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

Registered Scottish Charity No: SC009819

SUMMER 2018

From the Minister P1, P2 Pastoral Care Group P2 B.Hist.Society Petition P2 Society of Friends P3 Church Register P3 Statement of Purpose P3 2018 ‘Open Church’ P3 ‘Allovus’ Luncheon Club P3 Bothwell Guild P4, P5 Bothwell Guild (cont’d) P5 Living the Questions P5 Boys’ Brigade Company P5 People you should know P5 General Assembly Update P6 Advert—Church Officer P6 Church History P7 2018 Car Rally P7 Family Garden Party P7 Rota Page P8

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

The Manse of Bothwell, 4 Manse Avenue, Bothwell, G71 8PQ

Tel: 01698 853189. Email: jamesmgibson@msn.com

Church Office Tel: 01698 854903 (Tuesday — Friday 9am-1pm)

Email: bothwellparishoffice@btconnect.com

Church Website: www.bothwellparishchurch.org.uk

Church Centre: 854987 Chapterhouse Café: 858566

FROM THE MINISTER Close to the end of February news was broadcast informing of the death of Dr Billy Graham, the American Evangelist, at the grand age of 99yrs.

In his day, he was undoubtedly, an international celebrity. Someone who lived an extraordinary life, friend and confidant of various American Presidents and Heads of States (including, it is claimed, of our own Queen Elizabeth). Over the years, he met the great and good of the world and, through his much publicized

evangelical crusades, influenced the lives of those not so good nor so great.

No nation in the world outside the United States received more visits from Billy Graham than the United Kingdom. In the 35 year period (1954-89) he led 18 crusades here, calling the UK his ‘second home’.

Most Scots, of a certain age, may remember the great crusade of 1955 held in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. It was heralded as a defining moment for the growth of the Church in Scotland So many people were involved in it and affected by it.

point of decision.

Yet, Graham changed lives! Because of that undeniable truth, it is very difficult to pour scorn on, or dismiss, his accomplishments (even if one wished to do such a thing).

However, his was a theology that would not sit easily with us today. Graham passionately believed Jesus would return to sort out the world’s ills and, so, he was not too interested in how the world’s ills could best be sorted out by means of human endeavor. This led him to have a conflicting relationship with the American Civil Rights movement and was completely on the opposing side when it came to adopting a more conciliatory and accepting attitude to matters pertaining to human sexuality.

All of this just shows that our lives can sometimes be as complex as the legacies we leave behind.

Graham’s biographer, David Poling writes that ‘when the last conclusions about Graham are sifted it may be that his greatest gift for the last half of the 20th Cy was not that he packed them in, or that he was successful on TV and publishing. Rather it may be that he loved people greatly and by loving them led them to the gates of the kingdom of God. Perhaps his greatest legacy is ….

Without doubt, Graham was blessed by a charisma which spell-bound many; attracting and persuading a staggering 389,000 women and men to come forward and make their profession of faith.

Many may remember Billy Graham simply as the man in the suit with a large black Bible. But there is no doubting the dramatic effect his personality and preaching had on so many lives.

Reviewing some tapes made at the time, its notable just how simple Graham’s preaching was. He seemed to deliberately refrain from flowery oratory, complicated metaphors and the telling of too many jokes. In fact, his preaching changed little in style or content from one crusade to the other. Which is probably why I harbour mixed feelings about Billy Graham.

NOT NECESSARILY ALL HE SEEMED TO BE

I never took part in any of Graham’s crusades to the UK. Over the years, I have met many who did and, even now, almost to a person, they speak of their experience with a fondness of the memory bordering on pride that they ‘were there’! However, listening to his voice and reading his scripts, it is evident that his message changed little and, at times, had little content or substance. Indeed, Maurice Rowlandson, former director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has written that Graham was “not a preacher, but a caller”. In other words, he had a very special gift in bringing people to the

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that he loved the British people and teaches us to do the same, that we may lead them to the same place.’

Which sounds all well and good. Until, that is, one realizes the kind of ‘kingdom’ those now in charge of Billy Graham’s legacy would lead us into.

For some time, the Graham banner has been carried by Billy’s son, the Rev Franklin Graham. He it was who was chosen by George Bush to deliver prayers at his presidential inauguration, calling Islam “a very wicked and evil religion”.

