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I asked God to take away my habit God said, "No, it is not for me to take away, but for you to give up".
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said , "No, His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary".
I asked God to grant me patience, God said, "No, patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted it is learned".
I asked God to give me happiness God said, "No, I give you blessings; happiness is up to you."
I asked God to spare me pain, God said, "No, suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me".
I asked God to make my spirit grow, God said, "No, you must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful".
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life, God said, "No, I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things".
I asked God to help me LOVE others as much as HE LOVE ME, God said, "Ahhhh, finally you have the idea".
(Shared by Eric Burton).

PRAYERS 2007
 

Spring 2007

Autumn 2007

PRAYERS 2008

Spring 2008

AUTUMN 2008

Spring 2009

Winter 2009

I AM THANKFUL.......

Add your own reasons to be thankful, turning negatives into positives.

Magazine 2003

FEBRUARY 2003

Letter from Rev Ron Greig Interim Moderator

Dear Friends,

It will soon be 12 months since Whitburn South became vacant. In that time, there has been as great deal of work done to ensure that a minister can be called on full status. Now, our vacancy committee has been getting on with the important task of seeking out the right person to continue the ministry at Whitburn South. It is important that the right person is found and although a great deal of time has passed, we should not seek to rush an appointment of a new minister. Better to wait a wee bit longer, if necessary, and to get the right person.

It would be great if we were able to tell you in a month or two that an ideal candidate has emerged. I don't know if that will happen. What I do know is, that the South Church is well served by its Office Bearers and they deserve all the support that the congregation can give them. I am sure that this level of service and commitment will continue in a new ministry and the South will go from strength to strength.

For my part, I look forward to sharing worship with you on 9th March when we will hold our Annual stated Meeting - a great opportunity to hear first hand reports about the life of the congregation.

With all best wishes,

Ron Greig, Interim Moderator.

Vacancy Update
On Sunday 17th November 2002, a meeting of the congregation was held after morning worship at which a vacancy committee was elected.

At its first meeting the committee agreed on the wording of an advertisement, which duly appeared in Life and Work and Minister's Forum (a publication circulated directly to ministers by the Church of Scotland).

Whilst the work of this committee is required to be kept private, suffice to say that over the coming weeks we will be going out to listen to ministers, both those who currently have charges and trainees/probationers, and with guidance from the Holy Spirit, we will eventually make a selections to out to the congregation.

Please continue to pray for the Vacancy Committee, that God will help us to find the right minister for Whitburn South.

Iain Glen, Session Clerk.

Worship Group
As part of the Kirk Session Core Group structure, the Worship Group has been in existence since January 2001. Over this period it has been responsible for monthly evening services outwith communions, as well as occasional morning services. There has been an ongoing commitment to have a supply of readers and people willing to lead the prayers of the congregation. This list of volunteers will hopefully continue to expand. The group is looking anyone interested in providing fresh ideas in relation to the type and content of services for which it is responsible. This does not represent a large time commitment however fresh faces and fresh ideas would be most welcome. Since last summer, monthly evening services have featured Mike Blackwood, the Ladywell Baptist Church Praise Band and the South Kirk Singers. The April service will be led by a group from the Airdrie area known a 'Spiritual Harmony'.

Prayer Group
This new group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, over in the hall, after morning service (and a quick cuppa!). This is an informal group where everyone is welcome whenever they might be able to come. And prayer requests, reasons for thanksgiving or items for the group to shre would be much appreciated as with the Prayer Diary.

Dorothy Aitchison, Prayer Secretary.

Boys Brigade
The whole company enjoyed a very busy festive period participating in different events. Anchor Boys spent a morning at Mill Farm in Livingston. Apart from meeting Santa the boys enjoyed a tractor trailer ride, a train journey to the North Pole and had fun in the play area. The Junior Section went tenpin bowling in the Hollywood Bowl at Coatbridge, (the bumper bars proved useful!), followed by supper at MacDonalds. Company Section had a great time at Laser Quest in Edinburgh. All sections also enjoyed a visit to the pantomime at Glasgow Pavilion.

Battalion Events
Our CS came 3rd in the spiritual competition with two of our boys achieving 100%. The tenpin bowling event organised by 1st Whitburn was also a great success. Two younger members of the CS are just back from camp at Carronvale - still waiting to hear all the stories and adventures. JS took part in the try a sport event in Livingston and will shortly be participating in the spiritual competition. AB attended a fun day event in Livingston and had a superb time.

Company Events
AB and JS have been learning about the Church of Scotland World Mission Fund - Ghana project. This project supports Ghana BB companies is setting up vocational education centres for young people. AB and JS have just completed a sponsored event in aid of Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh and CS have just completed a message packing fund raiser for our own company funds. Our parent's and friend's evening will take place on Wednesday 4th June, further details about this event will be issued at a later date.

Queen's Man
In June 2002 I was approached by the Battalion to see if Kenneth Quin who had just achieved his Queen's award would be interested in competing for a year's scholarship at an American University - to be sponsored by Whitburn Rotary. After several meetings, form filling and achieving excellent SAT results, Kenneth has been successful in gaining a place at Augusta University. Kenneth well leaves for America at the beginning of August. Our thanks also go to Mr Alistair Marquis, Battalion President for all his help and encouragement.

Girls Brigade 
Christmas seems very far away, however, I must mention the Christmas Hampers that were made up and distributed by the Senior and Brigader's sections. These hampers were given to members of the congregation who do not find it easy to get out and about these days. It was a pleasure to meet and chat with them and their appreciation of these gifts made it all worthwhile.

The new session has got off to a great start and the girls have a busy time ahead. Since returning in January the girls have been working hard rehearing for a concert that they are performing at Mansewood Court on Tuesday 9th February; it is amazing the talent hidden behind those angelic faces, I', sure the residents are in for a very entertaining night.

Whitburn plays host to a GB training day on Sunday 23rd February with Eric Burton, Laura Quilter and Deborah Glen all taking part in training sessions. The girls will be going on their long awaited trip to see the Disney production of "Beauty and the Beast" on Saturday 15th March.

Our penny mile fund-raiser for CHAS is going really well and our current total is £388.26. This brings us to just under half a mile, your continued support of this project would be greatly appreciated, so if anyone has any spare pennies please send them along or give them to any of the Officers and I'm sure we will get to the mile eventually.

Dawn Brown has begun her Officers Training and on behalf of everyone in the Company I would like to wish her every success.

Womens' Fellowship
The fellowship continues to grow in number but we are still keen to welcome anyone who would like to join us. Recent meetings have included alternative relaxation techniques and a demonstration by the 'Body Shop'. The next meeting takes place on Thursday 6th March and shall be a demonstration and workshop of various paper craft techniques. Please come and join us in the hall at 7:30pm.

The Guild
The Guild meet every second and fourth Thursday each month between September and May. On Friday 7th March we are hosting the World Day of Prayer at 7pm. A warm welcome will be given to all. On 13th March we are having a concert with the group called "The Uddingstonians". Tickets will be available from all members priced £2.00.

South Kirk Singers
The singers have recently performed a concert for Condorrat Parish Church Guild and will be performing in Broxburn later in March. SKS annual concert will take place on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th May. Tickets are priced £4.00. Teas will be served in the church hall after the concert on both nights. We would appreciate help from anyone who is able to assist either night serving the teas. 

Money Matters

Dear Friends,

Well another year has ended and while 2002 was not the easiest year for our Church, it was nevertheless another healthy one for us financially. Another positive step along the steady path we have maintained over the past few years.

The accounts have now been completed and audited and will be available to the congregation in a week or two but I thought it appropriate to highlight one or two points prior to their issue. We ended the year with a very healthy bank balance in our General Account but this is in the main due to having reduced costs with regard to Ministerial duties and we all hope this will end soon! However, the fact that during this uncertain period, we maintained our level of offerings in line with previous years bears testimony to the sustained effort applied by all Elders and Office Bearers, to the callibre of the people we have secured for Pulpit Supply and most importantly to the the loyalty shown by you, our congregation.

This continued level of Christian giving has also included our accounts for Restoration and Fabric purposes, both by means of regular offerings and by support for special fundraising events.

I should like to say a very sincere 'THANK YOU' to you all for your continued support and generosity - you make my 'job' a 'pleasure'!

Irene Wright, Treasurer.

FUND RAISING COMMITTEE wish to thanks everyone who helped at the Silent Auction by donating baking, goods and buying. Total raised £538+.

 
Short Course in Human Relations

The six most important words:    "I admit I made a mistake"

The five most important words:    "You do a good job"

The four most important words:    "What is your opinion"

The three most important words:   "If you please"

The two most important words:      "Thank you"

The least important word:               "I"

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JUNE 2003

Letter from Rev Ron Greig, Interim Moderator

Dear Friends,

Many of you have been wondering how the vacancy is coming along. Indeed, you may well have been asking members of the committee the very same question, possibly thinking to yourselves - "how is it taking so long?". The sad fact is, that virtually every vacancy in the church is taking a long time to fill at present. Finding the right person is very important - and maybe the time is not yet right.

I realise how frustrating it can be when you're on the outside wondering what's taking so long. I can assure you that it's even more frustrating for those closely involved in the process. I can also assure you that lot's of hard work is being done to fill the vacancy as soon as it's possible to do so. What I ask for from you , the South Kirk folk, is that you be patient. Yes, I know I've been saying this for over a year now but I make no apology for saying it again. God will bring us a new minister and the committee you appointed to bring this about will fulfil their task. Please have faith in them. I know it's hard not to ask them questions, but it has always been a strict rule of the vacancy procedure, that complete confidentiality is maintained. So they can't tell you anything, in fairness to those with whom they are dealing.

So keep up the great work you're doing; keep the wonderful support you have shown for the church so far, going. And God will bring us a good outcome when he is ready. It is good to be involved with you all.

With all blessings

Ron Greig
Interim Moderator

Girls' Brigade
The Girls' Brigade has now completed a very busy year for all sections within the company. Attendance has been good throughout the year and the girls have enjoyed, amongst other activities, a trip to "Beauty and the Beast", an activities day at Lowport, Linlithgow, sleep-overs in the church hall, a very interesting visit from our Community Police Officer, Joe Sherridan, who gave the girls' advice about personal safety and a course on First Aid. The girls' also performed a concert in Mansewood Court which was much appreciated by the residents. At Christmas time the Brigaders prepared and distributed Christmas hampers to some of the "housebound" members of the congregation, the names of the recipients being suggested by the Pastoral Care Group.

The Parents and Friends night on Tuesday 10th June took the form of a concert in the Church with all the girls taking part enthusiastically and to great applause from the audience. A new trophy bearing the name of our former long-term captain, Jess McCracken, was presented for the first time at this evening.

This year the company has again been raising money for CHAS. This took the form of metaphorical "mile of pennies" which approximates to £800 and this target has now been passed with the total raised, as Linkline goes to print, being £854. The company would like to thank most sincerely everyone who contributed to this excellent total and to all who supported the girls in any other way throughout the year.

The officers and helpers, if not the girls, are now looking forward to a relaxing summer!

Womens' Fellowship
The Fellowship ended it's session in May, but already things are well under way for next year. The syllabus is already planned with the first meeting taking place on Thursday, 4th September. A day trip is also planned for late August, details of which shall follow later.

Boys' Brigade
We have now come to the end of another season and on behalf of the company we would like to extend our thanks to everyone who supported us throughout the BB year.

Our parents and friends evening on the 4th of June was a great success and enjoyed by all the boys and all those present. Thanks to Paul and Charlotte Coyle who presented the boys with their awards. The Anchor Boys sang the song, "I wanna be like a tree", and managed to get the whole audience to join in with the actions. The Anchor Boys were very enthusiastic displaying their parachute game. The Junior Section did very well as they performed two dramas, one called "Gods Plan" and the other "Follow the Leader". The Company Section shared a few jokes with the audience set in a Doctors surgery and completed the evening with a display of marching.

The company made the following donations:-
£100 to Church of Scotland World Mission Fund
£100 toward the Matthew Sommerville fund for Ward 6 Sick Children's Hospital
£50 towards the Carronvale refurbishment scheme
Various other smaller donations to other groups................

The end of session was marked by the annual water fight between staff and boys of the sections. It was safe to say that the staff this year received their biggest soaking yet! But there's always next year!

Registration Wednesday 27th August 6:30pm to 7:30pm in Church Hall
The new session commences with registration on Wednesday 27th August. New members would be made most welcome. 

The Guild
A good session has just passed once again. the highlight, (and our members and visitors will agree), was The Uddingstonians who were a group of "Golden Oldies" - they gave us stories, jokes, music and song. Wonderful singers, a stand-up comedian and music from the dulcimer and accordion. Another good night was the "Tramps Supper", and thanks to a benefactor who paid for the fish suppers and a message boy called Archie, who went for them, the committee and members had a great night!

Our trip on the day was mixed - our stop at Inverary was wet, but by the time we got arrived at Oban the sun shone until we left.

More news in the next Linkline of our syllabus which is varied and exciting.

COME ALONG AND JOIN THE FUN. 

May our Guild go from strength to strength.

Prayer Group
During July and August the Prayer Group will continue to meet over in the hall after morning worship, on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, dates for July being 13th and 27th. ALL WELCOME.

For Thought and Prayer
God our Father, we thank You that we have the victory through Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. We thank You for the forgiveness of our sins through his precious, flowing blood, for the peace that is ours through Him, and for the hope, the joy and the love we share as your people. Amen.


GO SEE YOUR FRIENDS OFTEN.
WEEDS GROW FAST AND WILL ALL TOO SOON
OBLITERATE AN UNUSED PATH.

SOLAR GROUP
During the months of July and August, a summer holiday club will run in the church hall for all children from age three upwards. The S.O.L.A.R club will run from 9:45am until 11am every Sunday morning offering a wide variety of activities and games.

This is the first time that such a club has been run in the South Church and a great deal of energy has been put into ensuring that the club is a huge hit with all our young people. All Children will be made welcome. Please encourage any children you know to come along and give it a try!
 

Sunday School
Anne Gamble who has been a Sunday School teacher in Whitburn South for 37 years, has decided to retire this year. We thank her for all her commitment and dedication she has given the Sunday School over the years and we wish her a long and happy retirement.

George Smith presented the prizes this year at prize giving service on the 22nd June.

The Children's offering money was given to two worthwhile causes:-
£300 to Special Care Baby Unit at St.John's Hospital, Livingston, to help purchase Special Care Baby Incubators.

and

£100 towards the Matthew Sommerville fund for Ward 6, Sick Children's Hospital, Edinburgh.

The Sunday School starts back on the first Sunday in September. We wish all the children a safe and happy holiday.

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 OCTOBER 2003

Girls Brigade
The session has just started and it is great to be welcoming back all the girls from last year and also extending a warm welcome to all the new girls. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the girls who showed up to walk in the Organisations parade, it was great to see such a great number of girls walking. I would also like to thank all the girls who took part in all of the gala day activities. The girls made a great job of all their animal costumes and thanks to the new GB banner made for us by Eric Burton.

All officers and auxilliaries are back and well rested after the summer and we are looking forward to a busy year. We have a wide range of activities planned for this year; the explorers are already looking forward to meeting Santa t the Jellyclub in Edinburgh, the junior and senior sections are going to Hollywood bowl and we will soon begin rehearsals for our Christmas concert at Mansewood Court.

We would like to congratulate Dawn Brown who was recently commissioned and begins this session as an officer in the explorers section.

Our CHAS appeal is now closed and we are looking forward to presenting a cheque for £1000 to a representative from the CHAS organisation. We will let everyone know soon the date of the presentation and we hope you will come along, have a coffee and join in, without everyone's support it would not have been possible.

Boys Brigade
With our new session underway, the boys, young men and staff are enthusiastically tacking the various sectional achievement programmes. The deferred company section go-karting outing held over from last session has taken place. A great time experienced by all.

Once again we will be supporting the Blytheswood "shoebox" appeal and the Church of Scotland's World Mission Fund appeal.

In addition to our Wednesday programmes we will participate in the following battalion events and activities before Christmas:- 5th Oct our Founders day service will take place in St. Andrew's church Bo'ness and will follow the TGI Sunday format. Anchor boys will attend a Christmas craft event in Blackburn on 22nd November. Junior section will participate in the indoor 5's at Bathgate on 11th October and at the fun achievements in Linlithgow on 29th November. Company section will participate in the table games activities at East Calder on 27th September and volleyball on 15th November and a Bible quiz at Uphall on 1st December.

New members are always welcome and we would be delighted to see you on a Wednesday evening for fun and fellowship.

The Guild
Our first meeting was held on 11th of September. It was a theme night and our theme for 2003/4 is DARE TO CARE WITH COURAGE. There was a great turn out of members and we had some new members join us as well.

25th September - Rachel House, speaker.

9th October - The Ferry Singers. This is an open night and tickets are £2 (including refreshments). Come and have tea and enjoy the great choir.

23rd October - The Seagull Trust. This will take the form of slides and a talk on taking handicapped people on boat trips on the Union Canal.

13th November - Miss Carol Findlay from the board of World Mission. It is always good to hear from the board.

27th November - Silent Auction. Come along and get some bargains!

COME ALONG AND JOIN US. 
WE WELCOME YOU - WE MEET EVERY 2nd & 4th THURSDAY.

Prayer Group
The small group continues to meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month after morning service and invite your prayer concerns and/or reasons for thanksgiving, as well as yourselves any time you are able to come along. Whether you bring your prayers before the lord openly, or in the silence of your heart, your support would be very much appreciated.

"Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light"
Remember the smallest light can pierce the deepest darkness. Thanks be to Jesus, the Light of the world. Amen.

Sunday School
The Sunday School Teachers would like to give a warm welcome to two new members of staff - Anne Cartwright, who will replace Anne Gamble and Liz McFadzean who was a teacher before and has kindly come back to help out with classes.

Other information - Sunday school will be holding a SOUP LUNCH on 5th October, in aid of the Children's Christmas Party. Watch information sheet for details soon.

South Kirk Singers
With the rehearsal schedule in full flow the SKS are preparing for a busy year ahead. We would like to draw your attention in particular to the concert on 7th November, which is being performed in the Church. Details are listed below. We would be delighted to see you there and support this very worthwhile cause.

Friday 7th November - Charity concert in aid of Ward 6 of the Edinburgh Sick Children's hospital. Tickets are priced at £5 (includes refreshments served in the church hall after the concert).

Sunday 23rd November - Participating in Bathgate High Church Evening Service.

Tuesday 2nd March - Concert in Colinton Mains, Edinburgh.

Wednesday 31st March - Concert in Kirkliston.

The Singers annual dinner dance will take place in the Hilcroft on 5th March and the annual concerts on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th May.

Pastoral Care Group
The work of the Pastoral Care Group is ongoing. Although we try to visit anyone who is ill or confined to the home, we cannot visit if we are unaware of illness. If you know of anyone who would appreciate a visit tell your elder, or let Edith or Margaret know. The group held an afternoon tea in May for the housebound and the elderly members of the congregation. As this was a great success we are hoping to have a Scottish afternoon on Saturday 22nd of November, from 3pm til 4pm for the same group of people. The Pastoral Care Group will welcome anyone who would care to join us, the more helpers there are, the easier it is for everyone.

Mission Group
As you are aware the Parish Boundaries have been extended. In order to let the people in the new part of the parish know what we in the South Church are all about, we distributed leaflets to every household. Also every new house which has been built within the parish has been given a leaflet about our church. If you know of any house in the parish which has a new occupant, let your elder know, or let robin or John know and they will deliver a leaflet about the church, or you could get a leaflet from one of the committee and deliver it yourself. We are always looking for new members - why don't YOU come and join us.

Sunday Teas
These have just restarted after the summer break. Volunteers are sought to help on Sundays. Everyone of all ages are most welcome to come and share some refreshment and fellowship. If you can help, please give your name to Joyce or add your name to the tea list.

OLD - When Jesus was a Lad
You have all, since you were children, been aware of a burial mound called CAIRNPAPPLE! "Aye its up on the Bathgate Hills somwhere", our elders would say, (even if they had never been there themselves).

It may surprise you to know that Cairnpapple is approximately 4 - 4,500 years old and in fact is older than the great pyramids of Egypt.

West Lothian Council Museums Service is, until 8th November, holding an exhibition of original artefacts from Cairnpapple in Broxburn Library, East Main Street, Broxburn.

Take the children along and show them articles which were 2,000 years old when Jesus was born!!!.


Charity Runners
Three younger members of the congregation have recently been exerting themselves for the benefit of two charities.

Allan Stewart and Shaun Benfold, both seasoned runners, although Allan is more seasoned to sprints than distance running, competed recently in the Glasgow half marathon and together have raised approximately £800 for CHAS. 

Deborah Glen, who had never previously done any distance running, and who by her own admission had not done nearly enough training, ran in the Great North Run, also a half marathon. Deborah finished the run in a state of exhaustion but to date Deborah has raised £502 for the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Nan Hendrie
Would like to thank everyone who supported her Garden Open Day in aid of CHAS. The grand sum of £1,300 was raised. Nan and a few friends have been invited to visit Rachel House next week. Well Done!

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DECEMBER 2003

The Prayer Group
"In God's hands, no one is a hopeless case".
God our Father, we thank you for the gifts of faith, hope, and love granted to us through Jesus, our Lord and Saviour and that nothing and nobody is ever hopeless in his eyes. Amen.

Meeting dates for December are:-
Sunday 14th - when the theme will be Worldwide Church and our Own Church.
Sunday 28th - with the theme being the Prayer Group and Individual Members.
YOU would be very welcome to join us in some /any/ all of the meetings, or to hand in prayer requests, but please remember to pray for the South Church Prayer Group in your own personal prayer time. Thank You.

FOCUS Group
With the new session now under way we felt we should tell you a little about ourselves. FOCUS was formed two years ago, its aim was to provide spiritual teaching and guidance to those children and young adults who perhaps felt a little too old for Sunday School but not yet mature enough for a full sermon in Church.

We started with one member but now have four who attend each week. Of course, we are always striving to encourage more young people to join us.

We are currently trying to embark on a project to up date the notice board in the Church Hall. We feel that for many people this would be an excellent place to find out what is going on the Church within the various organisations. We also feel that this board could provide a very attractive welcome to any visitor to Whitburn South. 

However, we do need some help. We would like to include information about all groups and organisations in our church and need a little information from the leaders and captains to get us started. We need to know the following things:-
- Who you are
- What yours aims are
- Where you meet
- When you meet
- Who to contact for more information

These details would be put on the notice board in the church hall. We hope that you will support us in this project as we really believe it could benefit the whole Church.
Please pass on any information you have to either Alan Thomson or Deborah Glen.

South Kirk Singers
The choir continued not only to entertain but to raise large amounts of money for worthwhile causes. On 7th Nov with a charity cheque for £1000 was presented to Susan Veitch fund raising co-ordinator for the Friends of the Sick Kids Foundation at the end of another highly successful concert by the Singers. Sincere thanks to everyone who supported this event.
The next major event is the Singers Annual Dinner Dance which will take place in the Hilcroft Hotel on Friday 4th March 2004. Tickets will be available soon.

The Guild 
Here we are almost at the end of our session. It has been a very enjoyable session so far. Our first meeting was on our theme "Dare to Care". We then had Mrs Allison from the charity CHAS, she showed slides and gave a talk on the work at Rachel House and we were all humbled when the talk finished. Next we had the Ferry Singers, it was a wonderful night of music. The Seagull Trust then took us by talk and film along the Union and Clyde Canal. 13th Nov we will have Ms Finlay from World Mission, 27th Nov we will have a Silent Auction. On 11th Dec we are going to Fauldhouse Golf Club for our Christmas night out. 

The Guild are having a soup and sweet lunch on 30th Nov. This lunch is in aid of the charity ANSWER a Whitburn based charity.

We would welcome anyone to come along and join our meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Margaret Bishop (Secretary). 
Seasons Greetings from the Guild.

Girls' Brigade
Tuesday Night: Explorers Section P1-P3 6:15pm - 7:30pm 
                         Juniors & Seniors P4 -S4 6:30pm - 8:30pm
All girls aged 5 to 16 years are welcome along and join.

On Tuesday 4th Nov the girls' held a coffee evening to thank everyone for their support in helping us achieve our "Penny Mile". We had a very special guest, Mrs Sandra Allison, to whom we presented a cheque for £1041 in aid of CHAS. Mrs Allison also gave a talk to the girls explaining the importance of a hospice in the lives of young children who are seriously ill. We would like to thank everyone who came along on the night and also take this opportunity to let everyone know that our mile of pennies is now closed.

The new season got underway with the girls' taking part in the Royal British Legions Remembrance Sunday parade: Mrs May Glen laid the wreath on behalf of the Girls Brigade. The Girls are busy rehearsing for their Christmas Carol Concert. The explorers will have an outing to the jelly club and I am informed that Santa has agreed to put in an appearance. The Juniors and Senior Section are looking forward to their trip to Hollywood Bowl in December. Anne Cartwright, Captain.

Sunday School
Our new teachers and Sunday School have now settled down in their classes for this session. We have approximately 30-35 young people on the register who are regular attenders. This number varies, week to week, as children visiting or staying with grandparents, join us on a Sunday morning. Everyone is made very welcome.
This year's Christmas Party will be held on Saturday 20th December.

Womens' Fellowship
Members have enjoyed a varied and interesting start to the season. We meet on the first Thursday of every month and would be delighted to welcome new members. Our next meeting is a "Christmas Treat" on Thursday 4th Dec at 7:30pm. Come and join us for fun and fellowship.

Pastoral Care Group
We would welcome new members with a couple of hours to spare, either per week, per fortnight or per month. We as a group would like to be aware of any member of the congregation, who is ill, at home or in hospital, who would welcome a visit. We cannot visit if we are unaware of a person being ill. If you know of anyone who would appreciate a visit - tell your elder, or phone Margaret or Edith.

A member of our group has undertaken the task of hospital visitor at St. John's, again we need to know who is in hospital to enable Ann to visit.

Everything is in hand for the Scottish afternoon on 22nd Nov. We hope this will be as great a success as our venture in May.

The Pastoral Care Group extend to you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Margaret and Edith Co-Convenors.

