L e a f l e t Greenbank Parish Church Minister’s Letter Braidburn Terrace, EH10 6ES No 643 May 2015 Dear Friends Pulpit Diary A couple of weeks ago early church? Or was Je- the BBC showed a tel- sus pointing to himself May 3 evision programme as the rock? Or perhaps 9.30am First Sunday Service led by called “In the footsteps it was Peter’s faith in him World Mission of St Peter”. It was a re- that was the rock? At first 10.30am Morning Worship peat of a two–part doc- glance this looks like a umentary, filmed in the multiple choice question Holy Land and present- in an exam paper. May 10 ed by the actor David But we will never know 10.30am Morning Worship Suchet. I don’t remem- in which direction Jesus ber seeing it before. And was looking or point- May 17 this time round I only ing when he spoke these saw the first part, which words. And it could be 10.30am Morning Worship took you through the that Jesus or even the life of the apostle Simon Gospel writer was us- May 24 Peter from his early days until the death ing a piece of inspired word-play here and of Jesus. I would have liked to see the sec- more than one of the above options was 9.30 Pentecost Communion ond part of the programme which charts intended. This question, like many others 10.30am Morning Worship for Pentecost the transformation of Peter from impetu- that arise as we explore the Christian faith, ous, bewildered and grieving disciple into cannot be treated like a multiple choice May 31 respected leader of the early Church, and question in an exam paper. Rather each who tradition has it eventually died a mar- possible answer invites us to work out its 10.30am Morning Worship tyr’s death in Rome. But that will have significance for ourselves and to consider to wait until the programme is repeated how that option corresponds to other bibli- Jun 5 (Friday) again, as it no doubt will be! cal narratives. This takes reason and imagi- 7.30pm Pre-Communion Service However In the first part of that pro- nation, study and prayer. gramme there is a particularly memora- At this time of year when we prepare to ble scene where David Suchet is at Banias celebrate the birth of the Church at Pente- Jun 7 (Caesarea Philippi). Banias was a centre of cost, we could do worse than reflect on that 9.00am Communion pagan worship and the programme showed question posed by David Suchet against the huge rock face in which we can still see the background of the Temple at Bani- 10.30am Communion (Springboard and today the remains of numerous ancient as. Because the answers we arrive at help Spectrum meet as usual) shrines to many different gods. Tradition shape our understanding and vision of the 3.00pm Communion (Braid Room) has it that it is here that Simon Peter first Church and the part each one of us has to To make contact with any of the organisations refer- recognises Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of play in its present and its future. I leave you enced in this Leaflet, please use the tel no given, if the living God. And that Jesus responds to to work that one out for yourselves! there is one. Otherwise please contact the Church Peter saying, “And I tell you, you are Ce- As I leave you too, to work out for your- Office. Website: www. greenbankchurch.org phas” (Cephas is Greek for rock). Jesus selves what to do with a ballot paper that then goes on to say, “And on this rock I will again looks a bit like a multiple choice For information about church organisations, build my church” (Mt 16:18). exam paper. For here also the options re- ,please contact the Church Office (Mon–Fri 9.00am–12.00 noon, 1.30pm–3.30pm): Suchet, with the ability of actors to place quire to be tackled with reason and imagi- Mrs Virginia Johnston themselves into the scene, wonders just what nation, study and prayer that would seek a tel and fax: 0131 447 9969 Jesus meant by this. He wishes he could see vision for the present and the future of our e-mail: [email protected] where Jesus’ hands were pointing when he country and our nation in which all have a The pastoral team can be contacted through the said it. Were they pointing to Peter – whose part to play. Church Office: name means the rock? Or were they pointing All I would say is please use your vote and Rev Alison Swindells to the rock-face that formed the backdrop please do come along to share our Pente- tel and fax: 0131 447 4032 to the conversation between Jesus and Pe- cost celebrations. email: [email protected] ter – and by implication to all the gentiles for With warmest wishes Rev W. Peter Graham whom this was a centre of worship, and who tel: 0131 445 5763 would certainly comprise the majority of the Alison I Swindells Youth Minister: Rev Bill Stone Parish Minister tel: 07883 815 598 email: [email protected] care, partnerships with churches around the which the human right to food and health Stewardship world, the Moderator and General Assem- is combined with sustainable food pro- bly and the central administration of the duction, education and employment, were Sunday Church. discussed. 26th April 2015 Further information on the work of the Church of Scotland in relation to food jus- As you may recall Greenbank, following The Open Door Presents tice can be found at http://www.churchof- the request of the General Assembly that all scotland.org.uk/speak_out/social_issues/ congregations operate a stewardship pro- Ian Rankin food_justice gramme, has designated the last Sunday in conversation with Nigel Griffiths of April as our Stewardship Sunday. This on Tuesday 26th May year that falls on 26th April and in accord- ance with a three year cycle of stewardship at 7 pm for 7.30pm of time, talents and money, we will be fo- Morningside Parish Church Hall, Braid Spectrum Update cussing on time. We are very grateful for Road Over the last few months, our Spectrum GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK the generosity shown by all our members Tickets £15, including a glass of wine, classes have been very busy, and we’d like in the giving of all three. But many chang- available from the Open Door to share with you a few highlights from our es can take place within a three year period winter term. and so we also encourage you to review an- You probably know that this January nually your financial support of the work of marked the 100th anniversary of the death Christ’s Church. Pledge cards to assist with this accompany this Leaflet. They should Mission and Service be completed and returned to the Treasur- Church and Society April er by the beginning of June when they will be brought into Church and dedicated at the Newsletter 10.30am communion service. Among many interesting articles, this A separate article explains how our contri- month’s issue of the newsletter notes the bution to the work of the Church of Scot- meeting between the Rt Rev John Chalm- land is used. ers and Pope Francis where the issue of cli- mate change was discussed. The Moderator commented: of Scottish Missionary Mary Slessor. The “Climate change is perhaps the most press- Church of Scotland sent representatives to Greenbank’s ing issue in human history, its effects are Nigeria to meet with local churches and most keenly experienced by the poorest of attend memorial services. Life and Work Ministries