Erskine Hospital.

ACTS MAKE CHEQUE PRESENTATION Members of our teenage group ACTS presented a cheque for £516 to representatives of CrossReach—the social work division of the Church of Scotland. The money was Raised during December when members of the group made Christmas decorations for Sale during Advent on Sundays after worship. The congregation was told that this Donation would help finance the Church’s work among homeless people throughout Scotland.

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COMMEMORATION OF

FIRST WORLD WAR

Following the Civic service held in our church in 2004 to Commemorate the Beginning of the First World War, at the request of the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, the Kirk Session gave approval for a special Commemorative Table to be placed within the church to mark the ongoing years of the conflict. The table may be viewed along the west wall of the nave.

The tall votive candle represents the declaration and commencement of hostilities and, as each subsequent year of conflict passes, the smaller candles will be lit.

On the table, in front of the candles, lies a specially rebound copy of the record of Bothwell men who died during the War and whose biographies were published by the Bothwell Historical Society.

Throughout the year, as each Sunday passes, the pages are turned to tell the tale of each man’s life.

It is thought one hundred and ten men died from Bothwell and Bothwellhaugh during the First World War. (The Minister gratefully acknowledges approval given by Bothwell Historical Society for their publication to rebound and used for this purpose).

Surprise Nativity !

The Sunday before Christmas held a great surprise for the congregation when, without warning or any rehearsal, the children were invited to participate in our very own Nativity.

To be truthful, if the congregation were surprised, you ought to have seen the faces of the children !

Jim Carson narrated the story and unsuspecting members of the congregation were given a part too. They had to look after character costumes for the youngsters to find and put on. While all this activity was taking place, Phil had moved from the organ to the piano and provided incidental—and humerous—music.

If it sounds chaotic it, probably, was. But, nonetheless, it worked! Everyone seemed to have a great time—and that included the congregation! So: congratulations to one and all.

CHRISTMAS HAMPER WINNERS

Congratulations

to Bruce and Arlene Thomson, Gleneagles Park, winners of our 2015 luxury Christmas Hamper. Hopefully, they managed to get over their initial shock at winning and enjoyed savouring its contents! The Hamper raised over £600 for church funds. Our thanks to everyone who contributed.

Friends united in December for their annual Allovus Christmas Lunch. Best bib and tucker was worn, a few songs were sung and everybody enjoyed a superb lunch prepared by Craig in the Chapterhouse Café washed down by a glass or two of wine.

Since then, a short break has been taken in January and, now, club activities are underway taking them to the end of June with a full programme of talks, films and days-out.

Allovus is open to all ‘Seniors’ in our congregation and community. It meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 11.30am until 1.30pm. Morning Coffee and a two course Lunch is served all for the cost of £4. New members are always given a very warm welcome.

A change to normal practice saw the Guild celebrate Christmas by attending the charity concert held in church by Bothwell Rotary Club to hear the Bothwell Philharmonic Choir sing. Thereafter, we crossed the road to the Bothwell Bridge Hotel to enjoy an excellent dinner.

After the new year, our session continued with our Burns Night when some foot-tapping music and a good singalong was supplied by Peter McLean. Naturally, the evening was topped-off with some haggis, neeps and tatties!

Jim Anderson is someone always assured of a warm welcome return to the Guild as he comes with more of his entertaining travel stories and slides. This time it was to allow us enjoy something of last year’s church Pilgrimage to Turkey following the journeys of St John and St Paul. Our Guild is open to men and women. Church affiliation is not necessary: just goodwill towards the Church’s faith and a willingness to share our friendships.

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A Short History of Bothwell

Continuing the instalments of the notes prepared by the late Rev. S. J. Hamilton, B.A., on the history of the parish.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Anyone 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 at the church Office.

7

A New Way to Receive Your Magazine?

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 via laptops, Kindles, tablets and i-phones, and not receiving a paper copy, you would be helping the Church to contin-ue to develop as an eco-congregation and you would also be helping us to save money in printing costs.

If you decide this is an option for you, please send an e-mail to the office [email protected] detailing your name and address, to allow us to make adjustments to the number of copies printed.

John Crichton Session Clerk

Part 2 of 2

The Reverend Gavin Hamilton, minister of Bothwell enjoyed an interesting and successful career. The second son of John Hamilton of Orbiston, who fell at Langside fighting for Queen Mary, he was born about 1561 and educated at the university of St Andrews where he graduated Master of Arts in 1584. Six years later he became minister of the Second Charge, Hamilton. Translated to Bothwell in 1594, he returned after a decade to his former parish where he ministered in the First Charge. Apparently one of the king’s ‘led horses’ he was appointed by James VI to the temporalities (properties and revenues) of the old bishopric of Galloway, with the priory of Whithorn and the abbeys of Glenluce and Dundrennan. A year later, he became Dean of the Chapel Royal and ‘constant’ moderator of the presebytery of Kirkcudbright. The climax of his career was reached in 1610 when, on the 21st October, he was consecrated in London to the see of Galloway. It is interesting to note that, at this ceremony, he was not re-ordained, Presbyterian ordination being then recognised by the Church of England. He died in February 1612. His wife was Alison, eldest daughter of James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, who bore him five children, one of whom married John Campbell, bishop of Argyll.

Like his predecessor at Bothwell, he was a man of some weight and standing in the ecclesiastical councils of the realm; and while still minister at Both-well he had several important duties to perform outwith his parish. On 26th June 1595, he was appointed by the General Assembly to give information against such of the brethren as had ‘dilapidated’ their benefices in the bounds of Clydesdale, Renfrew, Lennox and Dumbarton and was one of the commissioners chosen by the Assembly for constituting an interim ‘platt’ for the same bounds. By the Assemblies of 1598, 1600 and 1601 he was empow-ered, with others, to plant such kirks in burgh-towns as are destitute and on 16th May 1601 was appointed, with others, for trial of the brethren in the bounds of

Irvine and Ayr.

All that said, one point must be noted which does not seem to redound to his credit as far as the temporalities of the parish are concerned.

The following particulars would make it obvious he had something to do with the alienation of the church lands and property at Bothwell. In 1604, with the consent of Sir Walter Scott of Branxholm , then patron of the parish, he granted to his brother, John Hamilton of Orbiston in fee-farm and heritage: 1 the whole of ten pound lands of Orbiston and the manor-place, with the houses, yards, orchards and fishings –along with the tithes of the same, 2 the lands of Carnbrew, Unthank, Stevenson, Alderstoun, Carfin, Jervie-stoun, Riccart-Johnstoun and Kirklee in the barony of Bothwell, 3 the mill of Orbiston, 4 the nether mill of Orbiston on the Calder, 5 the church lands of Bothwell with the houses, gardens and pertinents reserving, however, to the provost and his successors , serving the cure of Bothwell, a reasonable glebe of four acres of the said church lands, with the mansion, gardens and other premises which were then occupied by the provost.

As minister of Bothwell, Gavin Ham-ilton’s stipend was ‘the hail dewtie of the prowestrie of Bothwell £222, with the vicarage £6 13s 4d’ (Scots) - a total of £19 1s 2d (Sterling). At times, he seems to have been responsible for paying the stipend of the minister of Shotts.