Willowbrae Parish Church
Newsletter November 2018
November 2018
Dear Friends,
‘Work in Progress’
Recently our part of Edinburgh seems to have been submerged in road repairs or alterations. At various times as you made your way up the A1 you would have found that you were delayed or re-routed at the Duddingston Road junction, on Willowbrae Road right outside the church, at the area around the top of Easter Road, and at Leith Street. If you are like me, part of you grumbles about this. However, another part is glad that such a vital part of our daily lives is being maintained, and hopefully improved. ‘Work in Progress’ is an on-going necessity in life. We just hope there is a master-plan somewhere!
Maybe our congregation feels a bit like that at the moment too? Our Buildings Options Study is fully underway. Zoe is working very hard – and fruitfully - on our links and involvement with the community, and on the hopes of our own congregation for the future. We are about to join the Path of Renewal movement. We are thinking and praying about how we could connect in a meaningful way with families and children in our parish. – Then on the much bigger front, the national Church of Scotland will receive a new ‘radical’ strategic plan at the 2019 General Assembly. At the moment, I have no idea what that will contain, and how it will impact on a congregation like ours. – So, our congregation, and the Church of Scotland at large, could really do with a big sign over it saying, ‘Work in Progress.’ In light of this, how reassuring it is to know, as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 3.9, that ‘we are God’s fellow-workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.’ We believe that God is indeed at work in our world, in our congregations, and in our individual lives. What Paul emphasises in this verse is that our task is not to do God’s work for God. Our task is to be watchful, and expectant, so that we can discover what God is already doing, and then to join in together as his co-workers. Or, to change the metaphor, our task is to discern where God’s Spirit is blowing and – only then – to hoist our sails to catch the Spirit’s energy, and direction.
So there is certainly ‘Work in Progress’ in the church. But what a relief, what a reassurance, to know that it is not up to us to devise a master-plan for all this! Our task is to be attuned to the great purposes of God for our parish and our world, and to follow where God leads.
May grace and peace be yours,
Changes to the Church Family
New Members: Mr Archie and Mrs Grace Halliday
Deaths Members: Mrs Isabel Grainge Miss Muriel Dow An Evening Songs of Praise to commemorate the Centenary of the Armistice
An Evening Songs of Praise to commemorate the Centenary of the Armistice will be held in Liberton Kirk on Saturday 10th November at 7.30pm. It will be an opportunity to sing the beloved evening hymns so seldom heard nowadays, including the stalwarts ‘Abide with Me’, ‘The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended’, ‘Saviour, again, to Thy dear name’, whilst reflecting upon the theme of Remembrance. The event will follow a similar format to a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, with evening hymns interspersed with lessons, poetry, testimony, and reflection. The event is free, non-ticketed, and open to all.
Soup Lunches
Our Soup Lunches are a great time of fellowship over hearty bowls of soup and gorgeous, waist thickening puddings and cake. They also enable us to support the work of local and global charities.
The Kirk Session decided that the £300.00 from September’s lunch be sent to support Barnabas Fund relief work amongst those people affected by the floods in Kerela, India. October’s donations were split between Bethany Night Shelter and Christian Aid’s emergency relief work in Indonesia; both charities receiving £135.00. Donations from the lunch on 4th November will support the work of the Earl Haig Fund, Scotland.
Fellowship Group
Over the summer months, £70.00 was collected in “tea money”. Our members decided to send this collection to our Missionary Partner, John McCulloch and his wife, Annette, to help support their work with Bedouin families in Israel.
Future meetings will be held on 5th November with a talk about our schooling, work etc. Emily Pankhurst and the suffragettes provide the topic of the meeting on 19th November and, on 3rd December, as part of the year of the young person, we will hear about the work of the Boys Brigade. We round off 2018 on 17th December with our Christmas celebration.
Meetings take place at 2pm in the church centre and all are welcome at any meeting.
Margaret Nimmo
Chatter overheard by a Sunday Club leader
After hearing that week’s Bible story, the children present were given paper and crayons and encouraged to draw something relating to what they had just heard.
One wee girl sat thinking hard of what she would draw, and, seeing her friend already busily scribbling away, she asked, “What are you drawing?”
