FROM THE MINISTER Another new beginning

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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 Church Website: Church Centre: Chapterhouse Café: FROM THE MINISTER Another new beginning The name of this month, January, comes from the old Greek god Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions, of gates and doorways. It s a good name for the first month of the year and I thought it might be good to use it as an excuse to do something a wee bit different in this article. I want to look back a little and forward a little and reflect a little on both was a full, busy and interesting year in the life of our church and congregation. Much happened and most of it has been good though fairly ordinary when it comes to our ongoing life. It has been a year of challenges and of accomplishments, of new beginnings and of, well, more challenges. The past year began with an enormous blessing. Following the great sadness we all felt after receiving Ian Handley s resignation because of ill health, we were able to appoint Phil Hotham to be our Organist and Director of Music. Phil continues the high level of musicianship we have come to expect from our organists and brings to us the benefit of a distinguished career in education and church music, added to which is his superb skills as a musician. Harnessing the talents of our church choir, Phil has used much of the past year to begin developing the scope of our choral music; and, together with the choir, ensured that some marvellous music could be enjoyed during our times of worship. Their particular contribution to our weekly worship is absolutely indispensable to our liturgy; and though usually simply taken for granted, our musical team deserve all the plaudits that come their way. By the grace of God and the generous dedication of so many, regular activities of our church groups and organisations continue. Led, administered and organised by people who would not consider themselves, or what they do, to be in any way special, as a congregation and, indeed as a community, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to all those many individuals who give so much of their time and abilities to the Church s cause and witness. Bothwell Parish Church may not be all that is perfect, but in and around our congregational life we are truly blessed in being able to have people witnessing to their faith as best they can and working together in so many varied ways. All of this speaks of different forms of outreach. And that is vital. It is part of our lifeblood, or essence, as a congregation. Our attendance at Sunday worship remains solid. We regularly enjoy a delightful influx of guests and visitors, with some very regular worshippers travelling to be with us from surrounding areas. This is important. If they sense we are fulfilling a particular spiritual longing, we need to be aware of it not for our self-gratification, but so that we can work hard to even better be the source of God s love and grace. In short, during this coming IN THIS EDITION February / March / April 2013 From the Minister P1. From the Minister cont. P2. Christian Aid IF P2. Church Register P3. A new way to receive your magazine P3. Glasgow City Mission dates P3. Living the Questions Level 3 P3. Holy Week P4. Allovus P4. Sunday Clubs P5. Guild P5. Holy Land Pilgrimage P5. Statement of Purpose P5. Christian Aid Week 2013 P5. Ladies Who Lunch P6. Cycle Malawi P6. Flower Rota Thanks P6. A Short History of Bothwell P7. Bothwell Historical Society P7. Deadline next Lantern P7. Tearfund Thanks P7. Rota Page P8. year, we need to pay more attention to ourselves and to one-another. We need to notice and to enquire whenever we don t see a familiar face on Sunday. And we need to be very deliberate about being as welcoming and inclusive as we all want to be and often like to say we are. Let s Remember We also need to remember two things: The first is that we are a strong and healthy parish; and as a congregation, we have a viable and important mission in Bothwell God wants us here! The second thing always to remember is that we exist for the sake of our ministry and mission, both within our parish/ community and beyond it. We exist as a congregation to proclaim in every way we can possibly think of, the relevance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we have received it. We exist to love, to serve, to care, to listen, to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Continued on page 2.. 1

