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

Registered Scottish Charity No: SC0 9819

November, December 2016/ January 2017

From The Minister P1, P2 Bothwell Guild P2 Statement of Purpose P2 Living the Questions P3 Advent & Christmas Worship P3 Mary’s Meals Letter P3 Treasurer’s Letter P4 New Year Reflection P4 Card Sale P4 New Year Resolution P4 From the Organist’s Bench P5 Remembrance Reflection P5 Allovus P5 Messy Church P5 Rota Page P6

Minister: The Revd. J. M. Gibson, TD.

The Manse of Bothwell, 4 Manse Avenue, Bothwell, G71 8PQ Tel: 01698 853189. Email: jamesmgibson@msn.com

Church Office Tel: 01698 854903 (Tuesday — Friday 9am-1pm) Email: bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com

Church Website: www.bothwellparishchurch.org.uk

Church Centre: 854987 Chapterhouse Café: 858566

Hardly seems possible that, as I write, the month of November is almost upon us. Each year seems to pass, from beginning to end, with ever increasing speed. Is that just an indication of growing older as I’ve heard so many people say ? The older I have become, the more I have grown to really enjoy the mellow changing patterns and shades of Autumn and the onset of Winter. It’s the wonderful golden hue of the leaves, the shortening days and misty mornings that captivate my attention. Now, maybe that is an indication of advancing age. If it is: I welcome it. I find Autumn’s splendour evocative just as I find Winter’s chill strangely cleansing and indicative of joyful times and family warmth shortly to be shared and experienced.

THANKSGIVING

In the United States of America, November is their month for Thanksgiving. Much food is consumed and hospitality offered. Almost as though Christmas has come early. It’s a time for Americans to give thanks for their country and the wisdom, vision and courage of its founding-fathers and its greatest sons and daughters. They have not forgotten the importance of their history; and the pride they have in it. In this, they are so right. Remembering is important.

FROM THE MINISTER Near the end of October, we were privileged to host in church a very special service: ‘Lanarkshire Remembers’. It was the official civic Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme. Fought over five long and bloody months, it must have felt like the world’s Armageddon. Almost a quarter of a million British shells were fired in the first day of battle as seventeen enormous explosions were detonated under German positions. And the end result ? A lost generation. Eighty-eight thousand men died for every mile of enemy land gained. Many of these men killed in action, wounded or scarred for life came from Lanarkshire. All were honoured by the lighting of candles, music sung and prayers offered by Christian clergy and Dr Salah Beltagui from the Muslim community representing men of other faiths who fought and suffered in the Great War, from the British Dominions and Territories worldwide, in their hundreds of

thousands. Later in November we mark our own time of National Remembrance both in church and at the memorial on Main Street where wreathes will be laid. We wear poppies and a generation of younger men don their service medals and for a couple of minutes we try to keep silent in order to honour the ultimate sacrifice of so many and ponder the human cost of every war and conflict past and present. And, this, we do—once a year. “Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am command-ing you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”. These words come from the writings of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4 –9. In the Jewish tradition, these words are placed on the doorposts of Jewish homes within little prayer-boxes.

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These beautiful containers hold the same sacred words over every room in the house (except the bathroom because it is considered unclean) reminding those entering, every time, that “The Lord is their God, the Lord alone”. Jewish people wear other items to re mind them of God’s presence: the Yarmulka , meaning ‘respect for the King’ is worn on the head as a reminder that God is above and they are part of something much bigger.

The Prayer Shawl symbolically wraps the wearer in the Word of God, the fringes representing the Ten Commandments; and, the leather Phylacteries wrapped around their hands, arms and forehead—again, the Word surrounding and reminding. Instead of a special one-off day of remembrance, the Jewish tradition provides a more constant, consistent reminder of what is really vital to keep central. During the Somme Commemoration I couldn’t help my mind recalling scenes from a return visit I made last year to Bosnia. Images flooded back of the factory at Srebrenica where 8,472 men and boys were murdered while women and girls were raped and beaten by fighters of the Serbian army over 4 days in July 1995; and of the cemetery opposite where I was privileged to meet a mother and son who man-aged to survive. It was the greatest genocide the world has witnessed since the end of the Second World War I just wonder, if faith encourages us that ’to love God is to love each other’ then, that is what must be the catalyst for peace. And if that is so, maybe we need a more consistent, constant remembrance if ever things are going to change. How fortunate we are, therefore, to be able to cele-brate another festival which—in its own way— allows us another form of remembrance.