The author and broadcaster, the Revd Giles Fraser, points to the story of the Good Samaritan as a ready put-down to the kind of theology pushed by Christian fundamentalists such as Graham Jnr.

Jesus is asked: “Who is my neighbour?” The moral of the story he tells in response is that it is the man who is beaten up and left for dead that Jesus points to as our neighbour. The conclusion being: we must help our neighbours.

But that’s not the story at all.

A man is mugged and left, lying in the road, badly injured. Whereas the religious pass by and do nothing, it is the Samaritan who offers care. Those listening to the story would have despised Samaritans. The words ‘good’ and ‘Samaritan’ just didn’t go together. Therefore, in casting the Samaritan as the only passer-by with comnpassion, Jesus is making an all-out assault on the prejudices of his listeners. Crucially the hated Samaritan is held up by Jesus as the moral exemplar. Conclusion: we must overcome religious bigotry.

In the hands of Franklin Graham the story of the Good Samaritan would appear to be interpreted as propaganda for the superiority of Christian compassion against the indifference of other religions– almost the opposite of the purpose of the story, as told by Jesus. What, to me, is astonishing is that Christian fundamentalists in both the USA and UK have successfully persuaded millions that their warped version of Christianity is the ‘real thing’ — and that mainstream Churches have bowed to the secular spirit of our society by allowing this to happen.

I believe the truth is quite the reverse and agree with Giles Fraser when he

writes: “American fundamentalists tend to use a biblical literalism which is selective in its interpretation to support a theology that systematically confuses the kingdom of God with the U.S.’s dominating power in the world”. Kelvin Holdsworth, Provost of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow writes this about the death of Billy Graham: ‘Following news of his death I find myself thinking of those who were given purpose, energy and life in all its fullness by this extraordinary preacher, and I thank God for that. However, I also find myself thinking that the America in which Donald Trump can triumph is part of Graham’s legacy too.

White evangelicalism in the USA was undoubtedly bolstered by Billy Graham’s life and work. The lack of condemnation by Graham of the antics used against black people is a stark reminder that his faith made him able to proclaim his gospel clearly, but see the all too real affairs of the world dimly.

Whatever view we may hold, Billy Graham’s was an extraordinary life. It was a life that brought benefit to countless numbers of people throughout the world and it was a life that give credence to ideas which can bring harm to many”.

Such is, indeed, human complexity.

Like us all, may he be remembered for the good that he did.

Jim Gibson.

From the Minister ...

PASTORAL CARE

IN THE COMMUNITY - an exciting opportunity

As part of its ongoing concern for the wellbeing of people in both congregation and community, the K irk Session granted approval for a further development to our strategy for pastoral care. Some years ago, our luncheon club, Allovus, was established to bring together senior citizens in the community regardless of church affiliation. This has proved a huge success. Today, the club has over fifty members enjoying a wide range of activities as they meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month. This year, we launched the Bothwell Church Dementia Café, catering for people experiencing the agonies of memory loss, their family and carers. Working with the support of the Social Services Department of South Lanark-shire Council, Alzheimer’s Scotland and Playlist for Life, the Café operates in the main hall of the church Centre on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. This, too, is open to all regardless of church affiliation. Now, the Group is keen to discover other ways in which we, as a church, can meet the needs of our community. As a first step, we have launched an initiative to find out what people already do, day by day, to help others and to see if such small acts of kindness can be co-ordinated and further developed to that others may benefit too. Please, read the Personal Interest Form enclosed with this magazine. If you would like to help us help others in need, just add your personal details and return the form to us. You will then be contacted by a member of the Pastoral Care group. Thank you for your interest and the care you already may give.

Local Historical Society petitions

Scottish Parliament Bothwell Historical Society is petitioning the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce legislation to prevent the future development of historic, listed battlefield sites.

The Petition is now ‘live’ on the Parliament’s website and will remain open for supporting signatures until 25 June 2018.

Anyone wishing to give support via internet should click:

www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/

battlefieldpreservation

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Statement of Purpose

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

CHURCH REGISTER

According to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) taking effect as from 25 May 2018, we are updating our church Privacy Policy. Consequently, we will no longer publish addresses in the church magazine. We respect the right of privacy of congregational members and others; and will do all we can to ensure the security of all personal data.

