News Archive
Caring Christmas Trees
We are very pleased to announce that Belhaven will once again be a collection location for Caring Christmas Trees. Trees can be ordered now from the following website:
All of the proceeds from Caring Christmas Trees goes directly towards the work of Bethany Christian Trust, helping to fund their work on Homelessness Prevention, Crisis Intervention, and Housing and Support. Bethany works to alleviate the suffering and meet the long-term needs of people facing homelessness, or the risk of homelessness.
Trees can be collected from Belhaven on Saturday 14 December. If you are willing to volunteer to help onsite on the day, please sign up on the Caring Christmas Trees website.
2023 Church Accounts
The annual report and unaudited financial statements for Belhaven and Spott Church for the year ending 31 December 2023 are now available to be viewed in the below PDF:
The Archaeology of Spott Churchyard
On Saturday 7 September, Spott Churchyard will again feature as part of the East Lothian Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight, which takes place from 31 August to 15 September 2024. Dr. David Anderson, a local historian and founder member of Dunbar History Society, will conduct a guided walk around Spott Churchyard and talk about the organisation and layout of the graveyard, burial practices in times past and styles of gravestones, with particular emphasis on notable local landowners and families.
A Q&A session will follow the talk in Spott Church, covering more in-depth research into local families. Refreshments will be available, as well as an opportunity to view displays of Spott Parish archives. In the event of inclement weather, an illustrated version of the talk will be presented in the church.
East Lothian Council have now launched the full programme of events for the fortnight. Details and the booking facility can be found on the John Gray Centre website at this link. Numbers for the event will be
restricted to two groups of 25, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the Saturday; if you have difficulty booking a place, please call 01368 863035.
The displays will also be accessible in the church on Wednesday 4 September, Wednesday 11 September and Saturday 14 September from at 10 a.m. to Noon and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and also on Sunday 8 September from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The 1650 Battle of Dunbar Exhibition will also be open at these times.
With the combination of David Anderson’s amazing wealth of knowledge and the rich history of our church, this is an event not to be missed!
Christian Aid Week: 12-18 May
Christian Aid Week takes place this year from 12-18 May. During this week, Christians from many churches in Scotland and elsewhere come together to raise funds for Christian Aid's work worldwide. Together with their partners, Christian Aid focuses on supporting people to push back against the inhumanity of poverty to build a better future. One focus this year is on Burundi, where extreme poverty and the climate crisis are making survival a daily challenge.
Donation envelopes will be available at Belhaven and Spott churches from the beginning of May and can be handed in at either church. Alternatively, you can donate online at Dunbar Christian Aid Envelope - Christian Aid Fundraise.
You are also warmly invited to attend an ecumenical Songs of Praise service in Belhaven Church at 7 p.m. on Sunday 12 May. The hymns will be chosen by members of all
congregations in the Dunbar area. There will be a retiring collection for Christian Aid, and refreshments will be served afterwards in the Church Hall.
Easter Morning at Belhaven Beach
The annual 8 a.m. gathering at Belhaven Beach every Easter morning is a real highlight of worship for many members of our church, and this year, the weather really was perfect for a gathering to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Around 30 people arose extra early (thanks to the changing of the clocks the day before!) to gather for the informal service led by the Breakfast Church team, with Neil Black officiating, Richard Taylor giving a talk and everyone singing worship songs to guitar and flute accompaniment.
After the service, most of the attendees retired back to the Belhaven Church Hall for coffee, croissants and conversation. It was a real blessing to be there, and we hope everyone will consider coming along to the service next Easter!
