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View from the SessionThe future is looking bright, well spring is coming but a lot of work lies ahead forour Session who now have monthly meetings or 2 in February, one for Kirk stuffand one for the Accounts which will be detailed later, however the main concernfor the meeting was that giving since the start of the Pandemic had dropped by 9500 compared to expenditure, with the difference having to be met by ourlimited reserves, the Sessions challenge is to stem this draw on reserves and keepa tight control on expenditure while looking at ways to recover this loss ofincome.The next challenge is to maintain our contact with our members, it is ourmembers who are the Church, and we must look after their spiritual needs andmaintain the “family” that is Blackburn & Seafield Parish Church.Not only has Covid hit the church, but also the church family in many ways, somemembers have been able to attend our reduced services, some members haverequired to isolate which has made visiting impossible from the garden gate,phone calls and emails have been the norm but not everyone has access totechnology, and many have been feeling totally isolated. The Session’s task is toreach out to all members but especially to those who have been housebound foralmost a year now.Our recording of services has been our mainstay to reach our members and alsothose you may find comfort in our services whether they are members or not, aswe approach Easter, this year we will be able to visit church (fingers crossed), theSession expresses its thanks to Sandra and all those who have taken part in theservices, like Nativity, our Pastoral cover, film crew, sound department, floristsand cleaners in helping to make our Sundays as near “normal” as possible.You will have noticed from watching out services either on YouTube, Facebook orour website that things have changed a little, it’s the Lord’s Prayer. One of thetalking points at the Session was, “ .why does the Assembly, and some ministershave a different Lord’s Prayer?”. Well in 1998 a revised version was adopted, abit like changing some of our well-known hymns, to bring it into line withlanguage we use today, as we no longer use “thee”, “thy”, “thou”, or “art” andthe context of debt or debtors is different today.

It was suggested that we might adopt the newer version as approved by theGeneral Assembly in 2000.This was a bit like “ My Granny went doon tae the cellar, to see where the gas leakmight be, she lit up a match tae see better, oh bring back my Granny to me”.A well intentioned and enthusiastic discussion followed on why we shouldchange, or not, something that is close to many of our hearts, however evenphraseology in the bible has changed and this has not changed its context.Another important point raised was that we were trying to encourage youngerpeople into the church, so after discussion a vote was taken and we now have anew Lord’s Prayer for the future, and here it is;Our Father in Heaven, hollowed be your name,Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in Heaven.Give us today our daily bread,Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us,Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.For the Kingdom, the power,And the glory are yours now and forever. AmenAs we become accustomed to this new version, we will see it displayed on thescreens during worship. If you disagree with the change, remember it is what isin your heart that is important, you know your words and the younger peopleknow what they say, and the Lord knows all our hearts.Although all of the above has helped keep our family together, the Session areconcerned that the closure will have developed the “habit” of not attendingchurch, we therefore will be looking at ways to encourage members to come backto church and also how we can make worship, attending church, and the missionof the church a great place to be. So, if you have an idea on anything to make thechurch more welcoming, worship more modern, let your Elder know or speak toSandra or Keith, and the Session will bring this to its next meeting in April.

Re- opening of ChurchAs I write this, we will be allowed to reopen for worship on the 28th March(Palm Sunday) with up to 50 people being able to attend, however socialdistancing must remain. Although depending on relationships we cancater for over 40 we are planning for 35 places as before, we willtherefore have 2 services, and these will be based on surnames asbefore. Below is a list of times for each group to attend.In addition to the church, we can accommodate a further 24 in the hall,which now has a screen and proper PA system, so you do not miss out.As before we will require a track and trace, sanitizing, face masks andsocial distancing so please give yourself plenty of time to attend thechurch and follow the direction of those on duty. Thank you.Date28th Mar11am Service12noon servicesurname M to ZA to L4th AprilA to LM to Z11th AprilM to ZA to L18th AprilA to LM to Z25th AprilM to ZA to L2nd MayA to LM to Z9th MayM to ZA to L16th MayA to LM to Z23rd MayM to ZA to L30th MayA to LM to ZPlease remember that if you arrive by car for the 11amservice, please leave via the carpark rear gate leadingto Elm Grove.

Elders Duty Rota 2021MonthJ Rankine, ASimpsonM Brown, 18th30th14th25th28thA Baker.J Lumsden, LGraham,J McAloon, GTodd,C NaylorJ Robertson, EYounger,M Duncan, WGilfillan.R DrummondJ Muir, A Muir,D Anderson, MMason,T Stockman.J Mitchell, MSavage,J Ewart, CMcCullochE Stockman.I Henderson, MShields,J Graham, SMerry,L Thomson21stIn the event that you will not bein attendance please contactKeith to ensure alternativearrangements are made asap6th2ndThis is an extract of the 2021rota covering the next fewweeks, can I remind all Eldersthat they should be on duty30mins prior to the start ofservice, they will be required totrack and trace arrivals andensure that they will be seatedin the appropriate places andspacing. The Offering will betaken at the door and broughtinto the service at the firsthymn. At the close of service allseats MUST be sanitized, readyfor the noon service which youshould also cover.13thPlease note those elders listedin bold are on banking duties.