Boys' Brigade
We meet on Wednesday evenings in the Church Hall.
Anchor Boys 6:15pm to 7:50pm
Junior Section 6:15pm to 7:50pm
Company Section 7:30pm to 9:30pm

On 5th Nov we were visited by our Liaison Elders - Robin Gilchrist and Jim Egerton - who sat in with each section. I am sure they were suitable impressed by the boys' enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of the tasks they were set. Our total numbers this year are 45 and we are continually spreading the word and looking for new members to join the us. All sections are working very hard on their badge work and we hope that their efforts will be as successful as last year.

Already this year we have 3 boys in Company Section who have successfully passed the Battalion Leadership 2 course, (Adam, Stuart and Iain) and 3 of our senior boys, (Stephen, Alan and David), will attend a Leadership 3 course with the Battalion on 13th Dec. We are hoping that all 3 senior boys pass this course which will allow them to succeed in attaining their Presidents award and allow them to commence their Queens award programme.

In addition to our weekly achievement programme, the sections have attended several Battalion activities. Anchor Boys went to Blackburn to take part in the craft and colouring competition. Junior Section took part in the 5 aside football at Bathgate and the fun achievement day in Linlithgow. Company Section took part in the volleyball competition and as previously stated the boys have been working hard with their leadership grade achievements.

On 10th January we will be going to the Pantomime, (Pinocchio), in Glasgow Pavilion. The Anchor Boys made Christmas cards which were delivered to all the residents at Mansewood Court.

The boys and staff wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and Good Wishes for the New Year.  Alison Quilter, Captain.

Other Snippets
SHOEBOX APPEAL - Thank you for your generosity in supporting the shoebox appeal. The church collected 196 boxes and £292 toward petrol money for lorries. 

CHRISTMAS JOKE - The minister asked some children what the difference it would make if Jesus hadn't been born. One boy said there would be no Christmas tree, another boy said there would be no presents and a third boy said to the minister - aye and you would be oot o' a job!!!

SUNDAY TEAS - I would like to thank everyone for their continued support I have received this year in keeping the teas running. Its nice to have fellowship after the Church Service and if you can spare the time to come over to the hall please come and join us. Catch up on friend's news, find out how they are, spend some time in one an others company. We all live busy lives but spare a thought for the people who go home on their own.

Christmas will soon be with us, the New Year not to far away, I hope that next year will bring renewed friendship for us all. I wish everyone a Blessed Christmas and a New Year full of promise.

Thank you for all your help, if you would like to volunteer to help next year please add your name to the list in the hall.


USED STAMPS - This appeal seams to have fallen off lately - Whatever the reason please continue with this worthwhile venture. Stamp centre, last year managed to raise £2271.30. So far this year £1764 has been raised - so come on!

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Magazines 2004

MARCH 2004

Letter from Charlotte Coyle
Dear Friends,

It is a year past on the 12th of January since Ron Greig asked me to take the Sunday Services, as George was ill, and I have continued to take them since, as George has now retired.

I would like to thank all of you for the support you have given me during this difficult time in the congregation's life, as we seek a new minister to lead us. Paul and I would also like to thank you for your kind wishes and flowers on our Ruby Wedding anniversary last year.

This has been a very busy year in the life of the Church. We have been able to welcome new members into the Church and that is always a happy time. I hope that those who have become part of our Church family have felt at home. Sadly we have had to say goodbye to old members who have gone to be with God. We have also had the joy of new babies being born into our church family and the privilege of being present at the christening of others. I am sure, like me, you enjoy the young people coming into the church, Sunday after Sunday, seeing so many young faces as part of our Sunday and Focus Group. All of these things tell us, for all our difficulties in finding a new minister our Church is full of life. 

I know that many of you find it difficult to have patience when other churches find ministers and we don't - but your vacancy committee is working hard on your behalf and I would ask that you give them your encouragement and prayers.

It has been a privilege for me to be with you, sharing in your joys and sorrows over the past year, and now that we have a new Interim Moderator, Rev John Povey, who will guide us in the coming months, working together as a congregation with all the various groups Board and Session.

I am sure we can do good work for God in Whitburn. So as I close pray that God will give you strength in your work for Him and ask for your prayers, that God will give me inspiration and understanding as I continue to take the Sunday services.

Yours in Christ
Charlotte Coyle.

Vacancy Update
Since our last newsletter we have continued an active search for someone to answer our call, but response has been poor to date.

Visits have been made to several churches to hear ministers and introductory discussions have also been held with some of them.

Once or twice we were confident that the person we felt would be the right minister for our church, only for the minister to decide to stay where he/she was.

A new style advert is being placed in the Ministers Forum - a monthly magazine that goes to every minister and probationer - let's pray that the person we are looking for to answer our call has also been guided by The Lord to do so.

As soon as anything more positive comes to hand, we will let you know.

On behalf of the Vacancy Committee we thank you for your support.

Worship Group
As part of the Kirk Session Core Group structure, the Worship Group has been in existence since January 2001. Over this period it has been responsible for monthly evening services out with communions, as well as occasional morning services. There has been an ongoing commitment to have a supply of readers and people willing to lead the prayers of the congregation. This list of volunteers is extensive and allows a wide variety of the members to participate in the service. 

The group is looking anyone interested in providing fresh ideas in relation to the type and content of services for which it is responsible. This does not represent a large time commitment however fresh faces and fresh ideas would be most welcome. 

The monthly evening services have included Mike Blackwood, the Ladywell Baptist Church Praise Band, South Kirk Singers and Spiritual Harmony. More recently the worship group themselves and the church choir have led the evening praise. Whilst last month the story of Joseph from the "Dramarised Bible" was the theme. The services have been greatly enjoyed by those who were present. This spring we have arranged for a duo from Bo'ness called Vangel to lead the praise on the 4th April and intend a service of Favourite Hymns on 2nd May.

The SOLAR club which have encouraged the young people to come along and allowed their mums and dads to attend church during last summer, will be running at Easter and also during this summer.

Prayer Group
"Don't be in any doubt about it; God lives and acts in the lives of His people"

Loving Lord, we give you thanks that no matter how unworthy or unskilled we see ourselves, Your will may be done in and through us, your people. Amen.

For the month of March, the group will meet on Sunday 21st and Sunday 28th, with the themes being taken from various prayer guides. You are very welcome to come along, just sit in or take part in the prayers. We have many reasons to be thankful and there is a very needy world around us. What you say, or don't say, isn't the issue. It's the desire to come before the Lord in prayer that is.

Boys' Brigade
All sections commenced the year with their project work for the World Mission Appeal, followed by their respective Christian education modules. The anchor and junior sections took time out to enjoy a "Burns Supper" evening. Company section is currently arranging an activity event with the Scouts.

World Mission Appeal
Each year the BB participates in the Church of Scotland's World Mission Appeal. Through supporting the Board of World Mission projects over many years we have helped to meet a wide range of needs. Vocational training centres, medical and water supplies, education materials and much more besides. This year the project aims to provide bibles for young people in Nigeria. During January and February the boys and staff have been tasked with collecting as many 20p as possible for this cause.

Presidents Award
The company are delighted to announce that 3 company section boys' have successfully completed their leadership 3 award and will very shortly gain their Presidents Award. Well done Alan Gentleman, David Stuart and Stephen Johnstone.

Company Section Activities Weekend
6 of the company sectio boys will be joining boys from other companies within West Lothian Battalion for an activities weekend at Carronvale, 27th to 29th February. This is very popular with 1st and 2nd year company boys. A weekend full of challenges and tasks, fun and fellowship.

Battalion Events
Since the last issue of Linkline the sections have taken part in the following events:- Anchor Boys attended a craft day in Blackburn and an entertainments day in Bo'ness. Junior Section attended fun achievements in Linlithgow, try a sport in Livingston and spiritual competition, (visitation by Battalion Executive). Company Section attended the volleyball event and indoor 5s. Events coming up for all sections will be the BBQs in April and May. The Battalion Rally will take place on 14th May and the AGM on 19th May.

Parents and Friends Evening
The company's parents' and friends' evening will take place on Wednesday 2nd June at 7pm in the church hall to which a warm welcome is extended to all.

Girls' Brigade
It seems like Christmas was so long ago, however, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came along and supported our coffee and stocking filler evening - it was a great success. We would like to thank everyone at Mansewood Court for allowing us to come along and sing some carols; this will go towards the achievement badges.

Once again we are starting a busy session, as part of their badge work the Brigaders have been along at the church hall painting the room they meet in on a Tuesday night, and we like to say a big thank you for allowing us to do this as the girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The junior section attended a Scottish day at the Lanthorn along with all the juniors from across West Lothian. Members of the Scottish Dance Association came along and taught the girls to do "A reel for Jeannie". It was a pleasure to watch 150 girls all dancing and having a great time, and I am sure the girls enjoyed watching the officers attempting to dance the reel.

FOCUS GROUP
We are a group for young people (P7 upwards) who meet every Sunday morning to share fellowship and discuss and explore the Christian message. At the moment we are collecting old mobile phones to send to Oxfam, (each phone is worth £5). Oxfam have a charity called "Bring Bring" which will recycle the phone to raise funds. If you have any old mobile phones, (they don't even have to work), you would like to donate, please speak to Alan Thomson, Deborah Glen, Adam Syme or Kirstin Bowden.

The Guild
Here we are again in the second session of the year. Our Christmas night out was held in the Golf Club in Fauldhouse. The members had a wonderful meal and afterwards we had lots of fun singing carols and doing a quiz.

The first meeting of the year we had Mrs Smith, a retired Chiropodist talking of her work. She was very funny and we enjoyed her very much.

The Scots night took the form of a night of music by the concert party CANTO. February meeting was our Project meeting. The project meeting for this year is the Sunflower Charity. 26th February is the Better Brew Tea Company. 5th March is the World Day of Prayer, it is being held in Brucefield church.

The Singers
The singers have a very busy month ahead with concerts in Colinton Mains and Kirkliston as well as staging the annual dance in the Hilcroft on Friday 5th March. Anyone interested in tickets should contact Alison Bonnar or any member of the singers.

Preparations are well underway for the 12th Annual Concert which will take place in the church on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th May. 

Money Matters
Dear Friends,

I am very happy to be able to tell you that the South Church has had another very very good year as far as finances go, with all our bank accounts showing healthy balances at the end of 2003. The level of offerings in all areas has been maintained in line with previous years and I thank you all for your continuing loyalty in this respect.

We have had another year with greatly reduced Ministerial costs and this has been the main factor in building up the balance in the bank. While we are all praying that we will have our new minister in place in the near future I must point out that from January 2004 we are paying full Ministerial Costs to the Church of Scotland, with only a reduction for Pulpit Supply costs being allowed against it. We will also have substantial relocation costs to meet for our new Minister and so you will understand that our healthy bank balance is more or less "spoken for".

However our Church continues to flourish both spiritually and financially and this is due to a combination of:-

1) the sustained efforts of our Elders and Office Bearers

2) the calibre of our Pulpit Supply; and

3) to the loyalty and support shown by you , our congregation.

I am sure that with all these points in our favour, meeting our future obligations and commitments will not be a problem. Thank you once again for your continuing support.

Yours in Christ's Service.

Irene Wright, Treasurer.

SOLAR Group
After the success of last summer's children's holiday club, it has been decided that it shall run both during the summer period but also during the coming Easter holidays.

The SOLAR club runs during the period when the Sunday School is officially on holiday and is open to any child who would like to attend. A creche is also incorporated for the very young children. A full and varied programme of Christian based activities is provided at SOLAR to keep all the children busy thus allowing the older members of the family to enjoy worship in church.

During the Easter period, the club shall run on Sunday 4th, 11th and 18th of April from 10:45 until 12noon. We have some great fun activities in store so bring your children along to join in the fun!

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JUNE 2004

Letter from Interim Moderator
Dear Friends,

The famous psychologist Dr Carl Jung was once counselling a patients who had been receiving therapy for six months and who was showing no sign of improvement. Dr Jung said, "Friend, I can do no more for you. What you need is God".

The Client asked, "How do I find God, Dr Jung?" The therapist replied, "I do not know, but I suspect that if you find a group of people who believe in Him and just spend some time with them you will find God."

Many people will testify to the truth of these words, although in the Christian understanding of God the last phrase might be expressed not as "you will find God" but as "God will find you". Jesus revealed to the world a God who not only invites us to come to Him. Much more than that, God actively seeks us. This is summed up in that wonderful phrase, "The grace of God."

When we know the need of God the most natural place to turn is the church and its worship. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, I am there among them." His presence is promised where His people gather. He is there to give them encouragement, comfort, guidance and strength. Then as we have received, so we must give, for God calls us to go out into the world and impart His love to others.

The signs are that the vacancy at Whitburn South may soon be at an end. When that takes place, my earnest prayer is that with God's help, you may go forward together from strength to strength, looking to the future with confidence, supporting and encouraging your new minister who in turn will support and encourage you. In the short time that I have been Interim Moderator the enthusiasm among the people of Whitburn South, and your commitment to the Church has been as inspiration.

May God bless you and sustain you as you continue your journey together.

Yours sincerely,

John Povey
Interim Moderator

Girls' Brigade
The girls have now completed another busy session and have completed their badge work. We held a mother and daughter night at the start of this session and would like to thank all the mothers who came along and took part in all the activities. We are now in the process of preparing for parents night, which takes place on Tuesday 18th May. The girls are also looking forward to their end of year trip to Louden Castle on Saturday 22nd May. The Girls Brigade will continue to meet on Tuesday nights until the end of June. These will be crafts and games nights and time will also be spent preparing outfits for walking in the Gala Procession.

We would like to say thank you to everyone who ahs helped and supported the Girls Brigade in the past year. We are extremely grateful, as without this support some events and activities would not be possible.

On behalf of all Officers, helpers and girls, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Deborah and Steven on their forthcoming marriage, may they have a long and happy time together.

Anne Cartwright, Captain.

Womens' Fellowship
This has been a very busy session for us and it concluded with our sponsored event in aid of MacMillan Cancer Relief. We all turned up in the rain to complete our mile. Some of us ran and some walked but we all completed in record time! At present, some money is still to be collected but we hope to raise well in excess of £200. We will let you know our final amount raised as soon as possible, but meantime, a huge thank you to all who supported this worthy cause.

Our new session will begin on a sporting these with Lesley Benfold, Dawn Brown, Laura Quilter and Lynda Stewart taking part in the Glasgow 10k race on August 22nd. Any sponsor money donated in this event shall also go to MacMillan.

Our first meeting of the new session will take place on Thursday 2nd September and we would like to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to join us.

Laura Quilter. 

Boys' Brigade
As we approach the end of another session, we would like to thank everyone who has supported the company throughout the past year. Your support is very much appreciated by the boys and staff.

Junior Section boys - Dylan McKirdy and Stephen Lawson achieved their Gold Awards and Company Section boys - Alan Gentleman, David Stuart and Stephen Johnston achieved their Presidents Awards. As well as these individual awards, the company came 3rd equal in the Battalion activities and competitions this year.

The company's parents and friends evening takes place on Wednesday 2nd June and 7pm in the Church Hall. An invitation is extended to you all.

Enrolment for the new session will take place on Wednesday 1st September between 6:30pm and 7:30pm in the church hall.

Have a good summer break.

Alison Quilter, Captain.

The Guild
Here we are, almost at the end of our year and it has flown in and we will soon be making up a new syllabus for our 2004-2005 sessions. Our closing social took the form of a mystery tour and ended up at the West Port Hotel in Linlithgow. (Although the mystery tour was one of the WORST kept secrets of where the bus was going!!!)

We still have some seats on the bus for our annual trip on 22nd May - we are doing a Borders tour and everyone is welcome to join us. There are a few husbands going, so come on men get your name down for a good day out.

May I take this opportunity on behalf of the members to that our President, Margaret Gourlay for the excellent way she conducted our meetings.

We are also indebted to the Girls Brigade for loaning and setting up the TV and Video for the use of at some of our activities.

Through the past year, our syllabus was varied and exciting and we put out an appeal to you to come and join us for the next session.

Have a happy summer break.

Margaret Bishop, Secretary.

Prayer Group
During the month of May the group will meet on Sunday 23rd, with more themes from Care Prayer Guide as well as congregational prayer requests. Everyone is welcome.

Copies of the latest prayer diary are still available at the door of the Church or by contacting Mrs Dorothy Aitchison. Prayer requests and items for the diary are taken at any time.

For Thought and Prayer
"Christ asks you to be a witness to Himself - not to know all the answers!"
Do what you can for the kingdom of God and He will do the rest. 
Praise His Holy Name!

Crossline - a listening ear
Past hurt or present problem? Sometimes it helps to talk!
0845 658 0045 Confidential Helpline and Christian Counselling.

South Kirk Singers
This session draws to a close with our 12th annual concert which took place on the 6th and 7th May and were a huge success. The choir would like to thank all those who supported us again this year.

We are already receiving requests for performances in 2005 so it looks like being another very busy year. We are always keen to welcome new members, so if you enjoy singing and are free on a Sunday evening from September to May, then please fell free to come along and join us. More details can be obtained from Laura Quilter.

Money Matters
Dear Friends.

As I reported at the Annual Stated Meeting we have had a very steady start to 2004 and offerings continue to be at a healthy level.
However, as I also reported, we are now liable for full Ministerial Costs to the Church of Scotland and we are therefore only "clearing our feet" on a monthly basis. While this is an acceptable position to be in at this time, especially after two years in vacancy, you will all appreciate that our healthy bank balance will soon be eroded over the coming months. We will have substantial relocation costs to pay for our new Minister and will also once more be liable for council tax on the manse, (we were granted a dispensation while the manse was vacant).

I am not setting up the "begging bowl" but I would urge everyone to review their givings to the Church and consider whether they could be increased in any way. By far the best way to do this, at no extra cost to yourselves, is to sign a gift aid form ad allow the Church to reclaim the tax on your offerings. Anyone who is currently paying income tax can gift their offerings in this way and can be assured that the whole process is strictly confidential between the giver and our gift aid convenor, Jim Brown. It is also a very simple procedure as, once you have signed the form, no review or repeat is necessary unless you wish to after your givings. I know many if you give by this method but I would strongly urge anyone who does not to give it very serious consideration.

Thank you for your continuing support and generosity.

Yours in Christ's Service

Irene Wright
Treasurer

Pastoral Care Group
Co-Convenors Margaret Logan and Edith Gilchrist
Irene Beatson, David Beatson, Alison Bonar, Grace Campbell, Carol Carson, 
Joey Fraser, Liz Fowler, Sandra Gentleman, May Harte, Nan Hendry, Anne Hunter, Anne Knox, Joyce Livingstone, Susan Lowe, Glen Lowe, Elizabeth McFadzean, 
John McFadzean

Members of this group who willingly give up their time to visit housebound members and those who are sick in either home or in hospital. We cannot visit if we do not know of their illness. A new list has been placed in the vestibule of the Church, for the names or adherents who would welcome a visit. We would also welcome any member of the congregation who has a little time to spare to join our group - the more we have the easier the load. We successfully  held two afternoon GET-TOGETHERS last year, and hope to prepare another one later on.

Margaret and Edith


Mission Group
Co-Convenors Robin Gilchrist and John Tennant
Eric Burton, Colin Fraser, George Sommerville

The Mission Group is the smallest of all the groups - new members would be most welcome. This group has organised, with the help of all the other groups and members of our congregation the visitation of all our members. Leaflets to all houses in our enlarged parish, also leaflets to all new houses built in our parish. These leaflets are still in use to welcome any new families that move into our parish.

If you know of any new families who have moved into your neighbourhood, please let your elder know, or member of the Mission Group.

 

Education and Communication Group
Co-Convenor J Quilter
Grace Brown, Jim Brown, Jim Egerton, Alex Gibson, Andrew Hamilton, Laura Neally, Alison Quilter, Barbara Syme, Archie Livingstone

Over the past three years the group have been involved in various aspects of church life, mainly setting up the ICT room (computer room).

Running training courses on computer equipment and risograph machines, producing a variety of materials including Linkline magazine and Sunday service leaflet.

Setting up resource files and job remits. The church web site is also attracting attention.

If anyone in the congregation would like to join this group they would be made most welcome. If you would like to learn computer skills - assistance could be made available.

SUMMER 2004 

Letter from Charlotte Coyle - Reader
Dear Friends,

The time has come when Mrs Christine Houghton will take over as minister and for me to retire as your preacher. Over the past year and eight months, as I have been taking the service, I have tried different ways of putting over God's message and I want to thank all those who have joined in, taking part in the Jesus and Peter conversations, which I hope you have enjoyed, as well as giving you all something to think about.
Also those who have joined in the readings and the special services as Christmas and Easter. My thanks goes also to the choir and Andrew the organist and Mr Beatson who fills when Andrew is away - even when I picked hymns they didn't know they always came up with the goods and lifted our praise. But most of all I would like to thank all of you who have come along Sunday by Sunday. It is wonderful to hear your voices raised in praise and to feel your enjoyment of the worship.
I have enjoyed my time with you all and especially with the children and I hope you have enjoyed it and have felt it was worth while. But it is time for mw to sit back in the pew and listen. I look forward to that and I am happy to hand over to Christine, whom I am sure will find you as supportive as I have.
As we move on to a new phase in the Church's life, I pray for God's blessing on us all, and his spirit to take us into the future. The hymn tells us that Christ makes with his friends a touching place I hope that over the time I have been with you we have found a touching place.

Yours in Christ

Charlotte.

The Guild
Alas the guild's summer break will soon be over, but we are all geared up for our new session which starts on the 16th September. Will members please note that the meeting for September 30th will be held in the Church as the Blood Transfusion Unit will be using the hall.

16th Sep    Theme Night
30th Sep    Community Police
14th Oct     Games Night
28th Oct     Frontline
11th Nov    Silent Auction
25th Nov    Speaker from Thornton's Chocolate Shop
9th Dec      Christmas Party

This makes up the syllabus for the first session, please come and join us.
Margaret Bishop - Secretary.
 

South Kirk Singers
September sees the start of the Singers 13th season and what a season it promises to be! As well as our own annual concert which shall take place on the 5th and 6th May 2005 - we will be performing in Boghall, Corstorphine, Loanhead and Cumbernauld but we are especially delighted to have been invited to participate in a huge event to be staged at The Meadows in Edinburgh 25th September. This shall see activities and performances throughout the UK and beyond by the Edinburgh Presbytery so we are naturally very excited to have been asked to take part.
We are constantly on the look out for new members or previous members who would like to join us again. If you enjoy singing and are interested in joining us please speak to any member of the Singers or contact Laura Quilter for further details.
Rehearsals take place in the church on a Sunday evening from 6:30pm until 8pm. Remember - you don't have to be able to read music!

Boys' Brigade
Enrolment will take place in the South Church Halls on:-
Wednesday 1st September from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

Anchor Boys   : Primary 1 to Primary 3
Junior Section: Primary 4 to Primary 6
Company Section : Primary 7 upwards

The Company welcomes all boys to the new session in which we commence our 40th Anniversary year. keep a look out for forthcoming events relating to our anniversary which will be posted on the Church Hall notice boards and in the future Linkline magazines.

Eileen Cartwright, Captain.

Pastoral Care Group
Co-Convenors: Margaret Logan and Edith Gilchrist

The pastoral care group are being kept very busy. This has been a difficult period for us. Between family illness and holidays we have been pretty stretched, to try and cover all the people who are either at home or in hospital. However every name entered on the list in the vestibule have been visited. It would be a great help to the committee of some more of the congregation would be willing to help share the load. This is a very rewarding part of our Church Life. You only need to give up a very small part of your free time to make someone happy. If you have some time spare, see either Edith or Margaret or any member of the pastoral care group - your help will much appreciated.
Remember you are in the prayers of someone who cares.

        When you feel battered by life's storms,
        And you are filled by doubt and dismay,
        Just remember GOD'S rainbow is coming,
        IT IS ONLY A PRAYER AWAY.

Womens' Fellowship
The Womens' Fellowship meets on the first Thursday of every month in the church hall at 7:30pm and would welcome any woman who is young either in body or heart to join us for fellowship and fun. The first meeting of our new session will take place on Thursday 2nd September. Five of our members will be taking part in the Fresh n Lo Glasgow 10k road race on Sunday 22nd August in order to raise as much money as possible for MacMillan Cancer Relief. We would like to raise as much money as possible for this very worthwhile cause, so if you would like to make a donation, a sheet is available in the church vestible. Alternatively - please contact Laura Quilter or Lynda Stewart.

Girls' Brigade
There is not a lot to report as the girls and officers of the Girls Brigade are currently enjoying a well earned break; although I am sure the officers are already starting to think about the new session ahead.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the girls on winning 1st prize for their decorated float in this years gala-day. They should be congratulated on their attitude to the whole day, as you will remember was extremely WET!! However not one of the girls complained even though the procession route seemed longer than ever that day. I would like to thanks everyone involved in the preparation for the gala day especially Gloria Steinemann and Lesley Benfold. I would also like to thank Ellen Easton for the tea and coffee she supplied and I would also like to thank Sarah Jane Anderson and her family for the loan of their lorry, last bust not least I would like to thank all members of the Whitburn South Church congregation who shouted encouragement to us.
Enrolment for the new session will take place in the church halls on Tuesday 31st August between 6:15pm and 7:30pm. The new session begins on Tuesday 7th September. Explorers : 6:15pm to 7:30pm. Juniors and Brigaders: 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Anne Cartwright, Captain.

Letter from Rev Christine Houghton
I thought you might like a bit of information about your new manse family.

I am Christine and originally come from a village called Townhill in Dunfermline. When I was 17 years old, I went to "a waddin in the Cooperative Hall" where I met Brian and married him a year later. We have just celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary on the 13th June.

Brian works at Aberdeen College at the moment looking after the electrical stores.

We have two children - Bryn who is the artist for Dennis the Menace in the Beano Website and - Jillian who has been backpacking in India, Nepal and Australia for the last 18 months but who should be home in time for the induction.

I came into the Ministry late in life after studying for my BD honours in my late 40s. Since then I have been in the lovely parishes of Dun linked with Hillside (Angus) for 5 years, Garthdee in Aberdeen for 18 months. I am looking forward to meeting and working with you all and if we keep Christ before us and aim always to please Him, we will go far together.

