The magazine for the linked congregations and community of the

West Kirk of Calder and Polbeth Harwood

The Link

Rev David A Albon BA MCS 01506 870460

The Manse, 27 Learmonth Crescent

West Calder EH55 8AF

theminister@west-kirk-polbeth-harwood.co.uk

West Kirk Session Clerk Stewart MacRae 01506 872486 23 Westmuir Road West Calder EH55 8EX sessionclerk@westkirkofcalder.co.uk Treasurer William Calder 01506 871281 25 Harburn Road West Calder EH55 8AJ treasurer@westkirkofcalder.co.uk

Polbeth Harwood Session Clerk Marian Kinsman 01506 871125 12 Langside Crescent Polbeth EH55 8UW sessionclerk@polbethharwood.co.uk Treasurer Tom Griffin 01506 438038 60 Easter Bankton Murieston Livingston EH54 9BE treasurer@polbethharwood.co.uk

News Editor

Colin Dempster 01506 414565

140 Staunton Rise

Dedridge West Livingston EH54 6PA

thelinkeditor@west-kirk-polbeth-harwood.co.uk

www.west-kirk-polbeth-harwood.co.uk

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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A Word From Our Minister The Manse 27 Learmonth Crescent West Calder EH55 8AF Monday, 18 September 2006 Here’s your copy of the October issue of The Link. This month I want to draw your attention to a couple of things that are happening. On Sunday 1st October we are having a united all-age service of both churches to celebrate Harvest at the West Kirk at 11 am (take note: there will not be a morning service at Polbeth Harwood that day). Last year we had a united Harvest service at Polbeth Harwood as the West Kirk was having the new lighting installed. There will be a special Harvest Offering going to Christian Aid. We hope to have a simple Harvest lunch in the West Kirk hall after the service to which you are welcome. West Kirk members and friends should already have received information about the Project to redecorate the inside of the West Kirk and the related Gift Weekend on the 7th and 8th October. There are pledge and donation cards available as well. See the article in this magazine for more information. And if you or anyone you know hasn’t received the leaflet or cards and would like to, please contact the West Kirk Treasurer, Bill Calder. I’m looking forward to taking holidays later this month, as October can often be a wonderful month to be out in the hills.

Rev David A Albon Minister of the Parish Churches of the West Kirk of Calder and Polbeth Harwood

PRAXIS

Ecumenical Music Workshop

for Young People at New College

10 am – 5 pm

Saturday 28th October 2006

Followed by a celebratory ecumenical service at Greyfriars Kirk.

Cost £3 per family if booked before 9th October 2006. Please email juniawilson@aol.com for a booking form.

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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The Church Family (Parish Record)

West Kirk

Funerals 16th September – Donald Gallacher, Harburn Drive

Polbeth Harwood

Funerals

9th September – Betty Hastie, Langside Gardens 13th September – Bill Fairley, Langside Crescent

Worship in the Linked Congregations

Sunday Morning Worship will take place in the West Kirk at 9.30 am and in Polbeth Harwood at 11.15 am unless stated otherwise. 1st October United All-Age Harvest Service

West Kirk – 11 am Note: No Service at Polbeth Harwood today

8th October Gift Weekend at the West Kirk 15th October Morning Worship – Rev Dick Anderson 22nd October Morning Worship – Rev Dick Anderson 29th October Morning Worship – Rev Martin McKean 12th November Remembrance Sunday

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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Prayer Bites Instead of a prayer corner, I thought it might be fun to have prayer bites from time to time. After all, TV and radio have “sound bites” and often our lives are so busy that we haven’t got time to cope with much more than that. I prefer bites that I can eat rather than sound bites so here are a few which came to mind as prayer biscuits. Feel free to include your own to munch over. Digestive Dear Lord, thank You for the services we have Sunday by Sunday, week by week. Please bless David with all the preparation involved (and help us remember people in countries where there is no freedom to worship or hold meetings).

Rich Tea Father thank You for the many different activities in our churches. For those we know about, for those we don’t. For all those who are involved, especially behind the scenes such as the tea and café rotas. Help each person to feel valued for what they do.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Jesus, thank You that You welcomed children and we want to value and welcome young people in our churches. Please bless the new “Sunday Sofa” youth evenings being held fortnightly in the upstairs room at Polbeth. Thank You for so much enthusiasm – of folks at Polbeth who have been very generous in encouraging the use of the hall and of the young folks who have come along.