Our “Bob’s” have been a bit busier over the last 2 months, they havechannelled the speaker system into the hall, this will do away withusing our portable PA and all the hassle of setting it up and theproblems with speaker feedback, we have tested the systemextensively and not experienced any problems, having said that wewill see what happens we it is used in earnest. Used in conjunctionwith the projector and screen we can hear and see the same slides as those in the church.We had hoped to be able to stream live pictures through to the hall however the worldwideshortage in cameras means that we will have to wait a while before we are fully up andrunning, however we will then be able to meet the occasional over spill when it occurs,mainly at funerals.As spring arrives and before the tree sap begins in earnest, we pruned some of thebranches on the trees around the car park exit, a couple of things need to be done at thehall area and near the firs at the west end of the car park, but if the weather hold these willbe trimmed soon.Additional work has been carried out within the church hall which will give more storagespace for items currently stored in the vestry, this will give access to items without askingfor a key from Sandra.In general, our “Bob’s” work well together, their skills are multi and there are very few tasksthey cannot complete, only those that require certified tradespeople are not done,however there has been a bit of banter recently aimed at one member who seems to besaying “ .eehh, I will let you do that!”Well, I will let you judgefor yourself, recently while workingaway a “Bob” wascaught on camera, up a ladder, bysomeone standingwatching, while the other worked andsweated at height to getthe job completed on schedule. Youwill note all the tools onthe table ready for the next job and noMUGS OF TEA! To ease anew knee.All the tools and equipment requiredto carryout all the littlejobs around the church come from our“Bob’s” homes,however, to complete some of thework both steps andladders have to be brought to the kirkso that simple things likeyou can see and the fitting of lights oraccess to storage areasor even checking for leaks can be done. We have however secured a set of 3-way stepswhich will facilitate most of the height work and these will be retained securely in thechurch.Yes securely, as in the past ladders, steps and tools have gone missing - sadly.

CONGRATULATIONS ELAINEElaine Wood who is an Elder here in Blackburn & SeafieldChurch, has just completed her final assessment and has beenaccepted by the Church of Scotland to train as a Deacon.Elaine has been working in Airdrie as a part-time Family &Youth Ministries Co-ordinator and will now embark on aBatchelor of Divinity Degree and placements, to enable her todo the job God has called her to be, a Deacon. Our thoughts,prayers and congratulations are with her as she starts this newand exciting journey to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.To All,May I on behalf of myself, Darrin and family thank eachand every one who sent cards, flowers and prayersafter the sad passing of my husband Ian.They have been of great comfort to us all.Special thanks to Sandra for her kindness,support and lovely Service, it was much appreciated.Ian will be greatly missed.Thanks againMargo Stewart

J.O.Y(Jesus first, Other’s second, Yourself Last)Gracious God we are thankful that Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly, wasable to visit us virtually here in West Lothian. His sermon was so uplifting, uniting all inout Presbytery, reminding us that the Church is, and must continue to be, a place ofprayer.We are grateful too that we were able to have the World Day of Prayer service, written bythe Christian women of Vanuatu. The people of Vanuatu have much to do, let them goforward in faith, keep them strong, knowing You are with them.We are all now so dependent on technology to keep us in touch during this pandemic.Lord our young people in church are being kept together with the help of their leaders,still learning about You and having fun. The Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade use Zoom for theiractivities, meetings and prayers, still working hard. It is great that Candice, Caitlin and Lisahave completed their training for Girls’ Brigade. Bless them Lord, give them wisdom andcourage to be examples to others, as they take on the challenges of this modern world.Please Father have compassion on all suffering the loss of loved ones at this time, stillunable to say a proper goodbye. People are sad, upset, angry and asking why. Be withthem Lord, as only You can, let them know Your constant presence and love.Grant us peace Lord, let us be filled with joy in the knowledge that Jesus our saviour, rosefrom the dead, is alive and with us forever.Spring always comes with new life and birth,Followed by summer to warm the soft earth –And what a comfort to know there are reasonsThat souls, like nature, must have seasons. Helen S RiceHe who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow,Will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him Psalm 126 NIVToday and every day—take time to pray and be kindAmen

Dear Friends of Stepping Stones,We hope you are keeping safe and well during these difficult times. Followingour Stepping Stones reunion before Christmas when we filmed our alternative– but authentic outdoor Nativity which we hope you all enjoyed, we decided toresume our Stepping Stones lessons albeit remotely and like so many othergroups we now meet via zoom.We hold a virtual session every second Sunday at 1pm where we enjoy a biblestory with some pictures, film and sometimes music. We also deliver an activitypack to the children the week before so we can all make a craft together whichrelates to our Bible story. The results are always fantastic! Finishing oursessions with a prayer. It is lovely to be able to meet – even though it is onlinewe enjoy catching up and learning our bible stories.It would be lovely to have more children joining our sessions and enjoying thefun, if you know anyone who would be interested please contact Sandra, Tracyor any of the Stepping Stones team and we will add you to the craft deliveryroute and send an e-mail invite to the zoom meeting. Our next session will beheld on Sunday 21st March at 1pm.God BlessThe Stepping Stones Team

Flowers for the SanctuaryApril4th April – Mrs M Miller11th April – Mrs K McSherry18th April – Mrs M Bell25th April – Mrs S BurnsMay2nd May – Mrs E Innes9th May – Mrs E Brown16th May – Mrs M Savage23rd May – Flower Fund30th May – Mr K BurnettAT REST“I am the Resurrection and the Life”18th JanuaryMr Ian Campbell9th FebruaryMrs Margaret Foster27th February Mr Ian Stewart3rd MarchMr Jimmy ThomsonJust to let you know that Blackburn & Seafield Churchis still OPEN for funerals.

Blackburn & Seafield Church of Scotland, 41, East Mains Street, Blackburn, Bathgate EH47 7QR Minister: Rev Sandra Boyd, 5, MacDonald Gardens 07919 676 242 E-mail: sandraboyd.bofa@btopenworld.com Session Clerk: Mr Keith Burnett (01506) 433935 Asst. Session Clerk: Vacant