THE TASK AHEAD OF US IS NEVER SO GREAT AS THE POWER BEHIND US.

SHALOM

Christine.

Induction Service
The Induction of Rev. Christine Houghton will take place on Thursday 26th August 2004 at 7:30pm. (Supper will follow - provided by the Guild).

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 November/December 2004

Letter from the Manse
I can hardly believe that it is over 2 months since the Induction service, for we, in the manse have felt accepted and at home from day one. We feel as if we belong here and want to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to this. So many of you have wished us well and welcomed us while others have sent us cards, flowers, seen to our mail, told us about bins, loaned us walking sticks when I hurt my leg, driven me around, signed my sponsor sheet and said encouraging things to me. And that is to name but a few, so is it any wonder what I am looking forward to the years ahead of us. You are truly a special church.

All of a sudden thought, Christmas is hurtling towards us at an alarming speed. Through all the festive season let us not forget that it is Christ's birthday we are celebrating and that He is the most special gift the world has ever known. An advent prayer in an old book reminds us of this.......................

Let not our souls be busy inns that have no room for Thee and Thine, but quiet homes of prayer and praise where Thou may find fit company, where the needful cares of life are wisely ordered and put away; and wide sweet spaces kept for thee, where holy thoughts pass up and down, and fervent longings watch and wait Thy coming.

A nativity play called "Michael Mouse" is planned for Sunday before Christmas and "The Three Camels" for Christmas Eve as well as a short Christmas Day service when we ask the children and adults to bring one of their presents. I hope you can manage to join us for one or all of our celebrations.

May your Christmas be filled with joy and wonder of the first Christmas. May it be filled with Christ himself.

SHALOM......from Christine.

Mission Group
Things for the Mission Group have been fairly quiet during the vacancy. But now that Christine is here - no doubt that will change.

Leaflets to welcome people to their new home in our parish is still on going, BUT we depend on YOU for information. So if you know of any families who have moved into your neighbourhood, please let your elder know, or any member of the Mission Group.

New members to this group will be made most welcome.

Co. Convenors - Robin Gilchrist & John  Tennant
Members - Eric Burton, Colin Fraser & George Sommerville.
 

Money Matters 
2004 has turned out to be a very good year for us and I am delighted to report that we continue to enjoy a fairly healthy financial position.

As I stated last year we have had to meet substantial costs in filling our vacancy but with the continuing support of you, or congregation, this task has been undertaken and met in full.

We have not undertaken as many "fund raising events" as in previous years but you response to the two events in October was wonderful and raised the sum of £1,120 for the supply of Mission Praise Books for the church. A very big thank you to all who supported these events is any way.

Thank you all once again for your continuing support and generosity, you make my 'job' a pleasure!
 

Yours in Christ's Service

Irene Wright
Treasurer.

Womens' Fellowship
The women's fellowship continues to attract new members to our meetings which cover a variety of subjects.

A definite highpoint was our October meeting when Volker Stienmann gave a wonderful cookery demonstration. He showed us how to create simple starters and desserts which looked like they had come out of a first class restaurant. he showed us how to carve a flower our of a mushroom using a knife which resembled an axe.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who sponsored the girls who participated in the Glasgow 10k which they ran in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Relief. Your generosity resulted in a cheque for £2000 being presented to Moira Dobbie, fund raising manager for Macmillan, at a coffee evening on the 4th November. A further £120 was raised on that evening - so a huge thank you to those who attended. We have been totally overwhelmed by all the support we have received and we would like to thank you most sincerely for helping us to raise such a huge amount of money for such a worthwhile cause.

Girls' Brigade
The new session has got off to a wonderful start and we are delighted to welcome all the girls, old and new. We have now completed our first block with the girls trying a variety of new topics, the brigadiers have been learning 3D decoupage, rubber stamping and Iris folding and made some lovely hand made cards, and on behalf of the girls, Carol and myself, would like to thank Barbara Williams for giving up her time to come along to instruct the girls. The P4/5 juniors tried their hand at cooking, making pizzas, shepherds pie and fairy cakes - to name a few and the mouth watering aromas, had the rest of us hanging around outside hoping for a taste. Lynda would like to express her thanks to Janette Quilter who came along to share her expertise in working with the girls in the kitchen. The explorers have been extremely creative this year and Laura and Dawn would like to thank Gloria Stienemann for coming along with her tremendous craft ideas, she let the girls loose with glue, feathers, jewels and paint and we had multi-coloured parrots, treasure chests, pompom bugs, beasties and may I say Gloria's spider still makes me crawl.

On behalf of all Officers and helpers, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new minister, we look forward to working with her as chaplain of our Company.

May we also take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs Eileen Cartwright on her appointment as Captain of the 1st Whitburn Boys' Brigade and wish the Company every success in their 40th anniversary celebrations.


A Prayer  -  for those growing old -
Lord, thou knowest I am growing older.
Keep me from growing talkative and possessed
with the idea that I must express myself on
every subject.

Release me from the craving to
straighten out everyone's affairs.

Keep me from the recital of endless detail.
Give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips when I am inclined to tell of
my aches and pains. They are increasing with the
years and my love to speak of them grows
sweeter as time goes by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that
occasionally I may be wrong. Make
me thoughtful but not nosey; helpful
but not bossy. With my vast store of
wisdom and experience it does seem a
pity not to use it all. But thou knowest,
Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.
AMEN.

FOR THOUGHT AND PRAYER

Faith is a bird that looks for dawn -
and sings while it is still dark

Dear Lord and Father, please forgive us our weakness
and human frailty in times of trouble. Bless and strengthen
us O Lord that, like the birds, we may also sing through the
darkness, trusting ever in your glorious light. Amen.

Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscles of omnipotence. (CH Spurgeon)

Lord of life and light and love
we praise You above
Lord of beauty, creation and care
we praise You everywhere
Lord of day and of night
of the battles we are called to fight
We praise Your power and Your glory.

When we pass through troubled waters He is with us.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)

Dorothy P Aitchison - Prayer Promoter.

Snippets
Shoebox Appeal - Many thanks to all who contributed this year. So far we have
received around 240 boxes with over £300 in donations. We have done better
than last year. Many thanks to all the helpers. Ellen Tennant.

The New Year - Begin the year with God, begin with praise
                          for mercies old and new and hopeful days.
                          Begin the year with God, begin with prayer
                          that courage may be given His Cross to bear.

                          Go through the year with God, be His in all
                          Resolve to serve Him best, in great or small.
                          Begin and end with God the coming year,
                          So shall His perfect love, cast out all fear.

World Mission - Rev Kachera Mughogho (Malawi)
On October 10th I gathered with other Presbytery Church Mission members
in Blackburn Church Hall to meet and listen to a presentation by the Rev Mughogho
from Malawi who has come to Scotland to study for Ministerial Degrees.

Rev. Mughogho is married and he and his wife have 6 children, his wife and children
remaining in Malawi while he studies here.

His presentation highlighted that Malawi was quite a stable country compared with
other African nations but economically was poor. Malawi has little or no domestic energy
sources and has to import gas, oil and electricity which, along with little investment in business
venture from overseas etc, causes a financial drain on the economy. Electricity supplies are subject
to frequent power cuts and even purchasing oil for lanterns etc. is costly. Even farming has its
problems because of the energy situation and is regularly compounded by spells of drought.

However the people of Malawi are keen church people with church meetings of 400 - 600 people.
Most of the population are of christian faith which has developed from the time of David Livingstone
and when Malawi was called Nyasaland (the new land).

Rev Kachera Mughogho is staying in a flat in Glasgow and Rev. Anderson of Blackburn church asked
members at the presentation to highlight the need for some financial help to assist Rev Mughogho
obtain PC equipment, which he will need to progress his studies here - any donation, however small,
would be most welcome.

A retiral offering will be held after morning worship on 2nd January 2005 to assist Rev Mughogho.

Archie Livingstone.
 
Boys' Brigade
All sections of the Company have had a busy start to the session between badge work and battalion events.
Anchor Boys are about to attend a battalion craft day on Saturday 27th November in East Calder. Junior Section attended the 5 aside football tournament in Bathgate sports centre on 9th September. The boys had a great time and especially enjoyed the chips at the end. On 20th November they will attend a fun quiz day in Harthill. Company Section attended the battalion table games in East Calder, which the boys enjoyed and will attend the badminton event early in January.

Our founder's day service was held in Bathgate High Church on 3rd October and all our sections were represented.
Armistice parade and service of remembrance took place on 14th November.

On Wednesday 17th November we celebrate our 40th anniversary with a service in the South Church at 7pm. An invitation is extended to all. There will be a display of old photographs and other memorabilia in the church hall after the service.

This year the pantomime will be "Jack in the beanstalk" in the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow on Saturday 8th January 2005.

As this is my first term as Captain I would like to thank staff and boys for their support and look forward to a very busy and interesting year ahead.

Eileen Cartwright.
                        
South Kirk Singers
We have a very busy start to the new season. After a very successful concert in Boghall Parish Church, we then performed another fund raising concert in Condorrat Parish Church near Cumbernauld. We were also delighted to welcome several new members amongst us who have worked exceptionally hard to learn a vast amount of music in a very short period of time.

By the time you read this magazine we will have performed at our own Guild Centenary Celebration. It is great honour for us to be invited to participate is such a momentous occasion, and we were delighted to be involved. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Guild on reaching such a wonderful milestone. We would also like to show our appreciation to the guild members both past and present, who, thought their commitment and dedication have contributed so much to the life of our church. May God bless you all in this your centenary year.
 
The Guild
Here we are almost at the end of another session. This an exciting session for the Guild as we are celebrating one hundred years of forming a Guild. We are having a celebration party on Friday 12th November and among our guests are our own minister Christine and husband Brian, Rev. and Mrs Darroch, Allison Twaddle (General Secretary of the Guild), and Mrs Findlater of Presbyterial Council. We are also having a Guild Week, commencing 21st November and are having events going on through the week with other guilds, finishing up on Sunday November 28th with a service in the church, followed by a soup and sweet lunch in the hall to which everyone is welcome. Our Christmas night out is on the 9th December in the Hilcroft Hotel finishing off this session. The committee and members take the opportunity to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas.

Margaret Bishop, secretary.

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Magazines 2005

MARCH 2005

Letter from the Manse
From the Manse,

Easter is almost upon us. It is our most important festival of the Christian year. It never fails to make me humble as well as excited, to be reminded of the love that was shown that first Easter. During Holy Week, I am planning a series of short, reflective services each night in which we will be reminded of that last week of Jesus' life here on earth. We will celebrate once more the fullness of the love of Christ for each one of us which led Him to the Cross and beyond. The times of the services will be printed on a later page.

I am hoping that many will assist me in these services, it will be a week of much sharing.

We will finish the week with an early morning 8am informal service to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord which will be followed by breakfast together as well as the usual Sunday worship at 11am.

I look forward to it all immensely and I hope most of you will be able to join with us, if not every night, then at least one. I never fail to be impressed by your faithfulness at worship on Sunday mornings and I think our numbers increase each week.

May God bless you all afresh as we approach Easter.

SHALOM
from Christine.

New Elders
Wasn't it good to see 3 new Elders taking vows of Ordination recently. We ask God's blessing on David Beaston, Irene Beatson and Irene Wright as they get ready to take up their new duties for the Church. Some of them will be given districts to care for and this is where you the congregation have your part to play. They come to visit you in the name of our Church and our Lord as the link between you and the Church, so please make them welcome. Please don't make them stand on the door step, ask them in as you would any visitor. Please pray for your Elder as I am sure they pray for you.

Reader
Congratulations to David Beatson who has been accepted for training as a Reader with the Church of Scotland. David has been taking part in worship most weeks and his contributions have been appreciated by us all.

Prayer Group
When the race gets tiring Lord remind me that you run beside me.

Loving Lord, how wonderful it is to know that when we grow tired and weary on our spiritual journey, we may rest in Your great power and strength.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

How marvellous! How wonderful! and my song shall ever be.
How marvellous! How wonderful! is my Saviour's love for me.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so early entangles, and let us run perseverance the race marked our for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.... Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that he will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12, 1,2,3 NIV.

Keeping in mind that the churches are the people, do you think the following comment could apply to OUR church? "The churches delivered a harsh judgement and we have recognised that there is a problem in the church. Now we have to ask ourselves, what can we do?" Pasteur Bazie, Burkina Faso - Christian Aid

 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will hear their land. 2 chronicles 7:14 NIV

Loving heavenly Father, please forgive us our critical and hurtful ways. See with your eyes, Hear with your ears, Speak with your mouth and Love with your heart, through Jesus, the blessed Saviour. Amen.

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry EVERYTHING to God in Prayer!

May God who understands each need, who listens to every prayer, Bless you and keep you, in his loving are.

Dorothy Aitchison, Prayer Promoter


Easter Cards
We are producing an Easter Card, with all the times of our Easter Services printed on it, to go into as many homes in our parish as possible. We will be looking for people to deliver these, so please think about offering your services for this vital work of outreach.

Flower List
06/03/05        Communion Sunday - The Guild
13/03/05        Mrs J Black
20/03/05        Mr & Mrs J Whannel
27/03/05        Mrs A McAslan

03/04/05        Mrs M Anderson
10/04/05        Mrs G Nairn
17/04/05        Mrs A Fordyce
24/04/05        Mrs A McConnell

01/05/05        Mrs A Murray
08/05/05        Mrs M Harte & Mrs A Knox
15/05/05        Mrs J Anderson
22/05/05        Mrs J Livingstone
29/05/05        Mrs G Campbell

05/06/05        Communion Sunday - The Guild
12/06/05        Mrs J Brown
19/06/05        Mrs J Quilter
26/06/05        Mr & Mrs E Burton

Holy Week Services
Special service being during holy week are:-

Monday 21st March               7 - 7:30pm
Tuesday 22nd March              7 - 7:30pm
Wednesday 23rd March            7 - 7:30pm
Thursday 24th March  - Communion 7 - 7:30pm
Friday 25th March  - Good Friday      7 - 7:30pm
Sunday 27th March - with breakfast 8 - 9:30am
Sunday 27th March - all age worship 11am (bring your painted boiled egg)

The Guild
Another season is almost over. We have our AGM on Thursday 10th March, followed by a "TRAMPS SUPPER". Our closing social in April, venue still to be decided and our trip in May. We have had a very busy year as 2004 was our centenary here in Whitburn South.

The Guild's all over the country held the first ever Guild Awareness Week, which was a great success.

As you will all know our secretary, Margaret Bishop, is ill in hospital - we all wish her a speedy recovery, and look forward to having her back with us soon.

Margaret Gourlay - President.

Sunday Teas
This is to thank everyone for support and help.  Anyone who would like to help, please put your name on the list in the hall. Thank you, Joyce. 

Money Matters
Dear Friends,

Well, I have just had the Audit finalised for 2004 and I am delighted to report that it was another good year financially for Whitburn South, reflecting the happy and comfortable feeling which reverberates around our Church every Sunday.

The level of offerings has increased in all areas and I thank you all for your support in this. Total income shows an increase of 19.9% but this is mainly due to the receipt of a Tax Recovery on Gift Aid where there was no corresponding claim for 2003.

As expected our expenditure has also increased substantially, 32.3% in fact, and this is mainly attributed to us returning to paying full Ministerial Costs to the Church of Scotland. However I am delighted to tell you that due to your continuing support, we have been able to meet all these costs and still end 2004 in a very healthy financial position.

There has been a lot of activity in the Fabric Funs over the past year and as well major refurbishment in the Manse various other outstanding repairs and maintenance have been attended to.

The Accounts will be available for distribution soon and you will see that the format has been changed slightly. This is in line with the requirements of the Church of Scotland and I am sure you will find the fairly easy to follow. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have on the accounts and I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Business Meeting when they will be approved.

Thank you all once again for your continued support and generosity.

Yours in Christ's Service.

Irene Wright, Treasurer.

Morning Coffee
I would like to see the hall open one morning a week for a cup of coffee. Would anyone be interested?
Let me know what day would suit and I will try to organise it. Any monies made from this could be put to helping other people. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter... maybe you would even like to help!!!!!

Christine.
 

JUNE 2005

Letter from the Manse
Brian and I enjoy visiting gardens centres where up until now things have been quiet as far as other customers go. Now they are busy which is a sign that summer is around the corner. The Church doesn't have a time when things go quieter, though if there were, you'd think it would be summer..
Not so this year in Whitburn South.. We are planning:- The Big Event .. A family Picnic.. Extra Summer Services.. and a Summer Fun Week for the children. If you are free on the dates of any of the summer activities..why not come along and help.

You have all worked so hard in my nine months with you that I wish you a well deserved, peaceful, restful and refreshing summer. Take some time to smell the flowers and to be still and know that God is all around you.

I am reminded that God never has a day off or goes away on holiday. How fortunate we Christians are to have the assurance that God is always there for us at any time.

Going on holiday? Why not bring back a picture or postcard of the church you visit or worship in.

SHALOM

Christine

Girls' Brigade
It has been a very busy tie for the company this session - the girls have been taking part in a variety of Divisional events. The primary 6/7 junior section took part in a very lively beach party hosted by the Armadale company, it was strange to see 150 girls in shirts and beach wear in a cold wet Friday night in February, they definitely did not feel the cold as they danced the night away.

WELL DONE! to our brigadier section on winning 1st prize in the brigadier talent show hosted by the Boghall company -  they called themselves "The Show Stoppers" and performed Razzle Dazzle. The show featured acts from all the companies in West Lothian and everyone involved had a great thoroughly entertaining night. The girls have been asked to come along and perform for the girls brigade executive at their AGM on the 2nd of June.

Our primary 4/5 junior section will take part in a games and picnic event at Polkemmet Country Park on Saturday 14th May.

After parents night the girls brigade will continue to meet until 21st June, these will be fun and games evenings with some time being spent preparing decorations for this years gala day float.

The girls have a number of events before this year's session ends, here are some diary notes:-

Saturday 4th June - Company trip to Loudoun Castle
Tuesday 14th June - Distribution of Gala News
Thursday 16th June - Organisations Quiz
Sunday 19th June - Organisations Parade
Saturday 25th June - Gala Parade

On behalf of the Officers and Girls, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has come along to our company this year and given time to help the girls achieve their badges by demonstrating and teaching cooking and crafts etc. I would like to thank the congregational board for the use of the halls and a special thanks to Andrew Hamilton and Jim Smillie for their support.

Anne Cartwright, Captain.

Sunday School and FOCUS Group
A big thank you to all members and children of the church for their donations of Easter Eggs. The Eggs were taken to Sick Childrens Edinburgh, who were amazed at the generosity from our children and members.

Well Done Everybody!

The children have settled down after the Easter break. We have 36 children on our books who attend regularly. Also we get some of our members grandchildren who come to visit throughout the year.

On May 15th - Grace and Dawn Brown also Laura Quilter will be running in the Brittanic Glasgow Womens 10k race, on behalf on Simpson Special Care Unit, Edinburgh. Just to say thank you for Dawn who was born 12 weeks premature, 21 years ago, weighing less than a 2 pound bag of sugar. Dawn is one of Simpsons miracle babies.

Sunday school prize giving will be held on the 19th June. The children will be taking the service on that Sunday - more information nearer the time.

Boys' Brigade
This year has been a very busy year for both staff and boys.

On Friday the 4th March 2005, we held a celebration family party for our 40th anniversary in Whitburn Bowling Club. The Company was well represented by families of the boys brigade. A presentation was made to our former captain Mrs Alison Quilter on behalf of the staff and boys of the company to thank her for all the work she had done over the past 24 years. The company would also like to thank Mr Tom Stockman for the lovely cake he made for us.

Our parents and friends evening was held on the 11th May in the Church Hall. Gold Awards were presented to Ian Syme and Callum Wilson at the Battalion Rally on 13th May.

Enrolment for the new session 2005/2006 will take place on Wednesday 24th August between 6:30pm and 7:30pm in the church hall.

The staff and boys would like to thank the Rev Christine Houghton, members of the Kirk Session / Board and congregation of the South Church for all their support throughout the year.

Have a good summer break.

Eileen Cartwright, Captain.

The Guild
2004/5 which included our Centenary celebrations was indeed a good time of fun and fellowship and seems to have simply flown by!

We finish off this session with our day-outing to Perth on the 21st of May when no doubt we will invade the shops.

As your new president I would like to see YOU next session. Please do join us as we would appreciate your suppoty and encouragement. You are sure to enjoy a great variety of exciting evenings which have been arranged for 2005/6.

Irene Beatson, (President).

Other Snippets
Thanks to all who delivered Easter cards, made tea each night, made breakfast on Sunday morning, and who took part in readings etc.. It all went to make Easter 2005 very special and meaningful.

Summer fun for the children - 8th - 12th August. There will be games, crafts, quizzes & Bible stories. Come along kids and have fun.

Summer Fete realized the sum of:- £2,500 and still counting. Grateful thanks to all who assisted - contributed - bought or in any way helped. Thank You.

Church family picnic, 26th June after the service. Games, races, BBQ and prizes. Come on and join in.

Mrs Stockman would like to thank all the congregation for their good wishes, lovely cards and flowers, on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

Stamps - Please remember to save all your stamps - (British and/or Foreign). Bring them to the church or contact Ellen Tennant.

Well done South Kirk Singers for two great evenings of music at your annual concert. Thanks to Laura and the choir for all the hours of dedication you give to make it all happen. It is much appreciated.

Thanks also to Andrew Livingston and the Church Choir for their wonderful contribution Sunday by Sunday.

Church Lending Library - If you have any Christian books that you have finished with, please think about giving them to the Church so that we can start a lending library which will be available to everyone in the hall in a Sunday morning.

Sunday School prize giving is Sunday 19th June.

South Kirk Singers 
The South Kirk Singers rounded off their session recently with their 13th Annual Concert. They performed to packed audiences on the 5th and 6th of May with their usual variety of music, old and new. They were joined by their guests, the Whitburn Brass Band Ensemble who treated the audience to a wealth of musical favourites. The highlight of the evening was the performance of "One Day More" from "Les Miserables" which left the audience really wanting more!
The choir will now have a deserved rest, but if you have been inspired by what you heard at the concert, or have been thinking about coming along, please join us for our 14th season at the start of September.

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
An army of ordinary people,
A kingdom where love is the key,
A city, a light to the nations,
Heirs to the promise are we.
A people whose life is in Jesus,
A nation together we stand,
Only through grace are we worthy,
Inheritors of the land.

There are many examples in the Bible of ordinary people being called to do extraordinary things, one being Moses. When he is called into service his first reaction is, "No. Lord, don't send me. I have never been a good speaker... I am a poor speaker, slow and hesitant, but the Lord replies, "Now go; I will help you to speak, and I will tell you what to say." Exodus Ch4, 10 & 12 GNB. If you read on you will see Moses isn't entirely convinced and continues to use the same excuse another couple of times (Ch6). Some people need a lot of convincing to fulfil their destiny! So give thanks for the ordinary people who make a bug difference to your life, by using their God-given talents, and be sure to tell them sometimes.
...that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Romans Ch1:12 NIV.


GETTING THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE
When Goliath came to fight the Israelites, the soldiers all thought - "He is so big we can never kill him!"
When David saw the same giant, his thought was....."He is so big I can't miss him!"


I'm Glad You're in my Dash!
A man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend,
he referred to the dates on her tombstone from beginning....to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth and he spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

(1937 - 2002)

For the dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars...the house... the cash,
what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...are there things you'd like to change?
for you never know how much time is left, that still can be rearranged.

If we would slow down enough, to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile....
remembering that special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say about how YOU spent your dash?

Prayer Morning
Got an hour to spare on a Wednesday morning? Why nit use it to come and pray for The Church, People and the world.

The day was long, the burden I had borne seemed heavier than I could bear, and the it lifted - but I did not know someone had knelt is prayer; had taken me to God that very hour and asked the easing of the load, and He, in infinite compassion, had stooped down and taken it from me. We cannot tell how often as we pray for some bewildered one, hurt and distressed, the answer comes, but many times those hearts find sudden peace and rest. Someone prayed and faith, reaching hand, took hold of God and brought Him down that day! So many, many hearts have need of prayer!     .....    OH, LET US PRAY!

Coffee Morning
In the last magazine I said I would like to see the hall open one morning a week for a cup of coffee and would anyone be interested in this. Well the Friday Coffee Morning was started and has been going for four weeks. It has been wonderful to see so many people come along and enjoy the company and it has been great to see how mnay are willing to help set up, bake and serve. Thank you to everyone. If you have a hour to spare, why don't you come along anf meet your friends over a cup of coffee and the most beautiful home baking.

Christine.


The Big Event
When 4 ministers got together an idea for a joint effort during Gala Week was born so.. here it is........
Saturday afternoon 18th June in the football park (Central Park). There will be a bouncy castle.. a slide.. and other fun things. Organisations like BB, GB, Scouts, Crusaders, Christian Aid and more will give information and show their wares. Later there will be a BBQ then a songs of praise with (hopefully) Ian White who is a terrific Christian singer. Best of all is that most of this will be FREE. So come along with family, friends and neighbours. It will be FUN FUN FUN.

Anyone who offer any help with this event should contact Brian Houghton.

 

SEPT 2005

Letter from the Manse
I had a significant birthday recently (60). I wasn't looking forward to this at all as I felt that time was going too quickly for me but the day turned out to be wonderful, for so many of you sent cards and gifts for which I want to thank you, especially since I thought nobody knew. I spent the evening with my family and was surrounded by so much love that i forgot the passing of the years.

I was reminded just this week though, how precious time is when one of my best friends died suddenly. I realized that time is too short to fill it with anger, gossip, impatience, intolerance and things which will cause us to have regrets. This is not the Christian way and thankfully this has not been my experience in Whitburn since I arrived.

I was at the Edinburgh Tattoo this week for the first time  and was impressed by the whole experience. I especially liked the way in which the participants all had to work together in harmony and precision to make it work and pray that we in the South Church will continue to  build on the Christian love and care that is already here. The love and care and support that causes me to thank God for bringing me here to work among you. The Tattoo brochure informed us that this year, the number of pipes and drums was the biggest ever and it reminded me that we too should always be looking towards inviting new people among us Sunday by Sunday and telling those who haven't been to Church for a long time that we miss them.

