THE MAGAZINE OF BOTHWELL PARISH CHURCH SCOTLAND S OLDEST COLLEGIATE CHURCH Registered Scottish Charity No: SC0 9819

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1 THE MAGAZINE OF BOTHWELL PARISH CHURCH SCOTLAND S OLDEST COLLEGIATE CHURCH Registered Scottish Charity No: SC Minister: The Revd. J. M. Gibson, TD. The Manse of Bothwell, 4 Manse Avenue, Bothwell, G71 8PQ Tel: jamesmgibson@msn.com Church Office Tel: (Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am-2pm) bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com h Church Centre: Chapterhouse Café: FROM THE MINISTER... REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY APROACHES Since the end of the First World War, British people have come together every November to remember their war dead. Each person young or old, rich or poor, wears a small red paper poppy whose genesis goes back to the trenches. In recent years, the numbers of people paying their respects have been increasing. The Two Minute Silence reintroduced in 1995 is widely observed. New memorials have been unveiled and there have never been as many school visits to Flanders. All this in spite of the great changes within the nature of our Society. Perhaps the reason for that is because the Second World War especially, still shapes our country s self-image; and the many conflicts since have left their mark on our national psyche. Today, British Servicemen and women continue in active service. Tragically, all too many are killed or have wounds which scar for life. They are each an important part of our history and can t be forgotten. Not too long ago, children were bored with their parents war stories but, today, grandchildren are fascinated. Paralympians are hailed as heroes and inspiring tales of limbless former soldiers fighting to gain their self worth are not uncommon in our magazines and television programmes. Their resilience is a reminder of the debt we owe to those whose lives were sacrificed. They were young men and women who did not want to die. But they did. And so they deserve to be remembered and honoured. COME & BEGIN ALL OVER AGAIN Come the beginning of December, it s Advent and we begin all over again. Once more we look toward our celebration of the coming of God among us and within our lives. And as Christmas passes, we will continue, once more, the cycle of the Christian year. For about six months we hear about the Story : Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter and the Day of Pentecost. Then we hear from Jesus following him through the long green season after Pentecost and we see who he is and what he does; and hear what he has to say. One more time. Then, come next Advent - we do it all again. We will hear the Bible read, every Sunday. We will hear from the stories of the Old Testament and listen to the letters of St Paul; and follow the writings of the Gospels just like we did back in 2009 and 2006 and 2001 and 1998 and so on. Every Sunday, we will hear, and see, and live out the whole great Story of God s love for his creation as we celebrate the holy sacrament of Communion and share the bread and wine together. Over the centuries, the community of the Church has learned that the way this regular cycle of worship and action gives shape and content to our faith and its practise. It is our path into spiritual growth and maturity. Without it, we might be clever and we might, even, be good; but we will not be complete or anything close to who we are created to be. It s that IN THIS EDITION Winter 2012 / 2013 From the Minister P1. Church Register P2. Remembrance P2. Quire Restoration Update P3. Glasgow City Mission P3. Chalmers Thanks P4. Statement of Purpose P4. Sunday Clubs P4. Jonathan Fleming P4. Church Membership P4. Alter Nativity P5. Advent P5. Scarecrow Festival P6. Christian Aid P6. Holy Communion P6. Craig Barr P6. Restoration Fundraisers P7. Allovus P7. Worship for Advent and Christmas P Pilgrimage P9. Living the Questions P9. A Short History of Bothwell P10. Centre Activities P11. Deadline! P11. Rota Page P12. important. The point is not really that these cycles of worship and story teach us important things though, of course, they do. If that were the point, then after a few of them we would be pretty much taught all there is. No. The real point is that these cycles form us. They shape us as people and fashion us slowly, gradually, quietly toward the mind of Christ. They do this as nothing else can. There is no substitute. You just have to be there. Advent starts again come the beginning of December. You just have to be there. It really does matter. Best wishes and Blessings this Advent & Christmastide. Jim Gibson. Minister of Bothwell. 1

