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 11th November 2024
       
 
 

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 the last three seasons 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 hosting this again in the 2024 season

More details here

A memorial Plaque was commissioned and placed in the Vestry in 2023

View the YouTube video on its installation here https://youtu.be/966a0WZR928

 


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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.

 

The Kirk of Calder is situated on Main Street, Mid Calder, EH53 0AN
what3words address ///lifeguard.cherubs.endings

Walk round the historic Kirk of Calder on a sunny day is another new addition to he YouTube videos  Click the photo below to watch and listen

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 Their You Tube Channel can be accessed from this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm290UIhbwCTjkwBwyttm7w

        

 

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Windows and altar


Some Pew Graffiti    



 

 

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Over the past 2 years and the next year Kirk of Calder have 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, and hope for the future to provide a new sound and audio system to enhance the online streaming of Church services and events. 

ReGen 2025 is also focusing 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 help attract a new minister.

ReGen2025 Total raised to date approx £40,000

 

Coming Events

Guild Christmas Coffee Mornning
Saturday 23rd November 2024 10am - 12noon in the Glenalmond Hall - Tickets £3.00 inc tea & scone


Christmas Fair
Glenalmpnd Hall
Saturday 30th November 2024
10am-1pm

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Charity Concert featuring West Calder Brass Band and Highlights Choir in the Kirk on Friday 6th December 2024 at 7pm - Tickets £5.00 from John Rankine (including refreshments) or pay at the door

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Mid Calder Christmas Tree Lighting  Service on Saturday 7th December in the Kirk at 6pm.
Following the short service a Torchlight procession will leave from the Kirk to the Village Green for the switch on of the lights.
Mulled wine and hot chocolate in the Institute Hall after the switch on.

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Bingo Night
Date to be arranged

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Recent Past Events

Sunday 10th November
Remembrance Service at War Memorial


Talent show

     And the winner is  ...........
 Amazing Grace!
This fun event raised £350.00 for ReGen25

 

Edinburgh Kiltwalk
Sunday 15th September 2024
Has raised £3,100

 
 

WEE CONCERT SERIES
29th August 2024
CR Stompers Jazz Band
Duo- Fiona and John
 

Summer Fair/Funday
Saturday 10th August 2024

Raised approx £700.00 !

Fermentation Workshop with Amy Rankine - was held on Sunday 14th July
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Concert - Highlights Community Choir and West Calder Brass Band
28th June 2024 raised £260.76 for Regen2025

"CR Stompers" Jazz Band with "Duo"
was held on 18th April 2024

Spring Fair 20th April 2024 at the Kirk  Raised £1,165.00

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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

 Visit the Fundraising page to see earlier REGEN 2025 activities

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 The Kirk in 1547 


Inside view of the  Bell Tower


 

  For More photos visit the Kirk's Photo Gallery 

 

Kirk of Calder Giving 

Please see Accounts and Donations page

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

 

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      Service every Sunday at 10:30am

bulletNext Service Sunday 17th November 2024  Sole Nominee for our vacancy Rev William Watt will preach in the Church. At the close of the service the Members of the Congregation who are on the Electoral Register of Kirk of Calder will be invited to vote to accept or reject the Vacancy Committee's recommendation. No teas this week to allow for the vote counting - Flyer below
 
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bulletTeas and Coffee in the Glenalmond Hall after most  morning services -all welcome.
 
bulletThe West Lothian Food Bank have created a Reverse Advent Calendar below. You are invited to collect the items on the list and have it ready for the Service on 24th November 24 (so they have time to distribute it before Christmas!)


 
bulletGreat News! The Vacancy Committee have completed
their work after reviewing 10 applications, creating a shortlist of 5 and then interviewing 2 and also seeing them preach, they have settled on a "Sole Nominee" for our new minister.
They have selected Rev. William Watt who is at present Assistant Minister at Corstorphine Old Parish Church. (see his bio that appeared in the 27th October service's intimations).
Two weeks notice of his invitation to preach for us was issued  and he will preach on Sunday 17th November 2024. After the service members of the Congregation who are on the Kirk's Electoral Register will have the opportunity of voting to agree or not with this proposed appointment. We will then have to wait till February 2025 for Edinburgh and West Lothian
Presbytery to formally approve this recommendation so it probably will be March before William would be able to start with us.

 
bulletThe Guild next meet on Thursday 14th November from 2-4pm in the Glenalmond Hall where they will be doing tile painting cost £5, all welcome.
 