Baptisms: March 11. Rosie Baxendale, daughter of James and Ann Baxendale. April 15. Benjamin Gordon Reid, son of Graeme and Sarah Reid. 29. Sophia Elizabeth Myra Hett, daughter of Kenneth and Amanda Hett. 29. Sydney Alexandra Mancini, daughter of Kevin and Kristina Mancini. Marriages: May 4. Laura McGarvie and Simon McAteer. May 11. Lynne Wilson and Dean Jenkins. Funerals: The Minister invites the prayers of the congregation for the family and friends of the following who recently received Christian funeral:

March Robert Gibson Esq. April Mrs Catherine Palfreman. May Mrs Marion Buchan. James McInnes Esq. Peter McLean Esq. Mrs Janet McNamara.

New Members: The Kirk Session offers a warm welcome to the following recently admitted to membership of the Church at Bothwell:

Mr James and Mrs Ann Baxendale. Ms Lynne Fraser.

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF

BOTHWELL PARISH CHURCH

Are you a member yet?

Why not ? Don’t miss out.

Following a very successful inaugural event in May when those attending were thrilled to enjoy a organ recital given by Peter Shepherd our Organist and Director of Music, raising £780 for Society funds, a small committee has been formed to administer the affairs of the Society and organise future events.

Membership is open to anyone who shares the Society’s aims and would like to support its activities. Please ask the church secretary for a membership form or collect one from church.

The Society exists to aid:

The preservation of the church building for posterity;

The adornment and furnishing of the building;

The safe-guarding of the amenity of the church and the beautifying of its surroundings

The promotion of the church as a centre of excellence for education, the arts and music as well as a place of worship.

The Society exists

to enhance and safeguard YOUR church.

Mrs BETTY SINCLAIR , Blairston Avenue, would like to thank all her friends in the church most sincerely for visits made, cards and flowers received during her recent spell in hospital. All were most gratefully appreciated.

ALLOVUS our Senior’s Luncheon

Club takes a well earned holiday during July. Come August 2nd, however, a whole new programme of activities and speakers have already been arranged for their Autumn session. The Club presently boasts some fifty members and is eager to welcome anyone who might like to join in their fun. Allovus meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 11am.

2018 ‘OPEN CHURCH’ Project

Now that the restoration of the church Quire has been successfully completed, we are delighted that, once again, our church building will be ‘open’ to the public during the month of August.

Thanks to a very faithful team of volunteers, the church will be open each day, Monday to Friday between 10.30am and 12.30pm and, again, between 2.00pm and 4.00pm. Entry is free.

If YOU would like to help and become a volunteer, all you have to do is make contact with the church office and let us know. You will then be paired with an existing volunteer who will be able to explain all that is involved.

Why not help us make our church ‘OPEN’ and ‘WELCOMING’ for others ?

ANOTHER GUILD YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE

We began this session with 41 members and have welcomed another seven new friends to our midst. Following the passing of Betty Forrester and Louise McLean, our membership stands at 46. A healthy number for any Guild but there is still room for new faces and we hold to our overarching aim to be a place of welcome where the Church meets the world. The job continues! From several nominations passed to Buckingham Palace by the minister, one of our members, Margaret Hutchison, was fortunate to be selected to attend the Royal Maundy Service during Holy Week and receive Maundy money from Her Majesty the Queen, in person at St Georges Chapel, Windsor. The first year that nominees from Scotland were sought. Also selected was Fulton Henry, husband of Joan. We congratulate them both on such an honour and hope they cherish happy memories of such a very special occasion. Two of our number, Jessie Smtih and Una McLundie, have each celebrated their 90th birthdays and we assure them of our affection and good wishes for this special milestone.

Our committee have had another challenging year as they have tried to think, plan and provide a varied programme which has something for everyone. Sometimes, an organisation can be a victim of its own success and we are heartened that friends from outwith the Guild want to join us, as visitors, for some of our ventures. Sadly, this is not possible. It’s a bit like a far flung family turning up for Christmas Dinner and the mixed feelings that brings. You know, we are so pleased to see them but is there enough turkey to go around? Other than practical issues, there is also the

consideration that if every meeting were ‘Open’, why would people actually make the commitment to join? We will, however, continue to offer planned opportunities which are open to everyone.