2 Baptisms: September 30th October 7th Marriages: September: 1st 8th 29th By water and the Holy Spirit Will Andrew Christopher Prentice and Luke Michael Richard Prentice, sons of James & Claire Prentice, 11 Dunlop Crescent, Bothwell Alasdair Robert Mckenzie, son of Scott & Dawn McKenzie, 21 Burnside Crescent, Blantyre Whom God has joined Fiona Howie and Colin Dickson, 115 Heronview, Motherwell Debbie Morton and Mark Kelly, 90 Andrew Paton Way, Hamilton Jacqueline Glancy and Blair Millar, 5 Glebe Place, Cambuslang REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY November 11th CHURCH SERVICE begins at 10.45am Funerals: August September October 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: Mrs Helen (Elma) Struthers, 75 The Fairways, Bothwell Arthur Lothian Esq, 26 Fife Court, Bothwell Alec Craig Esq, formerly Hamilton Road, Bothwell and latterly Kircaldy & Rugby. David Chalmers Esq, 4 Blairston Gardens, Bothwell followed by an ACT OF REMEMBRANCE and laying of wreaths at the War Memorial on Main Street In Flanders Fields By John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. 2

3 RESTORATION UPDATE Christmas Bells While work on the Developmental 2 nd Stage of the Quire Restoration Project begins, it is anticipated that the likely cost of the overall repair and restoration works will be in the region of 2million. Already, the Lottery Fund along with Historic Scotland have pledged their full grant support of 250,000 with a further 25,000 being given towards the Development work. Yet again, Patersons of Greenoakhill (Quarries) have come to our aid by donating 100,000 through the LandTrust scheme. Other monies have been donated/ promised from private individuals and together, with monies from our own church funds, in total 500,000 has been raised over the past few months. A great start but only a start. SUPPORT BEING GIVEN Before long, a local, national and international Appeal will be launched through the media. An Appeal DVD has been specially produced with help from South Lanarkshire Council and this may be viewed on the internet via YouTube and Facebook. Members of the congregation will be given the opportunity to come and hear first-hand exactly what has necessitated the work being undertaken and, of course, to make voluntary donation. Elsewhere in this magazine information is given of welcome fundraisers being organised in support of our project by individuals. Such strength of support has been further enhanced by the glad acceptance of the following representatives of the Christian family as Patrons of our restoration: The Most Revd. Philip Tartaglia, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow The Rt Revd. Dr Gregor Duncan, Episcopal Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway The Very Revd. Dr John Cairns, Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland Our Patrons hugely honour us with their patronage. Their support, so warmly and immediately given, not only commemorates the history of the Quire itself in which the different liturgies of our Church family have been celebrated over generations past and the royal associations enjoyed throughout past times by members of its clergy but, also, is a strong signal that, whatever our differences, we stand together, united in our efforts to restore the ancient Quire not just for use by our own congregation but because of its Christian significance, both ancient and present, to the people of Scotland. JMG. I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! And thought how, as the day had come The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Glasgow City Mission Thanks to all who continue to contribute food donations to Glasgow City Mission. The next collection dates are as follows: Sundays: November 25th December 30th January 27th 3

4 THANK YOU. Mrs Margaret Chalmers would like to thank all those who sent cards, flowers and condolences following the death of her husband David. They were so much appreciated. RED SEA & NOAH S ARK SUNDAY CLUBS We have all settled back into our activities with our youngest children enjoying some of the time with Audrey and Eleanor in their own room. Initially we still meet together as one big group but this year there are enough Noah s Ark children to justify some time set aside for separate activities. Ann Brownlie and Craig plan for the oldest group while Laura and I work with the middle group. Emily helps out when she is needed and Joan joins us whenever she can and keeps us in touch with the latest events in the community. Our young people from the ACTs group are enjoying taking some responsibility and leading some of the games, before leaving to have their own activities with Hazel and Alastair. Well done to Romi Bryson who recently moved to a new school and has already been promoted to captain of the netball team. Also, well done to Craig Barr who climbed Ben Nevis and raised over 600 for Epilepsy Action. Now we are going to follow Craig s achievement and try to raise funds for our church. We are going to have a sponsored walk on Sunday 28th October around the Nature Walk in Bothwell. Then we can say that we too contributed to the restoration fund for the church roof. We are still sponsoring our guide dog puppy, but this time we hope as many people as possible will help us to raise lots of money for our very own church. 