2 In short, we exist to be a blessing to one another and beyond one another. It is something many do very well. But we must always be learning how to do it better. Two other things Finance and Restoration Two things I have not yet mentioned Finance and Quire Restoration. Over a period of years it is not unexpected that the Membership Roll of our congregation has taken a knock because of the death of members. Theirs has been a loss in many different ways, to their families and to us. One very practical example has been the financial impact. Though not especially huge numerically as a congregation, we are a generous people. It is now some years since a formal approach has been made to the congregation to raise income levels and, as a result of both time and friends passing, the mind of our financial experts is now being exercised on how best we can do this. I have always thought it best simply to be frank and open. There can be no hiding the truth. Like every other congregation and household, we need to balance our books. And, like every other congregation, we need to do more much more than that. We need to be able to be Christ s Church in this place and for his people, whoever they may be. That is simply why we exist at all. I hope you will respond positively by contributing regularly to further the work of your church, realistically. Perhaps the greatest physical challenge that confronts us at this time is the Quire Restoration project. As you may know, a team of highly qualified and tested professionals has been brought together and, along with our own Management group, are now developing the shape and scope of the main phase of the restoration itself. Overall costs have been projected at 2million. Numerous applications for grant funding have been, and are being, made. Since the summer some 500,000 has been raised or committed. Support for our project has been voiced from Governmental agencies, local Government, the Churches and other national organisations and institutions. Very soon, a national and international Appeal will be launched. Members of From the Minister. Cont. from page 1. the congregation and friends will have opportunity to make personal contribution. This we are doing, not because we need the Quire to be part of our church for worship, but because of what our church Quire is, and represents. For centuries, it has been a vitally important witness of the history of our nation and its people. It remains part of what our culture has valued and our traditions have shared. It is simply a building too precious and too sacred casually to let crumble and ruin. So, now, it presents us with a challenge. Maybe, it s the challenge of faith. It s the challenge to decide where we stand and in what we are prepared to believe. What does our Sunday worship mean to us? Is it something real or pretend; inclusive or exclusive? In all that we are about as a congregation, this is a time of enormous activities and possibility. PLEASE SAVE STAMPS Jim Gibson. IF Campaign The world produces enough food for everyone yet one in eight people on this planet are living with the pain of hunger. IF we all act together, we can make world leaders change the future by tackling four big IFs: TAX IF we stop big companies dodging taxes in poor countries, so that millions of people can free themselves from hunger. That money could help millions of people to escape from hunger. We can help stop this tax dodging if our government steps up to close the international tax loopholes. AID IF we make the right investments to stop people dying from hunger, and help the poorest people feed themselves. LAND The poorest farmers are losing their land to giant corporations. These companies don t care that the land is already being used by local people to grow food. Stopping them would help millions of people get enough to eat. TRANSPARENCY IF we force governments and big corporations to be honest and open about their actions that stop people getting enough food. Corporates and governments must be more transparent about their affairs so that citizens can hold to account powerful players in the food system. These are big IFs, but if we press our leaders to make these happen, and IF they do, there really will be enough food for everyone. For more information, see: ActNow/if-enough-food/take-action/ sign-up.aspx and 2

3 A New Way to Receive Your Magazine? In these days of laptops, Kindles, tablets and i-phones, have you ever considered reading The Lantern electronically? Did you know that the magazine can be found on our Church website? category/magazine By reading your magazine on-line, and not receiving a paper copy, you would be helping the Church to continue to develop as an eco-congregation. In addition you would also be helping us to save money in printing costs. I would ask you to consider whether you would be happy not to receive a paper copy of our magazine. If you decide this is an option for you, please send an to the office bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com detailing your name and address, to allow us to make adjustments to the number of copies printed. Glasgow City Mission Thanks to all who continue to contribute food donations to Glasgow City Mission. The next collection dates are as follows: Sundays: February 24th March 31st April 28th John Crichton Session Clerk Baptisms: October 28th Funerals: November December By water and the Holy Spirit Toby Sutherland Connell, son of Chris & Julie Connell 10 Birkdale Court, Bothwell 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: Charlotte Clark, Livingston Lane, Bothwell Ama Gordon, 8 Clydeview, Bothwell Craig Smith, 15 Bryan Street, Hamilton Clive Dowie, 37 Aberdour Crescent, West Craigs, Hamilton Derek Willet, Knockburnie Road, Bothwell Kenneth Neely, Elmwood Court The Minister and Kirk Session express a warm welcome to the following who have become new members of our congregation: Linda Donaldson 19 The Paddock Hamilton ML3 0RF Kathleen Donaldson 10 Keats Park Bothwell G71 Mr David & Mrs Margaret Cameron 3 Clydeford Drive Uddingston G71 Mr Charles and Mrs Anna Thomson 35 Castle Court Bothwell G71 Among the unsung heroines who grace this world of ours, are those who give and who arrange their church s lovely flowers. I wonder if they realise the pleasure that they bring to people who will gather there to worship and to sing, or the warm friendship that they send When given to those who can t attend? LIVING THE QUESTIONS Level 3 begins on Wednesday 27th February at 7.00pm. To register your interest for forthcoming new sessions, please either speak with Revd.Gibson direct, or contact the church office either by telephone (854903) or by bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com 3

4 HOLY WEEK SERVICES Monday 25th to Thursday 28th March 2013 Without Easter there would be no Church for there would be no Faith. To help you prepare for the wonder that is Easter come walk through the haunting drama of that first Holy Week. WINDOWS ON THE PASSION...is the title to a series of meditations held within the church Monday to Thursday of Holy Week beginning at 7pm. Each will be led by the Minister and will last approximately thirty-five minutes. A L L O V U S February 7th Bingo plus Bring & Buy February 21st Burns Lunch March 7th Guest Speaker March 21st Film Day April 4th Easter April 18th Bingo Halloween Day, 2012 Holy Communion will be celebrated on the evening of Maundy Thursday. On Good Friday the church will be open 12 noon 3pm when anytime people may enter / leave. Easter Sunday promises a special service full of excitement, stirring music and the drama of the Sacrament offered to all. A prayer for Easter...for all to use Living Lord, come in your risen power and make us glad with your presence. As Mary met you by the garden tomb on the morning of your resurrection so may we meet you today, and every day. Speak to us as you spoke to her. Reveal yourself to us. Renew our hope, kindle our joy and inspire us to share the Good News with others. Amen. Christmas Lunch, with entertainment from Phil Hotham & Peter McLean CHURCH OFFICE EASTER CLOSURE The church office will close at 2pm on Thursday 28th March and re-open on Tuesday 9th April. While Revd.Gibson is conducting the Holy Land pilgrimage, any urgent matters should be referred to Revd.Arthur Barrie on 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. 4

5 RED SEA & NOAH S ARK SUNDAY CLUBS We had a great time at our Christmas party when the Song and Dance Factory entertained us with lots of music, games and dancing. Then, after hot dogs and other treats, Santa appeared with gifts for everyone to round off a really successful party. Our Christmas sing -along with Valerie in charge, raised 60 for the Place of Restoration in South Africa. We decided to add 40 from our own funds, so 100 was actually sent to our young friends who have so little compared to us. Many thanks to everyone who supported us, by contributing to our collection for the homeless. These gifts were obviously appreciated when they were delivered to the Lodging House Mission in Glasgow. Our Christmas celebrations came to an end with our favourite service, the Christingle. Our children enjoyed the excitement of carrying their Christingles into the darkness of the church with the candles shining brightly, while the teachers kept a watchful eye especially on the younger members of the group. It was good to see so many parents and friends who came to join us. If you have never been to a Christingle service, why not come and join us next year. I m sure you will not be disappointed! Christian Aid Week 12 to 18 May 2013 Anne Sharpe Join us to bite back at hunger this Christian Aid Week and help communities find ways to not only survive but to thrive, with enough food to eat not just today but tomorrow. Congratulations and thanks to the children of the Sunday Clubs who raised a total of 620 from their sponsored walk. This was very kindly donated to the Church Restoration Fund. (Photo by N MacPherson) BOTHWELL PARISH CHURCH GUILD February 4th Hearing Dogs February 18th Harry Marsh - Scarecrow Festival March 1st World Day of Prayer March 4th Isobel Black - Defence Lawyer March 18th Daffodil Tea (Tickets from committee members) April 8th World Day of Prayer The Aim of the Guild is to invite and encourage men and women to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and enable them to express their faith in worship, prayer and action PILGRIMAGE to the Holy Land Final payments are now due from our band of twenty-five pilgrims, via the church office and the group 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. Statement of Purpose Bothwell Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland and is part of the worldwide family of people belonging to the Christian Faith, worshipping God through Jesus Christ. In response to the love of God for all, we seek to serve our community through worship, friendship, care and education; and to promote Christian values of concern for others, forgiveness, healing and justice. 5