Harvest Crunch (oops, not quite a biscuit!) Lord we pray for the special activities which colour our church calendars, such the dinner dance at Polbeth and the Gift Weekend at West Calder. Help us think about how we should be involved or contribute. Thank You too for our annual harvest thanksgivings which help us appreciate how much we have to be grateful for, as well as remembering those who have very little.

Happy chomping! If you have a Prayer Bite that you would like to be included in a future issue please send an email to louiseholden@tinyworld.co.uk or contact Louise by phone on 01506 873030.

Louise Holden

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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West Kirk Guild Report The first meeting of the Guild on Monday 2nd October will welcome our Minister, David Albon to speak about the Guild theme. We look forward to the new session with the following dates for your diary:

Dates for your diary:

Monday – 16th October Crathie Opportunity Holidays

Speaker: Christine Sloan

Tuesday – 17th October Autumn Rally – High Church, Bathgate

Saturday – 4th November Guild Coffee Day

Monday – 6th November Blythswood Boxes

Speaker: Rhoda Lawton

We look forward to welcoming current and new members from both congregations. Do come along and enjoy an evening of fellowship and fun.

Jill Murray (Joint Secretary)

West Kirk Fundraising Group Report The September Candy Bar was very successful, raising the wonderful total of £583. Many thanks to all those concerned. It was good to see our regular customers as well as welcoming some new ones. The Kirk Session will be staffing the Candy Bar on 7th October and by tradition the November one is the Guild Coffee Day on Saturday 4th. All proceeds go to Guild funds although its format is the same as all the other Candy Bars. As mentioned in the last edition of The Link the Whist Drive is planned for Monday 23rd October at 7.30 pm. Tickets are available at the door – £2.50 each or £10 for a table. The next meeting of the Fundraising Group is Sunday 8th October after the morning service. Thank you for your continued support.

Jill Murray (Convener)

Annual Dinner Dance The Annual Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday 14th October in West Calder Bowling Club. Tickets (£13 each) are available from Marian Kinsman 01506 871125.

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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Life & Work – October Issue

The Editorially Independent Magazine of the Church of Scotland www.lifeandwork.org

The Big Debate In May, the General Assembly voted to send proposals about the marking of civil partnerships to Presbyteries for debate and decision under an ancient legislative process known as the Barrier Act. Life & Work this month offers a cross-section of the opinions likely to shape and inform the discussion. Opening new doors Lorna Hill meets the new chief executive of the Scottish Bible Society – the first woman and layperson to hold the post in the organisation’s 197-year history. Reith of the BBC John Reith was the Glasgow-born Presbyterian who became the first Director-General of the BBC. His daughter Marista Leishman offers a unique insight into the man as she publishes a book unravelling the character of ‘Reith of the BBC’. Christians in Scotland In the second part of this series Laurence Wareing continues his insights into the main Christian denominations in Scotland with a look at the Free Church of Scotland and other ‘free’ churches as well as the Baptist Union of Scotland. The gift of a lifetime Iain Grimmond, General Treasurer of the Church of Scotland, outlines the importance of legacies and how the work of the Church can benefit from the smallest gifts. And much more – letters, reviews, comment, news from the local and national church, elders page, prayer and reflection – all for £1.60.

Blythswood Care APOLOGIES … APOLOGIES … Well done to all of you who spotted the mistake in the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal article. The day and date of the Guild meeting should of course have read Monday 6th November and not the Tuesday … I of all people should know as I attend the Guild! The initial response to my appeal on behalf of Blysthwood has been very encouraging, so much so that I have had to order more leaflets as the 125 leaflets I had, have all been distributed. A number of people have asked if it is okay to use shoeboxes which have a hinged lid – the answer is yes but don't seal the open lid edge with sellotape, the contents have to checked. Please take a spare leaflet into school or work, it's amazing how friends and colleagues get interested and before you know it they are asking for a spare leaflet to give to friends and family … it's a healthy infectious ministry. Phone us on 01506 871172 if you need further advice or need your boxes uplifted.

Till the next time, Rhoda Lawton

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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Have you seen the old Village Well yet? The older residents of West Calder will be familiar with ‘The Cundy’ that amazing underground river which flows underneath West Calder and down the Cleugh Brae to the so-called ‘Yellow Burn’ at the bottom of the brae.