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 or sending an to bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com so that the Church Roll can be kept up to date Thank you. Lesley Church Secretary CONGRATULATIONS to our former Student Assistant Jonathan Fleming on his forthcoming Ordination and Induction as Minister at Erskine Parish Church on Thursday, November 15th Those wishing to travel to Erskine to support Jonathan and who wish to journey by coach should please contact Lesley in the church Office as soon as possible. Very soon our thoughts will be turning to Christmas. Our children and the young people from ACTs hope to take part in the festivities but no definite plans have been made so far. Watch the notices for further news closer to the time. Statement of Purpose Anne Sharp 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, If your plan is for a year plant rice. If your plan is for a decade plant trees. If your plan is for a lifetime educate children. Confucius 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. 4

5 ALTER NATIVITY Preparing ourselves is not the same as getting ready. Getting ready for Christmas can be stressful, but its straightforward enough buying presents, sending cards, cooking a meal, decorating the house, maybe a party or two or twenty! Getting ready for Christmas if you believe Dobbies (who have had Santa and snow globes out before Halloween!) and the restaurants (who have been reminding us to book our Christmas Dinner since September! ) is all about getting your ducks in a festive row! But, I m not so sure. Preparing ourselves is about not buying into what consumers say we must have; it is about making room, discovering what is important, maybe even finding a quiet moment or two (or twenty) to enjoy by yourself, or with your thoughts, or with your family. Advent / waiting / preparing / making room. This year, why don t you take some time and prepare yourself to welcome and enjoy Christmas? Here are just a few ideas to consider: 1. Instead of a chocolate Advent Calendar make your own Calendar for Sharing. Every morning you awake to an opportunity to do so. Instead of gorging on chocolate (when you know you are desperately trying to get your weight down!) do a good deed, call somebody you haven t spoken with for a long time, say you sorry about whatever has been troubling you. Whatever. 2. Every day in Advent, light a candle and say a wee prayer for somebody. 3. Decide what gift you can give the world this year. Use your imagination! Be a kinder, perhaps more generous person. Donate some money, time, prayer to a favourite charity. Get involved more in your church. Join the Choir if you enjoy singing. Help out with one of our organisations. Do something! 4. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, do something for somebody who cannot pay you back. If possible, do it anonymously. An Advent Prayer By Sally Foster-Fulton. O come, O come, Emmanuel and pierce the cloud of familiarity which threatens to blur the true picture of who you are. Help me to see you afresh this Christmas not with the tired eyes of annual routine, but with eyes of excited discovery; that as I gaze with face unveiled I may bear more strongly the family likeness of your people. Amen. WE WAIT Every year for four weeks we wait. Ours is not a passive waiting; we wonder as we wait. We encourage one another in order to be a community of fresh expectancy. And we pray, O Come, O Come Emmanuel! and Come, O Long Expected Jesus. Our generation is impatient. Advent lasts too long. Nasty notes are passed to the choirmaster: We don t like these Advent songs. Why don t we just sing some carols? Everybody is already having Christmas except the Church. By Fred Craddock. Advent Hope Hope is a candle, once lit by the prophets never consumed, though it burns through the years; dim in the daylight of power and privilege: when they are gone hope will shine on. Peace is a candle to show us a pathway threatened by gusts from our rage and our greed. Friend, feel no envy for those in the shadows: violence and force their dead-end course. Joy is a candle of mystery and laughter, mystery of light that is born in the dark; laughter at hearing the voice of an angel ever so near, casting out fear. Christ is the light that the prophets awaited, Christ is the lion the lamb and the child. Christ is the love and the mystery and laughter: Candles make way! Christ is the day. Richard Leach 5