and the world’s poor; so, it is also a matter of published an article on her, and the World social justice and it needs to be tackled with Mission council launched a post card com- Mission great urgency.” petition, inviting children throughout Scot- land to participate. Visit the Church of Scotland website to find Contribution to the out more about this meeting. On 22nd February our Spectrum classes met all together to learn more about who Closer to home, in Glasgow, towards the Work of the Church Mary Slessor was, and how she had worked end of February, the Church of Scotland, hard to help people in Nigeria. After hear- Faith in Community Scotland, and the of Scotland ing about Mary, we talked with Rev Bill Centre for Human Ecology joined forces to The General Treasurer of the Church of about things that we could do to share explore how sustainable food equality can Scotland has written to thank Greenbank God’s love with other people and make the be achieved. for our support to the worship, mission and world a better place. We then drew these service of the Church through our offerings. The impact of welfare reform has had ideas on postcards and submitted them His letter explains how our contribution of most impact on the poorest in society. The to the World Mission Council’s postcard £141,747 will be used in 2015. number of individuals and families relying competition – which received over 2,600 on food banks and other forms of emergen- £121,902 (86%) will go towards the costs of entries! cy food aid has increased. over 1000 ministers and other parish work- Also in February, we had a special lesson ers, for salaries, recruitment and training. Food banks are an immediate response to on the Lord’s Prayer. We all gathered in the This includes the cost of our own Minister. the crisis and the volunteers working in Centenary Hall and heard four members of The current cost - stipend and employer’s them make an important contribution to Greenbank share the Lord’s Prayer with us contributions - of a Minister at the top of their communities; however the conference in different languages: Korean, Afrikaans, the stipend scale is £41,048 so you can see discussed the reasons behind the increase and Swahili. Joshua and Grace talked to us how much our generous givings are sup- in food banking and how to try to prevent about Christianity in Kenya. Irene told us porting other congregations who cannot af- normalising emergency food aid as a volun- a little about South Africa. And Hongsuk ford the full costs themselves. tary safety net. How can immediate need be spoke to us about South Korea, and also met but also how can the systems that cre- The remaining amount - £19,845 (14%) - is taught us a song about prayer that we all en- ated them be changed? used for a wide range of purposes such as joyed singing. Christian education and outreach, social In conclusion, good examples of how to achieve the move towards food justice, in 2 Our time all together went so well, that we have decided Spectrum Nitekirk meets twice a month at one of three city-centre church- 2 and 3 should continue meeting together for the rest of the term. es: Greyfriars, Augustine United, and St Columba’s by the Castle. It has been good to have a bigger group, and to share our resourc- Each time of worship is organised around a theme such as Light, es. Some of the older children have even become “junior leaders”, Turning, Closing, or helping out in many ways from technology, and crafts, to judg- Water. After begin- ing games. We’ve also enjoyed contributing to the all age worship ning with a brief services, doing readings, and sharing our Palm Leaves and Easter reflection and some Garden with you. We want to say a big thank you to all of our Spec- singing, worshippers trum leaders for their help, and to especially thank the planning are invited to explore group: Janet A, Janet F, Moira S, and Alison R for all of the work several prayer sta- they’ve put into planning these special activities! tions that have been set up throughout the church. The church is Friendship Club Reminder open from 8 - 11pm, and people are free to Outing on Wednesday 6th May come and go as they CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK We meet at the Church at 11.15am and will return at around 5pm. please. Val Smart Planning this serv- ice was a great way for our two youth groups to come together and think about what acceptance means to us, where we see that in the scriptures, and where we have felt acceptance, or longed for it in our own lives. QII and Nitekirk From these discussions, and after a few follow up meetings, we In March our QII youth group joined Fairmilehead’s Pathfinders developed five different prayer stations. These were used both at to help organise and lead a time of worship for Nitekirk at St Nitekirk, and again at an evening worship service at Greenbank. Columba’s by the Castle. Our two youth groups met with Katie Munnik, who is one of Nitekirk’s coordinators, and talked about how worship at Nitekirk is different than a traditional Sunday morning service. Katie then led us all in a brainstorming exercise, and the teens selected “Acceptance” as their theme for the worship. The next Fresh Start collection is31st May at the Sunday service (table in Main Hall). The Starter Packs Service provides new tenants who have been homeless with essential items to set up home. The packs help Morningside & Fairmilehead relieve the financial burden that many new tenants face. Over Christian Aid Committee. 8,000 packs are distributed each year allowing around 2,000 new tenants across Edinburgh to benefit from the service. Spring Fair Here is a list of the items needed. They should be in very good condition, such that you might like to receive. Morningside Parish Church Halls Dishes and Crockery ( Foot of Braid Road) Saturday 23rd May 2015 Dinner plates, side plates, bowls, cutlery, mugs, glass tumblers, 10am-2pm. tea-towels and cleaning cloths. Pots and Pans etc. Stalls: Home Baking & preserves; New & Nearly New Goods; Pots with lids, milk pans, frying pans, plastic boxes, cooking Books, DVDs, CDs & Jigsaws; utensils, can openers, potato peelers, wooden spoons. Indoor, Outdoor, & Bedding Plants; Morningside Heritage Association; Cleaning Things Raffle with excellent prizes; Craft Stalls: Jewellery, Breadshare, Phoenix Washing up basins, washing-up liquid, toilet cleaner, toilet Trader, Rain Forest protection, rolls, hand soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dust pans and

10-45-11.30 - Aileen Paterson, reading a ‘Maisie of Morningside’ story brushes, pedal bin liners, rubbish bags, all purpose cleaner, 11.30.30-12.00 – Bill McGillivray performing ‘A Display of Magic’ laundry tablets. 11.00-12 30 - Plant Forum by Ian Service, member of Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. Bring along your problem plants! Bed Linen and Towels 12.20-1.00- Morley Whitehead leading an organ/choral session with the Single flat sheets, double flat sheets, single duvet covers, double Morningside Parish Church Choral Scholars 10.00-2.00 -Morningside Heritage Association present ‘Photos of Morningside duvet covers, pillow cases, blankets, duvets, bed covers, towels, by Bill Smith’ face cloths, bath mats, curtains, rugs.