May we all use our time wisely and Godly.

May God bless us and our neighbouring churches as we make plans for our Christian work from now until Christmas.

May we always try to please Him.

SHALOM

Christine.


The Guild
WILL YOU BE FREE ON THURSDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER? THEN WHY NOT JOIN US IN THE HALL AT 7PM. YOU WILL BE ASSURED OF A WARM FELLOWSHIP AND A VARIED PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES, SO COME ON, EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BEFORE!

THE GUILD NEEDS YOU.

Irene Beatson - President
 

Kids Zone
....What a week that was. Around 16 children came along each day. We were Intrepid Explorers searching for the way and the truth. On arrival everyone had to go to the Passport Office to have their passport stamped and then travel to their base camps before there was a campfire sing along with a mixture of Christian choruses and "nonsense" songs.... the favourite being the Worm Song. We had a games attack, a snack attack and an art attack every day as well as learning that Jesus was the Way, the Truth and the Life, The Light of the World and the Bread of Life. The children told us that they enjoyed it all and are looking forward to the next one...which is being planned as we speak. Many thanks to those who helped in any way... why don't you think of joining us next time!
 

Boys' Brigade
Enrolment will take place in the South Church Halls on:-
Wednesday 24th August from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

Anchor Boys   : Primary 1 to Primary 3
Junior Section: Primary 4 to Primary 6
Company Section : Primary 7 upwards

The staff are looking forward to meeting new members and of course all our previous members on the night.

Eileen Cartwright, Captain.

Pastoral Care Group
Co-Convenors:  Edith Gilchrist & Joey Fraser

As usual the pastoral care group are being kept very busy. In spite of being stretched, because of holidays etc, we have still managed to visit all the people at home or in hospital whose names have been entered on the list in the church vestibule. If we do not know a person is ill - we cannot visit. It would be a great help to the group if we could get nore volunteers from the congregation, to help share the load. If you have any spare time and are willing to help contact, Joey, Edith or any member of the group. Pastoral care is a very rewarding part of our church life. Not only do we visit - we are helping to organise a Cradle Roll Service, in conjunction with the SOLAR group. Invites have been sent out to the families of all children baptised in our church over the past six years, come along and celebrate with us on the 28th August in our Church, then join us for a buffet lunch after the service in the church hall. Later on in the year the group will be conducting morning worship (date to be arranged). An invite is included in the magazine for a St Andrews celebration in the church hall on November 26th. This is a Saturday afternoon. Everyone is welcome and it costs nothing.

Edith and Joey

Everyone can be great, because anybody can serve. You don't need a college degree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato or Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You only need a heart full of Grace and a soul generated by Love. (Martin Luther King).

Those who trust in the Lord for help
Will find their strength renewed.
They will rise on wings of eagles,
They will run and not get weary
They will walk and not grow weak. (Isaiah Ch40, v31)

Intimations
A bereavement service is being planned for later in the year. This will give anyone who has lost a loved one in the past, no matter how long ago, to remember and give thanks for them.

Church Lending Library - If you have any Christian books that you have finished with, please think about giving them to the church so that we can start a lending library, which will be available to everyone in the hall on a Sunday morning.

Friday coffee mornings are very popular. If you have an hour to spare, come along and meet your friends over a cup of coffee and the most beautiful home baking. Waistlines guaranteed to expand.

Total for Christine's slimming sponsor is £702 - haven't you given well.

A new communicants class is planned starting with a short meeting after the service on the 21st August to determine the best day and time to meet. We will meet for a few weeks to learn of Faith, Our Church of Scotland, Prayer, Baptism and Communion. Even if you can't be there on the first Sunday you can still join with us after that. If you have been a member for a long time and would like to refresh your learning or renew your vows, come along too.

Girls Brigade
Tuesday 30th August 2005 - 6:15pm til 7:30pm in church halls Girls' Brigade will be enrolling on the above date. The girls' brigade is open to all girls from P1-S4 and we are looking forward to welcoming new girls and old. Uniform orders can be placed at enrolment (some items already in stock). The new session will begin on 6th September.

Explorers 6:15pm to 7:30pm......Juniors/Brigadiers 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

We look forward to seeing you.

Anne Cartwright, Captain.

Picnic
The sun shone, the food was good, the company was excellent and the singing ended it off very nicely indeed. Some even found energy to join in the races for which everyone received certificates. I believe the Minister joined in this (but cheated by started halfway down the track!!!!) Thanks to all who helped with it...If you didn't make it this year - make sure you do so next year!
 

For Sharing
Thou God Seest Me
In your deepest trial,
When you feel alone;
Remember Jesus never
Will fail or leave His own.
He'll give you strength and comfort,
He'll bring you through the fire;
One day you'll know the reason
When you're called to go up higher.

Don't fear the floods and waters,
For they shall not o'erflow;
The Lord is with you always,
He really love you so.
He'll strengthen and uphold you,
Your helper He will be;
So in the trial trust Him,
For "Thou God Seest me".


To Love What is Worth Loving
To love what is worth loving,
To praise what delights you most,
To value what is precious in your sight,
To hate what is offensive to you.
Do not let me judge according to what I hear,
But to judge rightly between things that differ,
And above all to search out and to do what pleases you,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Thomas a ' Kempis)


A New Dawn
In the stillness of the night I feel Your peace
In the silence of the moment I hear Your voice
In the darkness I feel Your warmth
And Your light brings a new dawn.

A new dawn brings new hope
A fresh journey to walk
Without fear because You hold my hand.
A new dawn free from fear
A new dawn free from pain
A new dawn full of love and of light.

In the stillness of the night you'll find peace
In the silence of the moment you'll hear My voice
In the darkness you'll feel my warmth
And your journey of life carries on - with new hope and love and dreams.
(Alison Quilter 3/7/2005)

November/December 2005

Letter from the Manse
As part of our son's Christmas a few years ago we bought him a musical turtle. It was very lifelike moving slowly across the floor and pulling its head into its shell. It even moved its mouth to look as if it was singing.

The song it sang said "You gotta slow down you move too fast, You gotta slow down and make the morning last, You gotta slow down live the hours, You gotta slow down and smell the flowers".

Its important that we hear this at Christmas for we rush, plan, worry, buy, bake and send out masses of Christmas cards that we forget to stop for a moment and look at God's Christmas Card to us...

The front cover perhaps should be a picture of love as Jesus Christ the Prince of peace was born in a stable to humble obedient parents.

Inside the card perhaps should be God's message to us...I send my Son to live and die for you... Don't be too busy to look on him... it's his birthday, it's the reason for all the celebrations.

You have worked so hard again this year fund raising, making the church new and clean again after the renovations and now the Fayre is almost upon us. I thank you for all you have done, for all the prayers you have uttered and all the love and support you have given to Brian and myself..but take time to kneel in wonder at the stable and worship Christ the King.

We will be dedicating the new stained glass windows the Sunday of the week I am writing this letter in memory of a wonderful man of faith Campbell Thomson now with the Lord. The windows are designed and built by Mr Ronald Mitton and they are beautiful. Thank you Isobel for giving the church this lovely gift which will speak to many of us down through the years.

Come and join us this Christmas at some time.

Christmas blessings to you all from Christine and Brian.

Pastoral Care and Worship Group
The pastoral care Group take this opportunity to wish all members and friends of the congregation a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Edith and Joey would like to thank all members of the group for their hard work throughout the year. The members of this group visit houses, hospitals and nursing homes to keep in touch with many of our members, who are unable to attend Sunday worship. Remember YOU our members can help us in this important part of our Church's work, by keeping us informed of anyone in need of a visit. Most of you should be aware that the group is having a Scottish afternoon celebration for St. Andrew on Saturday the 26th November in our Church Hall, from 2pm until 4pm, to which all of you are welcome. David Beatson will provide the entertainment and there will be lots of home baking, provided by the group. Come and join us on Sunday 27th November the group will be conducting morning worship, this should be another date for your diaries.


The Worship Group have had an extremely busy few months. Last session the Church family enjoyed an outing at Polkemmet Country Park. All those who attended enjoyed a great BBQ followed by games for all ages. The day cam to an end with a Songs of Praise; it was a great day allowing the sharing of fun, fellowship and family...here's to next year!

During July and August two morning services were arranged by the group; the first at 9:30am was well enjoyed by all ages but was particularly enjoyed by those who were young at heart due to its informal nature. The second service which was at 11am followed the more traditional format. By offering two services the needs of ALL the congregation were catered for and we would like to thank Christine for all her enthusiasm in making the summer worship programme such a success.

A summer holiday club ran n the church hall during the last week of the summer holidays. This was the first venture of its type but will definitely not be the last. All the children who attended had a fantastic time... not to mention the adults!

The Worship Group worked along side the Pastoral Care Group and Christine to organise the Cradle Roll Service. This was a truly uplifting service as the whole Church Family from Pampers to Pensioners joined together for a great worship celebration.

The Worship group continue to organise the evening services which take place the first Sunday of every month. If you have any great ideas for an evening service share it with any members of the group...better still why not come and join us, we are always looking for new members.

Our next meeting takes place on Monday 28th November in the Church hall at 7:30pm. You will be made most welcome.

Money Matters 
As we approach the end of another very happy and successful year for our Church, I would like to give you an update on our financial situation.

We are very fortunate that we continue to maintain very steady and healthy levels of Christian Giving, something which I fell reflects the whole atmosphere on our Church and all the various Church Organisations at present. At the beginning of the year I intimated that this year would see a return to all the extra expense which we were spared during our vacancy time and I am delighted to tell you that we have been able to meet all these costs comfortably.

Our Fabric Account is also still healthy due to marvellous support given to the Fetes and we have been able to meet all the necessary expenses relative to our buildings.

The cost of the essential work carried out in the Church recently will be met from the Restoration Fund and I am happy to say that due to the continuing support for the envelope giving scheme for this Fund, we are well able to meet this cost without asking for donations.

The Friday Coffee Mornings, which started as  "a cuppa and a blether" have flourished beyond all expectations and have resulted in a sizeable sum being accumulated from donations. As this was which was not expected we have been to use it to provide support for various Church activities during the year and there are plans to make donations to the various organisations to help fund their Christmas parties. We also hope to provide some new crockery and kitchen equipment and support a Special Project for 2006 which will be further explained at a later date. Your continuing support for this initiative is very much appreciated.

Thank you all very much for support and generosity throughout the year.

Yours in Christ's Service

Irene Wright
Treasurer.

Womens' Fellowship
The women's fellowship continue to have a busy programme of events. The highlight this season was the coffee and craft evening held in October in aid of Breast Cancer Care. This was a great opportunity for people to enjoy a coffee while they learned a new craft. The evening was a huge success, raising £570, for a very worthy cause. Thanks to all those who supported the event. We are always looking for new members. Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday 30th November at 7:30pm - so come and join us!

Girls Brigade
We are almost at the end of our first session and what a great session we have had. We currently have over 60 girls. For the first in our Company the Brigadier section is the largest section with 22 girls, ranging in age from 12 to 17, it also gives us the largest Brigadier section in West Lothian. The girls are working through this year's programme and will be taking part in a wide range of activities and looking forward to their Christmas trips.

Our explorer section have just completed a block of how things taste, and each week took part in various food based activities from tasting exotic fruits to making and decorating cakes. I am sure their parents were amazed at the masterpieces that were taken home. Many thanks go to Janette Quilter for her help in this.

We recently received an inspection from our Division Commandant, who expressed her delight with our organisation, so well done to everyone for making her visit a success. The Brigadier section recently took part in a progressive meal. As part of this we played host to approximately 113 girls and officers from the Brigadiers sections in the West Lothian Divisions. We provided pizza as the main course and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers and helpers who gave up their Friday night to help, serve and clean up, I would also like to say thank you for the use of the hall for this event.

On behalf of the girls and officers I would like to say thank you for allowing us to lead the evening service on Sunday 6th November. We were pleased with the number of parents who stayed to worship with us. We hope everyone who attended enjoyed the evening of celebration. I can say that the girls and staff of Girls Brigade had a fantastic time.

Thank you to all the girls who took part in the Remembrance Day parade, it was fantastic to see many girls turning out to worship.

I would like to welcome 2 new members to the Girls' Brigade staff, Mrs Valerie Tennant who is helping with the Junior section and Mrs Michelle Greens who is helping the Explorer section, we hope they continue to enjoy their times with us.

Anne Cartwright, Captain.

Sunday School and FOCUS Group
A Soup Lunch on the 9th October in aid of Children's Christmas Party, was a tremendous success and all the teachers would like to thank everyone for their kind generosity and support, the grand total was £200.

The toy appeal this year will be on Sunday, 11th December. If you have any toys - old or new - still in a good condition, please being them along to this service. All toys go to the children of West Lothian who are not as fortunate as we all are.

The Children's Christmas Party, for all the children in the church, will be held on Saturday 17th December from 1pm - 3pm, in the hall.

Church News
Update from David Beatson..... - As some of you already know, I have just completed the first year of my training for the Readership in the Church. For the 2nd and 3rd years if my training I have to move to different churches and I am presently awaiting a placement from the West Lothian Presbytery. I will miss you all, but no doubt will see you around. I am allowed to visit my home church once in every four weeks. Thank you for your prayers, kind words and good wishes. I will keep you up to date with my progress. The Lord bless you all.

David


Life and Work
Many, many thanks to Jean Weir who has faithfully organised the distribution of the magazines for many years and who now feels it is time to hand the task over due to family commitments. Brian Houghton has offered to take over from Jean. We wish you well Brian - as we say well done Jean.


Many, Many Thanks
My sincere thanks to everyone at Whitburn South for their get well cards, flowers, phone calls, home visits, baskets of fruit, reading material and also the many prayers said for me and me family during my illness and absence from Church. At the moment, good progress is being made and a review is planned by my consultant for St. Andrews day.
Yours sincerely

Archie


Sound System/Recording of Services
Our new church sound system is now installed and appears to be working well, having sorted out the "gremlins" which troubled us for the first few weeks. David Jewell-Smith has volunteered to monitor the system week by week. We have also started to record the service each Sunday morning, both on cassette and DVD. If you are unable to attend church for any reason and would like to receive a copy of the recordings, this can be arranged by contacting your elder in the first instance. Also if you are aware of anyone who you think would benefit from this service, please contact your elder. Please remember to let us know if you would prefer a copy on cassette or DVD.


Tsumani
Everyone is well aware of the disastrous effect of the Tsunami last December. Following the Tsunami the firm of Martin Currie for who I work donated nearly £60,000. Rather than the monies being donated and being "lost" into a large pot, we decided we wanted to donate the monies in a way which mean we could see where our monies were going and also have the opportunity to assist further. We therefore decided to link with an International Christian charity called "Habitat for Humanity" (www.habitat.org). Habitat are an impressive charity who were founded in America some years ago with the aim of eradicating poverty housing. They work around the world in areas of need building permanent brick built homes and have recently completed their one millionth home. Habitat are building homes in some of the worst hot areas of Sri Lanka and are heavily reliant on volunteer workforces to make progress.

I have volunteered to spend a little over a week in Sri Lanka from 22nd April next year helping habitat in their quest to help replace some of the many homes destroyed in the Tsunami. During my time I will work with the other volunteers and specialists building the homes the families so badly need.

To support the rebuild and visit, I require to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1,800. Our Kirk Session have suggested that the congregation be given the opportunity to contribute to the cause through retiral offerings on Communion Sunday.

It is almost a year since the Tsunami hit and caused such widespread devastation. The work continues to try to bring some normality back to the lives of those affected. Please continue to pray for the people of all the affected countries and for the relief workers helping through the region. Thanks for your support and I look forward to updating you on the progress being made on my return.

George Quilter

Boys' Brigade
From the last time that we had an item in the Linkline Newsletter we have been very busy with Battalion events. The Company had the pleasure of attending the Founders Day Service in Linlithgow. We had our own Dedication Service in the South Church where Alan Gentleman was presented with his Queen's badge, which is the highest honour in the Boys Brigade Movement. Congratulations to Alan. We would also like to thank the Rev Christine Houghton for all her assistance at both events.

Company Section attended 5-a-side  football at Bathgate Sports Centre on Saturday 29th October. They all enjoyed the football.

Anchor Boys attended a Giant Games day on Saturday 5th November in St. Paul's Church in Ladywell. Apart from the Mini Bus not turning up and having to telephone a couple of people to help us get them to and from the event, they had a great time. We would like to thank Mrs Anne Knox, Mrs Barbara Syme and Mr Alan Cartwright for coming to our rescue.

Junior Section are looking forward to their Fun Day at Bathgate High Church on Saturday 26th November.

Everyone at 1st Whitburn Boys Brigade wish everyone in the South Church Congregation a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Eileen Cartwright.
                        
South Kirk Singers
The Singers have had an extremely busy start to their 14th session. They have performed at Callendar parish Church for the first time in early November. The Singers were extremely well received and a great night had by all. The following evening the Singers performed in Whitburn Academy as guests of Whitburn Brass Band. A huge thank you to all those who turned out to support the choir. Your attendance was greatly appreciated. A visit to Ecclesmachan Women's Rural is planned for 1st December., followed an event not to be missed - The Singers will perform with Whitburn Brass Band in a celebration of Christmas and all things musical. These concerts will be held in our own Church on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th December at 7:30pm. Tickets will be on sale shortly priced £5 and will be available from any member of the Singers. Get yours quickly and don't miss what promises to be a great night.

Sunday Teas 
Thanks to everyone for the support over last year. The Sunday Teas helpers will be serving Hot mincemeat pies and apple pies etc on Christmas eve from 10pm in the Church Hall. Please come and enjoy the fellowship before the Service. We wish everyone a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

We are always looking for extra help - everyone welcome!

Joyce.

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Magazine 2006

March 2006

Letter from the Manse
One Sunday in church recently, we sang, as the final hymn:-

There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy one.
 Thank you, O my Father, for giving us Your Son
and leaving Your Spirit till the work on earth is done.

Jesus, my Redeemer, name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, O for sinners slain.

When I stand in glory I will see his face,
And there I'll serve my king for ever in that holy place.

The singing was wonderful, as was Andrew's playing that I though we were going to lose our roof. It brought home to me how much the praise needs to come from the heart as it does in our church. It was so inspiring to stand up front, hear the volume and sincerity of the hymn while able to see your smiling faces. In words of 1st Corinthians:-

"I always give thanks yo my God for you because of the grace he has given you through Christ Jesus". I feel it should read.. US and not you for we have travelled far and well together on our spiritual journey.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give us grace and peace as he draws us all closer to Himself and to one another.

Easter will soon be upon us and as we did last year, we will have services each night of Holy Week ending with Easter Sunday early morning service with breakfast and an Easter play at morning worship. I look forward to this special week, in the Christian calendar when we celebrate afresh the life, death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome to the families who have moved in to Dixon Court, we hope you will be happy in Whitburn & perhaps join us in Church.

Shalom and Easter Blessings to you from Christine and Brian.

Money Matters
Well, I am pleased to tell you that I have just finished the accounts for 2005 and very pleasant reading they make! The books are currently with our Auditor and I hope to be able to distribute the Accounts to members on Communion Sunday in March.

I covered most of the details about 2005 in the December update and I am delighted to tell you that we ended the year in a very healthy position.

2006 has started very well thanks to your continuing support and generosity and this enables us to plan for various improvements during the year. By now you will have seen the work in the Car Park at least started and I think you will all agree that this will be a great asset. We are also looking at replacing the pew cushions in the Church and various quotes are being obtained at present.

As I said in December the "Friday Coffee Morning" have become very popular and are continuing to flourish and to attract visitors from the other Churches in Whitburn and also people who do not attend Church - a marvellous outreach indeed! We could do with some more volunteers to take a turn on the rota - we normally have two people "on duty" each week - so if you have 2 hours to spare any Friday morning please add your name to the rota in the Church Hall. There are always plenty of voluteers to help clear up and wash dishes but we need to be sure at least 2 people setting up each week and I can assure you it is a very pleasant duty indeed. If you would like more details please speak to me.

Yours in Christ's Service

Irene Wright, Treasurer.


The Prayer Diary - ten years on....
As we move into the tenth year since I was volunteered to take on the post of what was then Prayer Secretary, and so became responsible for the South Church Prayer Diary, following on from Charlotte Coyle, you might be interested in sharing some of my thoughts at this time.

Basically the diary has remained the same right for its very beginning with prayers of thanksgiving and humility, prayers for the people and situations of the world, prayers for the sick and prayers for the Church, plus a letter and has only really differed through the character of the contributors and the style of the contributions.

Thanks are due to all the members, friends and strangers who have handed over verses, prayer requests and information, along with some more light hearted items. Be assured if yours hasn't been included, there is word to be added - YET! All are valued and kept safely aside for the time when the opportunity arises to make use of them.

A special word of thanks go to one of our lady members, Ann Hunter, who has quietly worked away in the background, both on my behalf and on Charlotte's by putting the work on the computer. A round of applause for Ann, please. Her constant and unwavering support has been a great blessing to me, most specifically in difficult times and over the years there have been a few, but the Lord has sustained me in the most remarkable ways, just exactly when needed, with letters of thanks and encouragement, sometimes from total strangers, unexpected words of support, appreciation of the diary from out with the Church, and one valued personal thank you card our dear departed John Dyas.

Another word of thanks must go to Alex Gibson, who single handedly, well almost, with a little help from his late wife, printed the diary for many years and remains involved in the printing of it today along with Jim Egerton, since the Church took over the task.

Even our minister, Christine, has rolled up her sleeves and seen to it that the diary came out on time.

So friends, it really has been and is a congregational effort and in whatever "hat" you give me, Prayer Secretary or the Prayer Wummin, I am indeed privileged to remain -

in His Service, and in yours,
Dorothy.

Pastoral Care Group
Edith and Joey co-convenors of the group, would like to thank all members of the group for their on going hard work. The members of this group visit houses, hospitals and nursing homes to keep in touch with many of our members, who are unable to attend Sunday worship. Remember YOU our members can help us in this important part of our Church's work, by keeping can help us in this important part of our Church's work, by keeping us informed of anyone in need of a visit. As the Scottish afternoon celebration for St. Andrew was a great success, we have have been asked to hold one this year again, it will be on Saturday 25th November 2006, in our church hall, from 2pm to 4pm. So folks write that date up in your diary as something to look to Andrew Livingston has offered to provide entertainment. He is a very accomplished musician and singer. We are sure you will enjoy this time together.

The Rev Joanne Finlay is coming along on Saturday 1st April to counsel on stages of bereavement. There are places for 18 people at this meeting, if you know of anyone interested in taking part, give their names to either Edith or Joey.

Susan Lowe, one of our active members, took on the job is updating the cradle rolls which are hanging in the hall. This is done on a yearly basis. Irene Beatson is the elder for all children baptised in our church, she also looks after the pastoral care of the children.

We as a group meet once every two months, our next meeting is in the church hall at 7:15pm on Monday the 13th March. If you have time to spare come and join us, you will be made very welcome.

As some of you are aware our Sunday service is now recorded, if you are unable to attend Sunday worship and would like to listen to the service - just ask anyone of the pastoral care group, or your elder to get you a copy.

Edith and Joey.
Co-convenors Pastoral Care.

Education and Communication Group
The purpose of this group is self-explanatory, to present new ideas and proposals for discussion and adoption to improve communication within our congregation. A few examples are as follows:-
- Lending Library, shelves are built in the main hall to hold books which will be available
  for all to borrow.
- Training File, containing a wide range if courses offered by the resource section of the
  Church of Scotland website.
- Pew Card, new pew cards have been designed, issued and are now in use.
- Church Profile, the Church has its own website (www.whitburnsouthparishchurch.org.uk)
The group are also responsible for printing preparing of the church magazine, intimation sheet and prayer diary.
If there are any items which you think we should consider please contact any of the committee.
Group members are: Janette Quilter, Alison Quilter, Laura Neally, Barbara Syme, Grace Brown, Alex Gibson, Andrew Hamilton, Jim Brown, Jim Egerton, Archie Livingston and George Quilter.

Women's Fellowship
During the February of the Womens' Fellowship, members and visitors were treated to a fascinating talk from Myra Lawson - a volunteer with Breakthrough Breast Cancer Care. She herself, previously recovered from breast cancer, gave an enlightening insight into her own personal experience as well as the work of the charity. The next meeting will take place on Thursday 2nd March at 7:30pm.

1st Whitburn Girls' Brigade
The 2nd session of our programme finished at Christmas, with the girls enjoying their Christmas outings. The explorers had a fabulous time at Tumblezone. The junior sections went to the cinema to see "The Chronicles of Narnia", and the girls thoroughly enjoyed the film however, I think the accompanying officer enjoyed it more. The brigader section headed off to Falkirk to enjoy a night at Laser Quest, followed by a MacDonald's. I must have been made to put myself in a dark room with 20 girls with guns. I should have painted a bulls eye on my back and let them get on with it, I am just glad it was lasers they were shooting and not bullets. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the helpers who gave up their time to come along on these outings; it is greatly appreciated.

We had a visit this session from Jim Smillie and Andrew Hamilton our liaison elders, it always a pleasure to have Jim and Andrew visit and we would like to thank them for their support and commitment to Girls' Brigade.

The girls came along and took part for the first time in the Christmas Toy appeal. As this was such a success we hope to take part again next year.

Every year the girls fundraise for a different charity or cause. This year we chose to fundraise up until Christmas for the Tsunami Housing Project, George Quilter, is involved with. As part of this fundraising the girls filled bags with pennies and we held our annual stocking filler coffee evening. I am delighted to say that a grand total of £442 was raised. Thanks to all parents and friends of the brigade who supported us.

As part of their service badge the juniors and the brigaders took part in outreach projects. The juniors hand stitched teacups that they filled with a teabag and a verse, which they then distributed at Mansewood Court.

The brigaders with the support of all company sections made up Christmas hampers, which they distributed to members of our congregation. On behalf of the brigaders I would like to thank the Pastoral care Group for providing us with a list of names and for giving up their time to take the girls to distribute the parcels.

The explorer section not to be outdone made calendars, which they gave out to all members of the congregation at the Nativity Service.

Thanks to everyone at Whitburn South Church for their support in all we do.
Anne Cartwright, Captain.

