the link - issue 43
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The Link The magazine for the linked congregations and community of the West Kirk of Calder and Polbeth HarwoodTRANSCRIPT
The Link
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The magazine for the linked congregations and community of theWest Kirk of Calder and Polbeth Harwood
Issue 43
Diane Stirling 01506 426887
28 Kaims Court, Livingston Village, EH54 7DB
West Kirk
Session Clerk Stewart MacRae
01506 872486
23 Westmuir Road
West Calder
EH55 8EX
Treasurer William Calder
01506 871281
25 Harburn Road
West Calder
EH55 8AJ
Polbeth Harwood
Session Clerk Marian Kinsman
01506 871125
12 Langside Crescent
Polbeth
EH55 8UW
Treasurer Sandra McCabe
Assistant News Editor Gordon Dempster
01506 414565
West Kirk of Calder (Church of Scotland)
Charity SCO04703
Congregation 020161
Polbeth Harwood Parish Church of Scotland
Charity SC17373
Congregation 020156
www.west-kirk-polbeth-harwood.co.uk
8 Manse Court
East Calder
Livingston
EH53 0HF
Tel: 01506 884585
Email: [email protected]
28/6/2011
Dear Friends,
I want to thank you all for being so friendly and kind to me as your new interim
moderator. I am grateful that you have received me in such a welcoming and
friendly way. I appreciated the flowers that you gave me last Sunday after the two
services. Nanda and I look at it and thank the Lord for good people like you. They
are indeed beautiful. Thank you!
We have now started our journey together with the Lord. I am looking forward to this
new journey and hope that this journey will bring us all to calm waters, with lots of
shady trees and prosperous fields. May we always listen to His voice, be receptive
and open to do His will in the Parish, wherever we go!
I hope that you will know I am always available. If you experience any difficulty
please be in touch. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
All my best wishes,
Rev Dr André Groenewald (VDM)
On a slightly overcast Saturday morning the opportunity to escape the hectic schedule of daily living many of us lead these days had arrived.
Only a small checklist to complete and we were off......comfortable footwear for walking, waterproof jacket, rucksack, packed lunch, map. instructions, compeed for the potential foot blisters,
change of socks for later on (highly recommended by the seasoned walker amongst us!) , chocolate - any excuse!, mobile phone switched to silent, sense of humour incase the going got tough and friends to support the doubters amongst those who didn't know if they could complete the challenge of 15 miles walking!
Meeting point for registration was in the beautiful setting of St. Mary's Parish Church Haddington. About 50 people of all ages, from various congregations and walks of life joined together for a brief time of worship. The photocall was completed, the exuberant pet dogs which had been brought along by some owners barked impatiently to get started so we set off on the walk of rebirth of The East Lothian Pilgrimage Way. Trail blazers had met the challenge a year before to see if it was possible to reignite and develop a form of pilgrimage for the 21st century. It's predecessor in the 1970's had trailed a path from Whitekirk to Haddington and at the time it had been a beacon of ecumenism bringing hundreds of people from many different churches to East Lothian to be pilgrims together.
In the makeover it was decided to reverse the start and end points (for those of us less used to such distances of exercise we presumed this may have been done to give us flatter terrain as we got nearer the end! How wrong could we have been.....
The walk was broken up into three stages - Haddington to Athelstaneford (lunch in the village hall) then onto East Linton (afternoon tea), final leg to Whitekirk. Seven brief stopping stations were also interspersed along the route where a Psalm was read from the Authorised Version of the Bible in respect of it's 400th Anniversary Year and a much needed sip of water refreshed any tiring pilgrim.
Standing on The Nungate Bridge over the Tyne in Haddington made us reflect on the flow of the water and discern time's passing, just like the river's progress we move in life from childhood to old age, from life to death "My times are in Thy hand".
Thanks to the local Police Constabulary we all crossed the old A1 road safely and commenced an incline up to Barney Mains towards The Vaults where a grand folly lies on the brow of a hill with breathtaking views over the East Lothian countryside. It was a grand dream built on pride and never completed due to changing circumstances. We were reminded of God's creation built from nothing but the foundations strength were based on love. A cooling breeze refreshed us from the humid warmth the suns rays being hidden by the clouds up until this point. On reaching
The RuggedPathway
Athelstaneford the sun was full on and the village hall was a welcome resting stop in the shade to lighten our rucksacks by eating our packed lunches.
