Our Sunday Club runs every Sunday from 10.30am to 11.30am and is for young people aged 4 and over. It takes place mainly in our Glenalmond Hall, that is a short walk from our church, but starts in church to hear the Children’s Address before leaving for the hall.
We are fortunate to have a team of highly-trained volunteers who run our bible- themed sessions with enthusiasm, imagination and fun and creativity in mind. We use art and crafts, songs, activities, games and drama to communicate the Bible message and to support the emphasis placed by our Minister. Our activities within the Glenalmond Hall are complemented by activities outside of it that include visits to the Edinburgh Fringe, picnics, nature rambles, cinema, cooking, visits to the seaside, and opportunities to perform. This is to offer a broad selection to our young people that embraces not only spiritual development but also social and educational.
To find out more about our Sunday Club contact Susan Adams, our Team Leader, whose details can be found under our ‘People’ heading.
The Sunday club in conjunction with the wider community prepare an original Nativity play for the service on the last Sunday before Christmas.
Contact is maintained with the two primary schools in our parish. (Mid Calder Primary and Pumpherston Primary) and special school services are held in the Kirk.
The Friends open the church to the public from May to September between 2 and 4pm for free guided tours, although donations are welcome. Our knowledgeable guides know the rich history of our church and their tour also covers the Calder Witch Hunt. Our church is a Scottish Tourist Board 3-star attraction and won the West Lothian Award for Conservation in 1992. Amongst our most famous visitors are John Knox, James Paraffin Young, David Livingstone and Frederick Chopin – and we look forward to meeting you too! We are part of The Open Churches Scheme www.sacredscotland.org.uk.
For more information contact: John Jamieson 01506 411772 jamiesonjar@btinternet.com
The Kirk of Calder Guild Meets on the second and fourth Thursdays (Sept- Nov and Feb-April)- in the afternoon at 2pm in the Glenalmond Hall
With around 35,000 members, the Church of Scotland Guild is one of Scotland’s largest voluntary organisations. Although women make up the bulk of our membership, increasingly, men are becoming members and taking active roles at local and national levels.
Members meet in local groups at congregational level, and have a speaker or activity on the day. They organise a couple of fundraising coffee mornings each year.
The Kirk of Calder Guild is also part of a regional group known as a presbyterial council, and once a year a national meeting, to which each group can send a representative.
The current constitution of the Guild was adopted in 1997, after a major review of the present organisation’s predecessor, the Woman’s Guild. In 2003, the Guild reviewed its constitution to ensure more inclusive language was used and to take account of the need for flexibility in local groups.
The Guild is about invitation, encouragement, commitment, and fellowship which leads to providing opportunities for continuing growth in Christian faith through worship, prayer and action. Worship is an essential ingredient in all meetings and activities. Prayer underpins everything – and is a means of involving those members who cannot be active in other ways. Action means living out the faith through project work, exploration of the discussion topics and local involvement of groups and individual members in various aspects of Christian service.
Action means living out the faith through project work, exploration of the discussion topics and local involvement of groups and individual members in various aspects of Christian service.
Women and men of all walks of life meet together under our common aim:
“The Church of Scotland Guild is a movement within the Church of Scotland which invites and encourages both women and men to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and enables them to express their faith in worship, prayer and action. “The aim has been underlined in our motto which is taken from Acts 27, verse 23: “Whose we are and Whom we serve”
The choir was first formed in 2001 from members of the congregation. Through our good natured outlook and with encouragement, patience, humour and wit, we master our songs and perform with an enthusiasm that is very apparent to our audience.
The choir performs two concerts a year in Kirk of Calder. One in June and one at the beginning of December with a strong Christmas theme when we offer carols, show tunes and Christmas favourites. The very accomplished West Calder Brass Band is our partner in the summer concert and Christmas concert with our audiences returning again and again.
Our music is wide ranging, from Classic Pop through gospel and a little bit of jazz.
On the social side, the choir has a summer night out and a Christmas night out with dinner at various venues. These biannual outings have become eagerly anticipated dates in our calendar. A chance to really let our hair down among good company – Always a great night!
Joining our choir is open to everyone. It is good fun and if what you have read appeals to you, then get in touch with John who will be delighted to welcome any new members. Rehearsals are on Sundays after the service 11.30 – 12.30pm approx. and Wednesdays 7.30-8.45 pm approx. in the Malt Barn
Contact John Rankine 07824970287 johnrankine.music@gmail.com for more info.
Rainbows have fun! They take part in games and activities as part of their programme called the Rainbow Jigsaw. Everything a Rainbow does helps her to develop and to think for herself, in a safe girl-only environment. What to know?
Brownies also have fun! Their meetings are full of challenges, games and activities, usually ones that the Brownies have suggested themselves.
“Your family can be part of our family as well as regular church services we have Sunday Club from 4 year olds, concerts, and community nights including involvement in local events such as the Gala Day and Christmas tree lighting”
Members who make their Offering to the church by standing order, can collect a card at the main door of the church to be placed in the offering bowl so that it dedicated with the other offerings
Old Parish Registers (OPRs) The most important source for pre 1855 family history research in Scotland are the Old Parish Registers OPRs. These were compiled from records of Baptisms and Marriages kept by the Session Clerks in Church of Scotland parish churches. We do not hold these records however they are available online at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
Rev William Watt has indicated in order to get to know his parishioners he intends to visit the entire congregation along with their district elder, if you haven’t had a visit yet, it could be soon
Debbie Fleming, a solicitor with KW Law, continues to provide the opportunity to meet members of the congregation, to discuss the preparation of a Will and/or Power of Attorney. If you are interested in a future appointment please contact-Susan Adams susanmjadams@aol.com 07823 328609. Donations (min £50.00) for this service
A box for donations for the West Lothian Foodbank and toiletries for Dignity Boxes can both be left at the main door.
A great drone picture of the church by local droneography expert Liam Bullerwell who has kindly agreed that it can be reproduced here.
SOCIAL EVENTS AND CONCERTS
A varied programme of concerts and social events. most of which involve families are held throughout the year. See the What’s On page to see what is coming up.