We in the Kirk of Calder seek with God's help to encourage and give opportunity to all to grow together in faith and service.
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  Our Church REGEN2025 Church News 
Last updated 16th May 2023
       
 
 

Kirk of Calder is a 16th Century Church built on the site of an earlier 12th Century Church.

Today's Church is the Parish Church for Mid Calder and Pumpherston; it has a active congregation with services each Sunday.

During the summer months, it opens  between 2 and 4pm to allow visitors the
opportunity to view and learn some of its long and fascinating history with guides on hand to provide tours.

The Church is part of the local community, a place of worship and where its history and its rich heritage are shared.

A Church has stood on the site since the 12th century. Kirk of Calder, The present church dates from 1541 with an extension added in the 1860s. Two carved stone Celtic crosses, survive from the original Church, one is on display within the Church.

The Church has close links with the Reformation and John Knox was a regular preacher and one of its ministers helped draft the Scots Confession of 1560. The first reformed communion after the Reformation took place in nearby Calder house.

 The Church was also at the centre of persecution, and at least 5 women were tried and convicted under the witchcraft act. Information about these events is available in the Church.

The Church was also a place of worship for Frederic Chopin during his time in Scotland. James ‘Paraffin’ Young and his family were regular worshipers and the family later donated a number of fine stain glass widows. It is believed that the explorer David Livingston also visited the Church. Call to worship is made each Sunday by the 17th century Rotterdam bell. 

"The Friends of Kirk of Calder" open the church to visitors 2- 4pm on Sundays, May to September and the Co-ordinator is Mr. John Jamieson 01506-411722.

For those who can't visit John Jamieson has prepared a 14minute long Virtual Tour you can view here or click the image.

 

We were fortunate this last season to host a special exhibition within the Kirk by a separate organisation called "The Calder Witch Hunt ".  The Kirk was the actual setting for some of the trials and even where some of the "witches" were tried and tortured. We are negotiating to host this again in the 2023 season

More details here


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The Kirk minutes and Witch Hunt Exhibition

The Calder Witch Hunt have a comic book created by brilliantly talented artist Caitlyn Bannatyne and it tells the stories of the people who were affected by the Calder Witch Hunt.

 

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Over the next 3 years, Kirk of Calder is embarking on a fundraising campaign to raise £60,000 for property and maintenance work at the Church, Glenalmond Hall, and the Manse.

This will also help to support the church mission and its ability to deliver pastoral services in the local community and beyond, for example with the future installation of a new sound and audio system to enhance the online streaming of Church services and events. 

ReGen 2025 will also focus on extending friendship and fellowship both within the Church and local area in this post Covid era. It will aim to create the infrastructure to attract a new minister when permitted to do so.

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ReGen2025 Total raised now £17,315 (@ 8th April 2023)

Future events

Jazz night in the Church - Friday 19th May 2023

Sing-a-long Glenalmond Hall Thur 25 May 7:00pm

Gala Sunday Stall in Park - 28th May 2023

Gala Day Stall - Saturday 3rd June 2023

Highlights Concert Friday 23rd June 2023 at 7:30pm in the Church

Kiltwalk Sunday 17th September 2023

 

Recent Events

Easter Fair 8th April 2023 raised £1,106

(for more photos see the Fundraising Page)

Easter Sunday - Easter Bonnet Competition
and Easter Breakfast - 9th April 2023

 

 

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Pop In Café – Every Tuesday from 10am – 12pm at the Glenalmond Hall. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and cake all proceeds to ReGen 2025 project. Everyone welcome

  To donate online to the cause....

  Donate with JustGiving.

Visit the Fundraising page to see earlier REGEN 2025 activities

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View to Rear Balcony                    The Kirk in 1547 


Inside view of the  Bell Tower


 
                  Some Pew Graffiti        


Inside view

 

 

 

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      Service every Sunday at 10:30am
 

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Next Service Sunday 21st May 2023 at 10:30 - : Rev. Dr Brenda Robson
 

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Teas and Coffee in the Glenalmond Hall after the service -all welcome.
 