Statement of Purpose

Bothwell Parish is a congregation of the Church of Scotland and is part of the worldwide family of people belonging to the Christian Faith, worshipping God through Jesus Christ. In to the love of God for all, we seek to serve our community through worship, friendship, care and education; and to promote Christian values of concern for others, forgiveness, healing and justice.

Christmas is celebrated for the birth of a child. But we need to remember that that same child had to be smuggled out of the country in fear of being murdered by the authorities and, then, grew up and lived under the oppression of an invading power which, eventually, had the grown man put to death by crucifixion. Yet, in the midst of all that, Jesus lived a life dedicated not to the power of man but to the power of love for all humankind. So often, the problem is that just when we have been buoyed up by seasonal goodwill, the demands of the world have a habit of interfering and bursting our bubble of joy. As a consequence, the excitement quickly diminishes and we revert to living life as though nothing had just happened. Love requires effort.

Its not easy to love someone you dislike or against whom you hold a grudge. Nor can love simply be taken for granted. Any long married couple will vouch for that. Yet, without ‘love’, peace and harmony are not possible. St Paul writes that ‘Love endures all things’. If that is true, there is hope for us all. Inspite of my natural cynicism maybe one day, we human beings might just manage to learn that lesson and the day of peace might actually dawn. What a joy that would be! Peace and joy to all.

Jim Gibson

BOTHWELL

GUILD

Our new session of the Guild opened with an Meet the President evening… the purpose of which was to introduce the programme for 2016/2017, welcome new members and plan for the future. After drinks and nibbles, Nancy (as retiring president) opened the meeting and introduced Doreen as president 2016. Vice-president Sheena presented Nancy with flowers from the committee and Doreen thanked Nancy for her commitment to Bothwell Guild throughout her tenure. The annual rededication was led by the Minister and held in the main hall on October 17th. We have already had ‘full and frank’ discussion and shared ideas and opinions about how to go forward. Our over arching aim is to be a place of welcome where the Church meets the world.

We are delighted to have increased our membership but there is still plenty room for more new faces! Bothwell Guild has a proud history spanning 130 years—actually predating the founding of the national Guild by one year. We approach our 131st year with open hearts and minds, anxious to be flexible in our structure and welcoming in our ethos. We believe there is a place for everyone in our group and encourage others within the congregation and beyond to give us a try! Meetings planned: 31/10/16 Classrooms for Malawi. 14/11/16 Feed the Minds—addressing the sensitive issue of FGM (female genital mutilation). 28/11/16 Lets Stick Together—supporting the vulnerable when a couple become a family. 12/12/16 Christmas Party—food, fun and friends! All at 7.30pm within the church Centre.

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Ever since the first announcement was made that a new discussion group was going to be formed called Living the Questions, uptake for places in the various groups held has been almost immediate. Nearly 300 individuals have experienced the course. In the early New Year the present group will meet again to take their discussions further. Perhaps over the coming weeks you may hear about it from those taking part. The course is repeated at different times of the year and, so, if you hear favourable comments and think it might be the sort of thing for you in the future, just let the Minister know or contact the church Office to book a place! Why not join over a hundred others who have already taken part—and are very glad to have done so ?

LETTER OF THANKS TO ALL

WHO SUPPORTED OUR GUILD’S RECENT FUND-RAISER

FOR MARY’S MEALS

Dear Bothwell Guild & Friends, On behalf of everyone at Mary’s Meals I write to express our heartfelt thanks for your recent donation of £1,102.95. We are so very grateful for your support.

Every donation, large or small, goes a long way to helping us reach more children with a nutritious daily meal in their place of education. We are delighted to say we are now feeding over 1.101,000 children— a figure which is a true testament to the many, many acts of kindness from donors all over the world. Together, we are making child hunger a thing of the past. Every child has a unique story to tell. Gilbert, from Malawi, is an orphan. His mother died after suffering from an illness and his father died in an accident while working as a fisherman. Gilbert doesn’t know what his age is. Until recently, he often missed school, being forced instead to take whatever work he could find in order to earn just about enough to survive. However, since Mary’s Meals started feeding at gilbert’s school, he life has changed and he goes to school every day, where is is guaranteed a nutritious meal, and is able to learn. Gilbert tells us that Mary’s Meals motivates him to stay at school and realise his huge ambitions. He says, “I want to study hard and become President of Malawi so I can develop this country and give food to my people, so they will no longer suffer.” Thank you for the vital part you have played in offering hope to children just like Gilbert. You are not only filling empty stomachs, but providing an escape route from poverty, giving children and their communities a lasting hope for the future.