Refreshments: Coffee, Tea, Juice & Biscuits all day with Soup & crusty bread at Small Household Electrical Items (Not TVs) lunch time. Pick up a leaflet on a Fresh Start Sunday, see www.freshstartweb. Donations for the Home Baking and preserves, New & nearly New and the Book Stall will be gratefully received. org.uk or phone 476 7741, to find out more about Fresh Start. Admission free! Please come to the Fair and support the work of Christian Aid Alison Ambler

3 survivors of the Battalion, including James Allan Ford (later Reg- The Congregation at War istrar General and the author of Brave White Flag about his expe-

The Congregation at War 1939-1945 riences) became prisoners of war. 1939-1945 Initially, Sandy Initially,Slater Brown Sandy was Slater reported Brown missing, was and reported his death missing, was not and confirmed his death until Last November’s LeafletLast November’sincluded an articleLeaflet on the included three January 1943. wasHe is not commemorated confirmed in untilthe SaiJanuary Wan Memorial, 1943. He in is the commemorated north-east of Hong in men commemorated on the Church’s War Memorial who Kong Island, which bears the names of more than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died in the First Worldan article War. This on article the three tells the men story com of- died in the Battlethe of Sai Hong Wan Kong Memorial, or subsequently in the innorth-east captivity, who of Hong have no Kong known Island, grave. the six Second memorated World War on casualties, the Church’s and War the Three other memberswhich of bears his family the namesserved inof the more forces, than but 2,000 survived Commonwealth the War. serv- congregation’s wider contribution to the war effort. Memorial who died in the First Second Lieutenanticemen Robert who Brydon died inwas the the Battle youngest of Hongson of RobertKong andor subsequently Mary Brydon of in 47 The outbreak of warWorld in August War. This 1939 article had an tells immediate the sto- Falcon Gardens,captivity, who were who members have ofno Greenbank. known grave. Born inThree May 1922, other he wasmembers educated of his at effect on Greenbank.ry of the The six 29-year-old Second World newly-elected War cas- the Royal High familySchool, servedwhere he in was the in forces, the same but form survived as Walter the Crosby War. – who remembers Minister, David Read, was a chaplain in the Territorial him as “slightly devil-may-care”. He started an Arts Army and was immediatelyualties, and called the up. congregation’s Posted to the wid51st- course at EdinburghSecond University Lieutenant in 1941 but later Robert that Highland Division,er hecontribution was taken to prisoner the war (with effort. over year joined theBrydon army was as athe Private. youngest He wasson 10,000 other soldiers)The when outbreak the Division of was war encircled in byAugust commissioned inof theRobert Liverpool and Scottish Mary BrydonBattalion of the Germans at St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy. He the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, and that is 1939 had an immediate effect on the regiment which47 Falconappears against Gardens, his name who on were the spent the rest of the War in prisoner-of-war camps, War Memorial. But the Liverpool Scottish provided serving as prison Greenbank. padre and keeping The 29-year-old in touch with new his- members of Greenbank. Born GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK The Congregation atreinforcements War 1939-1945 for the Camerons and other units, and congregation by regularly-elected (if censored) Minister, letters David home. Read,Back in May 1922, he was educated at Last November’s LeafletRobert included Brydon wasan articleposted onto thethe 6ththree Battalion of the in Greenbank, the pulpit was filled by retired ministers and Lincolnshire Regiment. The Battalion was employed was a chaplain in the Territorial men commemorated on the Church’sthe War Royal Memorial High who School, where the ladies of the Work Party turned out thousands of warm on home defence until January 1943, when it left for died in the First World War. This article tells the story of garments for the troops.Army and was immediately called the final stageshe of was the Tunisian in the Campaign. same form Robert as up. Posted to the 51st Highland Division,the sixhe was Second taken Brydon World prison was War- killed Walter casualties, in action Crosby on and 8th – March the who 1943 remem and- congregation’s wider contribution to the war effort. Each year of the er War, (with the overLeaflet 10,000 published other a soldiers) cumulative when list ofthe those Division “connectedlies was in the en with -Tabarka bers Ras him Rajel as “slightlyWar Cemetery, devil-may- on the Greenbank Church” who had “been on service” and of those who had died. The “connection”coast of Tunisia not far from the Algerian border. He Initially,The outbreak Sandy of warSlater in AugustBrown 1939 was had reported an immediate missing, and his death was not confirmed until was undefined, andcircled the lists by were the notGermans restricted at toSt people Valery-en-Caux whose names in (orNormandy. whoseis also parents’ commemoratedHe care”. He on startedthe War anMemorial Arts course in Old Januaryeffect on 1943. Greenbank. He is Thecommemorated 29-year-old newly-electedin the Sai Wan Memorial, in the north-east of Hong names) appear amongspent the the 735 rest members of the on War the inCongregational prisoner-of-war Roll in camps, the 1939 serving College.Year Book. as at Edinburgh University in 1941 In May 1940, 41 members were serving - including David ReadKongMinister, and Island, his David wife, which Read,who worked bears was afor the chaplain names in theof more Territorial than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen who Church of Scotlandprison Huts. padreBy the and end keepingof the War, in touch 136 people withdiedArmy hishad inand congregation theserved, was Battle immediately includingLance of by Hong reg such Bombardiercalled- Kong butup. Postedlater or Kenneth subsequently that to the McAlpineyear 51st joined inwas captivity,the the army son ofas who Mr a Private. and have Mrs no HeA M knownwas McAlpine, commis grave. who- familiar names as ular“Signalman (if censored) E R Brown” letters and home. “Pte SheilaBackThreeHighland Logie”.in Greenbank, other Seven Division, members men thewere he had pulpit was notof been hismembers taken familysioned prisoner of served Greenbank. in the (with in Liverpool the Born over forces, about Scottish 1919,but survived he Battalionjoined the RoyalWar.of the Artillery Queen’s early Own in the killed, of whom six wasappear filled on the by War retired Memorial. ministers, and the10,000 ladies other of soldiers)the Workwar, when servingParty the withDivisionCameron 129 (Lowland)was encircledHighlanders, Field by Regiment, and thethat local is Gunnerthe regiment Territorial which Army unit.appears the Germans at St Valery-en-Caux in Normandy. He Second LieutenantThe RobertRegiment, Brydon equipped was with the 25-pounder youngest field son guns, of fromRobert January and 1943 Mary formed Brydon part of of 47the turned out thousands of warm garmentsspent for the the resttroops. of the War in prisoner-of-waragainst his name camps, on the War Memorial. But the Liverpool Scot- The first name on the War FalconMemorial Gardens, is Captain who17th Alexander Indianwere Infantry members Division. of Greenbank. The Division hadBorn the in distinction May 1922, of being he continuallywas educated in combat at Each year ofMcArthy the War, Slaterthe Leaflet Brown published. serving Youngest as a prisoncumulative son of padre chartered list and of keeping tish provided in touch with reinforcements his for the Camerons and other units, the Royal High School,during thewhere three-year-long he was in Burma the same Campaign form (except as Walter for brief Crosby periods –of whorefit). remembersIn early March those “connectedaccountant with William Greenbank Slater Church”Browncongregation of 71who Comiston by had regular 1944,“been Drive (if the censored)onand Japanese and letters Robertopened home. theirBrydon Backmain wasoffensive posted against to the India. 