Alan Mathew, organist at Bellshill’s Central Parish Church for the last 6 years is celebrating the 60th episode of the Organist Entertains series, which has put the town of Bellshill and his church on the map – with weekly online “Virtual Church” videos that have picked up audiences from all around the world.
Alan has played the church organ in various churches since 1996 with now 25 years experience of being an organist, Choir Director and Director of Church Music. Alan said “with churches closing due to COVID-19 and music basically ceasing, this online outlet and outreach has been both a lifeline to me and countless others. I found myself with little musical purpose but readjusted to online music and ministry, and have found new purpose and motivation to reach out online to a new “congregation” during Virtual Church with the Organist Entertains.”
Alan said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic we felt people needed to be kept connected to their church building and its surroundings. One of the ways to achieve this was have also been producing a weekly series called” THE ORGANIST ENTERTAINS” that had received over 30,000 views from around the world from as far away as Australia, Canada, South Africa. Indonesia and the United States of America.
The milestone 50th Golden Episode had over 500 live viewers! And was seen as the pinnacle of the series, but with lockdown conditions not fully lifted the Diamond Episode is a further step towards the 100th anniversary!
The series showcases what is undoubtedly Bellshill’s finest pipe organ, an honour that the church at 346 Main Street takes seriously. Around 5 years ago a £38, 000 refurbishment project took place to preserve the sounds from the 1930 instrument, by the Hilsdon Organ Company which was based in Glasgow.
As well as organist, Alan is a board member and trustee of the Church. During Lockdown and the physical closure of the Central building Alan has produced and edited each weekly online service, produced the annual Time to Remember service and complied the Church’s magazine – The Lockdown Chronicle. As well as being a weekly event with the Organist Entertains, and being a wonderful morale boost to many, the organ AND Alan have helped raise over £700 to church funds with an organ marathon held on 1st May, when he attempted to play has many hymns as possible. He achieved 314 hymns! Alan said “I am humbled and grateful to the folks that sponsored and donated towards the Hymnathon on 1st May. It was a wonderfully connected day, as the event was live streamed. It was a delight to chat virtually with those in attendance online.”
Alan goes on to say that” the Organist Entertains series will continue for the foreseeable future in its current format. Once church reopens (hopefully that will not be before too long!) the Organist Entertains will still keep going, perhaps not weekly pre-recorded episodes but moving to a monthly online broadcast. “
Join with Bellshill Central Parish Church on Wednesday 19th May at 8pm for the 60th instalment from Alan (aka the Maestro) and the finest pipe organ in ML4. All episodes are available and broadcast via the churches YouTube channel.
Bellshill Central Parish Church at 346 Main Street continues to be physically closed to all in person face to face meetings, including Sunday morning worship
However, we are continuing to be the church locally in the community of Bellshill and Mossend by being active online, with Kevin’s continuing pastoral work and being a family of faith. Our groups and church members are in daily contact with each other.
How are we doing this?
Our website at www.bellshillcentral.church is continually updated and refreshed. Have a look. Services and other outreach online is available here.
WhatsApp groups for our church family and most vulnerable folks. Our church chat of 50+members keep upto date, sharing important news, moments of humour and prayers. There are also separate WhatsApp groups for our choir and guild.
Online worship is our main focus, with Sunday worship online at 10.45am and midweek Young church on Wednesday at 12noon.
This coming Sunday, the 2nd May, we share in online worship once more. Kevin’s theme is called Dwell, with readings focusing on Psalm 22, 1 John 3 and Acts 9. As usual we will have members “old and young” taking part.
These have growing “viewer” numbers each week reaching out beyond our building in ways we’d never have imagined. www.bellshillcentral.church/watch-live.
Organist Entertains provided by our own organist and maestro, Alan Mathew. The latest episode (number 58) is available tonight at 8pm. Tonight’s episode has dual cameras so you can see the maestros hands and feet! To date we have surpassed 30,000 views! www.bellshillcentral.church/organist-entertains.
LOCKDOWN FUNDRAISING – An organ marathon takes place this Saturday, 1st May, from 9am to 5pm. Our organist, Alan Mathew, is attempting to play as many hymns as possible from Church Hymnary 4th Edition. You are invited to sponsor Alan, make a donation or “buy” a particular hymn. Find our more at www.bellshillcentral.church/hynnathon-2021
Here you will find the donation links, a link to Church Hymnary 4th Edition and the live stream via YouTube so that you can watch, listen and sing along at home!
Next Sunday, we host our monthly coffee catch up Via Zoom after our online service. The codes are available from Alan and the church WhatsApp chat group. If you’re not a member of that group contact us via bellshillcentral@gmail.com
Looking forward our existing activities will continue online and we hope that you can join us when you can. That’s the wonder of online church, you can worship where and when you are able.
Our church railings are once again full of colour. There are Easter pictures, crosses of Daffodils, new hearts of hope and Colourful wreaths. We invite you to make a prayer intention and tie a ribbon. The ribbons are a visible sign of the volume of prayers spoken. Let’s see prayer ribbons fluttering int the breeze.
We are hosting an online prayer group. Just half an hour once per week. At this time in our world when things seem to be out of control time talking to God in prayer is even more important! If you’re interested get in touch. These take place on Mondays at 7pm via zoom. Contact us via email bellshillcentral@gmail.com for the joining codes.
Updated this week…… The virtual prayer walk around the town of Bellshill continues. We will choose three streets and ask you to pray and remember all who live and work there. Look up #bellshillprayerwalk on Facebook and Twitter to follow our journey. The prayer walk will be available on the website also. Check out https://bellshillcentral.church/bellshill-prayer-walk/
As your Church in Bellshill we are looking out beyond our four walls – we are the Church Without Walls! Join us during COVID19. If there’s something you thing we could be doing, organising or focusing on, please tell us!
I just thought I would remind everyone about this week’s Fundraising event taking place online via Hymnathon 2021 – Bellshill Central Church (click the link for full details)
Thanks to those who have already requested a particular hymn or set of hymns. These will be included and played in their entirety.
I just wanted to say that you should take part and donate as you are able to do so. I am aware that there have been some “high value” donations, for which I am truly thankful for, but any donation however small is greatly received and appreciated.
For Bellshill Central folks, you can add your donations to your Fundraising Jar, or pay direct into the bank that you pay your offerings to – just mark the reference as “Hymnathon” that way Zandra and June can allocate to the right place.
If you are not a Bellshill Central member or attender you can simply make a donation via the Church of Scotland online payment option for our congregation – its a simple and safe way to donate. You can find that payment page here – Donate to Bellshill Central Parish Church – Church of Scotland
Please choose your Hymns from CH4 (Church Hymnary 4th Edition) that is the plan for the day – for me to play as many hymns out of that particular book as possible. I may not make it right to the end, so that’s why I am asking for requests. If you are making a request please have it to me by Friday 30th April, so the list is ready for Saturday morning. Here is an online version of CH4 to help you choose – Church Hymnary (4th ed.) | Hymnary.org
The Hymnathon will be available from the main page, and on our YouTube channel. Please tune in, participate in some live chat, and sing along at home!!!
BELLSHILL: CENTRAL PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 