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

Registered Scottish Charity No: SC0 9819

AUTUMN 2017

From the Minister P1, P2 Church Register P2 Statement of Purpose P2 ‘Thank You’ P2 Living the Questions P2 Allovus Luncheon Club P2 Bothwell Guild P3 Ladies Lunch for Tommy P3 2017 Pilgrimage Report P3 Rota Page P4 Sunday Club/ ACTs P5 Organist’s Bench P5 Sportsmans Dinner P5 Car Treasure Hunt P5 Pastoral Care Group P6 Friends of Bothwell Church P6 CrossReach P6 People You Should Know P6

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 — Friday 9am-1pm) Email: bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com

Church Website: www.bothwellparishchurch.org.uk

Church Centre: 854987 Chapterhouse Café: 858566

FROM THE MINISTER One of the most evocative programmes recently screened on television has been a series marking the 70th anniversary of the partition of the south-Asian sub-continent which gave rise to the creation of newly defined nations of Pakistan and India. Immediately following the Second World War, Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma was appointed Viceroy of India with the vital remit to oversee a partition which might prevent the occurrence of civil war breaking out between rival religious groups. This would then herald India obtaining her independence in 1948. A thankless job and very much a poisoned chalice—with, as history has since shown, the actual decision about the line of partition being taken secretly in London. Partition is always a tragedy. In 1947 it gave rise to millions of refugees fleeing violence in India, seeking their safety in the newly created nations of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Literally, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children perished. Such was the horror experienced that many involved never related the tale even to younger members of their own family. Instead, the anger, fear and resentment felt became sublimated for decades. The television series takes a number of Indian and Pakistani UK residents to the subcontinent to discover the truth of what their own forebears experienced and to meet some of the few survivors of that time who had personal knowledge of their relatives. To eavesdrop as their story is told is a humbling experience both for the young relative and for the TV listener. The

harrowing tales of violence and fear have an understandably devastating emotional effect. All of which makes it easier to understand the tension and suspicion that still exists between the people of these nations even though so much time has passed. Something that is sadly all the more troubling when one realizes that both those nations are nuclear powers. Seventy years on and, it seems, the world has still not yet learned from the human toll and collateral devastation such enforced action can cause. Indeed, as recent events have shown, the world is full of lines of partition—whether it be sectarianism here in Scotland, the bigotry and hatre of ultra-Right, neo-Nazi groups in the United States or the military posturing of North Korea. ‘Where there is no room for difference there is no room

for humanity’ This matters because — as Lord Jonathan Sacks, the former Chief Rabbi reminds us *— all these things reflect how societies treat the Other, the one-not-like-us. Yet, a nation that has no room for ‘difference’ has no room for humanity. None of us is exactly the same as another: each of us is irreplaceable. Our world is awash with hate across religious divides. Thus far, we have misunderstood the world in which we live. Ours is not an age of secular ideologies. It is a era of desecularisation. Our greatest challenge is not political, or military, or economic. It is, in the

most profound sense spiritual. What rescued Europe from its last age of religious wars in the 17th century, was not weapons, but ideas: those of Milton, Hobbes, Spinoza, Locke and their like that laid the foundations for religious liberty and a free society. Thus far into this 21st century, we have been blessed by unprecedented technological advance, but few new ideas. ‘Scandal of the Church’s lack

of confidence in its own Gospel’

The Archbishop of Glasgow, Philip Tartaglia, has recently claimed Scottish Catholics are too ‘wishy-washy’ about their faith. Writing in an American publication, the Archbishop states that the “new religious consensus in the UK is a combination of skepticism, consumer appetite and political intolerance. It masks itself with progressive vocabulary but its targets tend to be practicing Christians.” What the Archbishop is pointing to is the scandal of the Churches’ lack of confidence in its own gospel. Our world is crying out in its pain for serious spiritual work to be done. We need theological courage. Common to Judaism and Islam, Christianity says that every human being, regardless of colour, class or creed, is in the image

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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. Nearly 300 individuals have experienced the course. 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!

Statement of Purpose

Bothwell Parish 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.

Thank You.

Ann Watt is grateful for all the cards, letters, phone calls and visits received recently while in hospitals. Each and every one of these gestures made a difference to long days away from home, church and Bothwell village. For such continuing kindness, warm thanks are due.

