Thursday October 2
Over 200 new books worth over £1300 are being donated by Livingston United Parish Church to ten primary and nursery schools across Livingston.
These vary from books of well-known bible stories, such as David and Goliath and the Christmas story, through to books of poetry and modern fiction. Each school will also receive books designed to help children cope with an illness or bereavement in the family.
The books were purchased with money donated by church members during Lent as an alternative to the tradition of giving something up.
The donation is part of a national scheme called ‘Speaking Volumes’ founded in 1971 by the Christian Book Promotion Trust. A panel of literary experts from Speaking Volumes recommended the titles of books donated based on age- appropriateness and links to the school curriculum.
This follows on from the “Penny Gospel” scheme run during the Commonwealth Games where Livingston United delivered a free copy of Luke’s Gospel together with stories of famous athletes to 5000 homes in the town.
Darren Philip, Youth and Children’s Worker for the Parish, said: “We believe that stories are important. The books we are donating are about sharing the story of our faith, and encourage children to think about what that story means for them.”
St Ninian’s-Craigmailen Church in Linlithgow commemorated the 60th anniversary of the union of St Ninian’s and Craigmailen churches with a service of thanksgiving followed by a garden party in the grounds of Longcroft Memorial Hall.
The congregation filled a time capsule with items from 2014 to be opened another sixty years, and it was placed in a casket made by a member of the congregation.
The junior section of the Linlithgow Reed Band played at the party, and there was an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia; the most unusual item being the top hat the Precentor of Craigmailen Church wore while conducting hymn singing.
Four country church services held in the Borders during the summer raised over £600 towards the training of ministers for the Church of Scotland.
The services, at Kirkhope (Ettrick), Traquair, Ashkirk and Broughton, were organised by the Rev Marion Dodd, under the auspices of Melrose and Peebles Presbytery.
The theme of the services was ‘Joining Together in Harmony Rather than Conflict’ and involved members of the various congregations, including Lord David Steel, and opera singer Mhairi Lawson. At the final service in Broughton Kirk, the Rev Bob Milne, Parish minister and Moderator of the Presbytery, and the congregation also celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The idea for the services came from Paul Goode, a member of Earlston Church. He said: “This is the second year we have organised these summer Saturday evening services. The sense of peace that those attend feel after the services is a great way to finish the week and give hope for the coming one.
“People from all over the Presbytery look forward to the services and travelled a fair distance to attend.”
Rev Dodd said: “The most important thing for me about the services has been the coming together of talented lay people across the Presbytery, many of whom didn’t know each other at the start, to create and lead four excellent services.”
A group from the Presbytery is to look at setting up a new fund to help ministry students in the area, failing which the proceeds of the services will be given to central funds.
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