Boys' Brigade
The staff and the boys have been very busy since the last edition of Linkline.

Anchor boys attended a giant games day in Livingston organised by the Battalion, a good day had by all. Junior section attended try-a-sport at Deans Community High School. There were around 90 boys throughout all of West Lothian Battalion in attendance. They were treated to a variety of sports and they also had the choice of taking part in the swimming. Company section attended the Battalion badminton competition and just before Christmas went ten pin bowling. The anchor and junior sections went along to the local pantomime held in Whitburn Academy, a most enjoyable event.

The staff will be doing a sponsored walk in aid of Company funds on Saturday 13th May. Parents night will be held on Wednesday 17th May.

The company would like to thank Mrs Nan Hendrie and Mrs Liz Fowler for taking time to show the boys how to make tray bakes. Thanks also to Mr David Beatson for the Road Safety Course he held for the boys.

If you would like to help out with BB activities on a Wednesday evening please contact the Captain.

Eileen Cartwright, Captain.


Easter Holy Week Dates
9th Palm Sunday Worship    11am
10th Monday Church Service    7pm
11th Tuesday Church Service    7pm
12th Wednesday Church Service  7pm
13th Thursday Communion Service 7pm
14th Good Friday Service 7pm
16th Early morning breakfast service 8:30am
     Easter Day Worship  7pm

Tsunami Update
We see and hear regular reminders of the devastating effect the tsunami had in the various countries. You may have seen on the BBC news a few weeks ago a story of a Glasgow gentleman who has been working in Hikkaduwa helping fisherman to rebuild their fishing boats, and their livelihoods.

Fundraising has been going on in the Glasgow community to help the Sri Lankans particularly in Hikkaduwa to the far south of the island.

As you know I will be travelling with a team of volunteers to Sri Lanka and by chance it is in Hikkaduwa too that we will be working with the charity "Habitat for Humanity". We will be building replacement homes for people who lost theirs during the Tsunami.

Since I first updated you on my proposed visit, fund raising has been going on to raise funds for charity. Earlier in the month a silent auction was held in the church hall and raised the superb sum of £1,191.50. This took the total raised to a magnificent £3555.

The response from the congregation, their families and friends of the congregation has been staggering. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rev Christine Houghton and the Kirk Session for their encouragement and support, Girls Brigade who started off the fundraising with a coffee evening and family and friends who have worked to organise the events and who have been raising funds behind the scenes. Finally to you, your families and friends I thank you for supporting events and for the many donations that you have made. Without you all, it would not have been possible.

I return fro Sri Lanka at the end of April and I will update you as soon as I return.
Thanks again,

George Quilter.

 The Guild
In June 2005, our Guild entered into a "twinning" with the Guild of St. Bryce Church, Kirkcaldy and are to be their guests for morning coffee on our day trip to St Andrews/St Monans. Our outing has been planned for Saturday May 13th. We usually have a number if extra seats on the coach, so please consider joining us for a great day out.

We have very much enjoyed all our guests (and those of our members) who have shared with us such a variety of interests, we have been truly blessed. For the remaining session we have visits from our local butcher Mr Ken Livingston, a representative from the Red Cross and Irene and Jess in the guise of the "sew n sews". We look forward with anticipation to these nights. Do come along you will be made very welcome.

On a personal note, I would like to say a big thank you to the Guild Committee for the wonderful support and encouragement given to me as a new president. Many thanks too to those who took my invitation to join us, your company is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all who have supported our Open Nights, weren't they great. Don't we have the most scrumptious goodies to accompany our cuppas! Thank you all. We meet 2nd and 4th Thursdays.
C'mon give us a try!!!!!

Irene Beatson


Update from David
Well folks, I'm half-way through this assignment at Livingston Old/St Andrews Deans. Only three months to go now. I feel as if I've been away for ages. I'm kept busy starting at 9:30am each Sunday morning and getting home at 1:45pm, it's a long morning! I want to thank you all for your support and prayers. I look forward to seeing you again in the good old summer time.

David Beatson, (Trainee Reader)


South Kirk Singers
Following two extremely successful concerts with Whitburn Brass Band before Christmas, the singers have enjoyed a relatively quiet start to the new year. A performance at St. Ninians Church in Corstorphine allowed them to perform some new material in preparation for their annual concert in May. The singers are also busy preparing for their annual dinner dance which takes place in the Hilcroft hotel on Friday 10th March. Tickets are priced at £18 and are available from any member of the singers.

A Prayer
Lord, make me a blessing today
To everyone with whom I come in contact
Whether it be by word I say
A prayer I breathe
A letter I write
Or the Life I live.

May/June 2006

Letter from the Manse
Brian and I were in Bruges recently on holiday and we were struck by the very narrow streets and pavements with traffic flying up and down them travelling very fast. I have to confess I found it quite frightening to be in the hands of drivers I didn't know in places I didn't know. How like life this is. Problems and sadness come speeding into our life and we seem to have no control over them. They take us into area of life we didn't need or want but unlike Bruges we have our Heavenly Father to help and guide us. He is always there even when we are unaware of his presence and he cares what is happening to us.
Like the Psalm, the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength.
He wants us to go to him in these chaotic and frightening times where we can be still, catch up with ourselves and find His peace.
We went to Bruges immediately after Easter which I hope you found as inspiring as I did. The Easter play was wonderful. I felt as if I had been in Jerusalem and seen it all happen. It brought Easter to life and I want to say thank you to all who helped in the services in Holy Week, who made breakfast on Easter morning and those who acted in the play.
Well summer is almost upon us and we have The Family Picnic to arrange again, as well as early morning informal services in the hall.
Another holiday club is arranged as well for the last week of the children's holidays. It sounds tremendous and I urge you to send the children along to "God the Builder". Keep a look out for the dates, come along and join in the Church family fellowship.
Have a lovely blessed and restful holiday and if you worship in another church, bring home a photograph or order of service and we can display them on the notice board.

Shalom
Christine.

Big Event
The Big Event 2006 .........17th June from 2pm onwards. If you came along to the football park last year and enjoyed it....then come again this year and bring your friends with you. There will be games to go on FREE!!!!!! There will be burgers and juice FREE!!!! There will be face painting FREE!!! There will be information stalls and the Christian Singer Ian White who was a big hit last year as well.
DON'T MISS IT.

Boys' Brigade
In February we did a fundraiser for World Mission with our target being to raise enough money to send one person in Bangladesh on a course to learn a skill to help get a better job. The course would last 6 months and cost £150 or £25 per month. The boys were given a tube of smarties and were asked after they had eaten them, to save 20p pieces in the empty tube. This was a great success and the boys raised £300 in total meaning we were able to provide funds to allow 2 people to attend the course. Thanks to all the boys and families and friends for their support.
After morning worship on April 30th we held a cream tea to raise funds for the Church fete at which we raised £141.
On Friday 12th May three boys from our Junior Section attended our Battalion Rally and received their Gold Award Certificates from the West Lothian Battalion President. The boys were Liam Arundel, Euan Edwards and Gary Maxwell. Congratulations to each of you on your achievement.
The staff had their sponsored walk to raise funds for our company on Saturday 13th May. We walked 8 miles round Callendar Park area.
The staff and boys have been very busy preparing for parents night which is being held on Wednesday 17th May. Our guests this year are Joyce and Archie Livingston. Please come along and join us and support the boys and staff.
The company are all going ten pin bowling on Saturday 20th May as a thank you to them for all their efforts within the company and for their fundraising efforts.
On Wednesday 7th June the Battalion will be presenting the Queen's badge awards in Bathgate High Church. Stephen Johnston is our Queen's badge boy. His badge will be presented at our annual dedications service in October.
The staff would like to thank Joyce and Archie Livingston and John Weir for their help within the company this year.
Registration for 2006/2007 session will take place on Wednesday 30th August in the Church hall between 6pm and 7pm.

Eileen Cartwright, Captain.

Prayer
Remember in your weakness that Jesus cares for you,
His love is never failing, His words are always true.
Although you may be downcast, His strength will be your aid,
And whilst our God is present, you need never feel afraid.

Update from David
Well, next Sunday sees the last service at Livingston Old Parish St Andrews in Deans with Graeme Smith. It has certainly been an experience, I have learned such a lot! When they told me that C of S was a "Broad Church" I now know what they meant! It goes from the "Traditional" to the "Charismatic". It has been heavy going with two services every Sunday, 10am and 11:30am. On top of this I have been studying with the I.C.I Glasgow and am just completing a New Testament module with an essay on John's gospel. My next module will be on the book of Romans. A placement will be arranged by presbytery who will decide where I'm going next year, probably in September. It will be nice to get back to my ain Kirk. There's no place like home!
Thank you for all your prayers. Please keep up the good work. Next year is my final year of training and I look forward to see what God is going to do.

Yours in His Service - David.

Stamps
Keep saving your used stamps. During the last two years, you have saved (in weight) 30 pounds (lbs) of stamps. That's a lot of stamps. Lets see if we can do better!!!!
E. Tennant

Pastoral Care Group
Co-convenors Joey Fraser and Jeanette MacDonald
Our group continues with visits to houses, hospitals and nursing homes to may of our congregation who can no longer attend Sunday worship, remember you our members can assist us by letting us know of anyone ill at home or in hospital.
Susan Lowe has recently updated our cradle roll and along with the worship group we will be holding a cradle roll service later in the year.
Our baptismal elder visited recently baptised children with an Easter card.
In April we welcomed Rev Joanne Finlay who spoke on stages of bereavement this was much appreciated by those who attended.
At Easter Sunday service two of our group presented gifts of bookmarks containing an Easter message to each of the congregation.
Our group would like to wish Edith every good wish and a well deserved rest her long hard involvement with pastoral care - we will miss you Edith.
At our meeting on Monday Jeanette MacDonald agreed to be our new co-convenor.
Welcome on board Jeanette.

Sunday School and FOCUS Group
Sunday school and FOCUS group will soon be at the end of another session finishing with prizegiving service which is to be held in the church on 19th June.
This year our minister Rev Christine Houghton will be presenting the prizes, the children and focus group will be taking part in this service.
The Easter egg appeal was a tremendous success - the eggs were taken to the sick children's hospital in Edinburgh, who were overjoyed by all the churches generosity once again.
All the teachers would like to thank you for your kindness and support you have given us this session.

Ann McConnell.

From the Guild
A big thank you to all who supported our closing social evening. Wasn't is a wonderful time of fun and fellowship, not to mention the very enjoyable meal and birthday cake! As for the entertainment, well, it was simply excellent, not to be missed next time round.
We have a full coach of 57 for our outing to St Monans on Saturday 13th May and look forward to the good Lord's blessing as we share the day together and with some of the folks from our twin Guild at St. Bryce Church, Kirkcaldy.
We are at the same time of writing planning next years syllabus and anticipate a real blessed time with our visitors and activities.
Please speak to any of the Guild folk if you would like to know more about coming along and sharing us. We were privileged to have several new members join us last year, but the hall is by no means full!!
How we would love YOU to join with us in September.
Yours in Jesus love,

Irene

Blythswood Care
A few weeks ago Blythswood Care, the charity we support each year through the "shoe box" appeal, opened a new depot in Hillington, Glasgow, and May and I went to the opening event. We were very impressed with the way the place is organised and the obvious level of support it attracts from throughout the country. The variety of goods they had in store ready to be dispatched to their own shops or abroad, was astonishing, The whole Christian ethos of the organisation also impressed us as the event was opened with a bible reading and prayer, followed by all present singing the hymn "How great thou art".
We learned a bit about the history of the charity, which is 40 years old this year, and also heard of journeys which are made regularly to Eastern European countries delivering aid to people in need either in response to specific disasters such as the recent floods in Serbia or simply to impoverished communities. Blythswood Care also provides funds to enable local organisations to help themselves, to start small businesses or cooperatives, and to teach both adults and young people new skills.
We obtained a DVD showing families receiving filled shoe boxes from the UK, and the joy on the faces of the children was very moving. We hope to show the DVD to the youth organisations later in the year and perhaps also at an evening service in the church. Hopefully, we will be able to send away a good number of filled shoe boxes again this autumn. You could even start now to put away a few bits and pieces to fill these and spread the cost over a month or two. More information will follow in due course.

Iain Glen

Recollections of Sri Lanka
As you know I was travelling to Sri Lanka to work with Habitat for Humanity at the end of April building replacement houses for those families affected by the tsunami. I have now returned after the exertions of the week. 20 people formed the group, (7 from Martin Currie and 13 from Reuters), flying from Heathrow to Columbo. On arrival in Columbo at 2am the first things that struck you was the heat. We received a very warm welcome in more ways than one before we boarded our we boarded our bus for the 3.5hr journey south to Hikkaduwa which is on the south west coast of the island.

The roads are fairly narrow and the journey was interpersed with sudden breaking and stopping for overtaking traffic. Buddahs appear regularly at street corners in towns. As we travelled following the coastline, even in the darkness, you could make out the beautiful landscape. As the day started to dawn, the darkness gave way and you could start to tell something terrible had happened here. You could see the many ruins along the way, part houses, concrete bases, old bricks piled up, very small wooden shacks, United Nations blue plastic shelters and the odd tent as we picked up from television.

We arrived at Hikkaduwa at 5:30am and were humbled by the welcome we received at the hotel. The manager was there along with around 20 other staff welcoming us to their country and hotel at such an early hour, and thanking us for taking time to go there and help with the rebuild, together with Habitat for Humanity representatives. Our leader for the week turned out to be Tom Whyte, a Scot from Fife! Each of us were then invited to light a candle on the welcome lamp, a traditional Sri Lankan welcome. The rest of the day was free until we met for our initial meeting in the evening.

I embarked on a tour of the town, walking firstly along the sun kissed beach and inviting warm water before arriving in the town and then wandering a bit further of the beaten track. Along the way I got many looks, smiles and hello's. Perhaps the white legs were too much of a giveaway. After speaking to a few it transpired that the locals knew why I was there. New working groups arrived weekly and so you were expected. Such friendly adults and children with a ready smile. There did not appear to be many tourists but it was approaching the monsoon season and so it's difficult to tell what recovery might have been made of the tourism industry.

The briefing in the evening set our minds to the work for the week. Normal day will be breakfast at 6:30am, leave at 7:30am, start at 8am, lunch at 12noon, finish at 4pm or thereabouts. Our assignment was in Wenamulla, 15mins north of Hikkaduwa. After our first nights sleep we departed for work. We arrived at the temple in amongst the lush green vegetation which domination the island. The temple didn't look like you might expect but this was out meeting place. We split into groups to work on 3 houses. My group took a short walk towards our project. Along the way Anthony our keeper suggested we had made a wise choice as we had the best chance of seeing the wildlife - birds, land or water monitors and snakes! Excellent, I was so pleased!!!

We arrived at the house and were met by the Sri Lankan master builders and the family. The family have us a warm welcome with beaming smiles. 4 generations were currently living in the one small house after being displaced by the tsunami. The new house, 300sq ft approx, with small living area, bedroom, kitchen and outside toilet, was for two of the generations - the young parents and baby daughter. The house was already in progress with brick walls. It required rendering, painting, roofing and windows. Hard hats and steel toe cap boots were the order of the day but for the Sri Lankans - flip flops. We set about our work sifting sand, mixing cement, rendering walls and block work. It was soon clear that the work was heavy but made worse by the heat. And, we are told, the first day was one of the cooler days! We needed to ensure that we were drinking plenty water regularly out with tea break and lunch. Tea break was marked with strong, sweet ginger tea and cake/bananas. Afternoon tea was marked by fresh coconuts from the trees/bananas.

The pattern for the working day was more or less the same for the 5 days. On day 3 and 4 my team were lucky enough to be taken to another house which was close to finishing in Balapitiya. The house required sanding, painting and windows before handover to the family. We were able to finish the house off before handing over to the family on our last day.

The handover is marked with a short ceremony. All 20 of our group attended the ceremony along with the family, neighbours and Habitat for Humanity representatives. Janaka area head of Habitat for Humanity started the proceedings with a speech. Janaka said, "On behalf of the Sri Lankan people I thank you for coming here to work with us helping to rebuild our homes and economy. Regardless of colour or nationality we are one world of Gods people and you coming here demonstrates that. Yasaranthahna would like to thank you and the previous groups very much for your help and hard work in giving him and his family this new home. He is very appreciative to you."

The ceremony continued with the cutting of the ribbon to the house, handover of keys and traditional lighting of the candles in the house before we were treated to a very large selection of home baking from the family. It is such a big deal for the family and again was humbling considering what little the family have. Baking for them is costly and involves a visit to the local bakery to have their creations baked. As you might appreciate, it was quite an emotional time for the family and volunteers. This ceremony brought our time with the families to an end. It was a quiet journey back to our hotel on the bus.

Hopefully I have given you a but of an insight into our week. There was so much more which happened that I could go on for some time. Habitat for Humanity are a well organised charity with a succession of volunteers and are doing excellent work in Sri Lanka. They really are making such a difference.

On behalf of the Sri Lankan people and myself I'd like to offer my thanks for all your support during fundraising and for the many personal contributions which made the trip and rebuild possible. As a church we can be proud of the very real and visible difference we have made to the families of Sri Lanka.

Thanks again
George Quilter

August/September 2006

Letter from the Manse
What a summer we have had! Sunshine most of the way which blessed all or our activities here in the South Church. The picnic was truly blessed with the sun, good fellowship and good food. All of us who were there want to say thank you to everyone who made it all possible. If you haven't been able to join us so far, please take the chance to do so next year.

The big event was a success as well. Around 1000 people came along and enjoyed the food, face painting, stalls, games and worship. We are so blessed in this area with so many willing people eager to help. God has been so good to us and this carrying on into this week.

Our holiday club, KIDSZONE and ROCK CLUB, which at the moment of writing this letter is only half way through has been well attended with approximately 30 children each day, 10 babies and toddlers for the "mini" club and about 10 older children for the "Rock Club"... great fun has been had by all on our theme "God the Builder", but I won't tell you any more about it as I believe an article will appear in the next magazine telling you in detail all about it... However, I couldn't let this opportunity go by without saying a huuuuuuge thank you to those who have organised and helped all this week.  I have been very moved by it all and again impressed by the talent and willingness of the members of our church.

Sadly we lost two Elders recently. Gardener Brown who was an elder for a few years and then had to retire through ill-health. He did a lot of work in the church building and the garden at the entrance of the church grounds.
And more recently Jim Aitchison who will be very much missed among us. He was elder for many years and a fine, devoted Christian who was involved in the Kirk Session and Prayer Group until the last week of his life. Please pray for Dorothy at this time.
Gardner and Jim will have heard the words from the mouth of our Lord and Saviour... Well done, good and faithful servants.

Communion is soon, Sunday 3rd September,... come along and join us at the Table.

SHALOM
Christine


Prayer Requests
New prayer requests, updated information and other items will be welcome from now onwards for the next issue of the PRAYER DIARY hopefully out in the autumn.

Thank You
Dorothy


Women's Fellowship
The Women's Fellowship continues to meet on the first Thursday of the month. Meetings take place in the church hall at 7:30pm.
The programme for the start of the year is as follows:-
September - Speaker from the Fairtrade Organisation
October - George Quilter speaking on his Sri Lanka trip
November - Scrapbook Workshop

Please come along and join us. All meetings are open.


Craft Group
The craft group meet on the 1st Wednesday on each month from 10am to 12 midday in the church hall. This is a new and formal group who are looking mainly at card making. We have met 3 times and those who came along saying they had no talent have made some lovely cards. Next meeting we are being shown "decoupage". Come along and join our happy throng.


Christian Aid
Christian Aid is an agency of the Churched in the UK and Ireland. They work wherever the need is greatest - irrespective of religion or race. They believe in strengthening people to find their own solutions to the problems they face with the help and support from local organisations which are best placed to understand local needs. These local organisations are involved in a wide range of activities which include imputing access to Food, Water, Health and Education.

There are a number of ways in which our church support Christian Aid:-
Christian Aid Week - through envelope appeal. This year we raised £642. Thank you to everyone who helped and donated.
Commitment cards will be available soon. These are cards for your wallet saying You Support "Making Poverty History" and Trade Justice.
Present Aid - Catalogues available soon. You can buy alternative presents for your loved ones and friends eg a water pump for £24 - you will receive a card and a the name of the village who received the water pump donated.

Thank you once again for your continued support. Please keep Christian Aid Staff in your prayers.

Barbara Syme.


1st Whitburn Boys' Brigade
The boys brigade enrolment night will be on Wednesday 30th August between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.
The first meeting night of the new session will be on Wednesday 6th September 2006.
Anchor Boys (Primary 1-3) (6:30pm - 7:40pm)
Junior Section (Primary 4-6) (6:30pm - 7:40pm)
Company Section (Primary 7-S1 upwards) (7:30pm to 9:30pm)

Eileen Cartwright
Captain


Money Matters
Dear Friends
I hope you have all enjoyed the lovely summer we have had this year - it's great to see the children going back to school looking healthy and sun-tanned!
You will no doubt have noticed that the various improvements to church fabric which I mentioned earlier in the year have now materialised - the resurfaced car park has now been lined off, the pew cushions are in place and we have bought new chairs for the Hall. We have also had some redecoration done in the manse ( all part of the ongoing schedule for the upkeep of our properties). Not bad for one year!!! We will also be taking delivery of another six of the small folding tables for the hall - these are courtesy of the girls' and boys' brigade and I would like to say a big "THANK YOU" to them.

I am sure you will all agree that these projects have enhanced our facilities and have complimented the warm and friendly welcome in our Church.

I am also pleased to be able to report that we are continuing to hold a healthy financial position and are able to meet all our commitments. The generous givings of all our regular attendees ensures that we continue to flourish both spiritually and financially and I am pleased to report that the number of people giving through Gift Aid has shown a marked increase. Making your donations through Gift Aid allows the Church to reclaim the Tax paid on these donations, so anyone who pays tax can effectively increase their givings by 28% at no extra cost to themselves. If you are not already donation in this way please give it serious thought and if you would like further information, please speak to me or Jim Brown, Gift Aid Convenor.

The Friday Coffee Mornings continue to flourish and to attract good attendances - we had thought of stopping over the summer but we have found that, instead of Mums and Grans staying away because the children are on holiday, they are bringing them along too! It has made for some "Fun Fridays" over the Summer! We could still do with some more volunteers to take a turn on the rota normally two people are on duty each week. We have been hearing various reports of people saying they would like to take a turn but feel they can't lay on a fancy spread - well, this project was never meant to be a full scale coffee morning with lots of "goodies" and we are at present trying to scale it down to pancakes, biscuits and possibly tea-loaves, (not necessarily home baked), so if you have two hours to spare on one Friday every two months or so PLEASE come forward and add your name to the list. We really do need YOU.

Yours in Christ's service
Irene Wright, Treasurer.


The Guild
Guild restarts Thursday 14th September and on behalf of all members I would really like to say PLEASE do come along this session, we would really value your company. We have a variety of visitors, "entertainment" evenings and outings planned. We do enjoy these times altogether and YOUR presence among us would be an added blessing to all. So come on, 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 7pm in the hall. On a personal note I want to thank all most sincerely for their help and support during last year. You are appreciated.

Thank You
Irene.


Count your blessings instead of your crosses
Count your gains instead of your losses
Count your joys instead of your woes
Count your friends instead of your foes
Count your courage instead of your fears
Count your health instead of your wealth
And count on God instead of yourself


GRACE
Friendship can't be hurried
So handle it with care,
For like the rose's fragrance
And the blossoms it will bear;
True friendship's bond will strengthen,
And deepen every day,
The kind that never falters
or ever fades away.
And through the roses' season
Must ere too soon depart
The season of true friendship
Lasts forever in the heart.


A few Gems from the Goldmine of God's Word (from David Beatson)
Many a man thinks he has an open mind, when it's merely vacant! (Rom.12:3 Amp.)

Devoting a little of yourself to everything means committing a great deal of yourself to nothing! (Eccl.9:10)

God plus one is always a majority! (Rom. 8:31)

You can accomplish more in one hour with God than in one lifetime without Him! (Col. 4:5)

Love sees through a telescope, not a microscope! (1 Cor. 13:4,5)

Life is like a coin, you can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once!
(James 4:14 NKJV)

Many people wish to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity! (1 Peter 5:6)


South Kirk Singers
The South Kirk Singers will resume for it's fifteenth season on Sunday 3rd of September at 7pm following the Communion Service.
We are always looking for new members so if you enjoy singing and having fun, please come along and join us. You don't need to be able to read music. If you need any more information please speak to any member of the choir.


WELL DONE TO YOU ALL
The South Church are being given an award for their generous contribution to the Toy Appeal. The Minister and Ann McConnell will be going along to receive this on 24th August on your behalf. So many children benefit from this.


COMMUNION SUNDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER AT 11AM and 6PM
Come and sit at the table with the Lord Jesus Christ. If you haven't been to church for some time, please use this as an opportunity to come back among us.


CONCERT - 30th SEPTEMBER 2006
Whitburn South Parish Church invite you into God's Beauty Parlour.  Come in and have your faith lifted a presentation by THE GLASGOW GOD WITH US CHOIR on Saturday 30th September at 7:30pm. Tickets cost £5 (includes refreshments). All proceeds going to the ANSWER project.


November/December 2006

FROM THE MANSE
Summer has gone and with it the vibrant colours of flowers, leaves and sky. In their place comes the browns and golden yellows of the fallen leaves. Each season is needed to give growth & harvest of crops and other produce. Each season has its own beauty & its own attributes. I saw the following prayer by Frank Topping in another church news letter which I think would be a good prayer for us all in our private devotions.

Lord, let me reflect the colours of your love.
Let my life be bright with laughter, my speech be gentle,
My thinking warm, my actions kind.
May all I experience in the spectrum of my days mellow
and blend...in peace...in love....in praise.

In the church we have just celebrated harvest giving God the glory and our grateful thanks for all his goodness to us. The greatest provision has made for us is in the giving of his Son, Jesus and no matter what we do, we can never thank or praise him enough, for how can we put a price on 'salvation and eternity'. We are coming up again to the Christmas season when we celebrate God's gift to the world....his son's birth. May the love which came down at Christmas to us permeate our thinking, our being and our Church so that all may know we love our Lord.

