Local Pages
Scottish MP’s Early Day Motion
The bishop of East Kilbride Ward, Alan McArthur, decided to hold a fireside in November 2018 to celebrate the chapel’s opening 50 years earlier. Local dignitaries Colette Stevenson, deputy provost for East Kilbride, and Linda Fabiani, member of the Scottish Parliament for East Kilbride, attended. And, unexpectedly, Dr. Lisa Cameron MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow also attended.
The fireside consisted of talks and a slide showing the work the ward had done in the area over the previous 50 years. Members were asked to present pictures and musical items. Several rooms in the chapel were used for displays of members’ family histories and the missions some had served, Church history, missionary material, and service projects undertaken through Helping Hands and other community work.
Among its many contributions to the community were: helping prepare 75,000 bags of dehydrated food for Rise Against Hunger, to be sent to famine-stricken countries; assisting the Rotary Club in tidying up the war memorial garden in Cumbernauld; and fundraising for the Royal British Legion through selling poppies. Additionally, the ward’s Relief Society continues to liaise with Women’s Aid in East Kilbride to provide help, donate items and visit care homes in the town (something it has done for the previous ten years). On May 11th the ward helped in the stake’s Helping Hands day in Kirkintilloch. The Church has laid a wreath at the East Kilbride Memorial Service on Remembrance Sunday.
Both Colette Stevenson and Linda Fabiani spoke at the fireside. Dr. Lisa Cameron was very impressed and said that she intended to present an early day motion to the House of Commons, which she did on 12 December 2018; it was entitled 50 Years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in East Kilbride. Its text reads: “That this House recognises the work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in East Kilbride for over 50 years of service since Elder John Longden, an assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, performed the dedication while the church was led by Branch President Frank Sommerville; acknowledges the community spirit and dedication that they have shown; further acknowledges the hospitality shown to all at their fireside events; and wishes them all the best in their endeavours.”
On Easter Sunday in April 2019, Dr. Lisa Cameron MP attended the sacrament meeting at the ward to present a framed copy of her early day motion. She stayed for the second hour as well.