CHURCH REGISTER Baptisms: May 28th. Davis James Morrison, son of James and Katy Morrson, 2 Kirklands Crescent, Bothwell. June 11th. James Buchanan Dogdan Paterson, son of Jamie Peterson and Greig Bogdan, 15 The Fairways, Bothwell. June 11th. Jenna Olivia Bogdan Paterson, daughter of Jamie Paterson and Greig Bogdan, 15 The Fairways, Bothwell. Marriages: May 26th. Gillian Shaw and Jonathan Page, 22 Kennoway Crescent, Hamilton. June 03rd. Lynsey Jeffrey and Brian Reilley, 100 Juniper Road, Uddingston G71. July 01st. Alexandra Lynn and John Gillespie, 31 Frood Street Motherwell ML1 3TA. Aug 11th. Sarah McGill and Alan McArthur, 11 Dunlop Crescent, Bothwell G71.(Glasgow University Chapel). Funerals: The Minister invites the prayers of the congregation for the family and friends of the following who recently received Christian funeral:

May Kenneth McDermid Esq, Aberglen Care Home, Hamilton. Mrs Patricia Mosley, 7 Fife Court, Bothwell. June Mrs Ann Hamilton, 5 Main Street, Bothwell. Tom Hastie Esq, The Fairways, Bothwell. July Thomas Fleming Esq, formerly resident in England. Joseph White Esq, ‘Woodlands’ Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. August James White, 4 Lomond Drive, Bothwell. New Members: The Kirk Session offers a warm welcome to the following recently admitted to membership of the Church at Bothwell:

Mrs Helen Beveridge, 18 Green Street, Bothwell Mrs Helen Baird, 27 Silvertrees Gardens, Bothwell. Mrs Betty Rudolph, 26 Old Station Court, Bothwell. Mr George and Mrs Madge Balfour, 6 Rowan Gardens, Bothwell. Mr Laurie and Mrs Coleen Gray, 23 Hamilton Park South, Hamilton.

from THE MINISTER of God. Our shared humanity must take precedence over all our religious differences. Until we are prepared to take this seriously, intolerance and injustice will hold sway; people will continue to kill in the name of the God of Life and practice cruelty in the name of the God of Compassion. And God, himself, will weep.

Jim Gibson. *’The hate that starts with Jews never ends there.’ The Times (16.08.2014).

Allovus our twice monthly

Luncheon Club for

Seniors got off to a great start with yet more new members and is now settled into an exciting and varied programme of activities.

On Sept 7, PC Jonathan Amos will be giving advice on how to handle ‘Cold Callers’ either on the phone or at the door.

Sept 21st sees the group visiting the church to witness the work done during the recent restoration of the Quire.

October 5th brings Jill Scott and Bill Hicks to speak about the iconic Central Hotel in Glasgow.

While on October 19th, members relax and have some fun playing Bingo and enjoying a Bring & Buy day.

New Members welcome!

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‘Tea for Tommy’

Ladies Lunch at the Strathaven Hotel

Floral Demonstration and Gift Stalls

Sunday 1st October 1pm for 1.30pm Price £26

Proceeds towards a memorial to commemorate

Tommy Menzies

‘Wee Tommy’

Jeanette McGuire

writes a personal reminiscence of our recent church pilgrimage

to Santiago de Compostela

‘To Be A Pilgrim’ Our arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, first seen from the viewpoint of the two enormous Pilgrim sculptures that stood on a hill overlooking the city, and whose thoughts and feelings must have been so similar....total exhaustion but oh! such elation that we had finally arrived at our destination. The end of a long, hot, exhausting journey from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Midday Pilgrims’ Mass in Santiago de Compostela. The route of our journey started at the foot of the Pyrenees passed through Pamploma, Burgos, (The Cathedral with its inspiring Gothic facade) Leon, (The Cathedral with hundreds of stained glass windows telling their stories), San Domingo, ( where all the roads merge to then continue on to Santiago de Compostela), the Iron Cross (Cruz de Hierro) the mountain top experience at the highest point on The Way and a host of smaller towns and villages to finally arrive at our destination, Santiago de |Compostela.

Yet despite the heat and tiredness of the long distance journey, was a wonderful feeling of companionship with the sharing of “Bueno Camino!” with the many pilgrims we met all along the way.

The vast majority of pilgrims are on their own quests, either recreational or spiritual and many of our little band of pilgrims had wondered as we walked along the way “ Why am I here? What do I hope to gain out of this walk? In the physical sense we had achieved what we had set out to do. Walk the way of St James the Apostle. However, the Eureka moment came to me, as sixteen would-be pilgrims stood together in a semi circle in front of a 9th century alter and quietly received Holy Communion from the Rev Jim. It was then I realised that we were all in it together. We were all Christians together, pilgrims sharing and believing as one in the work of Christ. There was no thought to colour or creed, pomp or circumstance. “When two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.

