All news from 2015 – scroll down to see month by month
Annual Christmas Lunch @ St Cs
Saturday 5th December 2015 saw our annual Christmas Lunch with over 80 guests. Thanks to all who made it so successful. Merry Christmas to everyone.
Click on each picture to see an enlarged view
Afternoon Tea on Wednesday 11th November was a great success. Twenty three of our friends and neighbours enjoyed home baking and a chat. We are looking forward to our next one.
On Saturday 24th Oct Rev Peter Kirk’s ashes were interred in our Garden of Remembrance.
Roses were planted in his memory.
A new bench given in memory of Dave Main was installed recently on a new patio. It looks great!
On Thursday evening (15th Oct) we enjoyed a chance to hear from our chosen charities for this year.
30 people attended the event led by Rev Christine. We heard Mhairi Collie speak on her work with the School lunches for Kamuli and Ruth Milliken from Scotland lights up Malawi. It was a very interesting evening which will, no doubt, give more prominence to these most worthy causes.
As you can see from the photos of the event, we also enjoyed fellowship over food and drink! What would St Columba’s be if we had no nibbles??
- Mhairi Collie, Rev Christine & Ruth Milliken
- Solar lights. Solar panel also available
Pictures from our recent trip on 27th August to the Beild Retreat Centre near Perth.
- Lots of space to sit or walk outside
- Lunch in the Stables
- Lunch was really good
- Many of us went to see the little farm
- Much loved sheep.Visiting Euan with Rosie and Lily
- Our room for our use
- Some of the group in the grounds
Thanks to all our helpers who painted the fence. What a difference! Our team have done a marvellous job. Alastair, Ben, Carol and Reece.
Sunday 5th July 2015 … …
saw Anthea and Sandy McAlpin renew their wedding vows from 40 years ago. Congratulations to the happy couple on their Ruby Wedding Anniversary.
- Rev Christine with Anthea & Sandy
- Anthea, Sandy & Family
- Having a cuppa
- All together
John Newlands Procession (Bathgate Gala Day!)
Saturday 6th June 2015
Amid a wet day at the beginning of the Scottish Summer, Bathgate celebrated it’s Gala Day. More traditionalists prefer to call it the John Newlands Procession Day. However, here are a few photos of the day’s event.
And by the way, did you know we won First Prize for the best dressed building (again, I hear you say!)
- First Prize
- Pooh’s Garden
- Pooh’s HowS
- Pooh’s Garden
For more pictures of the day click on the link Procession Day 2015
The ‘Association of Serving the Humanity International’ (ASHI)
is a Scottish based charity seeking to improve the lives of people in Uganda by eradicating poverty and advancing better health and education. The charity has its roots in West Lothian and was established by David OkaloOlwa who came to Scotland from Africa in the 1970s and who wanted to make a difference to the ordinary lives of people back in his home country.
St Columba’s, and our sister church St Peter’s (Linlithgow), have supported the charity in various ways over the years. Our most recent involvement was a year of activities to raise money for the Bala Water Project in Northern Uganda. We were delighted to hear the news that the residents of Olai village now have access to clean and safe drinking water as a direct consequence of our fundraising efforts. It is good to know that the money we donated to this worthwhile cause really does make a remarkable difference to the lives of many people.
The following video clip from earlier this year shows the commissioning ceremony of the new water pump which was directly funded by our congregations. (Click on the link to open the video)
Sunday 15th February 2015
Today we celebrated with Peter and Betty Kirk. They renewed the wedding vows made to each other 60 years ago (on the 12th Feb!). It was lovely to come together with their family and friends.
As usual, there was a cake and bubbly to help toast the happy couple.
- The happy couple
- Cutting the cake!
- The flowers
- Peter & Betty with Rev Christine
Another wonderful day in the life of St Columba’s.