6 Give With a Will a legacy to the Church... A BIG THANK YOU The Bothwell Scarecrow Committee wish to thank, Rev J Gibson, the Kirk Session and all the members of the congregation for supporting the Festival. The festival was a great success. We met our objectives by making a difference to the people of all ages in our community, the feeling of bonhomie and laughter pervaded everybody s weekend. The children are already telling mums and dads that their scarecrows have to be much better the next time! Accordingly, you will not be surprised to learn that the Scarecrow Festival will happen in 2013, and once again we will look for you support. Harry Marsh Our special Harvest Offering for Christian Aid on 7th October amounted to: Many thanks to all who contributed. Eleanor Terrace SUNDAY 4TH NOVEMBER HOLY COMMUNION Did you realise that Bothwell Parish Church is a registered Scottish Charity? Did you know that giving a LEGACY is one very important way by which you can continue to support the work of Bothwell Parish Church after your death? A LEGACY may be a specific sum of money, a property, share in a company or the residue of your estate. Through a LEGACY you can ensure that funds are available for the Worship, Outreach and Service of YOUR Church here at Bothwell. LEGACIES are exempt from Inheritance Tax and may provide vital funds for a particular project of our Church or may be invested to produce annual income for ongoing work. All LEGACIES are only used in accordance with the donor s wishes. So why not speak with your Solicitor and give with a will? Craig Barr would like to thank everyone in the Church who supported him on his recent climb of Ben Nevis in aid of Epilepsy Action and he would like to let them know that he has raised the fabulous sum of Funds raised will go directly to Epilepsy Action and be used to help support the 600,000 people living with the condition and Craig is very grateful for all the support he has received from the Church Members. Church Web Site SAVE STAMPS PLEASE! And bring them along with you to church where they can be deposited in our Collection Box. Donated stamps are then sold and money raised given to fund projects of the Church Guild. 6

7 ALLOVUS NEXT MEETINGS Nov 1st Halloween Nov 15th Remembering Dec 6th Musical Extravaganza Dec 13th Christmas Lunch Allovus is on holiday during January and meets again on Thursday 7th February 2013 New members always welcome! Well done to the Scott family who were the winners of the Summer 2012 Car Treasure Hunt 7

8 An Old-Fashioned Christmas Author Unknown Let s have an old-fashioned Christmas, What a day of delight it will be, We ll hang up the wreath made of cedar, And we ll bring home the fresh spruce tree. Candlelight shines by each window; Sprigs of holly grace mantel and door; The sweet smell of gingerbread cookies Joins pudding and pies by the score. The sleds deftly skim frozen hilltops; Velvet snowflakes in radiance beam; And ice skaters glide like quicksilver In winter moonlight s golden gleam. Make it an old-fashioned Christmas, May each waiting heart feel the glow That grows with the ringing of sleigh bells Drifting over the soft-silvered snow. WORSHIP FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS December 2nd 10.30am First Sunday in Advent December 24th 11.15pm Carols 11.30pm Christmas Eve Service December 25th 10.00am Family Christmas Holy Communion Service Grace magazine On a Winter s Afternoon Author Unknown I took a walk this afternoon, I had to go and see The world of white that Winter s hands Had fashioned just for me. Alone, beneath the sombre skies, I felt the silent spell, And I beheld a fairyland, As feathered snowflakes fell. Across a little wooden bridge, My footprints in the snow Left little tracks that clearly told Which way I mean to go. With eyes alight and cheeks aflame, I climbed the nearest hill. And on the threshold of such joy My heart grew hushed and still. The glistening white cathedral Of the forest towered high, And I, a humble worshipper, Sensed God was passing by. I do not know what happened, But I am not the same. And I went home a better soul Than when I came. Grace magazine December 30th 10.30am Lessons and Carols at Christmastide 2013 January 6th 10.30am Worship for Epiphany 5.30pm Childrens Christingle Service Christmas Postage A lady went into her local Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. What denomination? asked the assistant. Oh, good heavens! Have we really come to this? replied the lady. Well, you had better give me 50 Church of Scotland, 30 Catholic and 20 Others! The Christmas story is precisely the story of one grand miracle: the Christian assertion that what is beyond all space and time, what was uncreated, eternal, came into nature and into human nature, descended into his own universe and rose again, bringing nature up with him. It is precisely one great miracle. If you take that away there is nothing specifically Christian left. There may be many admirable human things which Christianity shares with all other systems in the world, but there would be nothing specifically Christian. C S Lewis 8