6th Their Battalion plan was of to the surround Lin- his wife Agnes (who were membershimin Greenbank, as “slightlyof Greenbank), the pulpitdevil-may-care”. was Sandy filled by retired He started ministers an and Arts service” and of those who had died. The “connection”and was destroy un- thecolnshire Indian IV CorpsRegiment. (of which The 17th Battalion Division formedwas employed part) at the oncity homeof Imphal. de- Slater Brown was born at course10the Clunyladies at Terraceof Edinburgh the Work onWhen 22ndParty University the Julyturned attack out in came, thousands1941 thebut of 17thlater warm Division that was taken completely by surprise. Fighting defined, and1921. the listsEducated were atnot Watson's restrictedyeargarments from to joined1927 people for theto 1939, thetroops.whose desperate armyhe nameswas asa rearguard fence a Private. actions,until January the He Division was 1943, withdrew when it from left the for Chin the Hills,final through stages Tiddim, of the (or whose parents’keen cadet names) and leadingappear drummeramongcommissioned the in the735 band. members in Singgel the He Liverpool was onand a backTunisian Scottishacross the Campaign. BattalionIndian border Robertof until they Brydon finally reachedwas killed the highin action Imphal onPlain. 8th In member of the 4th EdinburghEach Scouts, year based of the at War, July,Greenbank. thethe Japanese,Leaflet published broken by a heavy cumulative casualties list and of those starvation, “connected retreated. with the Congregational Roll in the 1939 YeartheGreenbank Queen’s Book. Church” In Own May who Cameron1940, had 41 “been Highlanders,March on service” 1943 and and of liesthatthose in is who the hadTabarka died. TheRas “connection” Rajel War Cemetery, on Enlisting in the Territorials early in the War, he Somewas rapidly units of the Division members werepromoted. serving - He including was a David Lance-Sergeantthewas regiment undefined,Read and which andhis in wife, Maythe appears lists who 1940, were against notthe restricted coast his ofname toTunisia people on the notwhose far namesfrom the(or whoseAlgerian parents’ border. He is also Warnames) Memorial. appear among Buthad the the suffered 735 Liverpool members nearly Scottishon 100% the Congregational provided Roll in the 1939 Year Book. worked for Churchcommissioned of Scotland in the Huts. 2nd By Battalion the end of Royal thecasualties, War, Scots 136 in commemorated including on the War Memorial in Old College. December 1940 and was actingreinforcementsIn May Captain 1940, 41 at membersforthe thetime Ca ofwere meronshis serving and - including other units, David andRead and his wife, who worked for people had served, including such familiarChurch names of Scotland as “Signalman KennethHuts. By McAlpine, the endLance killedof theBombardier on War, 136 people Kenneth had McAlpineserved, including was thesuch son of Mr and death. Robert Brydon was14th posted March to 1944.the 6th He Battalion is of the E R Brown” and “Pte Sheila Logie”. Sevenfamiliar men names had beenas “Signalman killed, of E RMrs Brown” A M and McAlpine, “Pte Sheila who Logie”. were Sevennot members men had of been Greenbank. Born His Battalion was part of theLincolnshirekilled, defence of whom force Regiment. six of appear Hongcommemorated Kong.on The the BattalionWar Memorial. on was the employed whom six appearThe on colony the War was Memorial. attackedon byhome the defence JapaneseRangoon until on January 8th Memorial, about 1943, along1919, when he joinedit left for the Royal Artillery early in the war, serving The first nameDecember on the 1941, War a fewMemo - hours after the attackwith on almost Pearl The 27,000with first 129 othersname (Lowland) on the War Field Memorial Regiment, is Captain the localAlexander Gunner Territorial the final stages ofwho the died Tunisian in the Campaign. Burma Robert Harbour. Following bitter fighting, the garrison surrendered on Christmas Day. By that time, McArthy Slater Brown. Youngest son of chartered rial is Captain Alexander McArthy Brydon was killedCampaign in action and on Armywho 8th have Marchunit. no 1943 and Sandy Slater Brown was dead. He was killed on 19th December, in an unsuccessful defence accountant William Slater Brown of 71 Comiston Drive and lies in the Tabarkaknown Ras Rajel War Cemetery,grave. on the of the strategically-importantSlater Brown. Wong NaiYoungest Chung sonGap, ofthe capture of which allowed the hisThe wife AgnesRegiment, (who equippedwere members with of25-pounder Greenbank), field Sandy guns, from Janu- Japanese to drive achartered wedge in accountantthe defending William forces, splitting Slat- coastHong Kongof Tunisia Island innot two. far There from Slater theary Algerian Brown1943 formed was border. born part at He 10of Clunythe 17th Terrace Indian on Infantry22nd July Division. The were 451 fatalitieser amongst Brown the of 71defenders. Comiston The Drive survivors and ofis the also Battalion, commemorated including James on the 1921.Division War Educated Memorial had at the Watson's indistinction Old from 1927of being to 1939, continually he was ina combat dur- Allan Ford (later Registrar General and the author of College.Brave White Flag about his keen cadet and leading drummer in the band. He was a th experiences) becamehis prisonerswife Agnes of war. (who were members membering the of three-year-longthe 4 Edinburgh BurmaScouts, Campaignbased at Greenbank. (except for brief peri- of Greenbank), Sandy Slater Brown Lance Bombardier KennethEnlistingods McAlpine of in refit). the Territorials wasIn early the earlysonMarch ofin 1944, theMr War, andthe he JapaneseMrs was A rapidly Mopened McAlpine, their whomain was born at 10 Cluny Terrace on were not members of Greenbank.promoted.offensive Born He aboutagainst was 1919, aIndia. Lance-Sergeant he Theirjoined plan the in Royalwas May to Artillerysurround 1940, early and indestroy the commissioned in the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots in 22nd July 1921. Educated at Watson’s war, serving with 129 (Lowland)Decemberthe Field Indian 1940Regiment, IV and Corps was the acting (oflocal whichCaptain Gunner 17th at Territorialthe Division time of Armyhis formed unit. part) at from 1927 to 1939, he was a keen The Regiment, equipped withdeath. the25-pounder city of Imphal. field guns, When from the attackJanuary came, 1943 the formed 17th Division part of wasthe cadet and leading drummer in the 17th Indian Infantry Division. His Thetaken Battalion Division completely was had part thebyof the surprise.distinction defence Fighting force of being of Hongdesperate continually Kong. rearguard in combat ac- band. He was a member of the 4th during the three-year-long BurmaThetions, colony Campaign the Division was (except attacked withdrew for by briefthe from periods Japanese the Chin of refit). on Hills, 8th In through early March Tid- 1944, the Japanese openedDecember their main 1941, offensive a few hoursagainst after India. the Their attack plan on Pearl was to surround Edinburgh Scouts, based at Green- Harbour. Following bitter fighting, thedim, garrison Singgel surrendered and back on across Christmas the Indian Day. By border that time, until they finally bank. Enlisting in the Territorials earlyandSandy in thedestroy Slater War, Brown thehe was Indian was rapidly dead. IV CorpsHe wasreached (ofkilled which theon 19th high 17th December, Imphal Division Plain. in anformed unsuccessful In July, part) the at defence Japanese, the city ofbroken Imphal. by promoted. He was a Lance-Sergeant inWhenof May the strategically-important1940, the attack commissioned came, Wongthe heavy 17th Nai casualties Chung Division Gap, and was the starvation, taken capture completely of retreated. which allowed by surprise. the Fighting desperateJapanese to rearguarddrive a wedge actions, in the defending the Division forces, withdrewsplitting Hong from