Brian and I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas and look forward to the start of another year with you in Whitburn.

Shalom
Christine.


1st WHITBURN GIRLS BRIGADE
We have had a great start to our new session, with a lot of new girls joining our company and also the return of the girls from last year.

Our explorer section this year continues to grow with 34 girls at the moment, it is great to see so many new girls coming along. As part of their badge work the girls have been learning all about road safety from Mr David Beatson, I never knew learning road safety could be so noisy or tiring, but by the reaction of the girls at the session I saw, it is certainly lots of fun.

The girls are almost at the end of their first block and are really enjoying their sections activities. The junior and brigader sections are looking forward to Eric Burton coming along for an aerobics sessions, this will be continued by Mrs Lynda Stewart and will make up the physical section of the badge work.

The explorers section have chosen to raise funds for Oxfam this year with the girls buying bricks to build their house(this can be seen on the explorers notice board, they do this by saving till they reach £1 or by bringing a £1 along. At the end of the year the girls will vote as to what they but with the money they raise, however at the moment the firm favourite appears to be a goat or two. If anyone would like to buy a brick I am sure Laura would not object.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the kind donations of loose change for our Robin House fund-raiser; we have now closed this at a fantastic total of £500. We will be contracting Robin House to present this money to them.

We will however continue to collect loose change as this year the junior and brigader sections are collecting for Hearing Dogs for the deaf and we hope to have a visit from Dougal a local hearing dog.

As this block draws to a close the girls are looking forward to their Halloween parties and will then start on the next section of their programmes. We also look forward to taking part in an evening service on Sunday 5th November and we hope you will come and join us in worship. The company will also be taking part in the local Remembrance Day Parade on Sunday 12th November.

We would once again like to thank everyone at Whitburn South Parish Church for their continual support of our organisation, especially to Jim Smillie and Andrew Hamilton our liaison elders and also Rev. Christine Houghton our Chaplain.

In Gods Service
Anne Cartwright, Captain.


THE GUILD
Our time together since starting this 2006/07 session seems to have gone by so quickly. As I write we are preparing for our Silent Auction on 26th October and anticipating a fun time, whilst raising some much needed funds whereby we may bless others.

At the end of the annual 'Guild Week' (19th-26th Nov), we are having our friends from the Guild at St. Bryce Church Kirkcaldy, with whom we are twinned, to join us for morning worship n Sunday 26th. We look forward to renewing fellowship and returning their very kind hospitality which we enjoyed back in May during our summer outing.

We have been much encouraged by the folks who have joined us recently, you are all most welcome. Our numbers continue to increase!

There are 6 charities put forward from Guild HQ and we have decided to give our support to all 6 over the allotted 3 year period, concentrating on 2 per year. Although we do indeed have a grand time sharing and learning together as we meet, we do also desire to serve others both within and out with our own church.

We look forward to our Christmas 'night out' and to the many and varied activities planned for the new year. Do come and join with us. We are grateful to God for His many blessings to us as a Guild and to Him we give the glory:
WHOSE WE ARE AND WHOM WE SERVE.

Irene Beatson, President.

The Silent Auction mentioned above raised the sum of £505.

HOW TO SPELL FORGIVE
Forget slights and wrongs
Open your heart
Reach out to others
Grant pardon to all
Invite dialogue
Value peace
Empathise and understand


PRAYER DIARY
The autumn prayer diary is now available and may be obtained at the door of the church or by contacting Mrs Dorothy Aitchison. Prayer requests, information and items for the Prayer Diary are welcome at any time. Thank You.


SHOEBOX APPEAL
Many thanks to all who handed in shoe boxes. There were 214 and £368. The shoeboxes were uplifted on Friday morning when we were told that the shoeboxes from West Lothian will be going to Romania. Thank you, Ellen Tennant.

STAMPS
So far this year Whitburn South Church has given 121 George Street, six and a half pounds of used stamps - last year we handed in double that amount. Thank you to all who have saved stamps for the Mission Fund of the Guild. Please keep up the good work. Thank you Ellen Tennant.

LEST WE FORGET
Around this earth there's still great strife
Why when life has so short a span
Continually causing conflict
Seems mankinds endless plan.

Today, the media can bring quickly to us
The realistic and horrific results of wars
Yet still the zealots maim and slaughter
often claiming what's done is religious based
But if each perpetrator in their God believe
They all should be very shamefaced.

Every year many nations have a day of remembrance
For those fallen and maimed
Who have their all so future generations would realise
That fighting wars is not as glorious as often claimed.

Dear God please ever remind us
LEST WE FORGET
The deep heartbreaks, suffering and scars
That come about by the sacrifices made on our behalf
To obtain peace on earth without future wars.

Author - Archie Livingston.


SUNDAY SCHOOL AND FOCUS GROUP
The soup lunch held in aid of the children's Christmas party on the 8th October raised the sum of £200.50 including donations. The staff would like to thank everyone who supported this event. Your generosity was very much appreciated.


PASTORAL CARE GROUP
Co-Convenors: Joey Fraser and Jeanette MacDonald

The Pastoral Care Group would like to take this opportunity to wish all members and friends of the congregation a Happy and Blessed Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. Joey and Jeanette would like to thank all members of the group for their on-going work visiting the sick and housebound. This is a very important part of our Church's work and we depend on you our members to keep us informed of anyone in need of a visit.

Working alongside the Worship Group and Christine we had another very successful Cradle Roll service. This was a heart warming family service enjoyed by young and old alike. On Saturday the 2nd of December we are holding a Scotfest afternoon in the church hall from 2pm to 4pm, to which all of you are warmly invited, there will be a mixture of Scottish and Christmas fayre, and wealth of entertainment from some of our talented members, hope you can join us.


TOY APPEAL
West Lothian Toy Appeal this year is on Sunday 10th December. Any new or used toys, that are in good condition, will be greatly appreciated - Thank You.


1st WHITBURN BOYS BRIGADE
This session so far has been very busy for all sections of the company.
The company had the pleasure of attending the Founders Day Service at St. Andrew's Church in Bo'ness. We also had our Dedication Service in the South Church, where Stephen Johnston was presented with his Queens' badge, which is the highest honour in the BB movement. We also have three new Warrant Officers: Mr Andrew Livingston, Mr Alan Gentleman and Mr Stephen Johnstone.

Junior section attended 5-a-side football at Bathgate Sports Centre in October. They made it to the semi-finals, which is a first for a few years. Junior Section are also looking forward to their Fun Day at Harthill Church on Saturday 25th November.

 The Company this year have sponsored a child through Action Aid. Our sponsor's name is Zondanimsache who lives in Malawi. We have his picture and more information on him and the area he lives in on the BB notice board in the foyer of the church halls.

On Wednesday 1st November the company also donated our weekly subscription money of £54 to Real Radio's bring a pound to work day in aid of NCH Scotland.

Our fund raising efforts realised the sum of £1037.44 which will help to meet the annual subscription fees of both BBHQ and the Battalion.

The Halloween party held on 1st November was enjoyed by all the boys. The fancy dress winners were Scott Gilchrist who came as Dennis the Menace and Blair Ramsay who came as a robot.

1st Whitburn Boys Brigade, staff and boys, would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

Eileen Cartwright, Captain.


MISSION AND OUTREACH GROUP
Our group was formed during the initial stages of our contract with what was National Mission organisation of the Church of Scotland. Assisted by Brian Burden, the core group and from them the M&O group have been active in reaching out to the people of Whitburn. Our job is to suggest ways of touching the people of Christ. Our latest project is to welcome folk moving into the new development at Dixon Court which we hope to complete just after Easter.

We are using this to focus our congregation as the new build commences in Polkemmet/Heartlands which is now within the Parish Bounds. At least 2000 homes to be built, this is a big ongoing task. Using our experiences in Dixon Court a framework has been put forward to the Kirk Session to enable the congregation to reach out and touch people throughout our parish.

We also act as the contact point for Kidszone staff and hope to be of assistance to them during this important work with the young people. We are also discussing a possible special service where all folk who have not joined us for worship recently can be invited to come along and see us now.

We in the South Kirk have a very exciting future and we on the M&O Group will try our best to help all who would like to come along and be part of our worship and fellowship in our church.

 

MAGAZINES 2007
 

MARCH 2007

LETTER FROM THE MANSE
I enjoyed Christmas in our church this year. I will never forget The Nativity Play when the scenery parted and there was two of our very youngest members as Mary and Joseph. They were so good and so lovely to look at, but they also gave us hope for the future of our church. In a time of declining numbers in churches and lack of young families and children....there we had always a stageful of Academy age down to playgroup. Let us make sure that they always feel welcome and valued by the rest of us.

As for Christmas Eve with the three gifts.. Goldie, Frankie and Myrrh, enough to say that a photograph taken of them 'on stage' has been sent into a competition.

I lost my 'adopted' mother who was 93 years of age, at the of the year and her whole funeral was from start to finish about the love she had for everyone around her. I never heard her argue or miscall anyone in all the years I knew her. Let us all aim to be remembered like this and make this a better world in which to live.

We also lost Joe Bishop, a faithful man and hard working elder recently. Joe was a thoroughly nice man who loved his family and his Lord. He has been 'promoted to glory' and has heard Jesus say to him 'Well done good and faithful servant'. In his illness, he was an inspiration to nurses, doctors, family and myself with his sense of humour and trust in God's care. he will be greatly missed by many.

Easter is not far off. It is a time of walking with Jesus to the cross and reflecting on his love for us then ending with a fountain of praise when he rose again. Try and come around the church in Holy Week this year and see afresh the Saviour of the world.

My friends...God Bless you all
Shalom
Christine

MONEY MATTERS
I have just finalised the Accounts for 2006 and once again I am pleased to report on a very good year at Whitburn South! The books are currently with our Auditor and I hope to be in a position to distribute the Accounts to members on Communion Sunday in Sunday. As I reported last year at this time (unbelievable isn't it) the very reliable and generous support of you, our Members, allowed us to plan with confidence for various improvements and I hope you are all with these. We certainly received very positive feedback on our upgraded car park, the new pew cushions and also the new chairs in the Church Hall. These projects were made possible by your support and were managed to completion by hard work of your property convenor. Our latest project, the hall kitchen, is now almost complete and this was made possible entirely from donations, not least of which is your continued support for the 'Friday Coffee Mornings'. I hope you are all happy to see your donations being put to use for the benefit of all! I have prepared our budget for 2007 and I am aware that our ordinary running costs are rising and that we will require to be very vigilant in our expenditure, but am also confident that Whitburn South will continue to flourish financially as well as spiritually.

I have been asked by quite a few recently about the various different Offering Envelopes which we have so I thought this was possibly time to ensure that everyone gets the correct answer:-
Blue Envelopes : Gift Aid Offerings. I would encourage everyone who pays Income Tax to take this option when asking for envelopes. The church is able to reclaim Tax on all offerings thus enhancing givings by 28% with no extra cost to the person giving. Jim Brown our gift aid convenor will be delighted to hear from any of you who would like information on this and can provide Gift Aid Declaration Forms for you.
Pink Envelopes : (this colour actually changed each year). Free Will Offerings. No Tax is reclaimable on these but they are nevertheless very welcome and necessary also.
White Envelopes : Restoration Fund Donations. This money is channelled to a fund specifically for any major work which may be required on the Church Building. Funds from this account were used when we had to replace the Church Floor in 2005 and without it we would have been faced with some major fundraising for the necessary work. I would encourage anyone who feels they would like to support this fund to request envelopes from myself. If you have a Gift Aid Declaration the tax can also be reclaimed on these donations.

Most of you will know by now that I am not into 'banging the drum' about increasing givings. I have never found it necessary as the Congregation at Whitburn South have always unstinting financial support. But all I would like to say in closing is that, like all our household expenses, the cost of running your Church is also increasing and I would encourage review of regular givings if at all possible.

Yours in Christ's Service
Irene Wright
Treasurer

PROPERTY AND FABRIC
'Every now and then we need to do running repairs to the Church property. While we need to employ contractors for some jobs, others can be done with volunteer labour. We would therefore like to prepare a list of church members (and/or members of their families) who would be willing to assist occasionally with some of the many odd jobs that need to be done.
So if you can help with painting, joinery work, electrical work, plumbing, cleaning, gardening, etc etc there's bound to be a little job that you could help with.
There will be a list in the church vestibule over the next few weeks and we would be very grateful if you would add your name to it together with a note of the kind of work you would be willing to help with. Alternatively contact May Glen or Brian Houghton and volunteer your services.
After all when we joined the church (or renewed our vows as we did recently) we agreed to give of our TIME, TALENTS and MONEY for the good of the church.
YOUR CHURCH NEEDS YOU!
Thank you in anticipation.
The Property and Fabric Committee.
 

1ST WHITBURN GIRLS BRIGADE
It is hard to believe that we are into the second half of the current session; the time seems to be flying past. The girls have come back full of enthusiasm after the Christmas break. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gloria Stienneman for the tremendous Christmas parties she organised and hosted for both the explorer and junior sections; the girls had a marvellous time. I would also like to thank David Beatson who made a terrific Santa. The Brigadier section enjoyed a pizza night.

The girls took part in the Division swimming gala at the start of February and had a great time. It was good to see so many girls there to cheer on their friends.

I would like to congratulate Megan Craig who successfully completed the written exam for her Queen's award. Megan will also complete the voluntary section of her award this month, for this Megan has been working on a Saturday morning at Whitdale House and has thoroughly enjoyed her time there.

We will host a training session for the division on Sunday 25th February. We will also be holding a soup lunch on the same day, with proceeds going towards the new tiles for the kitchen. David Beatson has kindly agreed to come along and lead us in closing worship.

The explorers are continuing to fundraise for Oxfam and have currently raised over £300 with their buy a brick appeal. The Junior and Brigader sections are collecting pennies for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and so far they have raised over £250.

To enable the girls to see what Hearing Dogs for the Deaf can actually do, we will be having a visit from Dougal, who will demonstrate the amazing work these dogs do.

Also in this block the girls will be taking part in the West Lothian Division Service on Sunday 11th March in Armadale.

Once again I would like to thank the congregation and session for their continued support.

Anne Cartwright
Captain.
 

CHURCH CHOIR
The church choir had a very busy 2006. Not only have we been playing a bigger part in regular Sunday worship but we have also been in demand in the community. We were very honoured to be asked to sing at two weddings in the summer. This meant a few extra practices and also the odd question of "Will I need to wear a hat?". The weddings were followed by a request from the Whitburn pensioners to provide entertainment. Again, we were able to fulfil this request and sang a selection of hymns old and new and some secular pieces. The year ended with the Lessons and Carols at Christmas, where we shared the service with the South Kirk Singers. As many of you have noticed in the last few weeks the choir is nearly back to full strength but we extend a warm invitation to anyone who would like to join us, especially lower female voices and men, to speak to myself. We look forward to continuing to serve you in 2007 as have lots of new hymns and songs we look forward to sharing with you.

Andrew Livingstone
Choirmaster and Church Organist.

THE GUILD
On behalf of the committee of the Guild I would like to thank all our visitors who have come along since last September. I would also like to say Thank You to all who so faithfully support the meetings month by month. We look forward to sharing together throughout the springtime and to our summer outing which may well be heading to the west coast this year. There are usually a few extra seats on the coach, so watch for further details on the order of service week by week.

Although we are into the second half of the session we are still looking to welcome YOU along especially if you have never been along before. We are supporting two projects The Lydia Project, which works with acutely deprived women throughout Europe and beyond, and the Leprosy Mission a world wide service to leprosy suffers.

We were much encouraged by the report we had from our Project Leader, Laura Neally who gave us an update on these works. It's good to know we are having an effect for good while we ourselves enjoy our times together.

The guests expected during the next few months include - Mr Eric Burton, Mr Malcolm Neally,
Mrs Anne Neally and a representative from Blythswood Care. We share a 'Tramps Supper' on March 22nd, a closing social on April 26th and our summer outing on Saturday May 19th.

Please come along and swell our numbers.

Every Blessing from Irene.

PRAYER DIARY
Please give thanks that Bob, who had a stroke, is now beginning to walk again, and please continue to pray for his increased mobility.
Remember to give thanks for all your answered prayers and share any encouraging news especially about those who are on the sick list in our Prayer Diary.
Please pray also for David Beatson while he continues his readership training at Uphall over the next six months. God Bless and guide David.

Thank You
Dorothy

A PRAYER YOU MIGHT USE FOR A FRIEND OR RELATIVE
Heavenly Father, bless and help...........................................
In the illness that has come upon him/her give him/her courage and patience, endurance and fortitude to bear pain, weakness. Give him/her that peace of mind and serenity of spirit, which promotes health, healing and wholeness. Give to all the doctors and nurses who attend him/her, skill in their procedures, wisdom in their decision making and gentleness and empathy in their hearts.
Help those who care for........................................not to be anxious or worried, but to leave him/her in the hands of wise and skilful men and women who have a gift of healing.
Be with............................................at this time and with the family so that their hearts may be neither troubled or afraid but rest safe and secure in your love and care... for your love's sake. Amen.

1ST WHITBURN BOYS BRIGADE
Company Section and the Senior boys of the Junior Section did bag packing on Saturday 23rd December and raised £281 for company funds.
Members from all sections enjoyed the pantomime on Saturday 13th January, at the Pavilion Theatre, where they saw Peter Pan.
We now have 4 warrant officers going forward to do their officers training on Saturday 13th, 10th and 24th February. They are Andrew Livingston, Alan Gentleman, Stephen Johnston and Helen Jewell-Smith. Good luck to them all.
There will be no meeting of the Anchor Boys and Company Section on Wednesday 28th February as the Blood Transfusion unit will be using the halls. The Junior Section will be going out that night on an inter squad competition.
Our parents and friends evening this year will be on Wednesday 23rd May and our guests will be Mrs Isobel Thomson and Mrs Ina Bain.

Eileen Cartwright, Captain.
 

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP
The next meeting of the women's fellowship takes place on Thursday 1st March at 7:30pm in the Hall. The theme will be 'FOOD!!'. Come along and find out more.

SOUTH KIRK SINGERS
The Singers have enjoyed a busy schedule of rehearsals in preparation for our 15th Annual Concert which will be staged in the church on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th May. We have been delighted to welcome new members who will enjoy their first concert with us. Plans are in place to make the best concert yet - with a varied programme - great guests and many fantastic surprises! Tickets will be available soon, but they won't be around for long, so be sure to get yours quickly!
The choir will also be performing at Armadale Parish Church on Monday 19th March. The choir are performing to allow the church to raise funds.

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS
He does not lead me year by year, nor even day by day: But step by step my path unfolds; my Lord directs my way. Tomorrow plans I do not know, I only know the minute; But He will say, "This is the way, by faith, now walk ye in it." The Lord has been so good to me throughout these many years; I've known some sorrows, it is true, and shed some failing tears. But the promises within His word I've found are always true; So there's no reason then to doubt that He will see me through. For God had proved His faithfulness each step along the way, His everlasting arms have been beneath me every day. And I am glad that this is so, to-day's enough to bear; And when tomorrow comes, Hi grace will far exceed its care What need to worry then or fret? The God who gave His Son holds all my moments in His hand, He'll give them one by one. He'll lead me on until at last his blessed face I see; And share the joys of heaven's land throughout eternity! Amen.

TRUE HOSPITALITY
It doesn't take a lovely home to make a guest at ease or laying of a special spread, just warming words can please. "Good to see you, come right in, I'm longing for a chat." True hospitality flows right out, fir a welcoming like that. Thank you God for deity dishes they have a tale to tell, while other folk go hungry, they show your eating well. So even though the sink's piled high please do not make a fuss. For by this stack of evidence life's truly good to us.

SOME FUNNIES
A daddy was listening to his child say his prayers, "Dear Harold,"...At this, the dad interrupted and said, "Wait a minute, how come you called God Harold?". The little boy looked up and said, "That's what they call him in church. You know the prayer we say - 'Our Father, who art in Heaven, Harold be thy name."

A little child in church for the first time watched as ushers passed the offering plates. When they neared the pew where he sat, the youngster piped up so that everyone could hear, "Don't pay for me daddy, I', under five".

THE BIBLE IN A HUNDRED WORDS
God's Wind, Adam Sinned, Noah sailed, Abram failed, Jacob fooled, Joseph ruled, Bush said, Moses led, Pharoah bereft, Israelites left, Sea divided, tablets guided, Calf of gold, God's curse told, Wandering sand, promised land, Laws defiled, Judges wild, Saul enthroned, Goliath stoned, David crowned, Temple ground, nation shattered, Samaria scattered, Idols built, Judah's guilt, Jeremiah's mind, Zedekiah blind, Exile came, Babylon's shame, Salem burned, Some returned, Zerubbabel killed, Hope fulfilled, Prophet's warn, Jesus born, God walking, love talking, Christ crucified, Hope died, Love arose, conquered foes, Satan shamed, Spirit flamed, Word spread, Christ is Head, New Life waits, Heaven's gates.

TIPS FOR THE GARDENER
Plant 3 Rows of Peas
    1. Peas of mind
    2. Peas of heart
    3. Peas of soul

Plant 4 Rows of Squash
    1. Squash indifference
    2. Squash grumbling
    3. Squash gossip 
    4. Squash selfishness

Plant 4 Rows of Lettuce
    1. Lettuce be faithful
    2. Lettuce be kind
    3. Lettuce be patient
    4. Lettuce really love one another

No Garden is Complete Without Turnips
    1. Turnip for meetings
    2. Turnip for service
    3. Turnip to help one another

And Last But Not Least We Need To Plant Thyme
    1. Thyme for each other
    2. Thyme for family
    3. Thyme for friends

And Finally
    Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There will be much fruit in your garden because
    you will reap what you so. 

Alison Quilter

JUNE 2007
Letter from the Manse
Its coming up for 3 years this August since I was inducted to Whitburn South Parish Church. How quickly time has gone, due mainly to how busy we have been. I think every organisation is going well and growing if not in numbers, then in spirituality or friendliness.

This is due to your commitment and hard work. When I started the Friday coffee mornings, I thought I would be happy if even a dozen people came along to sit and blether, for it was never meant to be a fund raiser. i meant to serve and wash up myself but from day one was told 'no that's our job, yours is to chat and mix with people'. How proud I am when I come in on a Friday and see the tables all set, the wonderful baking making tables groan and around 40 to 50 people coming in and enjoying the fellowship. In fact it has got so big, we have had to come of the small hall and into the large hall. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to those who help on a rota and I would be thrilled if some others would come on board to help. You don't have to bake....biscuits will do for it is the fellowship that is the important thing. The craft group is being enjoyed by those who come along on the first Wednesday of every month and the group is open to anyone from any of the other churches and not only the south church and hopefully this will improve relationships between all the churches, so if you know anyone who knits, sews, crochets, makes cards or any other craft. tell them to come and enjoy a morning of crafting and blethering together.

It is almost communion sunday again and we are very fortunate to have 3 news communicants who will take their vows of membership that morning. Come along and support them on their special day and even if you haven't been along for a while, why not silently make it a time of renewal of your own vows....we long for you to do this.

My friends..God Bless you all in this coming holiday time.
Shalom

Christine.

Some Bible Signs
This is a CH__CH. What is missing?    [U R].
Forbidden fruits creates many jams.
In the dark?  Follow the Son.

Pastoral Care Group
Our group has been kept very busy over the winter months with both home and hospital visits. This is a very rewarding part of church life and if you are willing to join our group and share in our work, this would be greatly appreciated, you only need to give a small part of your free time to bring a smile to someone's face as you pay them a visit. If you decide to join us speak to Joey or Jeanette or any other member of our group, you will be made welcome with open arms. God's blessings on you all.
Joey and Jeannette.
 

South Kirk Singers
The singers have just completed their 15th session with two highly successful performances at their annual concerts. A special visit from the "Von Trapp" children and the Primary 3 explorers of the GB were fantastic. £1000 was raised over the 2 nights with 4 charities benefiting (Answer, Alzheimers, Chest, Heart and Stroke and Parkinson's). The choir would like to thank all those who attended the concerts and contributed to this sum as well those who have supported us over the last 15 years.
Laura.

Quiz Team
Well done to the South Church quiz team. George Craig, Jim Smillie and Bruce Alexander who went along to St.Josephs church centre and WON! The reward...doing it again next year.

Thanks
Many thanks to Gloria Steineman for the excellent work she did for us as Hall Cleaner. We appreciate it and all the wee extras she did, setting tables and chairs for organisations.

4-US Magazine
How lucky we are! Alison Quilter came up with a great idea to have a magazine for our young people of the church. It was launched a couple of months ago with ideas, topics from Alison and Christine. Future magazines will hopefully contain prayers, poems, stories, jokes from the young folks themselves. Look out for the next edition.

Prayer Diary
A few copies of the spring prayer diary are still available and may be obtained at the door of the church or by contacting Mrs Dorothy Aitchison or any elder.

1st Whitburn Girls Brigade
Our explorer section has been particularly this session; they recently hosted a concert in aid if their Oxfam appeal at which the girls entertained us with their beautiful singing, poetry and amazed us with their knowledge of the difficulties faced by people in Africa and how money raised can be spent to help improve their lives.
The explorers also hosted the divisional explorers event on 12th May; this was a potted sports event planned for Polkemmet Park but due to inclement weather was held in the church halls. Over a 100 explorers took part.

The Junior section are fund raising to support Hearing Dogs for the deaf; they have started their fund raising by collecting loose change in soap power bags.

Megan Craig achieved her 200 hours Millennium Award by completing 200 hours of voluntary work.

The company's parents and friends evening will take place on 22nd May.

On behalf of the company, I would like to thank our Chaplain Rev Houghton, our liaison elders Jim and Andrew, the kirk session, congregational board and most of all the congregation for their continued support.
Anne Cartwright (Captain).

 

SEPTEMBER 2007

LETTER FROM THE MANSE
Quite a few people have asked me about a poem I quoted in a sermon recently. It has stood me in good stead over many years and so I share it with you now....

PEACE IS ONLY A PRAYER AWAY
Why is your heart filled with worry and care?
Peace may be yours in a moment of prayer
Lift up your heart as you need Him each day.
Peace is only a prayer away.