Fiona Kirsop, Mary’s Meals.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS WORSHIP

November 27th. 10.30am. Worship for the First Sunday of Advent. 12noon. ‘Advent Party’ for children of Sunday Club age and Parents. December 4th. 10.30am. Worship for the season of Advent. December 11th. 10.30am. Children’s Christmas Gifts received at Christmas Tree. December 18th. 10.30am. A BIG surprise! December 24th. 11.30pm. Christmas Eve Service. December 25th. 10.30am. As Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, the plan is to hold our customary Christmas Morning Family Communion service. This is shorter and more informal than the normal service. Children bring one of their Christmas presents and older boys and girls are invited to participate in Holy Communion. January 1st. 2017. 10.30am. First-foot your thoughts. Worship will last 45 mins. Time for a short reflection & prayers. Come, and start the year the way you mean to continue. January 8th. 10.30am. Worship on Epiphany Sunday. 5.30pm. Christingle Service (for children and adults).

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A BRIEF UPDATE FROM THE

CHURCH TREASURER

In early 2015, an approach was made to the congregation to review individual ‘Givings’. This resulted in significant benefits to the church. Over a year has now passed and on a month to month basis our income is now levelling.

While this is entirely understandable, like everybody else, the church’s overall outgoings have a tendency to creep ever upwards. Whilst the Finance Committee takes every opportunity to limit and control expenditure (ie: gas, electricity and communications) costs inevitably rise.

The Finance Committee is sure every member of the church would like to play their part in securing the ongoing work of the congregation.

To those who were able to help us by increasing their givin g, our sincere thanks.

To those who were not able to do so at the time, we understand how difficult situations can be.

To ALL our members, with the greatest respect, we would suggest that now is a good time to consider again how we can better support the good and worthy work we are so fortunate is being done for the good of our community in the name of the Church through the activities of our congregation.

Jim Provan Church Treasurer

REFLECTION FOR

NEW YEAR

What if the year hadn’t turned and we were left in the tail end

of 2016 ?

We’d never have the grief that comes from letting things go

but would be able to nurture them for ever.

We’d enjoy the comfort that never comes to an end

of listening again and again day after day

to those things so familiar. We’d richly relive

all the past as present and never have the challenge

of the future.

And we’d grow dull. We’d never be able to strive

for things as yet beyond our reach.

We’d never find the value of things we’d have to leave in the past, or feel the energy of excitement

of things yet to come. We’d never grow tall

with wisdom’s experience or learn how to move

from what is to what could be.

May the year turn for the sake of our humanity.

And may each fresh day be grasped as the greatest gift it is:

the gateway towards the richness of Life

in all its possibilities, fullness and worth.

During Advent tickets will be on sale for another luxury Christmas Hamper. Each year, approximately £100 of delicious foodstuffs along with a couple of bottles of excellent quality wine fills the hamper to overflowing.

Make sure you get a ticket.

Don’t leave it too late.

Tickets on sale within Café on Sunday mornings

or from the church Office.

GREETING CARDS

FOR

ALL OCCASIONS

Beautifully

hand-made

For sale

at our church only

Packs—£1 or £2.

View at Office

A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

To begin with oneself,

but not to end with oneself;

To start from oneself, but not to aim at oneself;

To comprehend oneself, but not to be preoccupied

with oneself.

Martin Buber Jewish Philosopher

Christ is the

great central fact

in the world’s

history. To him

everything

looks forward

or backward.

All lines of

history converge

upon him.

COMMUNION SUNDAY

NOV 6th.

10.30am

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Church Register Baptism: August 28th. Isla Boyd, daughter of Mr Scott and Mrs Carolyn Boyd, 2 Rokeby Crescent, Strathaven. Marriage: September 22nd. Joanne Jardine and Christopher Keltie, 53 Cairnhill Road, Airdrie. Funerals: The Minister invites the prayers of the congregation for the relatives of the following who recently received Christian funeral:

August Mrs Elizabeth Jardine, 154 St Bride’s Way, Bothwell. September Mrs Helen McLeod, 36 Shelley Drive, Bothwell. Mrs Margaret Cumming, Airdrie and c/o 15 Laighlands Road, Bothwell. October John (Ian) Beckett Esq, 4B Mill Road, Bothwell. Ms Janette Campbell, 17 Baillie Drive, Bothwell. New Members: The Minister and Kirk Session welcome the following new members to the congregation:

The Revd. Dr. Georgie Baxendale, 32 Meadowhead Rd, Plains. Tom Hastie Esq, 57 The Fairways, Bothwell. The Revd. Ray and Mrs Eileen Mackenzie, 25 Austine Dr. Hamilton. Mr George and Mrs Mollie Stevenson, 79 The Fairways, Bothwell.