In this regard, we listen very carefully to the views and opinions of our membership and whilst we cannot ever please people all of the time, we do, indeed, try to do the very best we can for the general good. We do promise to be vigilant regarding issues such as heating. Warmth, however, is not solely about physical heat. Another of our aims is to provide a friendly, inclusive and warm – hearted culture and environment.

At the end of the session, we can’t single out any individual from the committee but should thank each one of them for all their hard work and staying true to Guild values and purposes. So many events in our calendar would not have been possible without their generosity and their willingness to come early to prepare and to wait behind to clear up after everyone is safely home. Our thanks to each of them!! However, it is only right in acknowledging retirals from the committee that we express our debt of gratitude to two special ladies, Oonah Lambert and Madge Balfour who are retiring - Oonah from the role of secretary and Madge from the committee – we hope they will both now enjoy taking a well deserved back seat!

EVENTS

We began the session with our rededication and social which included a presentation outlining the Guild past, present and future and how Bothwell Guild is organised;

We welcomed speakers from ‘Playlist for Life’, ‘Prospects’ and ‘Mission International’. To mark Remembrance, our own minister, told us something of his first hand experience in war torn Bosnia from twenty five years ago and more recently. We also heard first hand from two pilgrims of stories and pictures from El Camino – the most recent church pilgrimage;

We were delighted to mark Guild Week with a visit from Ian Whyte, General Secretary of the Guild in Scotland and on that day, members hosted Sunday coffee after the service.

We plan this to be an annual feature as we want our organisation to be visible within our own church community and beyond;

We all greatly enjoyed our Christmas party in the Centre,

a Scot’s Night in word and song accompanied by the usual fayre, and a Valentines in Style evening fronted by the wonderful three – Carol Ann Cahill, Jean Hamilton and Sara Crichton.

We held two ‘Open’ evenings - ‘The Raith Development from Start to Finish’ and ‘Spring Fever’ with Jim Carson & Friends. Both events were attended and enjoyed by a capacity audience. PROJECTS AND OTHER FUNDRAISING

Ahead of our rededication, we hosted an afternoon tea with Mark Bambrough, the celebrated stained glass artist who designed the beautiful Chalmers’ window in the main hall. this was another capacity event which raised the marvellous sum of £912;

Through our Easter Hamper, ‘Spring Fever’ and the collection taken at the ‘Raith Development Open Evening’, we raised sufficient funds to send £250 each to Mission International – the Haiti Project and Prospects – All Friends Together (our chosen projects for the year). At ‘Spring Fever’ we were pleased to share our success with the members of the band who offered their quality entertainment free of charge. A cheque from the Guild for £300 was passed to them from which they donated £100 each to The Samaritans, Cancer Research and Kidney Research.

Through our meeting levies, we are now no longer dependent on donations and the generosity of committee and members. This good housekeeping means we can meet all our running costs. Last year, we supported the worth-while effort of our own BB company as they tried to raise funds for Build a House in Nepal. (Over page…)

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Another series of new discussion topics under the banner of LIVING THE QUESTIONS is well under way. Discussion has been really thought-provoking and lively as we have teased out together the insightful and, at times, controversial beliefs of our video-link leader, the world renown Irish–American academic Dr. John Dominic Crossan.

Our next set of meeting begin on Wednesday, 12th September 7pm for 7.30pm. Thereafter, we meet each Wednesday evening until October 3rd.

Intrigued? Come and join us. Make the effort and let your faith grow!

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Minister Revd J M Gibson 4 Manse Avenue 853189

Session Clerk David Craig c/o Church Office 854903

Treasurer Jim Provan c/o Church Office 854903

Gift Aid Donald Lee c/o Church Office 854903

Roll Keeper Church Secretary Church Office 854903

Property Ken Hamilton c/o Church Office 854903

Organist & Director of Music Peter Shepherd (Please consult at church)

Presbytery Margaret Hutchison c/o Church Office 854903

Crèche Nan Carson c/o Church Office 854903

Sunday Clubs (Pre-school and Primary) The Minister Church Office 854903

ACTs (Teens) Rhona Armes-Martin Church Office 854903

BB Coy. Robin McLean c/o Church Office 854903

Allovus Heather Duddy c/o Church Office 854903 The Guild Doreen Gibson 4 Manse Avenue 853189

Church Centre Management Margaret Dobie c/o Church Office 854903 Church Centre 854987.