Life has it's problems, it's troubles ad fears.
Sometimes it's sorrows may bring us to tears;
Jesus is waiting to help you each day.
Peace is only a prayer away.

Why are you needlessly near to despair?
Jesus has promised your burden to bear.
Turn to Him now without further delay.
Peace is only a prayer away.

Is there a souls deeply troubled within,
Seeking for peace, overcome by your sin?
Victory is yours as you trust Him today.
Peace is only a prayer away.

Is HE not able to meet every need?
Can He not do what He's promised indeed?
Fret not yourself or be filled with dismay.
Peace is only a prayer away.

Why does tomorrow bring fear for your heart?
Peace and contentment are His to impart.
Leave it with Him, He will show you the way.
Peace is only a prayer away.

Peace is only a prayer away.
Why longer wait, why further delay?
Your fears and tears He'll banish today.
His peace is only a prayer away.
(Eugene L Clark)

As holidays finish and we think of starting up our organisations and meetings again...my prayer for you my friends is peace.
Shalom
Christine.


SOUTH KIRK SINGERS
The singers will begin their 16th session on 2nd September at 7pm in the church. If you are considering joining us, then why not come along. No previous musical experience is necessary. If you enjoy singing, sharing fellowship and are free on a Sunday evening - then a warm welcome awaits you!

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP
The women's fellowship new session starts on 6th September at 7:30pm in the church hall. Women's fellowship meets on the first Thursday of each month, why not come along and join in the fun and fellowship.

CHURCH FAMILY PICNIC
Well the day weather wise might have been a wash out, but we still had our family picnic with races and food and fun in the hall...There are photographs to prove it on the notice board. Thanks to all who made it possible.

ORGANISATIONS ACCOUNTS
The accounts and balance sheets of the church organisations were recently checked by John Weir and Jim Smillie, who ere delighted to report to the Kirk Session, that all organisations were financially sound and well run. The following charities benefited by excellent donations from the above:-
Church                £550   
Oxfam                 £720
Guild Projects          £500
CHAS                 £200
Oxfam                 £999
Comic Relief           £100
Hall Tables            £507.74
Answer                £250
Chest, Heart, Stroke    £250
Alzheimer Scotland    £250
Actions Aid           £180
NCH (real radio)       £54     

THE GUILD
A very warm welcome to you all to join us as we commence a new session on Thursday September 13th. We meet in the hall at 7pm. It was a real joy to have several 'new' folk join us throughout last year and it will be a great encouragement to have YOU join with us in September. There are a number of guests invited who will share in a variety of ways with us on the theme for 2007/08 of 'The Mind'. We look forward to fun evenings and outings throughout the session, so come on, join us and share the blessing.
Yours in Jesus, Irene.

CHRISTIAN AID TEA TIME
Join us for a cup of tea and help people in the world's poorest communities work their way out of poverty. This will take place in the Church Hall on Friday 21st September 2007, 10:30am until 12noon. This will follow the normal format of our weekly coffee mornings except that on this occasion the proceeds will go to Christian Aid' looking forward to seeing you there.

SHOE BOX APPEAL
Many people here see Blythswood's shoe box appeal as an opportunity to think about how other people live and to do something that really will make a difference. Shoeboxes really do make people happy! One school-girl in Jimbolia, Romania jumped up and down with excitement when she realised that the gifts in the shoebox were hers to keep. For many children in orphanages, the shoebox is the only Christmas present they receive. The elderly also have been moved to tears by the realisation that someone, somewhere had cared enough to lovingly pack gifts into a box for them. We have been supporting the Blythswood Care Shoe Appeal for several years now and will be doing the same again this autumn. Please start collecting your bits and pieces now and watch out for the leaflets appearing in Church in the next few weeks.
Many Thanks, May Glen.

GARDEN PARTY
Mrs Ann Fordyce planned a garden party in aid of the Meningitis Trust, she chose Aug 5th, the middle of summer. She hoped that with some publicity people would come and enjoy the afternoon with friends in her back garden and be served with tea and home baking. Seats and tables were to be laid out and visitors could mingle, chat in the summer sunshine. Maybe some would wear hats. However, being Scotland the weather dictated differently. It poured with rain - it seemed that all her hard work was in vain. Not so. Tables and chairs were put up in the church hall, and many people came. What a lovely way to enjoy a wet Sunday afternoon. Ann would like to thank everyone who helped make this day a great success. The sum raised was £566.

KIDZONE
At the time of writing we are in the middle of our holiday club which is being well attended by pre-school children; school children and Academy youth. Everyone is having fun while learning about Mr Paul and his excellent expeditions from the Bible. We hope to have them all in church with us. Many, many thanks to all who helped in anyway. It is much appreciated by all of us..especially the children.
 

OTHER SNIPETS
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were a delicious, "all-natural" food that's nutritious, fat-free, has no cholesterol, and promotes good health? There is! You'll find it describes in Galatians 5:22-23 - "fruit of the spirit". This fruit is wholesome and beneficial - and it's even better when shared.
 

DECEMBER 2007

Letter From the Manse
I have just finished the plans for the Christmas Nativity and will meet with the young people of the church soon to start rehearsals for the day it is to be shown... that is the 16th December. The Nativity story this year is called 'Maximus Mouse's Christmas Card'. Maximus is writing his cards out and hand delivering them to his friends in the hope that they will be able to tell him what Christmas is really all about. His friends tell him Christmas is all about - money, food, presents and company. Sadly that is what many today think Christmas is still about.

I pray that we in the church are able to tell and show to the world that Christmas is all about the time when our Saviour was born bringing with Him salvation, peace, joy, hope and love.....and these are the blessings we ask from God for all of all who make up Whitburn South Parish Church.

Brian and I want to thank all of you who gave gifts, time and talent to help Jillian and Mike's wedding go so well. For us it was a perfect day of family, friendship and fellowship.

Make time this Christmas to come to the Church for one or all of the services.....our church is growing in numbers and I don't want any of you to miss out on any blessings which are to come.

Shalom
A happy and blessed Christmas to you all.
Christine
 

Money Matters
At this time of year we are all inundated with requests for help from various charities, be they local or national or international. You, the Congregation of Whitburn South, are renowned for your generous responses to these requests and it has given me much pleasure over the years to pass on many substantial donations on your behalf.
It is for this reason that I wish to share with you a rather heart-rendering request which I recently received from a source very close to home:

WRITTEN REQUEST
A hope you don't mind if I write this in verse
It's that wee eejit, Sanny, that yince drove the hearse
Av'e nae meat in the hoose, tae mak a bit denner,
A'm hopin, dear Treasurer, Ye can len me a tenner.
If guid fortune smiles oan this wee bit o' a sub
A'll no bother denner, a'll go doon tae the Club,
A promise ye, Irene, A'll ask ye nae mair,
If a get the siller, you'll be named in ma prayer.

WHO COULD REFUSE SUCH AN ELOQUENT REQUEST!!

PUBLIC REPLY
Well Sanny, ah must say ye've knocked me for six
Ah jist didnae ken wur in sic a fix
Ye're ayeways sae cheerie, and sic a generous giver
Bit tae tell ye the truth, ah'm concerned for yer liver!
Ye've tugged at ma hert-strings, and that's nae easy feat,
Wi yer patter ye'll git a piece at ony hoose in the street!
But Ah've hid a word wae some freeens, an we've come up wae an answer
We're gonnae haud a Coffee Morning, in Aid o' 'Sanny the Chancer'!!!

YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS DELINQUENT, SORRY, I MEAN DESERVING CAUSE, WILL BE VERY SURPRISING!!!

Yours in Christ's Service
Irene Wright, Treasurer.


INTIMATIONS
The Children's Christmas Party, for children of the church, will be held in the hall on Saturday 8th December. 1pm to 3pm is for creche up to and including Primary 3's. 5pm to 7pm for Primary 4 to Primary 7s.

Sunday 9th December - Toy Appeal
If you have any toys, new or old and still in a good condition - please bring them along to this toy appeal service. All toys go to the children of West Lothian who are not as fortunate as we are.

Sunday School held a soup lunch which was held on 7th October in aid of Children's Christmas Party raised the grand total, including donations was £260. Thanks to everyone who helped and donated to this great total.
 

1st WHITBURN GIRLS BRIGADE
Our new session is well underway. We currently have over 70 girls' registered for this year's session, lots of returning girls and a number of new girls. The girls have completed the first block this session and have taken part in the Spiritual part of their badge work and also the educational part - when the girls learned how to sew.
Once again we have a large explorer section with lots of new girls joining the company this year....they are certainly keeping Mrs Quilter and the ladies on their toes.
We have some new members of staff this session, Margaret Bishop has joined us as an auxiliary with the explorer section and also Johanna Ross is an auxiliary with the Junior Section, Megan Craig is now a Warrant Officer with the Company.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our explorer section which won the voluntary sectors, Active Citizenship Award 2007; this was awarded for their fundraising efforts during our last session, when they raised £1000 for Oxfam. I must also thank Laura Quilter for her work in helping the girls to achieve this award.
We have 3 girls going forward for leadership 2 training and Megan Craig in undertaking the 2nd and final year of her Queens Award and also doing her Basic Officer Training.
The Brigadiers section organised the evening service on 4th November, the theme for the evening was Christian Aid, I would also like to thank all the girls who took part in the Remembrance Day Service. We will also be organising and taking part in this years Division Quiz. So good luck to the girls taking part. For our Christmas outing the whole company and some members of the congregation are going to see 'Joseph' at the Edinburgh Playhouse in December.

Anne Cartwright
Captain.


1st WHITBURN BOYS BRIGADE
The company have had a busy start to the session and the boys are well underway with their badge work.
Mr Adam Syme and the Anchor Boys are running a recycling appeal. If you have any used printer cartridges or old mobile phones you no longer use we would be pleased to receive them as we are working with a recycling team where we receive cash for these items. So have a good hunt around those drawers and dig out your old mobiles to help our boys brigade.

The Junior Section were proud to receive a certificate through the post at the beginning of the session for 3rd place in the Boys Brigade International Team Games event they participated in last year. They beat of stiff competition from all over the world to take 3rd place, a very proud achievement This session they have participated in the Battalion Cross Country, taking 3rd place overall. Performances of note include 1st place for Christopher White (who was running in the age group above), 3rd place for Robert Jewell-Smith (who also ran in the age group above). Well done boys!. The section are looking forward to their next event, 5 aside football and handball.

The Company Section have also been very busy. They were involved with the Founder's Day Service which we hosted this year and formed a praise band for the service. Such was the success of their debut performance that we have already had approaches to play in other churches and at our very own Gala Parade! Company section have competed in the Battalion 5 aside football event so far this session.

All the boys are currently working very hard towards our Christmas Show which will take place on Wednesday 5th December in the church at 7pm. The staff and boys of the Brigade wish to convey their thanks to all who supported our Pie and Sausage Roll Lunch on Remembrance Sunday and we raised the sum of £200 for the Erskine Hospital. This is the first of several fundraising activities we have scheduled for the year ahead. The boys will be going to see 'Joseph' at Edinburgh Playhouse in December.

Two of out staff have this year been elected to serve on the West Lothian Battalion Executive. Mr Andrew Livingston has been elected as Junior Section Events Co-ordinator and Mrs E Cartwright is the World Mission Representative.

As always we would appreciate any help and are always looking for new helpers. If you have some time spare on a Wednesday evening please contact one of the officers to offer assistance.

Mrs Eileen Cartwright
Captain.


GUILD
It hardly seems three months since the start of this year's session of the church Guild, but already our Christmas 'evening out' looms and we are encouraged to have approx 40 coming along.

The topic of the Guild for this year is 'Learning through Life' with particular emphasis on the mind which led us in our choice of charities to support. The Christian Aid/Advasi people of Bangladesh and the Crossreach Bluebell project/Postnatal depression here in Scotland.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all who have come along as our guests to share with us, not least of all our own minister Rev. Christine Houghton who was with us to conduct communion at our first meeting and who consistently is a great encourager to the Guild.

If you haven't managed to join us thus far please don't think it is too late. A warm welcome awaits you even if you can only come occasionally. We look forward to a Winter/Spring of activities and outing.

From myself, the committee and members a blessed Christmastime and prosperous New Year is wished for you.

Yours in Jesus' Name,
Irene Beatson (President)


SHOE BOX APPEAL
This year we sent off 140 shoe boxes to Blythswood along with a cash donation of £220. Although the number of boxes is down on last year this is still a great effort from everyone who took part and I am sure that there will be a lot of smiling faces when they are received by the children and adults in Romania where they are being sent.

COFFEE MORNINGS
While the regular Friday coffee mornings continue to contribute funds to special projects within our own church, 2 special fund raising events were held recently on 21st Sept where £200 was raised for Christian Aid and on the 28th Sept we raised £300 for MacMillan Cancer Care as part of their national appeal. Thank you to everyone who helped, donated, supported for these worthwhile causes. A very good effort we're sure you will agree.

May Glen.

STAMPS
Although the stamp box is not in its usual place, I still save them. As Christmas is coming soon - PLEASE SAVE ALL STAMPS.
Thank You.

Ellen Tennant.


FAIR TRADE
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Whitburn South Church for the support they have shown to the Fair Trade stall. We have noe been running for a year and in that time we have purchased an amazing £1,500 worth of fair trade products. Once again thank you for your support.

Anne Cartwright/Laura Quilter


THE CRAFT GROUP
The craft group are made up of a group of people who have a desire to learn more about making things especially cards. Since we started to meet we have learned among other things how to do - Iris folding, Tea bag folding, Aperture cards, Pop-up cards and making small gift boxes.
For the first few months we met in the church hall but more recently we have been meeting in Anne Cartwright's shop ' The Craft Box' and it is thanks to her excellent teaching that we have gained our expertise. If you would like to join with us, please speak to Christine and you would be assured of a warm welcome among us.
 

CHURCH MAGAZINES 2008

Letter from the Manse
Here we are again at the start of another year, a time when we think and plan the work to be done in that year. In the life of a church, there is nothing more important than how we are with one another. To be a Church of Christ, we have to be a church where Christ is and where the people work hard to be like him in every way especially in what they say and do.

Easter is just round the corner. I pray that you will manage to come along to some of the services when we will walk one more to Calvary to see the love which led our Lord Jesus onto the cross of us. Hallelujah, he did not stay there, but rose again to win for us salvation and eternal life.

A poem which was found in the pocket of a dear friend and elder of our church, Ken Marshall, goes a long way in showing us how to be. I print it here for you....

I may never see tomorrow
There's no written guarantee,
And things that happened yesterday
Belong to history.
I can't predict the future,
I cannot change the past,
I have just the present moment
I must treat it as my last.

I must use this moment wisely
For it soon will pass away
And be lost to me forever
As part of yesterday.
I must exercise compassion,
Help the fallen to their feet,
Be a friend unto the friendless,
Make an empty life complete.

The unkindest thing I do today,
May never be undone,
And friendships that I fail to win
May never more be won.
I many not have another chance
On bended knees to pray
And thank God with a humble heart
For giving me this day.

Shalom
A happy, blessed and renewing Easter to you all.

Christine

MONEY MATTERS
I have just completed the Accounts for 2007 and I am pleased to report that we have once again been able to meet all our requirements for the year. We strive to keep all of our expenses under close review but unfortunately there are some expenses which are outwith our control and these continue to increase. You will remember that in July 2007 we switched the White envelope givings from Restoration Fund to Fabric Fund and this has allowed us to carry our some necessary upgrading and maintenance in all our Church Buildings. Some of this work was highlighted to us in the inspection report from Presbytery early last year and some of it was as a direct result of responding to the requirements of the Congregation and the various organisations using the premises.

As you will see when the Accounts are distributed, we have had to dip into the reserves which we built up during our term in vacancy and while this is fine at the moment, these reserves will not last long if we continue to do this. I would therefore encourage everyone to review regular savings and in particular members who do not attend regularly to consider setting up a regular offering to the Church. After all, we keep a warm welcome for you at all times, not just at Communion, and the costs must be met all year.

I would also encourage Gift Aid Giving for everyone who pays Income Tax. The rate of tax is decreasing in April of this year and this will have the effect of reducing the amount paid back to the Church (and indeed to all charities). This method of Giving allows you to increase the amount your weekly offering. Please give it some serious thought and speak to Jim Brown, Gift Aid Convenor, for information and advice on this. He will be delighted to hear from you!

Most of you will no doubt know that I am standing down as Treasurer after the Annual Business Meeting and I would like to thank you all for the support which I have received during the ten years in which I have been privileged to serve to this position. I have seen Whitburn South both flourish spiritually and materially during this time and it has only been made possible by the unstinting support and generosity of you, the congregation.

We are very fortunate that we have secured the services of David Jewell-Smith to take over as Treasurer and I am sure that he will bring some fresh ideas and lots of enthusiasm to the post. I sincerely hope he benefits from the same support and encouragement that I did and that he gets the same pleasure and fulfilment from using his abilities to further the work of our Church.

Yours in Christ's Service
Irene Wright

INFORMAL COMMUNION
One Sunday every month there will be a shirt time after the service where we will stand around the communion table to share the Lord's Supper. Come and try.

 

1st WHITBURN SOUTH BOYS BRIGADE
We enjoyed a very busy end to our session with the whole company presenting their Christmas show. This featured the Anchor Boys and Humph! the Camel, a tale of one of the wise men's camels who had a bit of the humph! The Junior Section presented the Bossy Christmas Fairy, which also featured one of our senior boys in a very fetching fairy costume. The Company Section presented A Christmas Musical featuring a Sound of Music obsessed narrator. Many thanks to those of you in the congregation who ventured out on the cold December's evening to support our boys.

We continue to run our recycling programme for old printer cartridges and mobile phones. Remember, don't bin these items at home or in your office. The Boys's Brigade are members of a recycling scheme and can earn funds from these items. Your help would be much appreciated.

Anchor Boys have been very busy and have been enjoying a full programme on a Wednesday evening and recently participated in the West Lothian Battalion Colouring competition. They have been doing all sorts of activities and games which had looked great fun! The Junior Section continue to ber very busy. In January they participated in the Battalion Try A Sport at Deans Community High and have the Battalion general Knowledge and Spiritual Quizzes to look forward to this month, as well as a visitation for the Figure Marching Competition. Juniors have been completing all sorts of achievements for badge-work and had to help at home for 10 hours each week for 2 weeks, to the delight of some mums who eventually got their boys to tidy their rooms. The Company Section has been well attended and are looking forward to going go-Karting and to tenpin bowling in the coming weeks. Some of the younger members of the Company Section will be attending Battalion Camp at Carronvale for an activities weekend at the end of February.

The Juniors and Company Section are both looking forward to their activity camp weekend at the Barnabas centre in the Borders. They will spend a weekend participating in team building and Christian faith activities and the boys are really looking forward to activities like raft building, builidng a bridge over a gorge, gorge walking and leap of faith. As this is quite an expensive weekend we are trying to raise £1500 to help subsidise what looks a fantastic opportunity for our boys grows together in Christ's Kingdom.

We are also very busy planning the celebrations for the Boys' Bridage 125th anniversary next year. Keep your diaries clear for our 12th family soclal in Whitburn Bowling Club on Friday 3rd October 2008. Other events are also being planned and we hope to bring to you in the next link line.

One of our senior boys, Ian Hilditch, is also preparing for the final stages of the Queens badge award, the highest honour a boys can earn in the BB.

We sadly said goodbye to two members of staff at Christmas. Mr Douglas Hamilton and Mrs Anne Knox both retired from active service as officers in the BB. We wish to thank them for all the hard work they put into helping the boys over the years. We also welcome back Mrs Helen Jewell-Smith from maternity leave in January and Mrs Barbara Syme has also joined the staff to help in the Anchor Boy Section.

We would be delighted to welcome new members, come along and find out what the BB can offer.

Mrs E Cartwight
Captain


1ST WHITBURN GIRL'S BRIGADE
As we approach the end of another block, Christmas seems likes a distant memory, however the girls are still talking about their Christmas outing to see Joseph at the Edinburgh Playhouse; all who attended had a great time and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the adult helpers for their assistance in getting the girls in and out of the theatre safely.

The beginning of a new year marks the beginning of the new training session for girls and officers, we had 5 girls take part in Brigade Knowledge Training, Christina Currie and Lyndsay Mallon have now started their leadership training and are working towards Leadership 1, Megan Craig is in the final stages of both her Basic Officer training and her Queens award. We also look forward to welcoming all the trainees to Whitburn at the end of February.

The girls are now in the final stages of the activities that make up the badge work requirements, as part of the physical side of their programme the girls learned some Scottish dances. The whole company took part in a Burns night celebration and had a great time.

Anne Cartwright
Captain


THANKS FOR SHARING
If the church was to be imagined as our living room with a big open fire, and our own seat in our own comfort zone, we would see it as a non threatening place with all in its place but does the Lord as more of us?
Sometimes we must step out of our comfort zone. We must pay more attention to the others in the room. We have our seat at the fire but is someone getting cold by the door? Is someone in the room waiting to be asked closer? is the heat and warmth you get meant for someone else? Do you have to step out into the cold of the outside to invite someone in?
Take the Bible Study. Oh, I am not into that. have you tried? While you learn of the Word you can have a good laugh with open discussion and where no one is obliged to speak but everyone is free to express and opinion. It is a method of growing in the faith in good company. It is one way to get more involved. your participation could not only add to the study but encourage someone on the edge of the fire to get closer.
Take the prayer group. In his sermon... What is a prayer group? They are a group of Christians that believe in the power of prayer. Some prayers are spoken, some are silent. No-one is obliged to speak. Again prayer is one of those things that people expect other to do. The number of people that say they don't know how or feel it is not their place, yet the greatest revivals have been started by little old ladies sitting in a room on their own praying. there is nothing more peaceful than an hour with the Lord as you sit in his presence.
"Oh for a closer walk with God" as the title of the hymn says we should all strive for that closer walk. The opportunity is there. I write this as someone who walked in the door of the South Church less than a year ago looking for a Spiritual resting place. I now look on the Kirk as my sprititual home. The love and warmth in the church is not yours to hold but yours to share.
Thanks for sharing,
James Paxton.


GUILD
As I approach the end of my term of office as president of the Guild, I would like to say how very thankful I am to all of you who have given your faithful support to the Thursday evening 'get-togethers', and to me. I do hope you have enjoyed the visits of the lovely guests who have come along over the last three years and the fun 'at home' evenings we have shared. I know I certainly have. Thank you too for your very generous giving to the Guild, its projects and our Church. God had indeed blessed us. As I write these few lines I am celebrating a birthday today, and I am listening to some wonderful hymn singing from the Billy Graham Crusades which remind me of a more wonderful birthday when as a teenage at such a Crusade, I committed my life to Jesus Christ. How faithful the Lord has been over many years! Thank you again for serving you in Jesus' name.
May I remind you all that we at the South Church are hosting the world day of prayer for our area. Friday 7th March at 7pm. Please come along and be an encourager.

Every Blessing
Irene Beatson.

 

JUNE 2008

LETTER FROM THE MANSE
I quoted this story in a sermon recently and some of you have mentioned to it to me, so I am including it for you today. It is from an Eddie Askew book:-

It was early morning. We were staying with friends and I was looking out over the garden from the bedroom window. The sky was clear and sunny. A good day, I thought. Then a sudden movement caught my eye. The telephone wire, stretched across the garden and anchored just below the windows, was swaying. Then just yards away, was a sparrow. He was perched on the wire, tail twitching as he kept his balance. I suppose he only weighed an ounce or so ..or grams, but this coming had set the wire dancing. And when he flew off, as he did when I unthinkingly moved my hand, he set the sire dancing even more. So it is with us. Whenever we are, whoever we are with, we leave our mark or we set the wire dancing. Our mark can be a bruise or warm place where our touch of friendship or encouragement has been felt. We may not always get it right or touch of friendship always accepted, but it should not stop us from trying, or giving. I pray for our church that we may always set the wire dancing in a positive and godly way.

Once again, holidays are almost upon us...I thank you all for all the hard work, kindness, support, generosity and love you have given to our church family, so have a good holiday and come back refreshed and ready to start again... the wire never should stop dancing but go on and on with love and kindness.
Shalom my friends in Christ.
Christine.


PASTORAL CARE
Joey and Jeannette co-convenors of the group, would like to thank all the members of the group for their on going hard work, visiting the housebound, hospitals and nursing homes, keeping in touch with our members who are no longer able to attend Sunday Worship. Remember YOU our members can help in this very important part of our Church's work by letting us know of everyone in need of a visit. Our next event is the annual cradle roll service on Sunday 24th August, later on in the year we will be celebrating St. Andrew's day with a Scottish afternoon, to both of which all are welcome. We are indeed blessed in Whitburn South Church, may we be able to continue God's work for many years to come.
God's blessing on all.
Joey and Jeannette.

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Recently one of our Sunday School teachers, Grace Brown, was ordained to the eldership, we wish her God's blessing. Prize giving will be held on Sunday 15th June and presenting the prizes this year will be Mrs Jen McGregor. This will be my last prize giving, as I am retiring and handing over to Mrs Elizabeth Hamilton, who will be head teacher and Mrs Grace Brown as Treasurer. I would like to thank all the teachers for their support and friendship over the years, it has been my pleasure to work with them all.

Mrs Anne McConnell.


KIDZONE
The theme this year is 'The Ark...the animals...the colours of the rainbow'
You will need a passport, a sense of adventure, a singing voice, an appetite for snacks and a listening ear for a big called becky!!!
And some Free mornings from Monday 11th August...to Friday 15th August each morning. And don't forget on Sunday 17th August, we will take the Ark and the animals into the church and show the adults how we youngsters can really enjoy ourselves. So come on... let your parents know to keep this time free for you.


PARENTS INFLUENCE
Parents say "we will not influence our children in making choices and decisions in the matter of religion".

WHY NOT?..............................
The television will, The press will, The Movies will, The Radio will, The Advertisements will, The School Teachers will, The Neighbours will.

The greatest single influence in a child's life is from parents. It can be for good or for bad and will leave a lasting impression on the life of your child.

Jackie Quest (quoted in Unity Magazine, Whitsdale).