9 Church Ladies with Typewriters Thank God for church ladies with typewriters! These sentences (with all the BLOOP- ERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services: 2013 PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Land The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you. Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir. They need all the help they can get. A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice. Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility. This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday. Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door. The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance. The months have quickly slipped past since it was first announced that another Pilgrimage to the Holy Land will take place in the new year. Before we know it, final payments will be made and our band of twentyfive pilgrims will fly out of Edinburgh Airport on Wednesday, 3rd April. A superb programme of visits has been arranged and our travellers cannot fail to be impressed with the warmth of welcome awaiting them. Eight days of carefully planned visits to principal historic and religious sites whet our excitement and our stay in Tiberias will offer welcome luxury and the cool of manicured gardens and pool before our homeward journey. Places are still available. If you would like information about the Pilgrimage please contact the church Secretary for a brochure OR come along to our Wine & Cheese/ Information Evening on Wednesday, 21st Nov at 7.00pm. I just wanted to say the past 5 weeks at LtQs has been wonderful experience I ve learned a lot about my faith. I know I m only scratching the surface of my understanding. but I look forward to moving on to the next level.. so writes just one of our recent participants. So why not come along and join in? Level 2 begins on Wednesday, 23rd January at 7.00pm. Level 3 begins on Wednesday, 27th February at 7.00pm. Living the Questions is a means enabling those who look to their faith for answers to the great questions with which we can be confronted living in a progressive and secular-biased Society. It is NOT for those who think they already have the answers. Rather it takes us on a journey of exploration, examination and discovery of what actually lies behind the Biblical record and encourages us to glimpse through the dreams, poetry and longings of past generations. 9

10 A Short History of Bothwell The tenth instalment of the notes prepared by the late Rev. S. J. Hamilton, B.A., on the history of the parish. THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BOTHWELL The eighth provost of Bothwell Collegiate Church was Alexander Hepburn ( ). Regarding his life and character we have not been able to discover anything. All that we can say about him is that in 1527 as provost of Bothwell he obtained a charter of the lands of Kettlestoun in the parish and county of Linlithgow. However, we are in no doubt regarding the condition of the country at large at this time. It was during the tenure of office that the fatal battle of Flodden took place (9th September, 1513), in which King James IV was killed. This disaster subjected our country once more to the distractions of a long minority, for James V was only ayear old at the time of his father s death. Regents had to be appointed, and the nobility divided themselves into factions which strove for the direction of affairs. Amongst others a deadly animosity existed between the Douglases and the Hamiltons which gave rise to one of the most interesting encounters in our history The Cleansing of the Causeway. At a meeting of the estates in 1520 the two parties found themselves face to face in the streets of Edinburgh. An outbreak was imminent; but, according to the story, Gavin Douglas, bishop of Dunkeld, sought to avert the conflict by an interview with James Beaton, formerly provost of Bothwell, now archbishop of Glasgow and ally of the Hamiltons. Calling his conscience to witness, Beaton pledged his oath that no mischief was intended, and at the same time struck his breast by way of emphasis. But a coast of mail, concealed beneath his linen rochet, gave forth a metallic and suspicious sound. Ah, my lord