Minister's Letter
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LGreenbank Parish e Church a f l e t Braidburn Terrace, EH10 6ES Minister’s Letter No 619 September 2012 Pulpit Diary Dear Friends Aug 31 Friday Yesterday saw the closing cer- for him. And they did. Just emony of the London 2012 days before the Olympics 7.30pm Pre-communion Service Olympic Games. Over the last began the International 16 days many names previ- Olympic Committee agreed ously unknown have become that he could run as an inde- Sept 2 household icons. There is pendent athlete under their 9.00am Communion however one name that is per- flag. The US and British -au 10.30am Communion haps not so well known. That thorities processed the nec- is the name of Guor Marial. essary papers in record time. Springboard and Spectrum meet Marial did not power his way The IOC paid his ticket to as usual to gold in the swimming pool, London. 3.00pm Communion (Braid Room) nor did he ride to victory at An Olympic medal for Mari- Greenwich. He did not mount al was probably never a real- the podium in the athletics istic prospect. He had none Sept 9 stadium. Nor did he receive of the advantages of his com- 10.30am Morning Worship the acclaim of the velodrome. petitors. He works nights in In fact Marial came 47th in the a home for mentally disabled one event which he entered – the men’s mara- adults. Most of his training is along roads and Sept 16 thon. Yet his story can and should inspire and trails. He has little by way of kit – not even a challenge us. decent pair of running shoes. He had no time 10.30am Morning Worship Like many of his competitors Marial spent to focus and prepare for the Games. In the end much of his childhood running. But un- he finished 11 minutes behind his fastest com- Sept 23 like them he was running for his life and for petitor. But for Marial it was neither the medal his freedom. Marial is a Dinka tribesman, a nor the time that was important. What was 10.30am Morning Worship Christian. He was born just as Sudan was en- important for him was to finish the race, no gulfed in civil war. That war left two million matter what, because in his heart he was carry- Sept 30 people dead and created four million refugees. ing not only all those who had supported him The dead included eight of Marial’s ten broth- but his own people. 10.30am Harvest Thanksgiving All Age ers and sisters. His village was attacked re- Marial’s story reminded me of the story at the Worship peatedly by Sudanese soldiers. Its inhabitants heart of our faith. In the Bible we read how were forced to flee into the bush where they important it was to Jesus to finish the race. hid until they thought it safe to return. When Jesus’ commitment is such that he carries the Oct 7 Marial was 9 his parents tried to send him to world on his heart all the way to the cross 9.30am First Sunday Service led by Kirk relatives in Khartoum but he ran out of money where he completes the race, and wins the vic- on the way and ended up serving the Suda- tory not only for himself but for all. And he Session nese army. The next year he was kidnapped invites them to follow him along the course set 10.30am Morning Worship by Arab herdsmen and forced to tend their for saints and sinners. goats. He escaped by running all day across In the Bible too, in the letter to the Hebrews we the desert. find these words, He finally reached his uncle’s home in Khar- “Therefore since we are surrounded by so toum but a few years later police broke in and great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every Marial was on the run again – this time to weight and the sin that clings so closely and let Egypt where he was joined by his uncle. Final- us run the race that is set before us, looking ly the two made their way to America. Marial to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, spoke no English but a teacher suggested he who for the sake of the joy that was set before For information about church organisations, try out for the athletics team. At first he was him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, please contact the Church Office reluctant. “I used to hate running. I was run- and has taken his seat at the right hand of the (Mon–Fri, 9.00am–12.00pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm): ning back home to save my life”. But he was throne of God.” persuaded. After winning local champion- At the beginning of a new session in our con- Mrs Virginia Johnston ships he was given an Athletics scholarship by gregation’s life, I would invite you all to join in tel and fax: 0131 447 9969 Iowa State University. A year ago he entered the race of faith. Be inspired by the dedication e-mail: [email protected] his first marathon finishing within the Olym- and commitment Jesus Christ has shown for The pastoral team can be contacted through the pic qualifying time. His second marathon was you. Be challenged by the invitation to run his -Church Office: in San Diego – only two months ago. race! Be encouraged by the support and ex Rev Alison Swindells As a refugee Marial could not run for the ample of others who are willing us on or who tel and fax: 0131 447 4032 United States in the Olympics. South Sudan, have run the race before us. And start inspir- email: [email protected] which won its independence in July 2011 is not ing others! yet a part of the Olympic movement. Sudan Rev W. Peter Graham invited him to join their team but for Marial tel: 0131 445 5763 that would have been the equivalent of betray- With best wishes ing his people. A lawyer took up his case and To make contact with any of the organisations lobbied media, government officials, refugee Alison I Swindells described in this Leaflet, please use the organisations – anyone who would intercede Minister telephone number given, if there is one; otherwise contact the Church Office. (The evening will commence with refresh- welcomed a large number of new Guides. The Country Dance ments at 6.30pm.) In autumn, we took part in Zumba, com- Club September pleted a Hobbies badge, held a chocolate 2nd: Alison Elliot – Faith and the City night and the Puffin Patrol organised a Come and join us on Wednesday evenings 9th: Ewan Brown – Faith and Politics marvellous and messy Hallowe’en party. for an enjoyable session of Scottish 16th: Charles Munn – Faith and Money In the run up to Christmas we went to the Country Dancing in the Centenary Hall, 23rd: David Fergusson – Faith and the Gang Show and sang carols at the Astley 7.30 to 9.30 pm. Some basic knowledge of Scottish Identity Ainslie with the Thursday Guides. In win- Country Dance steps is necessary but with 30th: Jolyon Mitchell – Faith and the ter, we had an art attack, went ice-skating, the help of our leader we walk through the Theatre celebrated Chinese New Year, held a book dances in advance. night, and some of our Guides starred in There’s time for a chat over a cuppa and a These series have proved popular in the a video on the theme of respect as part of chance to meet new friends. past and we look forward to welcoming Thinking Day. Our first meeting is on Wednesday 26th you to this new series. We had a bumper summer, which started GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK September 2012. off with our new Guides making their For more information please contact: promise in Braidburn Park after an epic Muriel McLardy 446 9065 game of Capture the Flag. We went wild for or Doris Laing 445 1877 Church Choir the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics, hold- The Greenbank Church Choir has received ing a jubilee tea party and seeing a mas- many compliments in recent times - which sive beacon be lit at Trefoil, watching the Friendship Club is most gratifying for the choir members. Olympic torch go past and holding sports- Are you a senior citizen and do you live in However, what gives us the greatest sat- themed evenings. We had an excellent the Greenbank area? Then the Friendship isfaction and pleasure is to rehearse and ‘Candy Land’ Camp at Trefoil, went to the Club is for you so do come and join us. We then perform to the best of our ability a Tartan Gig in Glasgow and had an enthusi- meet on alternate Wednesdays at 2.30 pm wide range of music for the congregation, astic demonstration of Korean martial art in the Lower Hall where we are entertained principally during worship. Kook Sool Won, organised by our young by speakers offering a wide range of sub- The choir is a real fellowship and, along- leaders. jects - often illustrated, sometimes amus- side the work, we have a great deal of fun Gwen Wilkie, Assistant Guider ing or serious, but always interesting. We together. We are led by Alan Irvine, our close with chat over tea and biscuits, an Organist and Choirmaster, who, with in- opportunity to catch up with friends and fectious enthusiasm and humour, guides Thursday Guides (162nd make new ones.