“Jesus” the friend replied.
After a moment’s hesitation the little girl said, “But we don’t know what Jesus looked like!”
“You will once I’m finished.” Pause for Prayer.
The midweek half hour of reflection, quiet, and prayer, both silent and spoken, takes place very Wednesday from 1.30pm to 2pm in the church. Everyone is welcome.
Prayer requests cards can be found at the back of the church and in the church centre.
Life and Work Magazine
Orders are now being taken for ‘Life and Work’ magazines for 2019. If you would like to have your own copy each month, please give your name to Audrey Watson - 0131 661 2932 .
The magazine covers all aspects of the Church’s activities in Scotland and beyond, and helps to keep us informed of the work of the wider Church. The writers are from all walks of the Church’s life – from the Moderator to folk in the pews. As well as the articles, there are photos, prayers and book reviews. There is always a congregational copy on the display shelves at the back of the church on the left as you leave, for you to look at and read.
The magazine costs £2.80 per issue, but because we pay annually, there is a discount of 9%. This means we pay £2.55 per copy, i.e. £30.60 for the year.
Please let me know if you are interested in ordering your own copy for next year.
Audrey Watson
Safe Families for Children – Friendship at times of Crisis
Thank you to all those who contributed to the Soup Lunch donations for Safe Families for Children at the start of the Summer. These donations have helped to support the work of Safe Families in Edinburgh, working with families in crisis to help them get back on their feet.
Inspired by the love and life of Jesus, at Safe Families for Children we believe that every child is of value and deserves hope. The Bible speaks of many situations where crisis and tragedy have struck. In response, we see acts of mercy, shown by the Good Samaritan to a stranger on the road, generosity and compassion, shown by Boaz to Ruth in the fields, and determined friendship, shown by the men who lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof to the feet of Jesus. Each of these paints a picture for us of the love that God shows to each of us.
Just as we continue to see similar crises and tragedy found in those stories today, we hope to inspire the church in Scotland to reflect God’s love in similar acts of mercy, compassion and friendship to those in their communities.
Safe Families works with local authorities throughout the Lothians who refer families in need of help. As a Host Home, Family Friend or Resource Friend, our volunteers offer practical support, advice and resources. These families are then matched to trained and approved volunteers. Where there is a resource need, requests are sent out to our list of Resource Friends.
In an area not far from the church, one of our Host Families was able to help a struggling young mum and her 6 year old son. Both were new to the area with very few local links or supports. Mum was still recovering from an alcohol addiction and regularly felt weighed down from carrying the full weight of caring and raising her son without any family close by to support her. Although she had a good relationship with her son, there was a lot of strain on her and she was needing a break. We were able to match the child up with one of our families who took him out every second week to spend time with him. They were able to take him to the Botanic Gardens, museums and do arts and crafts at home, which he loved. They would have dinner together before returning him home to mum. Although seemingly simple, this support not only gave mum the rest she so needed but provided the child with positive role models and experiences to build on.
If you are interested in contributing further to our work or volunteering, please contact Ruth Scott at [email protected] or 0131 603 8430.
The Flower Fund.
Thank you to everyone who responded so generously to our Flower Fund Appeal. This fund enables us to buy the flowers which grace our church each Sunday; the flowers then gifted to members of the congregation to help celebrate birthdays and other anniversaries, to bring cheer to those who are not well, or who are recovering from hospital visits and to comfort those who have been bereaved.
If you would like to contribute to the fund, or join the team who buy, arrange and deliver the flowers, please speak to Dorothy Blackie after morning worship or ring her on 0131 669 3432. Update from Community Development Worker
Things have been busy in Community Development, with most things having been initiated by you! The congregational questionnaires you filled in were a brilliant way for me to start to understand what Willowbrae Parish Church would like me to get involved in.
Here are some of the key things that people would like to see:
Children and young families in the church: As a mother of young children, I know firsthand what it can be like to try to ensure that the family makes time for church on a Sunday. There are so many pressures to participate in activities which in the past did not run on a Sunday. Sunday is about family, and so church should feel like a family and to be gracious to families. We are exploring ways that families can come to Willowbrae Parish Church and feel at home, where they are accepted as they come. Please join us in praying, and let me know if you would like to be involved in any new ideas we have to attract more families to church.