A REFLECTION FOR

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

There are always too many words and never enough silence, because there is always too much pain to describe, and never enough learning from that pain. The deepest learning can only take place in silence, for no explanation no meaning no lesson is completed with words. Each can only be completed with silence. Silence contains everything words can’t. May silence be our final act in the lessons about the worst and best of our humanity. The tragedy comes when it is not.

From The Organist’s Bench

Seen, but not heard. The days are long gone since the old adage that children should be quiet in the company of adults. Quite rightly so, there be times when some grumpy seniors wonder …… Not so, perhaps, with choirs in Quires. The scene bit is super, a total delight; and the space is a joy to sing in. The acoustic is so fine for singing, a privilege to use for liturgical or concert use. But there can be a problem or, the perception of one, at least. It was easy to see the choir when in the Nave, but more difficult now we are back in our proper place. In a visually dominated world it is easy to believe hearing is improved by seeing; families gathering together to share early wireless broadcasts often sat round in a semicircle, watching the radio. It was felt by many that this helped to concentrate on the sound. Others even felt it rude to turn their backs on a speaker or performer.

There are, of course, natural reasons to watch singers: we can pick up linguistic and emotional clues from facial expressions, mannerisms and, even, lip reading. So, what of the scarce visible choir ? Well, a few hints …. Firstly, try moving into the pews more centrally nearer the aisle and nearer the front. Be closer to your neighbours: it looks good to visitors too. And when listening, try closing your eyes; the removal of visual stimulation really does help concentrate the aural immensely. Musicians do it very often. Try it, you may be surprised!

Phil Hotham Organist & Director of Music

Allovus invites YOU

to come and share its fellowship and fun. Allovus meets on the FIRST and THIRD Thursdays of the month. Starting 11am.

It’s membership is open to EVERYONE.

You don’t even have to be a member of

ANY church/group.

Still to come ……

November 3rd. Mrs Hanna Rankine, As-sistant Minister at Bothwell.

November 17th. Flower Arranging

with Jean Hamilton.

December 1st. Christmas Singalong.

December 15th. Christmas Luncheon.

…..an exciting & different way of

being church for families involving lots of fun!

Based on creativity hospitality

and celebration.

Sundays between 4.00 and 6.00pm.

?@AB event—SUNDAY 11th DEC.

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Church Flowers

Crossing War Memorial November: 6th. H. Bryce E. Somerville 13th. J Lee A Freeland 20th. A Hepburn D Gibson 27th. T Abercromby J Hart. December: 4th. J Hamilton V Crate 11th. M Greenshields U McLundie 18th. P McAuley M Jack 25th. A Hamilton S Frew 2017. January: 1st. M Mitchell J Gordon 8th. N Robertson A McMillan 15th. A Sharp N Struthers 22nd J McDougall A McQueen 29th. E Terrace E Smith February: 5th. M Williamson E Cole 12th. N Carson V Pringle 19th. M Wilson J Ferrell 26th. B Sinclair T Abercrombie.

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

Anyone unable to fulfil their duty should please arrange cover. Please note that only two of the office bearers will be required to assist with counting the collection

after the service.

Sunday Coffee Rota As usual, volunteers are asked to please swap any inconvenient dates with each other.

New volunteers are most welcome to join the list and should please contact Marilyn Jack—tel 852138.

Sunday Crèche

November: 6th H Gilmour M Donnelly 13th J Craig J Provan 20th P Maxwell J Wilson 27th E Terrace E Barr December: 4th G Ormiston S Smith 11th E Easton A Hepburn 18th E Barr J Robertson 25th No Creche. 2017 January: 1st. No Creche 8th. E Terrace N Carson 15th M Donnelly E French 22nd H Gilmour J Craig 29th J Provan P Maxwell February: 5th J Wilson G Ormiston 12th S Smith J Robertson 19th E Easton E Barr 26th A Hepburn E Terrace.