SOUTH KIRK SINGERS
The Singers have recently completed their 16th year with another successful series of concerts. The annual concerts were held in the church on the 8th and 9th May and audiences were treated to a varied programme by the choir as well as the fabulous Brendan and Angela Musk who dazzled with theor immense talents. The profits raised from the concerts allowed the choir to donate £250 to each of the charirites 'The Motor Neurone Disease Society', 'CHAS', 'Action for the Blind' and the 'Cystic Fibrosis Trust'. A huge thank you is extended to everyone who supported our concerts.

WOMENS FELLOWSHIP
The Womens fellowship has had a very busy year and has seen its numbers to grow. Every monthly meeting has been well attended but particular highlights were the line dancing evening, the Christmas party night and the sugarcraft workshop. Our last meeting of the session will take place on the 5th June when we will hold our fundraising coffee and pudding evening. This event will start at 7:30pm in the hall and shall be held in aid of the charity 'The Vine Trust'. A speaker from the charity was last month's guest and she gave a most informative and thought provoking talk on her time in Perus onboard the 'Amazon Hope' medical ship. If you enjoy pudding, please come along and join us and help us to raise funds for this very worthy cause.

1ST WHITBURN GIRLS BRIGADE
We are now reaching the end of final session. The last block has been busy with the girls working to complete badge work and preparing for parents night. As part of the Service badge the girls helped distribute the Church Easter cards to the houses on our gala magazine delivery route. Great fun was had trying to beat last years delivery times. The girls also learned sewing on plastic canvas, the canvas piece of plastic canvas were then joined together to make little wallets containing a cross and a poem. These were then distributed to members of the congregation on the Tuesday of Holy Week, when we joined them for worship.  I would like to thank the members of the pastoral care group for distributing the remainder to church members who were unable to attend Holy Week services.

We are pleased to invite Dougall the hearing dog back to our Company, this time to accept a cheque for £500 for Hearing Dogs Scotland. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the girls, parents and members of the congregation who donated their pennies, this is a fabulous charity and anyone who has seen Dougall in action will know the benefit dogs like him provide to the people they are homed with.

It was with great honour that I attended the Queens Award presentation ceremony on Friday 9th May to see Megan Craig receive her Queens Award Badge and Certificate. Megan is the first girl from our Company to receive this award. I am sure Megan will agree that even though it was two years of hard work, it was an experience and an achievement that she is extremely proud to have taken part in.

Finally by the time this magazine is printed and distributed we will have held our Parents and Friends Evening, I would like to thank our elder Andrew Hamilton for presenting the girls awards and thank all those who attended, I would also like to thank members of the congregation and session for their support of our Company.

Anne Cartwright
Captain
 

SEPTEMBER 2008
 

FROM THE MANSE
I have been watching the Olympics these past couple of weeks and although I have been very impressed with and proud of the achievements of our countrymen.... it is the Logo of the games that I like most of all. They are circles all linked together. They remind me of how we are linked together in many ways. In our case it is within the church and we should work hard at our togetherness. It makes me think of the hymn 'Bind us together with chords that cannot be broken'. The chord that binds us together is that of Jesus' love for us. If we are in union with Christ....if we have asked Him into our lives, then we are of the same family. We are related. We are bound together with His love which has no beginning or end. Like the games logo, we should work together in harmony and for the good of one another.

For us, we should be doing it for Christ, to show the light of his love to the world. If we are not doing that then we are not working to Jesus' plan or for His sake.

Now that our holidays are over and we are back to work again let us make an effort to hold back the comment which we know will hurt someone....let us look for the good and positive in others and in situation...let us give a word of praise and build one another up instead of the opposite and when people try to engage us in negative and hurtful gossip...let us refuse.

We have a smashing wee church, let us work hard together to make it stay that way and with our Lord place firmly at the head as our loving example.

Shalom my friends in Christ.
From Christine.



CHURCH FLOWERS
The change in the system for providing the Church flowers each week, which we proposed earlier this year, has now been put in place and we have set up a flower fund for this purpose. We now have envelopes available for one-off annual donations to the flower fund and we will also provide a box for anyone wishing to make a small contribution from time to time. All such donations will be greatly appreciated and we are hoping that everyone currently on the flower list will continue with their support. We have a regular arrangement with Isa Cruikshanks at Ridgeview Nursery to provode the flowers each week and I hope you all agree that they are always of a very high standard. Isa is happy to fill any requests for particular flowers or colours at any time. We try to pass the flowers on each week on a Pastoral Care basis and it would be very helpful if we could be kept informed of anyone who would appreciate being remembered in this way. We are also happy to assist in any special requests for recipients of the flowers. We sincerely hope you are all happy with these new arrangements.


FUND RAISING - CRAFT FAIR - 11TH OCTOBER 2008
I mentioned earlier in the year that we were trying to arrange a craft fair as a fundraiser for the Church I can now confirm the above date. We have already been promised some lovely items including baking, handcrafted cards, knitting, patchwork, crochet and woodwork but we would appreciate anything that you talented people would like to donate. As I stated in my earlier note, we have a wealth of talent in Whitburn South and this is an odeal opportunity to showcase it and raise funds for the Church at the same time. We sincerely hope that as many of you as possible will support this effort either by gifting your handmade articles (new items only) for sale at the fair or by coming along and buying some lovely things. There will be tea/coffee and lovely home baking served on the day. We will be advertising the fair locally nearer the date but in the meantime we would appreciate you passing the word among your friends and relations and noting it in your diaries.
Thanking you all in anticipation of your support.
Irene Wright.


WHITBURN OLDER PEOPLE'S GROUP
Did you know that there was a group in our town called 'Whitburn Older people's group'...their main aim is to help our 'older folks' to be as informed of their entitlements as is possible where some people unable to do their gardens can have help especially from young people from the Academy. They will be opening a shop in the town for 6 weeks soon with people who can give advice on areas of life that some find difficult. They are always looking for volunteers to befriend or visit..speak to Alison Bonnar for more information. It would be good if our church could be active on this group.


KIDZONE
Great...............Great..................Great...............Great
Kidzone was a great success with 35 children there. They had fun with games, songs, crafts, stories about Noah and of course the inevitable food. Many thanks to all who helped and made it the success it was.


NEW BOILER
The boiler in the hall needs renewing. We do have heat at the moment in the hall...if you would care to contribute to the huge cost of replacing the boilers, or if you would like to fund raise for it...please let me know.


NEW HALL KEEPER
Our new hall keeper is David Beatson and we wish him well as he goes about another avenue of his work for God and the Church.


FROM AN AMERICAN CHURCH MAGAZINE
Don't let worry kill you.....................let the Church help
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind and may be seen in the Fellowship hall all day Friday
In the afternoon, there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the Church - children will be baptised at both ends
 

2009

March 2009

From the Manse
Christmas and New Year is past and we are back into the normal routine of work and every day life but I still think of the words that come to mind around Christmas.....'The word became and dwelt among us'. How easy to put away verses like this with the decorations and nativity scenes but these words ushered in an era in which Jesus became the Saviour of our world. They ushered in a time when we should see the eternal all around us in the routine and mundane as well as the special times.

I saw in another church magazine............'To see the word made flesh we must realise that all of life can be a sacrament. We must find ways to transform our daily routines into channels of God's grace and truth. We must learn to see our relationship as sacraments. Humans are created in the image of God therefore we should try and see God in each other. Let us continue to look for God down here in the everyday tasks of life and in the ordinary people with whom we share our lives'.

I am always being asked how Euan our grandson is doing and I can tell you at the moment he is almost 10lbs and looks so different from the wee 2lb 12oz scrap of October 2008. This has to be down to all of you who were kind enough to pray. Easter is almost here....a time when we are touched afresh with the love of Jesus Christ and the cross. Please think about coming to he Holy Week Services and look again on the face of love.

Shalom
Christine

Greetings from the Guild
We are now nearing the end of our first year and we have a wonderful time of fellowship together. We have had a few open nights where outreach to the other churches in the district have been very important to us. One of our open meetings was when Alex Muirhead came to talk and show a video on the Heartlands project at the site of Polkemmet Pit, almost 100 people turned up, much to our amazement. Another night was when we had Harthill and Eastfield Flute Orchestra and recently we had a Burns Supper when almost 80 people came to join us, it was a great night of haggis, poems, songs and music. We have a chef, our project partner, a coffee evening and a talk on stroke victims, then our AGM and tramps supper. May I take this opportunity to thank the committee and members for supporting me in my first year. I have enjoyed every minute of it and I'm all the better of taking on the role of President.
God Bless
Margaret Bishop.

Church Flower List
I would like to thank everyone who supports the provision of the flowers for the church each week and to say that a copy of the updated flower list for 2009 is now on the notice boards in the church entrance and in the hall. I have tried to keep dates as near as possible to those allocated in previous years and I hope this is to everyone's satisfaction. There are a few dates available and is anyone would like to provide the flowers on these dates please let me know. The system of putting money for the flowers in the envelopes provided seems to be working well but if anyone wishes to provode the flowers themselves it is only a matter of letting me know the week prior to doing so. I would also be grateful if any special requests for the distribution of the flowers, after the Sunday services could be made know to either myself or to Helen Jewel-Smith in order that we can ensure they are delivered.
Yours in Christ
Irene Wright

Ten Blessings for your Home
Peace - May there be peace within your walls, Psalm 122:7
Joy - May the God of Hope fill you with all joy, Romans Ch15:13
Strength -  May our Lord...encourage your hearts and strengthen you, 2nd Thessalonians Ch2:16-17
Success -  May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed, Psalm 20:4
Comfort -  May Your failing love be my comfort, Psalm 119:76
Grace - May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you, 2nd Corinthians Ch13:14
Favour - May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us, Psalm 90:17
Kindness - May the Lord now show you kindness, 2nd Samuel Ch2:6
Protection - May Your Love and Your truth always protect me, Psalm 40:11
Love - May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You, Psalm 33:22

1st WHITBURN BOYS BRIGADE
The boys have had another busy session. They took the evening service on 1st February which they all put a lot of hard work into - so well done boys. I would like to thank our minister the Reverend Christine Houghton for the dedication of our new company colour.

The Company Section boys are going to camp at the beginning of March which they're all looking forward to. I'm sure we'll hear about this is due course. The Junior Section took place in try a sport at the end of January which is run by West Lothian Battalion. This was a great afternoon and the boys can't wait for next year.

All three sections took part in a sponsored silence (it was heaven) you could hear a pin drop for the full night. The final total for this is not in yet but the latest total to date is £400. A big thank you to everyone who assisted with the fund raiser - not least the boys.

Our next event is World Mission which we will be doing later this month. I would like to thank all the parents and members of our congregation for their support this year. It has been very much appreciated. I would also like to thank the staff for their hard work and dedication this year. It has had its challenges that's for sure but we must be doing something right for the boys are coming along faithfully every week.

Liz McFadzean
Captain.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP
The Women's Fellowship have enjoyed a varied start to the new season. We have learned how our memory works and indeed how good is was (or otherwise) which left many of the members slightly shocked! November saw the ever increasing membership enjoying traditional playground games. A great fun evening was enjoyed as we went back to our youth as we played 'skipping', 'hopscotch' and 'the three legged race' amongst others. The year ended with a fantastic Christmas themed evening, where food and fun were the order of the day! The Women's Fellowship meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7:30pm in the Church Hall, so come along and join the fun, it doesn't matter what age you are - as long as you are female!!!

Laura Quilter

FINANCIAL REPORT
As we prepare the financial accounts and statements for another year, it is a fitting time to offer you an update on our financial situation and performance. Our overall offerings in 2008 remained level with those received in 2007. We did contribute slightly more through gift aid scheme in place of free will envelopes and open plate cash, and this helped to increase the tax refund we received last year. the rate at which we will be able to claim refunds in the future will be lower than we have enjoyed, so our income from this source will reduce. Income fro our fabric fund envelopes was lower than in 2007. Our gift day in December raised a creditable £918, while our decision to hold only one fete in 2008 plus a craft fair reduced our overall income from larger-scale fund-raising events by around £1,600 leaving a net reduction of nearly £700. Other income remained broadly in line with 2007, although within this total we were fortunate to receive a greater sum of donations. This obviously increases our reliance on one-off or non-regular income, which may not be sustained through 2009. Our interest and investment income has fallen in line with the deterioration in returns seen across the financial spectrum in the later half of 2008 and into 2009.

Our largest expenditure by far is our Ministry and Mission allocation, which was just under £44,000 for 2008. This will rise to £44,500 for 2009. When added to our regular wages (cleaners and organists) this equates to over £1000 per week before utility bills and other bills. All our expenditure remained at similar levels to 2007 after excluding exceptional items, which is a good performance given the economic climate. Our heating and lighting billing has been somewhat erratic during the past year and this remains to be resolved shortly.

When the accounts are published at the Annual Business Meeting in March, you will see that we have drawn against our reserves during to past year to meet our obligations. This has been the case for the past few years and has been possible due to the funds carefully built up during the vacancy prior to Christine's arrival in Whitburn. These reserves were created because at that time we did not make Ministry and Mission contributions. It is however always good to have some funds in reserve for a 'rainy' day and these have become depleted by the need to draw on them to meet normal expenditure.

At the Congregational Board meeting in January we discussed our budget for 2009 at some length and concluded that we need to increase our income to close this gap as our expenditure is largely fixed and cannot be significantly reduced. I would therefore ask that we all put on our thinking caps to suggest suitable innovative ways to raise funds and particularly to increase our regular income. Encouraging as many people as possible to use gift aid is one regular suggestion, but I am sure there are many creative ideas out there among the congregation waiting to be uncovered and put into practice. Of course another simple method of increasing our income is for all of us who are able to consider a small year on year increase in our regular giving to the church.

In summary may I thank everyone who has contributed to the income of the church during the past year and to all who have helped in any way to keep the finances flowing smoothly. I look forward to your continuing support through this year as we all apply our monetary resources to God's purposes.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give; not reluctantly...." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

David Jewel-Smith, Treasurer.

June 2009

Letter from the Manse
During Easter we were reminded once again of the love Christ had for the world and so for us. The services were a joy to me as many people took part especially in the Good Friday service, making that day 2000 years ago, come to life.

On Easter Sunday we were reminded of Jesus' resurrection which gives us certain hope of eternal life and purpose for each day. It also reminds us that we have to live as Resurrection people in a Resurrection Church.............this means we should love, hope, faith and vitality in our lives, I pray we do.

Fairly recently Brian and I were sent to a 'Pre-retirement' conference by the Church of Scotland.. this did not mean that I was retiring, it was a time of giving out information of what to do if 'staying on' instead of retiring and of what benefits etc we could draw on when and if the time comes. So if you have heard that I am retiring...it isn't true! The only reason I would retire early or at the right time (which is when I am 65 in 18 months time!) would be for health reasons. Please don't listen to gossip...it usually isn't true or checked with the relevant person.

Once again, holidays are in the offing and I wish you all a good, restful and peaceful time and if you go to a different church, bring back an order of service or welcome card which we can all look at.

Remember always that we are Christ's disciples here in this place and love should be our aim....to show and speak it.

Shalom my friends in Christ.

From Christine



Bereavement Visitor
Carol Tweedie has agreed, and has gone on a short course, to be our Bereavement Visitor. It will be her task to visit families who have lost loved ones after the funeral has taken place. She will be a listening ear and a kind friend. Please remember her in your prayers. many churches are now appointing people to carry out this work as the work load for ministers increase. I hope eventually to have small informal meetings in our new lounge for bereaved folks when the kettle will be on constantly so that we can all chat together about how life is going on. It will be for anyone who has lost a loved one a long time ago or more recently. I Hope to have a bereavement service soon in our church.


The Church Office
The computer room is now the church office. Helen Jewel-Smith will work there on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12noon. Christine hopes to work for a time there most mornings if possible and at other times still to be arranged, volunteers will man the office for a couple of hours in the morning. There will be a mobile phone situated there which will become the 'Church Number'...this, at the moment has not yet been purchased but it will be soon, so look out for the number which will be printed on the orders of service.
Want to help................speak to Christine.


Snippets from the Editor
Claim the gift: Yesterday's history, tomorrow's a mystery. All we have is today, and it is called the present because it's a precious gift.

Look to the light: No one ever damaged their eyesight by looking on the brighter side of life.

Turn a minus to a plus: Find courage in dis-couragement. An appointment in dis-appointment. An hope in hope-lessness.

South Kirk Singers
The South Kirk Singers have just completed their 17th session with two very successful concerts. The choir performed to audiences who were treated to a variety of music. The choir were joined by their guest Sarah Jane Callow whose performances on the saxophone were extremely well received. Over £1400 was raised for charity across the two evenings and the choir would like to thank all those who continue to support them.


1st Whitburn Boys Brigade
It's hard to believe that we have almost completed another year. It has just gone by so quickly. The boys are now working hard for parent's night which hopefully will be a huge success for them. It will be slightly different this year so do come along and give them your support. the theme for the evening will be celebration/party night and it is on the 27th May at 7pm in the church hall. The boys have been learning many new skills but I don't want to say too much or it will spoil things for them. Again I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work and for their support throughout the year. Our Battalion outing to M&Ds takes place this coming Saturday (9th May) so all being well the weather will be good to us and the boys will have a great time. I'm sure the officers will too. We also have our Battalion church service the next day so it will be a busy weekend. The only other item on our calendar is the water fight which will be held on 17th June and I know that all the biys enjoy this.
Captain, Liz McFadzean.


Apologies
To anyone who has been trying to leave messages on the Manse telephone but couldn't get through, there has been a fault with the line which stopped messages being left. I hope everyone who wanted to speak with the minister managed to do so.

New Jobs
The position of the safeguarding convenor advertised on the order of service for some time has been taken up by John McFadzean so thank you to him and to Laura Quilter for serving sell in this capacity for quite some time now.

Working with the youth of our church, also advertised on our order of service for a few weeks has been taken up by Liz McFadzean ... our thanks to her and to Deborah Hislop for her loyal work in this position.

Many thanks to Sandy Tweedie who is taking over as Clerk to the Board also advertised in the order of service for a little while and thank you to Brian Houghton for carrying out this task for the last year.

Gift aid convenor advertised for a short period on the order of service has been taken up by Marie Paxon...... thanks to her and Jim Brown who has carried out this task for a number of years.

Life and Work co-ordinator role advertised on the order of service for a few weeks has been taken up by Laura Neally and Alison Quilter... our thanks to them and to Brian Houghton who carried out this role for a few years.

Stamps, Ellen Tennant:- Thank you for supporting me for many years, (please keep saving the stamps). George Sommerville and Willie Fordyce have taken over this role.

From George and Willie:- So far we have collected 5lbs weight of used stamps this year. The envelopes for collection are available at the front door of the church.....or we will collect your donation from the stamp box located at the front of the church.


Greetings from the Guild
We have now come to the end of the meetings for the year. Since the last Linkline, we have had our AGM. The guild is financially sound and we have given our church and our projects a healthy donation. The committee are the same, but I'm pleased to announce we have appointed our minister, Christine, as vice president who will take over when the president, me, goes on holiday to the Bahamas, (just kidding), but we are all happy that Christine has accepted the post. The closing social, held in the hall, was a great success to finish our year. It was in the form of a buffet and dance and 50 attended. The music was provided by the Heiland Coo (Matt & Kirsty Carlyle), who gave us a grand night of fun and the buffet was catered for by Classic Catering. We had 16 visitors from our link guild in St Bryces, Kirkcaldy all of whom thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Last but not least was our trip to Dumfries with 44 in the bus. It was a lovely day out and the weather was good. 30 of the ladies went on the optional trip to Shambellie House, a great place of interest to go. It is also a museum of costume. There is a lovely selection of old fashioned corsets that you can try on and two of the ladies whom I won't mention much (oh yes I will) Nan Hendrie and Grace Campbell, out them on, much to the amusement of us all. We had an excellent high tea at the Dinwoodie hotel and arrived home at 9pm. I hope everyone has a happy summer and we will meet again on the 2nd Thursday in September.
God Bless
Margaret Bishop.


More Pearls of wisdom from the calendar
Life itself cannot give you joy unless you really will it.
Life just gives you time and space...it's up to you to fill it.
Any time you think you have influence, try ordering around someone else's dog.
The nicest thing we can do for our heavenly Father is to be kind to one of His children.


1st Whitburn Girls Brigade
We are now approaching the end of our last session. This has been a busy session with both the explorers and juniors taking part in Division Events. The juniors went along to the Lanthorn and took part in puppet making and cheerleading, they had a fantastic afternoon and each girl made a wonderful puppet. The explorer section took part in the mini olympics, which due to bad weather had to be moved from Polkemmet Park to our own church halls, the girls took part in lots of activities and everyone went home with a gold medal. the girls have been working on their songs and reading for parents night, which will take place on Tuesday 26th May. This year they will be singing a medley of songs from 'Joseph'. We hope the parents and friends who come along have a wonderful night.

On a personal note, as you may be aware I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the start of the session and throughout the session have been undergoing Chemotherapy and the Radiotherapy, I am pleased to say that my treatment is now finished. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of our company for their help and support; I do not believe I could have got through the last 10 months without them. I would also like to say a great big thank you to the girls for their acceptance and concern for me; they are a fantastic bunch of girls who are a pleasure to know. Finally I would like to thank the Wonderful Congregation of Whitburn South Parish Church for their prayers and support. Thank you all so much.
Anne Cartwright, Captain.
 

September 2009

From the Manse

I hope you all had a good restful summer even though the weather didn't quite live up to expectations for we all need to have quiet times in the middle of busy hectic lives to recharge our batteries. The Elder's did this last Saturday when they had a day together looking at the role and duties of the Eldership with Sadie Elliot who is the Elder Trainer for West Lothian Presbytery. It was a good day of bonding together while in the presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the first thing we looked at was the hymn:

Be Still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy one is here........
the Glory of the Lord is shining all around
the Power of the Lord is moving in this place

We miss all of these things if we don't sit in his company from time to time....Please pray for our Kirk Session as it moves into the winter session of this year.

Many thanks to all who made 'Kidzone' possible, it was a great effort and I know that the children all appreciated it.

We hope to have occasional Saturday mornings throughout the year to keep in touch with them all. So if you want to help, just give us your name. Please continue to pray for the children who came under the sound of the gospel this summer.

My message to you this month is how loved and valued you are to the Lord our God...keep close to him, it's the only place to be.

Shalom my friends in Christ
Christine

Sunday School

The Sunday School teachers look forward to welcoming all the children for the new session. We meet in the church hall for 10:45am til approximately 12noon. We look forward to seeing you.

Elizabeth Hamilton


Snippets
Priorities? - Funny how a £20 looks so big when taken to Church and so small when taken to the supermarket. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question everything in the Bible.

True greatness consists of being great in little things.

The sunrise is God's greeting.......The sunset, His signature.
 

Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the snake and the snake didn't have a leg to stand on.

Gambling is a sin, BET you can't give it up!

The Church - almost 2000 years old and still under the maker's guarantee.


1st Whitburn Boys Brigade
As you know we've been on holiday over the summer with all staff having a well deserved break. We look forward to starting back on the 9th of September at our usual times for each section We also welcome Grace Brown on board to assist with the Anchor Boy section this year. If any of you know of any boy whom you think may enjoy Boys Brigade please let them know where and when we meet. It would be great to welcome some new faces and I'm sure our regular boys will make them feel at ease in no time.

Liz McFadzean
Captain


KIDZONE
A huge thank you to all who helped with Kidzone. All the children had a fantastic time but that only happened thanks to many people giving of their time. We had an average of 35 children a day over the 3 age groups. It was wonderful to share their enthusiasm and see them all having such a good time. In the afternoon the teenagers enjoyed the chill time. If you were at church for the family service on the 16th August then I'm sure you would agree that a great time was had by all.

Liz McFadzean


BEREAVEMENT VISITOR
Carol Tweedie has begun her work as Bereavement Visitor and has been well received. Please continue to pray for her in this important role.
 

The Church Office
The computer room is now the church office. Helen Jewwl-Smith will work there on Monday mornings from 10am to 12noon with other volunteers doing the same Tuesday to Friday. The mobile phone number is 07851674269. This is now the 'Church Number'.

Greetings from the Guild
We are now going into our first session of 2009-10. Our theme this year is 'What does the Lord require of you?' Again, this session, we have a good and varied syllabus and we look forward to the weeks ahead. Our first meeting starts on the 10th September with studying the syllabus and doing some drama.
8th October we have Avril talking on reflexology.
22nd October is our project night with speakers from World Mission.
12th November is our silent auction.
26th November is another open night with the excellent Christian Puppets, well worth coming to see, and that takes us up to our Christmas night out.
Please take the opportunity to come along and join us.
God Bless.
Margaret Bishop

Some Poems
Nobody Knows

Nobody knows what a prayer can do
when somebody somewhere prays for you,
Burdens are lifted and doors unbarred,
nothing seems quite so bad or hard.

Nobody knows how God intervenes,
working his wonder behind the scenes,
Turning the evil away from us
In a way that is most marvellous.

Clearing a path through the tangled track,
Easing the strain on the breaking back.
When hope fades away and is lost to view,
Nobody knows what a prayer can do.

Anon.

On the wings of a prayer

On the wings of a prayer
our burdens take flight
and our load of care
becomes bearably light
and our heavy hearts
are lifted above
to be healed by the realm
of God's wonderful love
and the tears in our eyes
are dried by the hands
of a loving Father who understands
all our problems
our fears and despair
when we take them to Him
on the wings of a prayer.

Anon.
 

1st Whitburn Girls Brigade
Girls Brigade meet every Tuesday of the school term. Our session will get off to a fun start with the girls from last year going on our annual trip to Loudon Castle on 29th August. I would like to thank everyone who helped by donating items to Marys meals, we had 92 full bag packs and 4 large bags of extra items. The girls did a sponsor walk and raised £500 which we hope to present to Marys meals at the start of the session. I would also like to thank everyone who supported our Brigaders this year, they met their pledge to Project Steadfast and we will be presenting a cheque to them for £1000. This year will be our company's 20th year and for the first time since our company formed we will be fund raising for our own organisation, we would like to do something special with the girls and all money raised will go forward to paying for it. As part of our fundraising we will be continuing to collect pennies, so if any of the congregation would like to help with this, we would be extremely grateful, thank you to all who helped last year.

Anne Cartwright
Captain.

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