For many years there have been problems with flooding various parts of the village due to this river not being able to cope with the sheer volume of water passing through. West Lothian Council are now in the process of replacing part of the largish pipe, which carries the river underneath the village. At present the firm carrying out the replacement of the old pipe have reached the eastern end of King’s Crescent or the ‘Flanagan’s Yard’ part of the old Union Street and have uncovered the remains of the old Village Well which can be seen very clearly at the excavation site. It is well worth going to see but do hurry as the site will be in-filled very soon.

Get ahead with your Christmas shopping, while supporting the West Kirk redecoration project*

Body Shop at Home Open Afternoon Sunday 8th October 3 pm to 5 pm

69 Harburn Road, West Calder Bargains! Great choice of fabulous gifts! Samples to try – make your shopping easy! Orders delivered! If you cannot make it, but would like to see a catalogue, then get in touch with Rosanna Rabaeijs on 01506 871259 or by email, rosanna.rabaeijs@homecall.co.uk. (*Rosanna will pledge half of what she makes to the West Kirk redecoration fund.)

Gift Weekend – Redecoration Project

on Saturday 7th October with the Candy Bar from 10 am – 1 pm

and Sunday 8th October at the morning service at 9.30 am

This is one of the major fund raising efforts planned during the period 1st October 2006 to 1st June 2007. Do come along and bring your donation and completed donation card or your completed Pledge Card in an envelope clearly marked ‘Redecoration Fund’. Remember that if you are willing and able to Gift Aid your donation, this would add 28% to your gift – please make sure that you have signed the declaration on the bottom of the Donation card or the Pledge Card in order to Gift Aid.

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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Redecoration of the West Kirk of Calder Interior It is now some considerable time since the interior of the church was painted and the next year promises to be an exciting one for the West Kirk. There is no doubt that this project will be one that must involve every single one of us in rising to the challenge of raising £10,000 towards the cost of the redecoration. Since the last redecoration, costs of materials and labour have risen dramatically and it is difficult for many of us to grasp the enormity of the sum required to carry out the job. We in the West Kirk are fortunate to have sound investments to fall back on, but at present the realising of any capital does not make sound financial sense. It is far better if we can raise the money ourselves by various means. Already since the beginning of this year all the income from the Candy Bars has been put into the Capital Projects Fund from which the cost of the redecoration will be met. At present the balance in this fund is some £14,500. The estimated cost of the redecoration is somewhere between £25,000 and £30,000 and that is why the Session has set the members the task of raising £10,000 towards the cost.

It might help members to understand the contents of the Redecoration Information Pack, received with the September issue of The Link, with this short synopsis: 1. A card giving information about the project and details of one of the major fund raising

schemes, the ‘Gift Weekend’ on 7th and 8th October. 2. A Donation Card to use on the Gift Weekend for making a single donation. 3. A Pledge Card to use if you feel that you would like to pledge to give a sum of money

over the period from 1st October 2006 to 1st June 2007 either by making a single donation (other than on the Gift Weekend) or to make donations weekly or monthly.

4. An envelope to use if you wish to post or hand to the Treasurer your Donation Card or

Pledge Card.

Members and Friends of the West Kirk are asked to think about this project and to decide whether or not they wish to help meet the challenge of raising £10,000 by 1st June 2007. It is a long time since the congregation was challenged to raise such a large sum – probably when the hall was built – but to put the task in perspective we should consider that if every member were to donate £30 over the period, the target would be reached. £30 is a lot of money one may say, but if it is broken down into a weekly sum of money then it would come to less then £1 – less than a loaf of bread, less than the price of four fruit scones, less than a litre of petrol, less than the price of a cup of coffee in a restaurant, about the price of a cup of tea and toast at the monthly Candy Bar – and so on. Our Church is our heritage passed on from previous generations and we must keep it in good condition to pass on to those generations still to come. In closing might I quote some words written by an American – Adlai Stevenson. They refer to our planet but if you take them slightly out of context they may well describe our church.

‘We travel together passengers on a little spacecraft

dependent on its vulnerable resources of air and soil; all committed for

our safety to its security and peace preserved from annihilation

only by the care, the work, and,

I will say, the love we give our fragile craft.’

Bill Calder, Treasurer, West Kirk of Calder

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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West Kirk – Rota Information

West Kirk Crèche Rota

15th October

Kathy Black

Melanie Dickson

22nd October

Mary Calder

TBA

29th October

Louise Holden

Val Occardi

5th November

Rhoda Lawton

Olive Gibson

12th November

Margaret Farquhar

Shirley MacRae

West Kirk Tea Rota Contact Olive Gibson 01506 871291 Note: Tea Makers, please bring milk.