said Douglas, your conscience is not a good one; I heard it clatter. The High Street of Edinburgh was soon the scene of a desperate struggle between the factions, which resulted in a complete triumph for the Douglases. Among the slain was Sir Patrick Hamilton, brother of the clan chief and father of Scotland s first Reformation martyr; while among the survivors was Beaton, sometime provost of Bothwell, who was forced to take refuge behind the high altar of the Black Friars Church where he would have been sacrilegiously slain had not Gavin Douglas generously interfered. Meanwhile the doctrines of the Reformation were making rapid progress. The Lollards had not been extirpated. Men were passing to and fro betwixt our country and Continent, ever bringing fresh tidings of the advance of Protestatism. In this connexion it must be remembered that in 1517 Luther had raised his protest against the traffic of the church in indulgences, and that three years later he publicly burned the papal bull of excommunication. Speedily the Reformation took shape in Germany and gained ground all over Europe. So far as Scotland was concerned, there was clamant need for a change. Disorder prevailed throughout the church. Ecclesiastical livings were distributed for party purposes as mere bribes, without regard to character. Thy were handed over recklessly to scions of turbulent nobles as sops to keep them quiet, and their revenues were spent on the Continent without any attempt to make spiritual provision for parishoners. It must, however, in fairness be stated that endeavours at reform were made by churchmen themselves, the most instructive being those of Archbishop Forman of St Andrews ( ), as recorded in his Synodal Constitutions and Ordinances. These statutes forbade clerics to use indecent words and unseemly gestures in church, and to deal irreverently with the holy eucharist in carrying it from place to place. The practice of fighting in churches and churchyards was declared to be profane, while very explicit directions were given for dealing with rectors, vicars and chaplains who openly kept concubines to the discredit and injury of the whole church. In spite of these and such-like enactments, little, if any, reform was made from within the church. More drastic efforts were required from elsewhere. Soon these were forthcoming, for the animosity of the nation was directed against the proud, voluptuous churchmen who owned nearly half of the kingdom, and the greedy, ignorant priests who made religion a burden to the labourer. At St Andrews the first clear symptoms of the coming change appeared. As has already been mentioned, the nation was 10 in constant contact with several parts of the Continent. Ships from Leith, Dundee, Aberdeen, Montrose and St Andrews maintained a steady trade with the Low Countries and the Baltic, and on their return journey stealthily discharged packages of Tyndall s English New Testament, together with pamphlets and sermons by the continental Reformers. So great was the effect produced by these in July, 1525, parliament issued a prohibition which is indicative of the progress that the new doctrines were making. It is ordained that, forasmuch as the damnable opinions of heresy are spread in divers countries by their heretic Luther and his disciples, therefore no manner of strangers who happen to arrive with their ships within any part of this realm, bring with them any books or works of the said Luther, under the pain of escheating of their ships and good sand putting of their persons in prison. Lutheranism, however, continued to spread, and copies of Tyndall s New Testament were imported in large numbers from Antwerp. Among the converts at this time was one who held high office in the church and who was related to the most distinguished family in the country Patrick Hamilton, son of Sir Patrick Hamilton of Kincavil (Linlithgowshire) and Stonehouse (Lanarkshire), and nephew of the second Earl of Arran (Lord Hamilton of Cadzow and Duke of Chatelherault). When yet a boy of 13 years, according to the custom of the period he was made abbot of Fearn in Ross-shire. About 1517 he left Scotland to pursue a course of philosophy in the university of Paris, the rents of his Highland abbacy serving to maintain him as student abroad. While there, says Principal Cunningham, he seems to have imbibed reformed sentiments. Consequently when he returned to his native country in 1523 and entered the university of St Andrews, he fell under the suspicion of heresy, and inquisition was made into his opinions. Thus threatened, he again left Scotland and went to Germany, where the human mind was now in open mutiny against papal authority and where he was confirmed in the doctrines of the Reformation. Continued on Page11...