Several other pilgrims had come into that little church and without hesitation, they too joined us in the breaking of the bread and drinking of the wine. The silence of the moment was suddenly broken by one of our pilgrim band who spontaneously burst into song… “To Be a Pilgrim”. This said it all. The heady feeling of sharing the experience with friends and strangers alike was simply overpowering.

So, was the cathedral of Santiago the end of our journey? Yes, we had achieved our aim, to physically walk the way of St James but there was a sense of another journey too, a spiritual journey which must be developed and nurtured, a continuous process in order that we can truly achieve our aim, ‘To be a Pilgrim’.

PILGRAMAGE MEMORIES

BOTHWELL GUILD

To launch Session 2017-18 and raise funds for our charity projects, an AFTERNOON TEA will be held on SUNDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER

at 2.00pm. Mark Bambrough, the stained-glass artist who designed the Chalmer’s Window in the main hall of the church Centre, will speak a little about his work. Tickets priced £5 are now on sale each Sunday either in the Narthex after worship or in the Café ; or from the church Office

Our new session begins on

MONDAY 2 OCTOBER at 7.30pm

with our Re-dedication & Introduction followed by wine, nibbles and chat. Old friends and new members welcome!

Church Flowers

Crossing War Memorial

September: 3rd E Forrest M Jaap 10th S Crichton E Buttery 17th S Rutherford-Young M Maillie 24th I Glen G Whitton October: 01st J Provan M McMurdo 08th B Peacock S Campbell 15th G Ormiston F Lorimer 22nd J Hamilton J Young 29th G Rich P McAulay. November: 05th. H Bryce A Freeland 12th J Lee E Somerville 19th A Hepburn D Gibson 26th T Abercromby S Smith December: 03rd J Dalziel V Crate 10th M Greenshields U McLundie 17th D Craig M Jack 24th S Frew 31st Flower Committee.

Sunday Welcome / Duty Rota Office bearers should please arrive at Church for duty by 9.45 am.

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: 03rd M Donnelly J Provan 10th J Craig P Maxwell 17th G Ormiston S Smith 24th E Easton A Hepburn October: 01st E Barr E Terrace 08th E French N Carson 15th J Robertson M Donnelly 22nd J Provan J Craig 29th P Maxwell G Ormiston November: 05th E Easton A Hepburn 12th E Barr E Terrace 19th E French N Carson 26th J Robertson M Donnelly December: 03rd J Provan J Craig 10th P Maxwell G Ormiston 17th S Smith E Easton 24th A Hepburn E Barr 31st No Creche

SEPTEMBER 03. J Dalziel E Dempsey M Dobie H Duddy 10. B Gillespie H Gilmour J Gilmour S Greenshields 17. K Hamilton J Hart I Henderson J Henry 24. D Hepburn M Jack D Lee. G Moore

OCTOBER 01. BB Company. 08. H Marsh J Marsh B Moyes G Ormiston 15. J Provan J Provan R Parsons B Sharp 22. S Smith E Somerville E Terrace B Thomson 29. B Thomson G Whitton A Wilson D Craig

NOVEMBER 05. Communion Arrangements. 12. E Barr J Carson N Carson E Buttery

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 03. Parsons & Wilsons 01 BB Company 05 Mrs A Thomson

10. Mrs N Carson 08 Ormistons 12 Mrs S Crichton 17. Mrs E Buttery 15 Mrs J Craig 19 Frews & Hepburns 24. Mrs E Dempsey 22 Mrs C Cahill 26 Parsons & Wilsons 29 Mrs J Hamilton

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Sadly, its time to move on, it seems. One of the favourite schoolboy jokes of one of my chorister grandsons is along the lines of: “How strange it is that whilst time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.” There seem to be times when life seems to fly rather banana like, not quite as straight forwardly as one had hoped. I had expected to spend a good many more years music making and supporting the liturgical and parish life here at Bothwell but family circumstances of children and grandchildren in Manchester and, in particular, my wife Penny drawn to her daughter and grandchild in London, have made a move south somewhat inevitable. Certainly, my years here have flown. There has always been plenty of good things to do, good standards to maintain, exciting projects, rewarding developments and, most importantly, great people to work with. I have been blessed with the love and support of a super bunch of singers in our choir, congregation and community; and it has been wonderful working with the Rev’d Jim. He has been so encouraging and supportive. If he has enjoyed working with me half as much as I have with him, he will be a lucky man! But the offer of a tempting post at St James’ Louth on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds beckons and I feel I must make the transition whilst my creaking fame is still marginally functional. It is another peach of a church—have a look on-line—and, if I don’t have a healthy stream of visitors from Bothwell dropping in, there will be repercussions. I may have to arrange cross-border raids! Thank you all, for my time with you and the endless kindness and generosity you have shown me. I shall stay closely in touch, please afford me the same privilege. Phil Hotham.