THE CLOSE OF ANOTHER GUILD YEAR

CONT’D …

This was a new initiative where our Guild recognised a local, community activity. Because of the benefits brought to our village through the efforts of Brighter Bothwell, we have donated them £300. Next year’s projects are, as yet, unknown to us. We are progressing in our journey and should be extremely proud of what we have achieved together. We move forward with open hearts and minds, anxious to be flexible in our structure and welcoming in our ethos.

Doreen Gibson Guild President

1st Bothwell Company The Boys’ Brigade

Captain’s Report

It has been another year full of activity in all three sections. We started the year with a bang and raised £1000 for the Church of Scotland Appeal to help rebuild houses in Nepal after the recent devastating earthquake. This was the result of a great team effort across all sections and the added generosity of others including the church Guild who presented us with a cheque for £100.

The Anchor Boys are strong in numbers with twenty boys attending each week. They have enjoyed a number of special activities throughout the year including football skills, a visit from some small creatures and a ten-pin bowling night.

The Junior Section numbers are down this year with only five boys attending. However, this has certainly not stopped them having fun and achieving. As well as joining the Anchor Boys for their ‘special’ events, the boys attended the ‘Giant Sleepover’ at the Glasgow science Centre last November. They are looking forward to welcoming ten new members from the Anchor Boys come September.

The Company Section has been working with fifteen boys. We started the year on team-building activities and have also continued to develop our Christian Faith programme. As usual, we have participated in various competitions and are pleased to report our Drill Team winning the Restricted Drill Squad Trophy and coming 2nd Equal in the Elementary competition. Although we have no Queen’s Badge winners this year, I am delighted we have two young men, Ben and Nathan McQuaid as worthy recipients of the President’s Badge. Well done them.

Finally, but not least, I would like to thank the Company staff for all their hard work over the past session, parents for their continued support, the Minister and Kirk Session and the boys, themselves for making the 1st Bothwell a very special BB Company.

The BB Company starts its new session on Friday, 7th September 2018. Robin McLean

Company Captain.

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Could YOU be the person

to fill this important post ?

Or, do you know someone who might ?

Since George Stokes retired as our Church Officer in March last year, a willing group of volunteers has been covering the required duties at our usual Sunday Services.

However, over and above the 2 or 3 hours which most of us witness on a Sunday, there are numerous other tasks and duties which would usually fall to the Church Officer throughout the course of the week. These are either having to be covered by the minister or, in some cases, not covered at all. As an example, these duties would include preparation for, and attendance at, all services and events held throughout the week (including weddings and funerals) and overseeing the cleaning of the church. The number of hours to be worked in a week is to a degree dependent on the number of events taking place, however the employment is full time and suitable remuneration would be agreed.

We are hoping that we may be able to appoint a permanent replacement for George from within our own community. If you would be interested in finding out more about the role please contact the Church Office. We will be happy to provide you with any additional information you may require.

John Crichton Depute Session Clerk

News from the 2018 General Assembly.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY REJECTS OIL AND GAS DIVESTMENT CALL: The Assembly decided that the best way to tackle the ‘very serious’ issue of climate change is to continue

engaging with fossil fuel companies, not divestment. Commissioners voted in favour of continuing to have dialogue with firms to ‘seek alignment with the Paris Climate Change Agreement’ believing that the Church would be much more influential in affecting meaningful change if it has a seat at the discussion table.

CHURCH MOVES A STEP CLOSER TO CONDUCTING SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: The Assembly voted by 345 to 170 to instruct the Legal Questions Committee to prepare legislation allowing services to be conducted in the future with safeguards for ministers who would wish to decline conducting such marriages. The debate was held in a spirit of grace and humility, but there was no mistaking the strength of feeling expressed.