Kong the Island Chin in two. Hills, There through Tiddim, in the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots in DecemberSinggelwere 451 and fatalities1940 back and amongst across was act thethe- defenders. IndianSome borderunits The ofsurvivors until the theyDivision of thefinally Battalion, had reached suffered including the nearlyhigh James Imphal100% casualties, Plain. In ing Captain at the time of his death. July,Allan the Ford Japanese, (later Registrar broken General by includingheavy and casualties the Kenneth author and McAlpine, of starvation,Brave White killed retreated. Flag on 14thabout March his 1944. He is His Battalion was part of the defenceexperiences) force of Hong became Kong. prisoners The of war.commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, along with almost Some units of the Division colony was attacked by the Japanese on 8th December 1941, a few had suffered nearly 100% hours after the attack on Pearl Harbour.casualties, Following bitter including fight- ing, the garrison surrendered on ChristmasKenneth Day.McAlpine, By that killed time, on Sandy Slater Brown was dead. He was14th killed March on 19th 1944. December, He is in an unsuccessful defence of the strategically-importantcommemorated on Wong the Nai Chung Gap, the capture of whichRangoon allowed Memorial,the Japanese along to drive a wedge in the defending forces,with splitting almost Hong 27,000 Kong others Is- land in two. There were 451 fatalitieswho amongst died the indefenders. the Burma The Campaign and who have no 4 known grave. Captain Stanley Macleod Mackintosh was born in Inverness on 21st April 1918. His connection with Greenbank is unclear. His parents, Major Stanley Mackintosh DSO OBE and Isabella Mackintosh, do not seem to have lived in Edinburgh - his father served in the Northumberland Fusiliers and after leaving the army worked for the Ministry of Labour in England. Stanley was educated at Clifton College, Bristol from 1930 to 1937 (where he was head boy) and won a scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford. Having graduated with second- class honours in Classical Mods, he joined the army in 1941 as a Cadet Officer and was commissioned into the Indian Army. The War Memorial records his parent unit, 16th Punjab Regiment, but at the time of his death he was attached to the Special Operations Executive in Burma. The SOE was used for reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines (to gather intelligence, carry out ambushes and destroy supply dumps) as well as training and assisting local guerrilla groups. It played a significant part in the liberation of Burma by building up a national organization which was used to great effect in 1945. It was dangerous work and Stanley Mackintosh appears to have been captured by the Japanese. As a prisoner of war, he worked on the notorious Burma-Siam railway, built to improve communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and were buried along the railway. The graves of those who died during the construction and maintenance of the railway were transferred from camp burial grounds and isolated sites along the railway into three cemeteries – two in Siam and one in Burma. Chungkai, in modern-day Thailand, was one of the base camps on the railway and contained a hospital and church built by Allied prisoners of war. The war cemetery is the original burial ground started by the prisoners themselves, and the burials are mostly of men who died at the hospital. These include Stanley Mackintosh, who died of typhoid on 16th June 1945, aged 27. He is also commemorated at his college in Oxford.

Sapper Herbert Ramsey Watson was born on 20th September 1917, the younger son of Greenbank members Mr and Mrs Herbert Watson of 54 Morningside Drive. At Watson’s from 1922 to 1934, he went to Edinburgh University in 1934 to study engineering, although he does not seem to have graduated. In 1939, he volunteered for the Royal Engineers and served for four years as a private soldier. He fought in North Africa and then, after the Allied invasion, on the Italian mainland. Progress through southern Italy was rapid despite stiff resistance but, by the end of October, the Allies were facing the German winter defensive position known as the Gustav Line. Initial attempts to breach the western end of the line were unsuccessful. It took four major offensives 27,000 others who died in the Burma Campaign and who have nobetween known grave. January and May 1944 before the Captainline Stanleywas eventually Macleod Mackintosh broken. was born During in Inverness these onearly 21st April months 1918. His of connection 1944, Cassino with Greenbank saw someis unclear. of Histhe parents, fiercest Major fightingStanley Mackintosh of the DSO Italian OBE campaign, and Isabella Mackintosh,the town do itself not seem and to havethe liveddominating in Edinburgh Monastery - his father served in the Northumberland Fusiliers and after leaving the armyHill worked proving for the Ministry the most of Labour stubborn in England. obstacles Stanley was educatedencountered at Clifton inCollege, the Bristoladvance from 1930towards to 1937 (whereRome. he wasHerbert head boy) Watsonand won a scholarship was killed to Balliol there College, on Oxford. 10th HavingFebruary graduated 1944, with second-class aged 26. honours in Classical Mods, he joined the army in 1941 as a CadetCaptain Officer Stanley and was commis Macleod- Mackintosh was born in Inverness on 21st April 1918. His sionedHe intois buriedthe Indian at Army. Cassino The connectionWar War Memorial Cemetery records with Greenbank his and par- is unclear. His parents, Major Stanley Mackintosh DSO OBE entcommemorated unit, 16th Punjab Regiment, also but and at on theIsabella time memorials of Mackintosh,his death he at doon notmemorials seem at to Watson’s, have li atved Old in College Edinburgh and at West- his Kilbride,father served in the was attached to the Special Operations Executive in Burma. The Watson’s, at Old CollegeNorthumberland and at Fusiliers West andAyrshire, after where leaving his parents the arlivedmy at workedthe time offor his the death. Ministry of Labour CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK in SOE was used for reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines Kilbride, Ayrshire, whereEngland. his parents Stanley lived was at educated theThe time final at of Clifton namehis death. onCollege, the War Bristol Memorial from is Cadet 1930 Stephen to 1937 Mon (where- he was (to gather intelligence, carry out ambushes and destroyThe supply final name on the War Memorial is Cadet Stephen head boy) and won a scholarshipcrieff Whiteto Balliol, the sonCollege, of Greenbank Oxford. Having graduated with second- dumps) as well as training and assisting local guerrillaMoncrieff groups. It White members, the son of Moncrieff Greenbank members and MoncrieffElizabeth class honours andin ClassicalElizabeth White Mods, of 29 Pentlandhe joined Terrace. the Stephen army went in to1941 as a Cadet Officer and was played a significant part in the liberation of Burma Watson’sby building from 1930White to 1940, of 29 and Pentland Eric and Terrace.Isobel Brown Stephen knew up a national organization which wascommissioned used to great effect himinto duringin the 1945. theirIndian went schooldays. Army. to Watson’s He The was from War a member 1930 Memorial to of 1940, the Scout andrecords his parent unit, 16th Punjab Troop at Fairmilehead Church, where the “Stephen White It was dangerous work and StanleyRegiment, Mackintosh appearsbut at theto have timeThe of final his name death on the he War was Memorial attached is to the Special Operations Executive Shield”, presentedEric in his and honour, Isobel is displayed Brown knewin a showcase. himCadet dur Stephen- been captured by the Japanese. in Burma. The SOE wasMoncrieff useding their White for , schooldays.reconnaissance the son of Greenbank He was members missions a mem Moncrieff- behind enemy lines (to gather Stephen trainedand Elizabeth for the White Merchant of 29 Pentland Navy at Terrace. Leith Stephen Nautical went to As a prisoner of war, he worked onintelligence, the notorious carry Burma-SiamCollege, out where ambushesWatson’s heber gained fromof the and 1930 a Scout First todestroy 1940,Class Troop and Certificate supply Ericat Fairmileheadand ofIsobel dumps) Merit Brown in knewas well as training and assisting railway, built to improve communicationslocal guerrilla to support groups.1942 the along large Itwithhim played the duringChurch, Bronze their a significantMedal schooldays. where and the certificates He part was“Stephen a in memberin swimmingthe White ofliberation the Scout of Burma by building up a and life-saving.Troop He was at Fairmilehead immediately Church,accepted where by the the Royal “Stephen Mail White Japanese army in Burma. During itsnational construction, organization approximately whichShield”, presentedwas used in his honour,to great is displayed effect in a inshowcase. 