From the Organist’s Bench

Got their new session off to a cracking start with an FAMILY BBQ held in pleasing sunshine. No mean feat this summer! The manse garden was filled with the sound of laughter and play as the ‘young at heart’ as well as in years—the youngest present being just two weeks old!- filled the garden enjoying bouncy castle, croquet, face-painting, assorted games, sausage rolls, burgers and ice-lolleys all washed down with either soft drinks or a glass or two of wine. See if you can identify some of those there ?

The retirement at the end of last session of Anne Sharp and Hazel Scott, after so many valued years of service, dealt a considerable blow to both the Red Sea section and ACTs. However, new volunteers have stepped into the breech to ensure our children enjoy and learn from varied, interesting and lively activities which not only provide a Christian perspective but give our children and young adults an awareness of the world and its needs; and, most importantly, help them to enjoy being a much valued part of the church family at Bothwell.

SUNDAY CLUBS for

Children & Young Adults

ALL ARE WECOME!

CHURCH FUNDRAISER

SPORTSMAN’S DINNER at

the Bothwell Bridge Hotel

FRIDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2017 6.45 for 7.30pm

Dress: Lounge Suit

Ticket £50 (from Church office)

2017 CAR TREASURE HUNT (not to be missed!)

Sunday, 8th October from 2.00om Meet at Church Centre. £10 per car (max 4 pers)

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PASTORAL CARE — An Exciting Opportunity !

Do you sometimes listen to a sermon, or hjear the stories that Jesus told, or watch the youngsters going to their activities in the Sunday Clubs and ask yourself, ‘What can I do ?’ Well, here is an opportunity, a role perhaps only you can fulfil. At its last meeting, the Kirk Session agreed to establish a Pastoral Care Group to further the ministry of our church in a variety of different ways providing support for others—and all on a day of the week and at a time of day that best suits you. So: how can you express interest ? For those who manage to come to church, there will be forms laid on the table behind the pews on which you can add your contact details. For those who find it difficult to get to church on a Sunday but would still like to get involved, simply make contact with the church Office and register your details. Looking forward to hearing from you.

The Society of Friends

of Bothwell Parish Church

of Scotland Just before it was discovered that urgent

restoration and repair work was needed to be carried out to safeguard the building of the church Quire, a meeting was held to create a Society of Friends of Bothwell Church. Sadly, circumstances meant that further plans for the development of such a Society had to be put on hold. Now, thankfully, the time has come for us to progress with this project which is designed to promote the heritage of our church building to enable a much wider use and appreciation; and ensure its preservation for posterity. If you are interested in discovering more information about The Friends then let’s meet together, after morning worship, in the main hall of the CHURCH CENTRE over a cup of coffee on

SUNDAY, 24th SEPTEMBER 2017.

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Minister Revd J M Gibson 4 Manse Avenue 853189

Session Clerk David Craig 23 Reen Place 854903

Treasurer Jim Provan 5 Sth Deanpark Av. 854903

Gift Aid Donald Lee 3 Carnoustie Court 854903

Roll Keeper Church Secretary Church Office 854903

Property Ken Hamilton 6 Coleridge Avenue 854903

Organist & Director of Music Philip Hotham (Please consult at church)

Presbytery Margaret Hutchison 2 Clyde Avenue 854903

Crèche Nan Carson 88 Shelley Drive 854903

Sunday Clubs (Pre-school and Primary) The Minister Church Office 854903

ACTs (Teens) Rhona Armes-Martin Church Office 854903

BB Coy. Robin McLean Church Office 854903

Allovus Anne McMillan 54 Baillie Drive 854903 The Guild Doreen Gibson 4 Manse Avenue 853189 Church Centre Management Margaret Dobie Hamilton 854903 Church Centre 854987.

KIRK IS A LEADER IN DRUG-ADDICTION SUPPORT SERVICES

Support services run by the Church of Scotland’s social care organization enable many drug users to recover and live free from substance abuse. Vic Walker, head of service at CrossReach, has said clients are encouraged to ‘reach their full potential’ and many use their experiences to inspire others who are struggling with addiction. Through CrossReach the Church runs recovery oriented support centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness,Angus, Dundee and the Outer Isles. The number of drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2016 was 867, a rise of 23% on the previous year. 70% of these deaths were among people aged 35 or over. Mr Walker termed such death as a ‘national and personal tragedy’.

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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.

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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 bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com 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.