6 A BIG THANK YOU TO LADIES WHO LUNCHED The Socializers would like to thank all the ladies who came along to the Strathaven Hotel on Sunday 25th November to help raise funds for the restoration appeal. We all enjoyed an excellent meal, and took the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping at the specialist stalls. Our speaker, Annabel Goldie, shared some amusing tales with us. Our raffle was a great success, with many prizes being donated by local traders and friends of the Church. We would especially like to thank Meg Rennie, who donated a diamond solitaire necklace for the raffle, and Jean Hamilton, who arranged some beautiful festive table centres. The total raised on the day was 2, a very enjoyable way to raise funds, and again many thanks to everyone who attended. The Socializers Committee THANK YOU Firstly, on behalf of the ladies of the Flower Committee, I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the flower rota throughout 2012 thereby ensuring that flowers have been placed in our Church every Sunday. This is very much appreciated, as it enhances the beauty of such a lovely building. It also lets the people who receive the flowers after the service know that they are being thought of by all in our congregation. Specifically with regard to the Christmas decorations, I would like to say a very big thank you to Edith and Alec Braidwood for donating the Christmas trees inside and outside the Church; John McAulay for erecting the trees; and to my team of Ellen Buttery, Maureen Watt, Sally Rutherford Young, Ken Hamilton, Angus & Rona Crate, Elizabeth & Ross French, John Hart and Stuart Mowat who worked extremely hard in the busy days of early December to ensure that the Church was ready to be enjoyed by all over the Christmas period. In memory of her late parents, the Reverend Douglas and Mrs Ruby Crawford (Elmwood Court), Alison Freeland and her husband David will be participating in Cycle Malawi and have set up a donation page for anyone who wishes to contribute: If you would like more information about the bike ride, please contact the church office. 6 Thanks also to the above team with the addition of Bert Gillespie, Eleanor and Craig Barr, who took the decorations down and stored them away until next Christmas. Jean Hamilton

7 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. THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BOTHWELL In the last issue we noted that the eighth provost of Bothwell Collegiate Church was Alexander Hepburn ( ), and we remarked that during his tenure of office several important events took place in both the sacred and secular spheres, not merely of Scotland but of Europe. The fatal battle of Flodden was fought in Four years later Luther raised his protest against the traffic of the church in indulgences and in 1520 publicly burned the papal bull of excommunication. Rapidly the doctrines of the Reformation spread throughout the continent and our own country. An influential convert at this time was Patrick Hamilton, and we concluded our review with the story of his martyrdom at St Andrews, The evangelical truths for which Hamilton suffered now began to take firm root in Scotland, but strenuous were made by the clergy to check their growth. From 1530 to 1536 several trials and martyrdoms took place. On the last day of February, 1539, a huge fire was blazing on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh, and five miserable men were seen in the midst of it suffering, yet rejoicing. In the same year two were burnt as heretics in Glasgow. The panic caused by these burnings made many flee to England for safety. A veritable reign of terror followed when David Beaton came into command about the same time. One of the most impressive figures in Scottish history, this man was a nephew of James Beaton, who started his ecclesiastical career as provost of Bothwell ( ), finally reaching the highest position in the land as Archbishop of St Andrews, which office ehe filled from 1521 to on his death he was succeeded in the archbishopric by his nephew. Within two years of David s assuming the direction of affairs, at least twenty persons were done to death, the majority being monks, friars or parish priests whose intelligence had been awakened through reading the New Testament and evangelical tracts from the continent and who protested against the sloth, vice and avarice of churchmen. Here we must pause to remind our readers that the clergy and monks of the day were lamentably inefficient. The ordinary parish priests were very