11 SHORT HISTORY OF BOTHWELL Continued from Page10 In 1527 he was in Scotland once more. At this time James Beaton, formerly provost of Bothwell, was archbishop of St.Andrews, and thither Hamilton was brought and tried before a bench of bishops and other ecclesiastical dignitaries. In the sentence pronounced against him the judges declared that they found him infected with heresy, holding and maintaining divers heresis of Martin Luther and his followers, repugnant to our faith. They delivered him to the secular power to be punished and his goods confiscate. On the last day of February, 1528, a stake was fixed in the ground before St.Salvator s College. Around it fagots of wood were piled high. By the awkwardness of his executioners, his torments were protracted for nearly six hours. His last words were, how long, Lord, shall darkness cover this kingdom? How long wilt Thou suffer this tyranny of men? Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! so died Patrick Hamilton, the proto-martyr of the Scottish Reformation. No nobler or gentler spirit ever passed through great tribulation into the kingdom of God. His youth, his accomplishments, his many virtues excited universal pity. The effect of his martyrdom was far-reaching. Not only at St.Andrews but almost within the whole realm there was none found who began not to enquire, Wherefore was Patrick Hamilton burned? Previously no one had suffered in Scotland for holding heretical doctrine except Resby, an unknown English Lollard, and Craw, a semi-political delegate from Bohemia. Now the church had laid low, with great publicity, a high-born young Scot of rising reputation. It was an event which arrested attention. A certain one cautioned the archbishop against burning more heretics: My Lord, if you will burn them, let them be burnt in deep cellars, for the reek of Master Patrick Hamilton has infected as many as it blew upon. Did You Know.??? There are activities to suit ALL within Bothwell Parish Church Centre For more information look at our website: /12/23/things to-do/ and make the most of our superb facilities! People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the world the best you ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway. Patrick Hamilton's initials, set into paving at the place of his execution, to commemorate his martyrdom. Please submit all articles, rotas and photos for the next edition of the Lantern before Monday 14th JANUARY You can the office at: bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com or why not pop in during our opening hours Tuesday, Thursdays & Fridays 9am to 2pm. 11

12 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. NOVEMBER 4th Communion Arrangements 11th G Whitton E Buttery J Carson S Cook 18th D Craig J Crichton J Cumming J Dalziel 25th E Dempsey B Gillespie J Gilmour T Goodsir DECEMBER 2nd S Greenshields K Hamilton J Hart I Henderson 9th J Henry L Horn M Hutchison M Jack 16th D Lee G Moore H Marsh J Marsh 23rd L McLean C McMurdo Dr Ritch B Sharp 30th E Terrace E Somerville Dr Thomson A Watt JANUARY th G Whitton E Buttery J Carson S Cook 13th D Craig J Crichton J Cumming J Dalziel 20th E Dempsey B Gillespie J Gilmour T Goodsir 27th S Greenshields K Hamilton J Hart I Henderson 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 NOVEMBER 4th Mrs H Gilmour 11th Mrs E Dempsey 18th Mrs C Cahill 25th Mrs J Craig DECEMBER 2nd The Frews & The Hepburns 9th Mrs S Crichton 16th The Brysons 23rd Mrs J Hamilton 30th The Parsons & The Wilsons JANUARY th Mrs N Carson 13th The Ormistons 20th Mrs A Thomson 27th Mrs M Cumming Church Flowers Chancel War Memorial NOVEMBER: 4th (Communion) Mrs Helen Bryce Mrs Alison Freeland 11th (Remembrance) Mrs Jan Lee Mrs Elizabeth Sommerville 18th Mrs May Miodek Mrs Doreen Gibson 25th Mrs Dorothy Abercromby Mr John Hart DECEMBER 2nd (Advent) Mrs Jean Hamilton Mrs Veronica Crate 9th Mrs Meg Greenshields Mrs Una McLundie 16th Mrs Patricia McAulay Miss Marilyn Jack 23rd Mrs Ann Hamilton Mrs Jean Hamilton 30th Flower Team Flower Team JANUARY th Mrs Margaret Mitchell Mrs Joan Henry 13th Mrs Nancy Robertson Mrs Ann McMillan 20th Mrs Anne Sharp Mrs Nancy McLenachan 27th Mrs Janet McDougall Mrs Anne McQueen Sunday Crèche NOVEMBER: 4th Elspeth Hamilton Aileen Hepburn 11th Elizabeth French Elaine Gibson 18th Eleanor Barr Shirley Frew 25th Suzanne Smith Jean Moyes DECEMBER 2nd Eleanor Terrace Nan Carson 9th Hazel Gilmour Jaynie Craig 16th Pat Maxwell Gillian Ormiston 23rd Elspeth Hamilton Aileen Hepburn 30th Elizabeth French Elaine Gibson JANUARY th Eleanor Barr Shirley Frew 13th Suzanne Smith Jean Moyes 20th Eleanor Terrace Nan Carson 27th Hazel Gilmour Jaynie Craig 12