ECUMENICAL APPROACH IS VITAL IN AN INCREASINGLY SECULAR EUROPE: “Speaking with one voice is more important than ever in the light of Brexit” says the President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Right Revd Bishop Graham Hill. The CEC was founded to promote reconciliation, dialogue and friendship between the church of Europe at a time of growing Cold War political tensions and divisions. Speaking on its on-going commitment, the Bishop said that later this year 115 member churches would be represented in Serbia to discuss their vision for Europe.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR A MORE ‘RADICAL’ STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CHURCH: The Assembly rejected the proposed strategic plan for the Church over the next decade, opting instead to order its Council of Assem-bly to return in 2019 with an even more ‘radical’ plan of action. The suggested plan had tried to address the most pressing challenges facing the Church, including reduced membership, missing generations of churchgoers and the need to let go of surplus buildings. Commissioners also discussed the future of the national Offices of the Church in Edinburgh voicing concerns about the expense of its upkeep. CELEBRATION OF 50th ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN ORDAINED INTO THE MINISTRY: Around 500 women ministers and their supporters brought traffic to a temporary standstill in Edinburgh as they marked the 50th anni-versary of the historic decision to ordain women to the ministry of Word and Sacrment within the Church of Scotland. The Revd Mary Morrison and the Revd Caroline Morrison, the first mother and daughter to be ordained into the ministry, addressed the crowd and read a prayer. The procession was greeted at the Assembly Hall at the top of the Mound by the current Moderator, the Rt Revd Susan Brown.

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A Short History of Bothwell

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

The Reverend Gavin Hamilton, minister of Bothwell enjoyed an interesting and successful career. The second son of John Hamilton of Orbiston, who fell at Langside fighting for Queen Mary, he was born about 1561 and educated at the university of St Andrews where he graduated Master of Arts in 1584. Six years later he became minister of the Second Charge, Hamilton. Translated to Bothwell in 1594, he returned after a decade to his former parish where he ministered in the First Charge. Apparently one of the king’s ‘led horses’ he was appointed by James VI to the temporalities (properties and revenues) of the old bishopric of Galloway, with the priory of Whithorn and the abbeys of Glenluce and Dundrennan. A year later, he became Dean of the Chapel Royal and ‘constant’ moderator of the presebytery of Kirkcudbright. The climax of his career was reached in 1610 when, on the 21st October, he was consecrated in London to the see of Galloway. It is interesting to note that, at this ceremony, he was not re-ordained, Presbyterian ordination being then recognised by the Church of England. He died in February 1612. His wife was Alison, eldest daughter of James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, who bore him five children, one of whom married John Campbell, bishop of Argyll.

Like his predecessor at Bothwell, he was a man of some weight and standing in the ecclesiastical councils of the realm; and while still minister at Bothwell he had several important duties to perform outwith his parish. On 26th June 1595, he was appointed by the General Assembly to give information against such of the brethren as had ‘dilapidated’ their benefices in the bounds of Clydesdale, Renfrew, Lennox and Dumbarton and was one of the commissioners chosen by the Assembly for constituting an interim ‘platt’ for the same bounds. By the Assemblies of 1598, 1600 and 1601 he was empowered, with others, to plant such kirks in burgh-towns as are destitute and on 16th May 1601 was appointed, with others, for trial of the brethren in the bounds of Irvine and Ayr.

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

The following particulars would make it obvious he had something to do with the alienation of the church lands and property at Bothwell. In 1604, with the consent of Sir Walter Scott of Branxholm , then patron of the parish, he granted to his brother, John Hamilton of Orbiston in fee-farm and heritage:

1 the whole of ten pound lands of Orbiston and the manor-place, with the houses, yards, orchards and fishings –along with the tithes of the same, 2 the lands of Carnbrew, Unthank, Stevenson, Alderstoun, Carfin, Jerviestoun, Riccart-Johnstoun and Kirklee in the barony of Bothwell, 3 the mill of Orbiston, 4 the nether mill of Orbiston on the Calder, 5 the church lands of Bothwell with the houses, gardens and pertinents reserving, however, to the provost and his successors , serving the cure of Bothwell, a reasonable glebe of four acres of the said church lands, with the mansion, gardens and other premises which were then occupied by the provost.

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

To be continued

COMING SOON... 2018

Car Rally

&

Treasure Hunt

Date to be confirmed in AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

Don’t miss the fun

the excitement of the Rally sharing some food

while making new friends !

A date surely NOT to be missed by all the fun-loving, sun-worshipping, food-appreciating socialites in the congregation is

SUNDAY 19 AUGUST 2018

For that’s the date agreed for this year’s

FAMILY GARDEN PARTY

Held within the gardens of the manse between

2.00pm till 4.00pm.