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Sunday Club for 4 to 11 year olds every Sunday- Meet in the church at 10:30 then go on to the Glenalmond Hall for pick up at 11:30pm
 

bulletThe Sunday Opening of the Kirk (including the Calder Witch Hunt Exhibition) has now reopened Sundays 2pm to 4pm.
 
bulletA box for Donations for the West Lothian Foodbank and toiletries for Dignity Box can both be left at the main door.
 
bulletAndrew McLeman, James Hendrie and William Brown have achieved 30 years service as Elders at Kirk of Calder and the award of Long Service Certificates. Andrew and James received theirs from the Rev Jonanda Groenewald at the service on 14th May 2023. William will receive his later this month
 
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bulletAnyone willing to join a Congregational Working Party carrying out small jobs at the church and manse please contact Jim Hendrie
 
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A great new drone picture (Page banner and above) of the Kirk by local Droneography expert Liam Bullerwell who has kindly agreed that it can be reproduced here

If you click the picture above you can see Liam's Video Drone Fly Past of the Church lasting 38 seconds. Please note it takes a little while to load or it will buffer so its best to let it load fully first before playing!

We are without a minister at present , our Interim Moderator is Rev. Nanda Groenewald  (The present minister of Polbeth Harwood and West Kirk of Calder)  She can be contacted by telephone  07846 539 841 or by e-mail at jonandagroenewald@gmail.com

View West Lothian Council Memorial Service 16th September 2022 Slideshow Pics 38 seconds long click here https://fb.watch/fBTtaeYJ3O/

View West Lothian Council Memorial Service for the Queen on 16th September 2022 (click link) 48 minutes long https://fb.watch/fBUtCjJK8O/

Kirk of Calder service for Sunday 18th September 2022 - Gordon Pennykid can be viewed at the link below.
https://fb.watch/fPeiaQrUDx/

Previous weekly services can be accessed here  (If anyone can't access this the sermons are also available on DVD's- contact Eleanor Blair 01506 881302) Please Note - not all services are recorded

Updated Presbytery Info November 2022

On the 15th November the Edinburgh and West Lothian Presbytery approved the Presbytery Mission Plan to be submitted to he Church of Scotland General Trustees for review and approval. It is anticipated assuming no substantial changes are required by the General Trustees, that the plan will be returned to the Edinburgh and West Lothian Presbytery for final release at their 22nd February 2023 meeting. At that point permissions to call ministers, unite churches etc will be forthcoming.

The Guild meet on the second and fourth Thursdays (Sept-Nov and Feb-April)- now in the afternoon at 2pm in the Glenalmond Hall

The Choral Highlights Choir meet on Wednesday evenings in the Church at 7:30pm  New members welcome. Contact John Rankine 01506 880029

The Choir sing a selection of Traditional Scottish Songs Pop-up Sing along including Street Songs lasting 16 minutes. Click here or on image below

        

 

                

         

 

 

Kirk of Calder Giving 

Please consider that the Kirk of Calder relies on regular giving and if you have not already set up a direct debit or standing order please do so now. Most banks allow you to set up a single payment online then convert it into a regular monthly payment. Alternatively you can download a form here 

Very Important if you are a UK taxpayer (even many pensioners pay tax!) the Kirk gets 25% extra on top of your payment from the Government as “Gift Aid” - provided you complete the form for this here

Bank details - Account Name: “KIRK OF CALDER GENERAL ACCOUNT” Account No.: 10047047 Sort Code: 82-66-22 (Virgin Money, Livingston)

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Please visit the Photo Gallery to see all aspects of the Church

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Windows and altar

          For More photos visit the Kirk's Photo Gallery 

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Photos

Visit the Photo Gallery here


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Kirk of Calder Parish (Church of Scotland) is registered Scottish Charity No SCO13461

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