Open the doors more often to let people see what we do: We are a really active church as you can see from the list of activities we run from Monday – Saturday. However the church buildings don’t look open, even when it is full of people. This is the sort of issue that can be addressed in our building options review.
It is important for everyone to participate in the building options consultation. The architect is organising a presentation event in November. The event, entitled ‘Reimagining Our Church Space’, will run in the Church Centre in conjunction with our next Coffee morning on Saturday, 10th November from 10am – 12noon. We will be advertising this and hope to attract the wider community to participate as well. There will not be the usual entry fee for the coffee morning on this occasion, instead a donation can be paid for hot drinks served.
Engage with the community: This was frequently mentioned in the congregational questionnaire, and the fact that I have been employed as a ‘Community Development Worker’ is a signal that Willowbrae Parish church would like to be more integrated with the community. There are a couple of events coming up which I would encourage you to participate in:
• Prayer walk in our community on Tuesday 30th October, 9.15am - 10.30am. This prayer event is in the lead up to the Church of Scotland National Day of Prayer on the 3rd November. We will meet at the round-about on Royal Park Terrace and pray in our community for our community. For more information please contact me, Zoe Marshall, on 07729069525.
• Community Ceilidh for Absent Friends on Sunday 4th November 6:15pm -7:30pm. Willowbrae Community group are hiring the upper hall during the ‘Absent Friends Festival’ which is a relatively new Scottish Storytelling festival. The festival, which runs from the 1st – 7th November, is about keeping alive our memories, even if the people in the memories are no longer with us. Members of the church are welcome to this free, child friendly event.
• Community Space Fridays 9.30am – 11.30am during term time. I am opening up the church to the community on Friday mornings in response to the congregational questionnaires which suggested we should open the doors for ‘Drop-Ins’. I recognised that Friday mornings in the church buildings were often bustling with folk setting up for coffee mornings, doing odd jobs or arranging flowers. It made sense, therefore, to open the doors and welcome people to our church center at that time. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to support this, come along one Friday and we can have a conversation.
• Piershill Salvation Army Donation Centre Christmas event on Saturday 24th November 10am – 2pm. This event is like the summer car boot sales, but with a Christmas focus. Local artists will have stalls and you can shop locally and enjoy this community event. The stalls will not be outside; they will take up the clothing rack space in the main shop. The Salvation Army band will be welcoming in the community outside the shop from 10am – 12noon. We are hoping to have some carol singers from Willowbrae singing from 12noon – 1pm. or 1pm -2pm. If this is something you would like to be involved in, please contact me.
Zoe Marshall Community Development Worker Willowbrae Parish Church Phone: 07729069525 Address: 1a Willowbrae Rd, Edinburgh, EH8 7EJ On Twitter @willowbraecom On Facebook @willowbraeparish On Instagram @willowbraeparish Visiting churches
When we go on holiday, we all have our own favourite activities – swimming, hill walking, photography, visiting places of interest - the list is endless. One of mine is visiting churches, both in this country and abroad. There are churches that everyone knows about, such as St Peter’s in Rome, St Mark’s in Venice, Palma Cathedral and of course the big cathedrals in in this country. There are, however, many small places of worship which hold memories for us.
Having grown up during the war, when we did not stray far from home, we went to Sunday school at the nearest church, in my case the Methodist Church in Granton, which was then a new building. However when my sister and I went on our annual holiday to Fife, the lady in whose house we were staying took us to Morning Worship at the parish church of Anstruther Wester which was an old traditional building. I do not remember much about the church, but I do remember she gave us pan drops during the sermon, and when the Minister led prayer he knelt down at the side of the Communion table. I had always thought it was wrong to eat in church and I had never seen anyone kneel in church.
We visit churches for different reasons, some happy, some sad. One very happy occasion for me took place in August of 1981 when we were at the First Presbyterian Church, Albany, NY for the wedding of my cousin’s daughter, made more special because my husband had been invited to play the organ for the service. It was a wonderful experience, and we met members of the family we had never seen before, and others we had not seen in many years. One lovely feature in “First Pres”, as the church was known locally, was the beautiful set of windows by Tiffany of New York. It was a very ecumenical event – the bride was Presbyterian, the groom was Catholic and the soloist sang songs from “Fiddler on the Roof”, which sounded very Jewish.