While youngsters enjoy the fun of Bouncy-castle and games, those who are older in years are invited to sit back and relax over some tasty home-baking, a glass of wine and chat with friends. What could be more pleasing? Tickets (just) £3 on sale each Sunday OR from church office Tuesday/Thursday,before 12pm.

NATIONAL GUILD DONATION

News have just been received that trustees of the national INITIATIVE FUND of the Church of Scotland Guild have agreed to make the donation of £1000 to support the work of Bothwell Church’s Dementia Café.

Unknown to our Dementia Team, application was made to the Fund by the Committee of the Bothwell Guild some weeks ago. News of this unexpected financial donation gives tremendous support to the work recently started by the Team.

The money will help pay for various items of equipment to aid our involvement with Playlist for Life.

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Church Flowers

Crossing War Memorial June: 03rd M Longair F Lorimer 10th A Watt M Wilson 17th M McIntyre D Cameron 24th M Watt A Thomson

July: 01st H McWhinnie J Henry 08th M Dobie E French 15th M Jack M Hutchison 22nd L Horn M McArthur 29th M Chalmers U Morris

August; 05th J Neely J Marsh 12th N Robertson E Barr 19th M Stevenson S Greenshields 26th C Jack P Brown

September: 02nd A Hood CA Cahill 09th E Forrest M Jaap 16th S Crichton G Whitton 23rd S R-Young M Maillie 30th I Glen G Whitton.

Sunday Church Welcome Rota Officebearers should please report for duty at 9.45am.

Sunday Crèche June: 03rd N Carson J Robertson 10th E Barr M Donnelly 17th J Provan J Craig 24th P Maxwell G Ormiston July; 01st ) 08th) No Creche these weeks. 15th) 22nd) 29th Baptismal arrangements. August: 05th Baptismal arrangements 12th S Smith L Parsons 19th E Easton A Hepburn 26th E Terrace E French September: 02nd N Carson J Robertson 09th E Barr M Donnelly 16th J Provan J Craig 23rd P Maxwell G Ormiston 30th S Smith L Parsons

JUNE: JULY: 03. H Marsh J Marsh B Moyes R Parsons 01 J Carson N Carson S Cook D Craig 10. S Smith J Provan J Provan B Sharp 08 J Crichton S Crichton J Cumming E Dempsey 17. G Ormiston E S’ville E Terrace Dr Thomson 15 M Dobie H Duddy B Gillespie J Hart 24. G Whitton A Wilson E Barr E Buttery 22 K Hamilton H Gilmour J Gilmour S G’shields 29 D Hepburn I Hend’son J Henry M Jack AUGUST: SEPTEMBER: 05 D Lee H Marsh J Marsh G Moore 02 E Barr J Carson N Carson E Buttery 12 B Moyes S Smith J Provan J Provan 09 D Craig J Crichton S Crichton J Cumming 19 R Parsons B Sharp G Ormiston E Somerville 16 J Dalziel E Dempsey M Dobie H Duddy 26 E Terrace Dr Thomson G Whitton A Wilson 23 B Gillespie K Hamilton J Hart S G’shields 30 H Gilmour J Gilmour D Hepburn I Henderson OCTOBER: 07 J Henry M Jack D Lee G Moore 14 H Marsh J Marsh B Moyes R Parsons

Coffee Rota JUNE: JULY: AUGUST: 03 Ormiston family 01 Mrs J Hamilton 05 Parsons family 10 Mrs E Dempsey 08 Mrs A Thomson 12 Mrs E Dempsey 17 Mrs C Cahill 15 Frews & Hepburns 19 Mrs J Craig 24 Mrs J Craig 22 Mrs S Crichton 26 Ormiston family 29 Mrs N Carson SEPTEMBER: OCTOBER: NOVEMBER: 02 Mrs J Hamilton 07 Mrs S Crichton 04 Ormiston family 09 Mrs E Dempsey 14 Mrs N Carson 11 Mrs E Dempsey 16 Mrs CA Cahill 21 Parsons family 18 Mrs CA Cahill 23 Mrs A Thomson 28 Mrs E Buttery 25 Mrs J Craig 30 Frew & Hepburn families