1945. It was dangerous work and Line as a cadet andShield”, left home presented on 16th inJuly his 1942 honour, to join theis dis MV- 13,000 prisoners of war died and wereStanley buried Mackintosh along theLochkatrine railway. appears Stephenwhich played left to trained Liverpoolhave in a forshowcase. been the in ballast Merchant captured on Navy 23rd by atJuly Leiththe in a NauticalJapanese. The graves of those who died during the constructionconvoy and boundmain-College, forStephen New where York. trained he Early gained on for 3rd a Firstthe August ClassMerchant 1942, Certificate the Navy ship of Merit in As a prisoner of war, 1942 he along worked with the on Bronze the Medal notorious and certificates Burma-Siam in swimming railway, built to improve tenance of the railway were transferred from camp burial groundsand life-saving.at Leith HeNautical was immediately College, accepted where by he the gained Royal Mail a First Class Certifi- communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, and isolated sites along the railway into three cemeteries – twoLine ascate a cadet of Merit and left in home 1942 on along16th July with 1942 the to join Bronze the MV Medal and certifi- approximately 13,000 prisonersLochkatrine whichof war left Liverpooldied and in ballast were on buried 23rd July along in a the railway. The graves of in Siam and one in Burma. Chungkai, in modern-day Thailand,convoy cates bound in forswimming New York. Earlyand onlife-saving. 3rd August 1942,He was the shipimmediately accepted was one of the base camps on the railwaythose and who contained died duringa hospi- theby constructionthe Royal Mail Line and as maintenance a cadet and left ofhome the on railway 16th July were1942 transferred tal and church built by Allied prisonersfrom of campwar. The burial war cemeterygrounds and isolated sites along the railway into three cemeteries – two in is the original burial ground startedSiam by the and prisoners one themselves,in Burma. Chungkai, in modern-day Thailand, was one of the base camps on and the burials are mostly of men whothe died railway at the hospital.and contained These a hospital and church built by Allied prisoners of war. The war include Stanley Mackintosh, who diedcemetery of typhoid is theon 16thoriginal June burial ground started by the prisoners themselves, and the burials 1945, aged 27. He is also commemorated at his college in Oxford. are mostly of menwas struck who by died two torpedoes at the hospital.from German These submarine include U-552 and Stanley sank rapidly. Mackintosh, All but 9 of who died of Sapper Herbert Ramsey Watson was born on 20th theSeptember 90 people on typhoidboard were on rescued 16th but June Stephen 1945, was drowned. aged 27.The captainHe is reported: also commemorated at 1917, the younger son of Green- “This younghisto manjoin college was the in MV hisin cabinOxford.Lochkatrine at the time which of the leftexplosion. Liverpool He was in later ballast seen inon bank members Mr and Mrs Her- the water.was struck Mr Williams, by two torpedoes one of the from passengers, German subm calledarine to U-552him to and come sank over rapidly. and Allshare but 9 of the 9023rd people July on inboard a convoy were rescued bound but Stephenfor New was York. drowned. Early The on captain 3rd reported:August bert Watson of 54 Morningside his floating wreckage but White, who was swimming strongly, was called born out that on he was20th September alright “cheerioSapper1942,“This Australia”. the young shipHerbert man wasThat was struckwas in Ramseyhis the cabin by last two atseen the torpedoesWatson oftime him.” of the from explosion. German He was subma later seen- in Drive. At Watson’s from 1922 to 1917,the water. the Mr Williams, younger one of the son passengers, of Greenbank called to him to come members over and share Mr and Mrs Born at 8 Nile Groverine on U-552 17th Novemberand sank 1925,rapidly. Stephen All but was 9 16of yearsthe 90 old people when he on died. board He 1934, he went to Edinburgh Uni- his floating wreckage but White, who was swimming strongly, called out that he was is commemoratedHerbertwere onalright the rescued Merchant“cheerio Watson butAustralia”. Navy Stephen ofmemorial That 54 waswas Morningside at thedrowned. Tower last seen Hill, TheofLondon. him.” Drive. captain At reported: Watson’s from 1922 versity in 1934 to study engineer- Bornto “atThis 8 1934,Nile young Grove heonman 17th went wasNovember in tohis 1925,cabin Edinburgh Stephen at the wastime 16 University ofyears the oldexplosion. when in he died. 1934He He to study ing, although he does not seem to Signalman Ericis commemorated Brownwas later is the seen on only the in wartimeMerchant the water. member Navy memorialMr with Williams, war at Towerservice one Hill, who London.of isthe still passengers, in the pews today. He was aengineering, wireless operator with although 8 Special he Wireless does Section not – seem a Royal to Signals have unit graduated. In have graduated. In 1939, he vol- whose task wasSignalman 1939,calledto interceptEric tohe Brown him Germanvolunteered to is comethe military only over wartime wireless for and memberthe sharemessages Royal with his war sent floatingEngineers service in Morse who wreckage is Codestill and in the and butserved pews for four unteered for the Royal Engineers often using thetoday. EnigmayearsWhite, He was Code.whoas a wireless a was Theprivate swimmingoperator Section soldier. with operated strongly, 8 Special in thecalledWireless south out Section of that England –he a wasRoyal until alright Signals 1944 unit and served for four years as a pri- when, a few dayswhose after task D was Day, to itintercept crossed German to Normandy. military Itwireless then went messages with the sent British in Morse 2nd ArmyCode and through France,often “cheerio Belgium using the andAustralia”. Enigma Holland, Code. That ending The Section was up the at Luneburgoperatedlast seen in Heathof the him. south in” Germany of England in until May 1944 vate soldier. 1945 where thewhen, surrenderHeBorn a few fought daysat of 8 theafterNile Germanin D GroveDay,North it Forces crossed on Africa 17th was to Normandy. takenNovember and by then,FieldIt then 1925, Marshal went after Stephenwith Montgomery. thethe British wasAllied 2nd 16 Army invasion, on He fought in North Africa and throughthe France, Italian Belgium mainland. and Holland, Progress ending up at Luneburg through Heath southern in Germany Italy in May was rapid 1945years where theold surrender when he of thedied. German He Forcesis commemorated was taken by Field on Marshal the Merchant Montgomery. then, after the Allied invasion, Duncan MacnivendespiteNavy memorial stiff resistance at Tower Hill, but, London. by the end of October, the Allies were Duncan Macniven on the Italian mainland. Progress The sources of mostfacing Signalmanof the illustr theations Eric Germanare the Brown Commonwealth winter is the War onlydefensive Graves wartime Commission position member and the war knownwith records war ofas the Gustav George Watson’s College. through southern Italy was rapid The sourcesLine.service of mostInitial who of the is illustr attemptsstillations in are the the topewsCommonwealth breach today. War Hethe Graves was western Commission a wireless and end the opera war of records -the of line were despite stiff resistance but, by the endunsuccessful. of October, the It Allies took were fourGeorge tor Watson’s major with College. 