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THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
I hereby declare that the following are the results of the voting for election and appointment of a minister to the vacant charge of POLBETH HARWOOD CHURCH linked with WEST KIRK OF CALDER:
FOR electing the Revd Dr Jonanda Groenewald 140
AGAINST electing the Revd Dr Jonanda Groenewald 4
and that the said Revd Dr Jonanda Groenewald has accordingly been elected and appointed subject to the judgement of the courts of the Church.
4 May 2014 Gordon D Jamieson Interim Moderator
Dear Friends
Easter is past for another year – or is it? The eggs may have been removed from the supermarket shelves, and Easter bunnies and cards may no longer be prominently for sale, but Easter is not just a day or a weekend for the church. Easter is always at the heart of our faith and our mission.
We are not a community of people who follow the teaching and example of a great man who died over two thousand years ago. This would mean that Good Friday was the end, and we would be GOOD FRIDAY PEOPLE. No, we walk with one who is risen and alive – one who walks with us every day of our lives, just as he walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. We are EASTER PEOPLE – crucified with Christ and risen with Christ.
It is Easter faith which gives the church optimism and confidence as it faces the future, even though it is a difficult future with the majority of the population showing little or no interest in the Christian faith.
The month of May begins with Nanda leading worship as the sole nominee of the Nominating Committee. Then there is Christian Aid Week, which once again challenges us with the plight of the poor in so many parts of God’s world. The second half of the month brings this year’s General Assembly – a gathering where it is easy to think that we are managing a church in decline.
As EASTER PEOPLE, we should approach everything believing that our glass is more than half full and not more than half empty. Jesus is risen! He is alive! He is with us today and every day!
Yours sincerely
GORDON
On Sunday 4th May, Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald will preach as Sole Nominee for our vacant charge.
Services will be at the usual times of 9.45am at West Kirk and 11.15am at polbeth Harwood.
Voting by members and adherents will take place at each congregation after the services and there is opportunity for those present to sign the call paperwork at the same time.
Votes will be counted under the auspices of the Interim Moderator, Rev Gordon Jamieson and the result intimated once the count is complete.
Both churches will also be open during the week of 5th May to give members and adherents further opportunity to sign the call.
Dear Friends
I feel that I can call you ‘friends’ as I have been coming among you for the best part of three years as one of your occasional preachers. From 1st April I have a new role – as your Interim Moderator and part time Locum Minister until the vacancy is concluded. This has become necessary as your Nominating Committee has chosen Nanda to be their sole nominee for the vacant charge. To enable the formal procedures to take place - her preaching as sole nominee and being elected as your next minister – it is important that neither she nor Andre continues to be involved in any other capacity in the meantime.
I look forward to leading worship on most of the Sundays between the beginning of April and the date in June when we hope Nanda is inducted as your new minister. The Locum arrangement is that I am employed for one day per week plus a Sunday. The one day has to have a certain amount of flexibility as my priority will be to conduct funerals as these are required. I shall also be available for other urgent pastoral matters.
As we move through the month of April, we move towards Holy Week and Easter. At this time of year we are especially conscious of the extent of God’s love for his world in Jesus’ death on the cross. We are also aware of God’s gift of new life in the resurrection of Jesus. This year we celebrate this gift of new life in the context of eagerly awaiting the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of Polbeth Harwood Church and the West Kirk of Calder. These are exciting times!
I look forward to being with you as Interim Moderator and Locum Minister over the next few months.
Yours sincerely
GORDON
The Trust’s third medical ship is currently on its 8,585 mile journey to Mombasa in Kenya, from where it will then be transported over 800miles by land to Lake Victoria.
Fuel costs alone for the trip are around £43.000 (£5 per mile).
Since January, donations of £16,600 have been received but there is still a long way to go before costs are covered to bring worthwhile essential healthcare to the forgotten people living on the islands on the Lake.
If you would like to make a donation,
you can either text VINE06 £5 TO 70070 or visit the website www.vinetrust.org and click on the links to ‘donate a mile’.
The website will also give further updated information
This outdoor event takes place in Princes Street Gardens on Sunday 18th May - during General Assembly Week.
This year’s theme is “Hands Across the World” and will celebrate the life of the Church of Scotland through its international heritage, missions, partnerships and achievements.
Its free to come along to an afternoon full of activities and attractions with big stage acts featuring -
Karen Matheson, the well known Gaelic singer who as well as singing solo, is lead with the band, Capercaillie;
‘Spill the Beans’ a resource group with material for Sunday Schools providing their own Scottish brand of exciting interaction with children;
the ever popular Fischy music for children;
and the Wild Goose Resource Group.
Then, towards sunset, there’s the open air Heart & Soul massed worship service right in the centre of Edinburgh.
Keep the afternoon free in your diary!