22nd October

George Stott

Morag Stott

29th October

Margaret Lamb

Olive Gibson

5th November

Margo McEwan

Margaret Douglas

12th November

May Young

Olive Gibson

West Kirk Duty Rota

Door Duty

Car Run

22nd October

May Arnott

Angus Baxter

Jim Allan

Beryl Henderson

29th October

Liz Dyer

Alex Easton

Richard Bryce

Alan Jessiman

5th November

Victor Ferguson

Lorna Graham

Jeanette Ferguson

Stewart Munro

12th November

Beryl Henderson

Alan Jessiman

Irene Grindlay

George Stott

West Kirk Flower Rota Arrangers: If you will be on holiday on your rota date, please arrange a swap, and if this proves difficult, please contact Margaret Greenhorn (01506 871139) for help in finding someone.

Given Arranged Delivered

22th October

Evelyn Paterson

Evelyn Paterson

Margaret Ann Smith

29th October

Margo McEwan & Margaret Douglas

Ivy Johnstone

5th November

Margaret Greenhorn

Rosanna Rabaeijs

Irene Grindlay

12th November

Liz Dyer Katie Albon

Kathleen Black

19th November

Rosanna Rabaeijs

Moira McRae

The Link Collation Rota Meet in Polbeth Harwood at 4 pm

Friday 3rd November (Issue 13 – Nov)

Katie Albon Jeanette Ferguson Victor Ferguson Betty Upton Ena Prentice Ann Watson

Friday 1st December (Issue 14 – Dec)

Katie Albon Frank Mabbutt Shirley MacRae Stewart MacRae Rosanna Rabaeijs Isobel Young

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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Polbeth Harwood – Rota Information

Stewart Court Taxi Rota

22nd October

David Prentice

29th October

Kenneth Mackay

5th November

Margaret Marr

12th November

TBA

Polbeth Harwood Duty Rota

Door Duty

22nd October

Anne Weston-Lewis

Gordon Erskine

Jimmy Greer

Charlie Sturrock

29th October

Reeta Griffin

Frank Mabbutt

Alice Mackay

Kenneth Mackay

5th November

Hazel Speirs

Linda Eardley

Margaret Hampson

William McCallum

12th November

Jessie Kelly

Tom Kelly

Anne Watson

William Watson

Polbeth Harwood Café Rota

25th October

Gordon Erskine

Chrissie McCormack

Esther Hamilton

1st November

Wilma Dickson

Jessie Kelly

8th November

Frank Mabbutt

Betty Upton

Janet Walker

15th November

Maisie Baird

Janet Russell

Polbeth Harwood Cleaning Rota

22nd October

Linda Eardley

Hazel Speirs

29th October

Mary Gray

Josephine Greer

5th November

Mary Mabbutt

Frank Mabbutt

12th November

Etta Walker

Moira Mushet

The Link Collation Rota Meet in Polbeth Harwood at 4 pm

Friday 3rd November (Issue 13 – Nov)

Katie Albon Jeanette Ferguson Victor Ferguson Betty Upton Ena Prentice Ann Watson

Friday 1st December (Issue 14 – Dec)

Katie Albon Frank Mabbutt Shirley MacRae Stewart MacRae Rosanna Rabaeijs Isobel Young

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The Link Issue 12

October 2006

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Suffering A hermit was on ten years probation to join a silent order. At the end of a decade of monastic isolation, he was called to an interview with the chief hermit. He was allowed only two words to sum up how he felt about his progress over all that time. So he said, ‘Bad food’. His superior said that they would try to improve the food but further probation was required. He sent him away to pray for ten more years. When the time was up, he was recalled for further discussion. He had thought long and hard about how to make the best use of his two words, so he said, ‘Hard bed.’ The superior was a sympathetic man, so he offered more help. But again, he felt that more time was required before he could fully be admitted to the order. Ten years later, the novice found himself before the chief hermit again. This time his words were even more abrupt: ‘I quit.’ The chief hermit replied, ‘We decided not to accept you anyway – you’ve done nothing but complain ever since you arrived!’

Polbeth Harwood Christmas Fayre The Polbeth Harwood Christmas Fayre will be held on Saturday 25th November. Donations will be gratefully received, including cooking for the ever popular home baking stall!

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 November issue, this will be Sunday 22nd October. Thank you to all the contributors to the magazine. Contributions can be sent via email, or handed in person to either Rev David Albon or Colin Dempster.

Paws… for thought

The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up.

Mark Twain