The Thrift Shop, Bathgate
30th Jan – 5th Feb 2015
We closed the Thrift shop on Thursday after a very successful week. We made £1400 – I think our best total ever. Many, many thanks to all concerned – to those who came to set up and take down with amazing efficiency, to those who gave their time to running it during the week, especially to the three or four noble souls who willingly took on numerous stints, sometimes two or even three (!) in a day, and to those who gave a wonderful lot of good quality items to sell. A special thanks to the people in St Peter’s who rallied round after the weekend to supply us with more things when we were beginning to run out of good ones. That brought lots of customers back into the shop.
December 6th 2014
A very successful Christmas lunch was held at St Columbas and as always everyone enjoyed a happy festive time. Thanks to all who organised and worked on the day to make this another great community spirited event. I’m sure everyone who attended thought that the food was wonderful and everything was professionally executed. Congratulations and a very merry Christmas to all.
Click on each picture to see an enlarged view
The Rector Takes Off!
If you would like to see your Rector taking to the skies in a Micro-light aeroplane you can do so on YouTube.
Click here for the link.
Christine’s Big Birthday
Congratulations to Christine on her 60th birthday! The congregation were delighted to share in a wonderful cake to mark the occasion.
WW1 100th Anniversary
The poppies planted in the church garden of remembrance were a fitting marker of the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1.
We went to Millport and the Cathedral of the Isles on Saturday 2nd August 2014.
After a potted history of the Scottish Episcopal Church we had a look round the Cathedral.. Rev Christine led us in an Evensong service. And, as usual, we met in the refectory for dinner.
Bathgate Gala Day 2014
Guess what…. we won First Prize for best decorated premises
Good Friday 18th April
We walked the Stations of the Cross today
During Lent we had various Bible study evenings.
Sunday 16th March 2014
During morning worship Rev Christine presented a cheque for £288 to David and Dorothy Olwa. It will go towards the ASHI Water Project in Uganda.
Saturday 15th March 2014
Fischy Music Maker’s Masterclass in St Columba’s saw a great turnout to participate in this event. It saw members of congregations from far and near.
The children learned to make musical instruments from everyday items. During this time the adults learned some new songs. All joined together for part two, taking part in our concert. What a great day!
Dedication of Remembrance Bookstand
On Wedesday 12th March, during our midweek service, Rev Christine dedicated the Remembrance Bookstand which was given by Joan Barham’s family.
It was dedicated in her name.
We were blessed to have a good sized congregation to help us join in worship on this special day.
Valentine’s Dance 14th February 2014
- Another great night at St Cs
- Is it the slosh or line dancing? Yee haa!
- And there’s more food…
Nativity Service 22nd December 2013
The Church cupboard transformed into a stable!
Handbell Concert 15th November 2013
Jordanhill Parish Church Handbell ringers gave a rousing concert to a packed church. The concert included music from the films, commercial advert themes, classical and some popular hymns. Over £400 was raised with in excess of £200 being dontaed to the DEC Philippine disaster appeal
Bishop John’s Visit 20th October 2013
Bishop John confirmed 2 members of the congregation, reaffirmed 6 others, as well as licensing David and Sandy as Lay Eucharistic Ministers. It was lovely to have the church packed and everybody enjoyed a great feast after the service to celebrate the special day in the life of the congregation.
Outside the church after the service, taking light into the world!
First Communion 15th September 2013
Three of our young people were admitted to Holy Communion by Bishop Douglas in a service full of joy!
Christine’s First Anniversary at St Columba’s 1st September 2013
What better way to celebrate than with a cake!
Treasure Hunt and BBQ in Linlithgow 24th August 2013
A motley crew had a jolly afternoon searching for treasure around the lanes, parks and hills of Linlithgow and were rewarded with a feast at the Rectory at the end of their endeavours.
Outing to the Franciscan Friary at Alnmouth
22nd August 2013
Trip to Summerlee- Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, 12th August 2013
A crowd from St Peter’s and St Columba’s, old and young, enjoyed an afternoon at Summerlee Museum, Coatbridge.
Facelift at St Columba’s, 8th August 2013
Decoration of Chancel area