Stage Two saw us head along rambling paths on the edge of farmers fields bye passing the Museum of Flight, crossing a burn as we walked in view of the main East Coast Rail Line. Residents of the little hamlets we were passing through were very encouraging coming out to pass the time of day as we went bye. The red roofed stone cottages looking quaint and endearing in the beauty of their setting. East Linton saw us break the comfort zone of 10 and a bit miles done. For some it was time to call a halt for others it was where they joined the walk - a local group of young people had joined up to do the last leg with others they knew who were signed up for the whole walk. It was encouraging having fresh enthusiasm in the group to revive the spirits of those who were starting to feel the aches and pains by then.
Stage Three was a bit of an Illusional walk. After circum navigating the traffic travelling to and from Smeatons Garden Centre, according to the map after a straight bit of road, turn right at the T junction, Whitekirk just along on your right.......(we were told the map was not to scale) The road was one of the straightest we had ever seen but you kept thinking the T junction was just on the brow of the next hillock, when you got there it went on for another mile and possibly another mile after that. The T junction came into view but not before a steep long incline tested the inner strength of a few walkers kneecaps and hips to reach the summit. The beautiful rural setting of Whitekirk and the smallness of the Chapel concluded our walk. The serenity of peace within the walls of this historic building were only disturbed by the sound of heavy rain which just started to fall five minutes after we reached our destination. A place of sanctuary indeed for all pilgrims, the warmth of unspoken fellowship amongst the whole group was palpable, the readings and hymns chosen for the closing act of worship were prayerful, reflective and uplifting for weary souls on whatever personal journey of pilgrimage they had been on.
It was good to be out in the open air, away from routine, deadlines, discovering new surroundings, strengthening established friendships, making new friends on the way, healing our minds from the tiredness of burdens which at times weigh us down. It was truly an ecumenical walk of hope for the future that we may all lead on in our lives what God Guides us to do, say or think to His Glory, until eternity.
It was a very enjoyable experience and a well organised event. Watch out for next years invite to join in......if we could do it so can you.
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The LinkIssue 43
July/August 2011
A Little Thank You...
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has so generously supported my fundraising efforts for the Vine Trust Tanzania project.
Proceeds from the ceilidh and coffee morning along with individual donations mean that, to date, almost £2,000 has been raised. I’m led to believe this is around the cost of constructing and fitting out an accommodation block for 10 children.
Without your support this could not have been possible.
Liz Dyer
Café and Traidcraft Stall @ Polbeth
The Wednesday café and Traidcraft stall will be available all summer, as well as on a Sunday morning.
Come along, have a chat, share in fellowship and help support Damasi our sponsored child who is now 9 years old!
If you are not treating yourself to some goodies from the stall, remember there is an opportunity to donate directly through our “small person” jar on the stall.
Thank you all for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you durning the summer months!
Margaret Dempster
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The LinkIssue 43
July/August 2011
The King James Bible – 400th AnniversaryNot long after James VI became king, scholars discussed the need for a new English translation of the Bible. Reformers, fleeing to Switzerland during the reign of Queen Mary, published a Bible in English (the Geneva Bible). The Geneva Bible existed in many different editions. King James referred to it as "the worst."By 1604, James convened the Hampton Court Conference. The King and the conference attendees agreed to commission a new translation. Using Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, collectively known as the Textus Receptus, scholars called this new translation the King James Version (KJV) in honour of the king who had authorized it, being issued in 1611.For more information: kjv400.co.uk/
JUNE ISSUE
The Missing MenAs Father’s Day approaches, Thomas Baldwin asks: where are the men in church? God and MoneyJackie Macadam highlights the work of the Church’s Commission on the Purposes of Economic Activity.
A Model for ChangeThe legacy of the Poverty Truth Commission. General Assembly 2011Two more pages of reports to the Assembly. The Mapping MinisterJackie Macadam offers an insight into the life of Timothy Pont, a Church of Scotland minister whose legacy included a geographical gift. ‘Brick by Brick’The Rev Alan McWilliam shows how lives have been transformed in Uganda by the work of Tearfund. Theology of FragilityAnn Morisy explains why the Gospel is alive in Scotland’s poorest communities. When Less is MoreThe Rev Peter Johnston reflects on the use of technology in worship. Bible ‘Oddbits’The Rev Laurence Whitley concludes his series with a look at St John’s description of Mary’s Easter morning encounter with the ‘gardener’. Creating ‘the People’s Bible’Emma Galloway calls on all Christians to take part in a project celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Plus all the regular features, columnists, letters, reviews and crosswords – all for just £1.80.
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The LinkIssue 43
July/August 2011
Contributions for the next edition …
Contributions for the next edition of The Link Magazine should be submitted by the first Sunday after the 15th of the month.
For the fourth issue of 2011 this will be Sunday 21 August.
Paws for thought ...
"The Lord is my light, and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"
Psalm 27
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“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing,
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The LinkIssue 43
July/August 2011