The church building which I think made the greatest impression on me was the Anglican Cathedral of St Anne in Belfast. It is a beautiful building inside, with many interesting memorials and historical information panels. It is very light, unlike some of the ancient cathedrals, and there is a wonderful sense of peace. I tend to rate a church on how easy it is to sit quietly and pray, which is not always easy in some places where some visitors talk loudly, use their mobile phones and sometimes use flash photography, even when asked not to do so.
The atmosphere in St Anne’s has a sense of reverence and tranquillity and the people on the welcome team were friendly and helpful. There is a beautiful side chapel, where Communion is celebrated at noon each Wednesday, to which I was invited – I even had help with finding the place in the Prayer Book.
However, the feature of the building which I will always remember, is the huge stone cross on the exterior side wall of the church, rising from the ground to the eaves of the building. Sitting on a bench looking up at that Cross, feeling its power, was an unforgettable experience.
Betty McLean
If you would like to share your memorable church/churches, with other readers through the newsletter, send your contribution to Fiona at the church office or e-mail: [email protected]
LOOPS, “Local Opportunities for Older People”, helps people 65 and over to find out about groups, activities and services in their local area. They aim to help people avoid being lonely or isolated, and to improve their wellbeing. There is a lot happening in Edinburgh, and many great organisations offering support. However, LOOPS recognises that sometimes it can be hard to find the information that you need.
The LOOPS North East Community Navigator Team have a regular Information Station in Piershill Library from 1.30pm- 3.30pm on the last Tuesday of every month, or they can be contacted by post: North East LOOP Community Navigators Pilmeny Development Project 19-21 Buchanan Street Edinburgh EH6 8SQ Telephone:0131 553 2559 E-mail: [email protected]
Copies of the first NE LOOP Discover Magazine are available in the church centre.
Remembrance Sunday Service 10.30am on 11th November
2018 - Scotland’s first ever Year of Young People (YOYP)
This year we, through the Church of Scotland web site, have been following the themes identified by the Scottish Government for YOYP. Throughout November and December we are encouraged to reflect on what we have learned from talking to, and working with, the young people we know in the year just passed; to share stories and celebrate the great gifts and contributions young people make in our lives, in the life of our churches and in our communities.
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
Bethany Christian Trust has launched a Care Shelter voucher scheme. For every £21.00 voucher purchased, the Shelter will provide a homeless person: • Safety from the elements in the overnight shelter from 9:30pm till 7am with a warm bed space to sleep. • Care and support from professional staff with access to a range of professional on site services. • A freshly prepared hot two course meal, and breakfast in the morning. • Support for the individual to move out of the crisis of homelessness.
Buying a Caring Christmas Tree helps Bethany Christian Trust support people with homelessness and housing, addictions and basic furniture needs and their work with children and families. More information, and details of how to purchase a voucher, or buy a Caring Christmas Tree, can be found on Bethany Christian Trusts website: www.bethanychristiantrust.com/news-article/buy-care-shelter- gift/ Trees can be ordered by ringing 0345 111 8733, the lines are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm Christmas Events in Edinburgh!
Celebrate with Origin Scotland and Friends, in association with Tearfund, as they put the real message of Christmas at the heart, and the start, of the season.
The event is to be held in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Saturday, 1st December at 7.30pm. Admission is free with a collection taken on the night. Tickets must be booked and are available on line at: https://www.originscotland.org/boxoffice/index.php?eventID= 2939 or by calling the office Origin office on 0131 541 0117.
Free Christmas Events organised by Edinburgh City Council.
Winter Windows -From 17th November to 26th December 2018
The Winter Windows will form a magical pathway from St Giles Cathedral, West Parliament Square, to Newhaven. Each stained-glass window will have been designed by a budding young artist from an Edinburgh school on the theme of Kindness.