8 offensivesSpecial Wireless Section – a Royal Signals unit whose facing the German winter defensivebetween position known January as the and Gus -Maytask 1944 was tobefore intercept the German military wireless messages sent in tav Line. Initial attempts to breachline the western was eventually end of the line broken. Morse During Code and these often using the Enigma Code. The Section op- were unsuccessful. It took four major offensives between Janu- early months of 1944, Cassino erated sawin the some south of England until 1944 when, a few days af- ary and May 1944 before the line thewas eventually fiercest fightingbroken. Dur of - the ter Italian D Day, campaign, it crossed to Normandy. It then went with the British ing these early months of 1944, Cassinothe town saw some itself of andthe fiercest the dominating 2nd Army Monastery through France, Belgium and Holland, ending up at fighting of the Italian campaign, the town itself and the dominat- Hill proving the most stubbornLuneburg Heath obstacles in Germany in May 1945 where the surrender ing Monastery Hill proving the most stubborn obstacles encoun- encountered in the advanceof thetowards German Rome. Forces was taken by Field Marshal Montgomery. tered in the advance towards Rome. Herbert Watson was killed Duncan Macniven there on 10th February 1944, aged 26.Herbert Watson was killed there on 10th The sources of most of the illustrations are the Commonwealth War He is buried at Cassino War CemeteryFebruary and commemorated 1944, aged also 26. Graves Commission and the war records of George Watson’s College. He is buried at Cassino War Cemetery and 5 commemorated also on memorials at Watson’s, at Old College and at West Kilbride, Ayrshire, where his parents lived at the time of his death. One Day in May Book Festival Communion Pew Cloths Are you able to help with this aspect of Communion prepara- Saturday 30th May 2015 at Greyfriars Kirk tions? At present we need 28 volunteers to help prepare the Pew cloths Scottish Love in Action invites you to come to a Book Festival for each Communion Service. In the past year this number has celebrating the best in modern literature. Join us for this new and dropped by 7. To get back to the full complement I’m appealing exciting date in the Book Festival calendar. for volunteers. With the full complement your help will be re- Programme of Events quired only once a year. 11am: Jeremy Strong, children’s author (7+) of The Hundred- If you are willing to be part of our team please contact Muriel Mile-An-Hour Dog and My Brother’s Famous Bottom series. McLardy (Tel 446 9065) 2pm: Alasdair Gray, author of Lanark, will talk about his autobi- ography Of Me and Others. 5pm: Femmes Fatales, a trio of female crime writers discuss

GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK their work – Alanna Knight, creator of the Victorian Inspector YACHT 2015 Faro series, Lin Anderson, author of the Forensic specialist Dr Rhona Macleod series, and Alex Gray, author of the DCI Lorim- A reminder that a date for your diary er novels. is the Auction of Talents to take place 8pm: Alexander McCall Smith, well known for No. 1 Ladies’ De- on Saturday 3rd October 2015. tective Agency series and many other publications. Everyone can take part in this event. Book sales and signings will be available after each talk. Tickets The idea is that you give some skill or for the adults’ authors are £10 and for the children’s author £6. talent to be auctioned for the YACHT Tickets are available online (only) at www.sla-india.org from Appeal. And you need not worry that noon Tuesday 21st April 2015. you do not have any skill or talents worth buying- because you do! Perhaps you can offer dog walking; or baby sitting; or bake a World Mission cake; or create a patchwork quilt; or knit a sweater; or introduce With the approach of Christian Aid Week 10th–16th May and someone to or maximise IT skills; or offer help in the garden; or the many Christian Aid events in May, it seems appropriate to act as a guide at a museum; paint a picture; or make marmalade mention that Christian Aid is launching its new climate justice or jam; or put up a week in your holiday home for auction; or ar- campaign ‘One Million Ways’. range a dinner party; or draw up a will. The list is endless! Millions of the world’s poorest people are feeling the impact There will be a flyer in the June Leaflet inviting formal entries – of climate change right now. They are suffering first and worst but in the meantime please put your thinking caps on as to what from the consequences, and yet they are least to blame. you can offer – there will be something! When we demand that action is taken to tackle climate change Also remember the Photo Competition for Greenbank’s 2016 we are not only being faithful to God, but we are uniting with Calendar – spring has truly sprung and summer beckons, so it’s people all across the world. Despite our diversity we are bound to time to get the cameras into action and submit photos for the one another as children of God and the inhabitants of his world calendar competition. The exhibition of photographs will take and we experience the same emotions e.g. love and loss, fear and place at the same time as the Auction of Talents. Don’t forget that hope. Natural disasters and the fragility of our world frighten your entries should be linked to a line of scripture or an extract us all, but together we can do one million things to change our from a psalm or hymn. There is plenty of scope in the freshness world and to build a future for everyone, standing against the and green around us to reflect on the gifts from God in nature greed and wastefulness that threatens our precious world. and landscape. By making small changes in our everyday lives and in our com- munities and standing together to challenge others we can re- duce the threat of climate change and protect the things we love. Christian Aid’s new campaign website has loads of ide- Christian Aid Week as about how we can make some changes even by simply walking to church or not buying anything new for a whole 10th May to 16th May day. They also want to know what you are already doing to Please will collectors come to the Main Hall at Greenbank tackle climate change so feel free to log on and tell them Church on Sunday morning 10th May, before or after the Serv- www.christianaid.org.uk/onemillionways/#what-do-you-love ice, to pick up their collecting bags with their envelopes etc. If The next One World Stall is on Sunday 24th May after the this is not convenient for anyone, please contact me to arrange to 10.30am Service. get these before that date. Pam Jack Life and Work on-line email: [email protected] The General Assembly opens on Saturday May 16th. Follow pro- ceedings with daily updates at www.lifeandwork.org, and www.facebook.com/lifeandwork and www.twitter.com/cofslifeandwork 6 Congregational Register Flower Rota Provided by Delivered by May 3 Caroline Kehoe Catherine Ferguson Omitted from the Online 10 Margo Fraser Liz Foster 17 Marjorie Thomson Fiona Kelly version of the Leaflet 24 Rosemary McCulloch Susan Black & Ruth Johnston 31 Catherine Hardie Charlotte Tucker June 7 Ina Weir Irene Horne

Crèche Rota CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK May 3 Sharon Hamilton Lorna Htet-Khin 10 Lorna Periss Alison Ambler 17 Jenny Wright Hazel McLachlan 24 Lucy Teall Sharon Hamilton 31 Rosemary Collier Shona Murray