NOVEMBER 6th Communion Arrangements 13th L Horn M Hutchison M Jack D Lee 20th H Marsh J Marsh G Moore B Moyes 27th C McQueen G Ormiston J Provan J Provan

JANUARY 2017 1st E Buttery S Cook D Craig J Cumming 8th J Crichton S Crichton J Dalziel E Dempsey 15th M Dobie H Duddy B Gillespie S G’shields 22th H Gilmour J Gilmour K Hamilton J HartI 29th I Henderson J Henry D Hepburn L Horn

FEBRUARY 5th M Hutchison M Jack H Marsh J Marsh 12th D Lee G Moore B Moyes C McQueen 19th G Ormiston J Provan J Provan R Parsons. 26th B Sharp S Smith E S’ville E Terrace

DECEMBER 4th R Parsons B Sharp S Smith E Somerville 11th BB Company 18th E Terrace B Thomson A Watt G Whitton 25th A Wilson E Barr J Carson N Carson

NOVEMBER 6 Ormiston Family DECEMBER 4 J Craig 13 E Buttery 11 BB Company 20 E Dempsey 18 S Crichton 27 C Cahill 25 No Cafe 2017 JANUARY FEBRUARY 1st No Café 5 Frews & Hepburns 8 J Hamilton 12 Parsons & Wilsons 15 A Thomson 19 N Carson 22 Ormiston Family 26 E Buttery 29 E Dempsey

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A Short History of Bothwell

Continuing the instalments of the notes prepared by the late Rev. S. J. Hamilton, B.A., on the history of the parish.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Anyone 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 at the church Office.

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A New Way to Receive Your Magazine?

Did you know that the magazine can be found on our Church website?

http://bothwellparishchurch.org.uk/category/magazine

By reading your magazine on-line via laptops, Kindles, tablets and i-phones, and not receiving a paper copy, you would be helping the Church to contin-ue to develop as an eco-congregation and you would also be helping us to save money in printing costs.

If you decide this is an option for you, please send an e-mail to the office bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com detailing your name and address, to allow us to make adjustments to the number of copies printed.

John Crichton Session Clerk

Part 2 of 2

The Reverend Gavin Hamilton, minister of Bothwell enjoyed an interesting and successful career. The second son of John Hamilton of Orbiston, who fell at Langside fighting for Queen Mary, he was born about 1561 and educated at the university of St Andrews where he graduated Master of Arts in 1584. Six years later he became minister of the Second Charge, Hamilton. Translated to Bothwell in 1594, he returned after a decade to his former parish where he ministered in the First Charge. Apparently one of the king’s ‘led horses’ he was appointed by James VI to the temporalities (properties and revenues) of the old bishopric of Galloway, with the priory of Whithorn and the abbeys of Glenluce and Dundrennan. A year later, he became Dean of the Chapel Royal and ‘constant’ moderator of the presebytery of Kirkcudbright. The climax of his career was reached in 1610 when, on the 21st October, he was consecrated in London to the see of Galloway. It is interesting to note that, at this ceremony, he was not re-ordained, Presbyterian ordination being then recognised by the Church of England. He died in February 1612. His wife was Alison, eldest daughter of James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, who bore him five children, one of whom married John Campbell, bishop of Argyll. Like his predecessor at Bothwell, he was a man of some weight and standing in the ecclesiastical councils of the realm; and while still minister at Both-well he had several important duties to perform outwith his parish. On 26th June 1595, he was appointed by the General Assembly to give information against such of the brethren as had ‘dilapidated’ their benefices in the bounds of Clydesdale, Renfrew, Lennox and Dumbarton and was one of the commissioners chosen by the Assembly for constituting an interim ‘platt’ for the same bounds. By the Assemblies of 1598, 1600 and 1601 he was empow-ered, with others, to plant such kirks in burgh-towns as are destitute and on 16th May 1601 was appointed, with others, for trial of the brethren in the bounds of

Irvine and Ayr.

All that said, one point must be noted which does not seem to redound to his credit as far as the temporalities of the parish are concerned.

The following particulars would make it obvious he had something to do with the alienation of the church lands and property at Bothwell. In 1604, with the consent of Sir Walter Scott of Branxholm , then patron of the parish, he granted to his brother, John Hamilton of Orbiston in fee-farm and heritage: 1 the whole of ten pound lands of Orbiston and the manor-place, with the houses, yards, orchards and fishings –along with the tithes of the same, 2 the lands of Carnbrew, Unthank, Stevenson, Alderstoun, Carfin, Jervie-stoun, Riccart-Johnstoun and Kirklee in the barony of Bothwell, 3 the mill of Orbiston, 4 the nether mill of Orbiston on the Calder, 5 the church lands of Bothwell with the houses, gardens and pertinents reserving, however, to the provost and his successors , serving the cure of Bothwell, a reasonable glebe of four acres of the said church lands, with the mansion, gardens and other premises which were then occupied by the provost.

As minister of Bothwell, Gavin Ham-ilton’s stipend was ‘the hail dewtie of the prowestrie of Bothwell £222, with the vicarage £6 13s 4d’ (Scots) - a total of £19 1s 2d (Sterling). At times, he seems to have been responsible for paying the stipend of the minister of Shotts.