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Rev. Liam Fraser was welcomed as our New Interim Moderator at the Session Meeting on 26th June 24.
 

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Debbie Fleming a solicitor with KW Law has now on five occasions offered the opportunity to meet members of the congregation, to discuss the preparation of a Will and/or Power of Attorney.  If you are interested on a future appointment please indicate your interest to - Susan Adams susanmjadams@aol.com Donations (min £50.00) for this service to REGEN2025
 

bulletThe Sunday Club has now fully running. 4 to 11 year olds meet every Sunday in the church at 10:30 and after the children's sermon go on to the Glenalmond Hall* for fun lessons for pick up at 11:30pm when the main service finishes. *on 17th November they will temporarily meet in the Malt Barn in the Kirk's graveyard
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      The Sunday Club had a trip to the Edinburgh fringe      
      Festival in August and interfaced with the performers!

bulletThe Sunday Opening of the Kirk (including the Calder Witch Hunt Exhibition) has now closed for the season. It is open 2pm to 4pm from May to September. Free Entry
 
bulletA box for Donations for the West Lothian Foodbank and toiletries for Dignity Box can both be left at the main door.
 
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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 new Interim Moderator from June 2024 is the Rev Liam Fraser. He will guide us through the final stages of calling a minister.

Our grateful thanks go both the Rev Gordon Jamieson and the Rev. Nanda Groenewald who have previously both in turn undertaken the Interim Moderator role during the last 3 years years and have guided us through to this final stage.

The Parish Profile is now on the Church of Scotland's website in order to attempt to attract a minister and can be viewed here

DUO  Fiona and John
Message from our musical director - Free performances!
Hi everyone,
We sing a variety of styles including classic pop, country and ballads, with special requests taken in advance of bookings. Available, free of charge, for community and charity events, concerts and entertainment for local groups, care homes, etc. With an extensive repertoire, we tailor the set list to your audience and venue. See us at regular Wee Concerts held in Glenalmond hall.
We are in the process of planning our music entertainment for the next few months. Easy listening, well known songs and a bit of nonsense. 
Contact at    john.rankine@lineone.net
Web- www.chvocalmusic.co.uk
To hear some of the music we perform at the moment, 
you can hear us on You Tube Sampler. 
https://youtu.be/VGusiAC7-6c


The Kirk's Highlights Community Choir are looking for new Voices!

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 during the pandemic and the recovery 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 -services are no longer routinely recorded


SYNOPSIS OF PARISH GROUPING July 23

The congregation of Livingston Old Parish Church , the congregation of Livingston United Parish Church  and the congregation of Kirk of Calder Parish Church shall form a Parish Grouping called the Livingston Parishes Grouping.

 

Each church shall continue with the Parish boundaries, ministries , session all remaining as ay present, and continue to maintain their own buildings.

 Areas of Co-operation:
 

Deliver weekly church services, joint pastoral care initiatives and community involvement projects. Actively develop the mission skills of the church elders and congregations to employ more of the untapped and underutilised inherent talents within the congregations of these three churches to encourage the young to participate and lapsed members to reengage in the life of the church. Seek to transform unjust structures of society, challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation through joint pastoral care initiatives and community care and youth engagement projects. Actively develop further the community support initiatives, thrift shops, community cafes and community events, to bring young and old together in fellowship and fuller participation in the life of the church.

Sustain and renew the life of the earth through shared church, community and other local and  world environment protection projects. Actively develop further the eco church activities already within the three churches and their links to communities in other areas in Scotland and beyond.

The Guild meet (Sept-Nov and Feb-April) on the second and fourth Thursdays of these months - The meetings are held 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

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Photos

Visit the Photo Gallery here


Facebook Logo - Click to visit the Kirk's Facebook Page Click the facebook logo  to visit our Facebook Page Facebook Logo - Click to visit the Kirk's Facebook Page
     


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

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