Winter Windows will be popping up at the following locations: • West Parliament Square – St Giles Cathedral • Great Michael Rise – Newhaven • North Street – Ratho • Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre - Pilton • St Patrick Square - Nicholson Street
Nativity Carol Concert
The traditional singing of carols round the nativity scene will take place in St Andrew Square at 3pm on Sunday, 2nd December. 24 Doors of Advent: 1st - 24th December 2018
Discover an exciting new place each day of advent as Edinburgh opens doors to showcase some of the unique buildings in the city. Some venues and dates are still to be confirmed and some places require booking in advance. To find out more visit: www.edinburghschristmas.com/whats- on/24-doors-of-advent18
As we go to print the following dates and venues have been confirmed:
1st December: Dovecot Studios in Infirmary Street. Now a Tapestry studio but perhaps you used to go there for a swim?
2nd December: Corstorphine Hill Tower which was built as a memorial to Sir Walter Scott
4th December: Stills Centre for Photography, 23 Cockburn St
5th December - Holyrood Park
6 December - Lauriston Castle
7 December - Trinity House, Leith
8 December - Custom House, Leith
11 December - Murrayfield
15 December - John Sinclair House
16 December - Augustine United Church
17 December - Riddle's Court off the Royal Mile
20 December - Tynecastle Park
22 December - Edinburgh Printmakers
24 December - St John's Church at the West End of Princes St.
How do groups of angels greet each other? Halo, halo, halo!
What did Adam say the day before Christmas? It’s Christmas, Eve!
What’s on in Willowbrae Church Monday: 1.30-2.30pm: Zumba.
2.15pm on 2nd & 4th Monday of the month: “The Singing Group – East Edinburgh for Dementia sufferers and their carers”. Contact Tom 0131 669 6418
2-4pm on 1st & 3rd Monday of the month Fellowship Group: Contact Margaret 0131 669 3180
7.30-9pm: Badminton Contact Carol 0131 661 1930
Tuesday: 2-4pm: Art Club. Contact Tom 0131 669 1721
2-4pm: Badminton. Contact Shiona 0131 669 0281
6-8pm: Taekwondo
Wednesday: 10am -12noon: Knitting Group Contact Glenda 0131 661 8678
1.30pm -2.00pm: Pause for Prayer Malcolm Ramsay - 0131 652 2938
1.45pm: Northfield and Willowbrae Community Service Group. Contact Heather 0131 661 9171
6.30pm – 7.30pm: Yoga Contact Kirsten 07798148630 Thursday: 10am -12noon: Baby and Toddler Group. Contact Cati 0131 652 2938
1.45pm: Scrabble Club Contact Heather 0131 661 9171
5–9pm: Rainbows, Brownies. Contact Lynsay 07925 792230 Guides. Contact Claire Peacock [email protected]
7pm: Lothian Bus Choir
Friday: Community Space Fridays 9.30am – 11.30am during term time.
Saturday: 10am – 12noon on 2nd Saturday of alternate months Coffee morning
Hall let enquiries from individuals and groups to are always welcome. To do so, contact: David Nimmo - 0131 669 3180 or Alison Arnott – 07776073637
Who’s Who at Willowbrae Church
Minister: Rev Malcolm Ramsay - 0131 652 2938 [email protected]
Community Development Worker: Zoe Marshall - 07729069525 [email protected].
Session Clerk: Lorraine Johnston - 07922006027
Deputy Session Clerk: Jim Davidson - 0131 669 6995
Treasurers: Margaret Nimmo - 0131 669 3180 Tom Watson - 0131 669 6418
Fabric Convener: Bob Lowey - 0131 652 1374
Administrator: Betty McLean - 0131 556 5394
Roll Keepers: Fiona MacMillan - 0131 652 1937 Ronnie Leslie - 0131 468 0338
Safeguarding Coordinator: Fiona Beveridge – 0131 661 8831
Presbytery Elder: Bob Lowey
Equalizing Elder: Betty McLean
Organist: Marion Fry
Willowbrae Parish Church, 1A Willowbrae Road, EH8 7DB. Telephone number: 0131 661 8259 e-mail: [email protected] www.willowbraeparishchurch.org The office is “manned” every Thursday from 10am to 12noon Scottish Charity Number 000963 Church Copyright License number 24243