ignorant. Few of them had received either general or professional education, and their illiteracy excited the derision of foreign visitors. There were guilty, too, of the grossest sexual immorality, as also were the monks and nuns. Monastic life generally was coarse and disorderly; nunneries had little chastity in their midst, the occupants leading nefarious lives. But what could be expected from a church that had bishops and archbishops of the type of Beaton, who was notoriously and flagrantly immoral? Certainly the king and parliament did their utmost to prevail upon bishops to reform their fashions and manners of living, passing an act in 1541 for reforming or kirkis and kirkmen which called the church to cast forth its abuses. Not the slightest heed, however, was paid. As one historian puts it, the Scottish bishops and clergy adhered to their debased methods and practices. Another attempt at reformation of the church was made by parliament when, on 15th March, 1543, it authorised the perusal of the scared Scriptures in the vulgar tongue. The passing of this act was undoubtedly a great victory won by the Reformers. But soon the hunt for heretics was resumed, and a series of martyrdoms culminated in that of George Wishart, a schoolmaster of Montrose, who after visiting the continent preached the Reformed doctrines at home. His death at the stake before the castle of St Andrews on 1st March, 1546, produced a powerful impression all over the country. The limits of patience had now been reached. Mutterings of revenge were heard, and within three months David Beaton, the arch-persecutor, was cruelly murdered. He was the last and greatest of Rome s champions in Scotland. With him, as we shall see next time, the rule of the papacy fell. BOTHWELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY As we meet every year on Remembrance Sunday to honour the war dead, we might pause to consider that we know very little about the lives and personalities of those who died and who are listed on our local memorial. With the hundredth anniversary of World War One approaching, Bothwell Historical Society has undertaken to find out as much as we can about the 71 men from the village who died in the First World War and whose names are recorded on Bothwell War Memorial. It is hoped that we can publish our research in the form of a book which will be made available to members of the public. The Society is particularly anxious to trace any living relatives/descendants of those who are listed on the village war memorial. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone with any information on the war dead from the conflict could contact Jack Gallacher on or Bill Gow on or indeed, any member of the Society. APRIL / MAY / JUNE ISSUE OF THE LANTERN Please submit all news, events, articles, rotas & photos for the next edition of the Lantern by Monday 8th April. You can the office: bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com Thank you!! Thanks to all who purchased Tearfund Christmas cards at coffee time during November & December we sent 94 to Tearfund for all the cards bought. 7

8 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. FEBRUARY 3 J Henry L Horn M Hutchison M Jack 10 D Lee G Moore H Marsh J Marsh 17 L McLean C McMurdo Dr Ritch B Sharp 24 E Terrace E Somerville Dr Thomson A Watt MARCH 3 Boys Brigade 10 G Whitton E Buttery J Carson S Cook 17 D Craig J Crichton J Cumming J Dalziel 24 E Dempsey B Gillespie J Gilmour T Goodsir 31 Easter Communion Arrangements APRIL 7 S Greenshields K Hamilton J Hart I Henderson 14 J Henry L Horn M Hutchison M Jack 21 D Lee G Moore H Marsh J Marsh 28 L McLean C McMurdo C McQueen Dr Ritch 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 FEBRUARY 3 Mrs E Buttery 10 Mrs H Gilmour 17 Mrs E Dempsey 24 Mrs C Cahill MARCH 3 Boys Brigade 10 Mrs J Craig 17 The Frews & The Hepburns 24 Mrs S Crichton 31 The Brysons APRIL 7 Mrs J Hamilton 14 The Parsons & The Wilsons 21 Mrs N Carson 28 The Ormistons FEBRUARY Church Flowers Chancel War Memorial 3rd Mrs Eleanor Terrace Mrs Eileen Smith 10th Mrs Mary Williamson Mr Bill Ryrie 17th Mrs Nan Carson Mrs Valerie Pringle 24th Mr & Mrs Ian Wilson Mrs Betty Fairley MARCH 3rd Mrs Betty Sinclair Mrs Esther Mackie 10th Mrs Jean Moyes Mrs Carol Anne Cahill 17th Miss Muriel Gordon Mrs Doroth-Anne Ardrey 24th Mr Tom Hogg Mrs Alison Freeland 31st (Easter) Mrs Sara Crichton Mrs Ina Miller APRIL 7th Mrs Lynda Horn Mrs Isobel Parsons 14th Mrs Louise McLean Mrs Mary McWhinney 21st Mrs Jan Lee Mrs Mary Brown 28th Mrs Sheila McDermid Mrs Elizabeth Brownlie FEBRUARY 3rd Pat Maxwell Gillian Ormiston 10th Elspeth Hamilton Aileen Hepburn 17th Elizabeth French Elaine Gibson 24th Eleanor Barr Shirley Frew MARCH 3rd Nan Carson Hazel Gilmour 10th Jean Moyes Janie Craig 17th Janette Provan Pat Maxwell 24th Julie Wilson Gillian Ormiston 31st Suzanne Smith Elaine Gibson APRIL Sunday Crèche 7th Aileen Hepburn Eleanor Barr 14th Eleanor Terrace Elizabeth French 21st Shirley Frew Nan Carson 28th Hazel Gilmour Jean Moyes 8