Bookstall 10th May After the 10.30am Service the Bookstall will be open with a se- lection of books from The Cornerstone with a special focus on Welcome Teams Christian history, and other books that might help you on your May faith journey or expand your knowledge of Christian doctrine or 3 Rosemary McCulloch, Rona Ferguson, Fiona Grant, the Bible, including Bible study guides Christina Morrow, Alison Murison, Malcolm Reid, John and Joan Ritchie Joan Ritchie, Toby Tucker, Alastair Ross 10 John Ritchie, Eric Brown, Stewart Coghill, Ralph Davidson, Susan Inch, Gill Sweetman, Ian Thomson, David Easton, Susan Jackman The Guild 17 Keith Winton, Eileen Campbell, Richard Dunbar, Our winter session concluded with our Annual Business Meet- Clifford Hastings, Chris Horne, Doris Laing, Enid ing on 17th March, followed by a brief overview of some of the Mowat, Robin Nimmo hymns in our Church Hymnary. Jenni Johnston retired as Secre- 24 Alan Armit, Edith Armit, Louise Coghill, Iain tary, having given years of sterling service; her successor is Sharie Davidson, Hugh Cowan, Susan Black, Malcolm Perks. There were no other changes to office-bearers. Our annual Watters, Nora Kellock, Elizabeth Mackay outing takes place on 12th May and details have been circulat- ed to members. Our monthly summer coffee mornings start on 31 John George, Rhian Ferguson Alastair Hunter, Tuesday 2nd June and continue on the first Tuesday of July (7th), Hazel Macaulay, Kathleen Patrick, Dorothy August (4th) and September (1st). These take place in the Main Whitehead, Tony Foster Hall from 10.30am - noon and are open to all members, friends June and members of the congregation. We are now planning our pro- 7 Stuart Sanders, Moira Davidson, John Murison, gramme for the winter session 2015-16; several speakers have al- Rachel Cadell, Jenny Wright, Sandy Cameron, Carrie ready been booked and the first meeting takes place on Tuesday Reid, Moira Land, Julia Dunbar 6th October at 7.30pm. Kathleen Patrick Coffee Rota May Material for the June Leaflet should be delivered to Alison & John Murison (D60/D62) the Church Office or to the Editors’ pigeon-hole in 3 10 Anne Kinnear (D9) & Sue Black the Main Hall by Sunday 17th May or sent by e-mail 17 Yes Group by 9am on Tuesday 19th May to 24 BAGs [email protected] 31 Caroline Kehoe (D70) 7 AFTERTHOUGHTS A Question of Resources?

Nearly ten years ago, in June 2005, some 250,000 people How many loaves have you? was the question. Jesus and his gathered in Edinburgh as part of the Make Poverty History close companions had been followed to a remote place by a large campaign. Along with millions of others throughout the UK crowd of people, eager to hear his teaching. Late in the day the and many more all over the world, they called on governments disciples asked Jesus to send the people away so that they could to increase and improve aid to developing countries, to cancel find something to eat. Jesus immediately gave them responsibility developing countries’ debts, and to make global trade fairer. The for the hungry crowd: You give them something to eat. “How are wealthiest nations responded and considerable progress was we supposed to feed all these people?” the disciples object. “You made: want us to go and spend a fortune on food for their supper?” • Unfair debts owed by 39 countries were cancelled Jesus again turns their own question back on them: How many

GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK loaves have you? • By 2011 130 million primary-aged children were attending school in Africa (87 million in 2000) The disciples may have thought that stocktaking was futile, but they obeyed. When they reported that there were five loaves • In 2012 20 million fewer cases of malaria were reported and two fish and brought them to Jesus, he took the food, said worldwide than in 2000, thanks to more money being available a prayer of thanks to God, divided up the loaves and handed for mosquito nets them out. In the end, not only was everyone fed (and there may • In March of this year the Westminster Parliament passed have been as many as twenty thousand present; 5,000 men are legislation which commits the UK to spend 0.7 per cent of its mentioned in the story: women and children did not count in national income on aid. those days, so they were not counted!) but there were leftovers. These are remarkable achievements in a relatively short Jesus was not interested in the numbers. He did not count time. Lives are changing because people stood together and those he fed - he did something far more important: he fed them. campaigned for what they believed to be right and fair. However, Nor was he interested in the number of loaves and fish brought poverty is not yet history. Despite all that has been done both by to him. Indeed, another version of the story has seven loaves and governments and by aid agencies, the words of the 1930s Dundee a few fish. By asking the disciples about their resources, Jesus was Jute Mill Song remain true: looking for evidence of their attitude. Did they believe that the O, dear me, the world is ill-divided. little they had to offer, when given freely to Jesus, could be taken Them that works the hardest and used for the benefit of many? Or did they seek to hold on to what they had, afraid to let go, wanting to keep what they had for are the least provided. themselves? According to one organisation committed to combatting world In our ill-divided world we may long for God to bridge the hunger gap between rich and poor by a miracle. But that miracle will • 805 million people – or one in nine people in the world – do only happen if those who have more than enough are willing not have enough to eat. to share what they have. As we have seen, a minority in our nation possesses the bulk of its wealth. Although tempting, it • 1.7 billion people lack access to clean water. is simplistic to suggest that wealth inequality could be reduced • 22,000 children die each day because of poverty. by a higher level of taxation and different tax policies. Tinkering • 66 million primary school-age children attend classes hungry with the present system will never eliminate mass poverty. A across the developing world, with 23 million in Africa alone. transformation of society is required. The world is ill-divided. So too is our nation. A recent Scottish To achieve such a transformation may be costly. But still Jesus Government report, Wealth and Assets in Scotland 2006-2012, comes to his people and asks us, How many loaves have you? shows that the wealthiest 10 per cent of households owned 74 Like the disciples of old, we have to realise that we cannot expect per cent of financial wealth, 55 per cent of pension wealth, 43 other people to do our God-given work for us. We will find all per cent of property wealth and 33 per cent of physical wealth sorts of excuses: we can’t do it; we haven’t the time; we have no (cars, household goods and personal belongings). Experts argue more energy; we don’t have the right skills. about the interpretation of these statistics, but few deny that the Jesus takes the little we have and uses it for his purposes of love overall picture is reasonably accurate. This report, along with the and justice in the world. Jesus takes loaves and fishes, ideas, growing number of food banks across the country, suggests that time, energy, artistic gifts, love, money, a way with words, nimble deprivation is widespread in Scotland. fingers, whatever we have to offer. He takes, he blesses, he breaks From the earliest days the Church has shown care and (there is always a costliness in serving God and our neighbour) compassion for the poor in its midst and around it. Although and gives it all back to us to use. What Jesus does with what we followers of Jesus Christ do not have a monopoly on compassion, offer is mysterious, beyond our comprehension, but powerfully they seek to follow one who has shown that at the heart of God effective. We can only be amazed to see what God does with the are love and justice. Faced with this ill-divided, unjust world little we offer from our meagre resources. How many loaves have Christians are challenged afresh by a question Jesus once asked you? More than enough to make poverty history! his first disciples about the adequacy of their resources to feed the hungry. 8