St Ninian’s Church Corstorphine

Quarterly

Winter 2017

Winter 2017

Dear friends,

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall not overcome it. (John 1:5) lurk. But, through his life and his message Jesus wants us to believe that this world's Thank you. On the evening of my induction dark places and deep shadows do not have St Ninian's welcomed me warmly, and also to dominate our lives, and that life should gave me a monetary gift. With that gift I never be defined by its darkest moments or bought this lamp. It is a Wagenfeld 24 table its most frightening times. God knows that lamp, often through Jesus we can throw light on a better known simply as world, and illuminate the best parts of the Bauhaus ourselves. lamp. Designed and first made Jesus' life is illuminated by his message of in the 1920s it love, peace and merciful justice. Love for seems meant other people, and being loved by other for a manse people warms even the greatest tragedy that was also with hope that our lives are not pointless, designed and and that they have not been wasted. Jesus built in the asks us to believe that peaceful living 1920s. In my illuminates our sense of self-worth, whereas study there is violence or aggression always belittles an alcove where others. Jesus asks us to believe that while it fits perfectly. justice is vital in any community, nevertheless when we know we have done I bought this lamp because not only does it wrong then mercy is the light at the end of light up my study with a warm glow; it also the tunnel of shame and retribution. lights up my imagination, and warms my heart. I love modernist furniture and, Over the coming winter months as we reflecting on the Modernist maxim that form celebrate Christmas there will be lights follows function, guides my thinking about everywhere: the lights shining from candles what my services and sermons should be and trees, the lights from shops and cars. As like. always at this time of year there will be times of darkness - in the mornings, in the Light, like that from a lamp, is all around us, evenings, and in our lives. I pray that the especially if we live in a city. Light people you meet at St Ninian's over the illuminates, it warms, and it makes coming months will help you to feel and give beautiful. However, it can also pollute, cast the warm glow of Jesus Christ's love. I pray shadows, and dazzle. So, to see the true the worship you experience at St Ninian's beauty, to appreciate the deep wonder, and will brighten your lives with an under- to see the true nature of illumination standing of Jesus Christ's peace and merciful sometimes you have to leave the lights justice. Believe too, that in God's world behind and go to the very darkest places. It sometimes it is in the darkest places that is there that you see the stars in their you have the opportunity to witness the multitude; many that you never knew most beautiful light. existed. The light shines in the darkness, and the Throughout the New Testament Jesus is darkness shall not overcome it. (John 1:5) described as light, ‘in him was life, and the life was the light of men’1. Anyone who has With peace, light and love, lived for any time in this world knows that darkness is always close by, and shadows James

1 John 1:4 3

Communion Services

Communion Services will be held in the Church rd on Sunday 3 December 2017 at 10.30am and 3.00pm.

“This do in remembrance of Me”

Communion Bread At our September Kirk Session, a concern was raised that some members of the congregation have allergies and food intolerances (eg coeliac disease). The Session agreed that we should practise inclusiveness by providing gluten-free bread for everyone at future Communion services.

Important Diary Dates

25th November - Step Inside (last Saturday monthly, excl. Dec) 29th November - Conversazione (last Wednesday monthly, excl. Dec) 10th December - Fresh Start Donations 7th January - Sunday School Reopens 14th January - Congregational Lunch 28th January - Quarterly Copy Date 18th February - Soup & Roll Lunch

(See separate notices for Christmas Services and parties. Further details will be provided in the Intimations)

Kirk Session Meetings 2018

Wednesdays: 14th February, 9th May, 12th September, 14th November

Deacons’ Court Meetings 2017

Wednesday 22nd November

2018

Wednesdays: 28th February, 23rd May, 26th September, 28th November

4 Christmas Services

Sunday 3rd 1st Sunday in Advent: 10.30am & 3.00pm - Communion Sunday 10th 2nd Sunday in Advent: 10.30am - Sunday School Gift Service

Saturday 16th 10.30am – 3.00pm - Quiet Day The Church will be open for prayer and meditation – why not take a break from the Christmas rush? Sunday 17th 3rd Sunday in Advent: 10.30am - Family Service 6.30pm - Nine Lessons & Carols, with the Choir Sunday 24th 4th Sunday in Advent: 10.30am - Morning Service (No Sunday School) 8.00pm – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Monday 25th 10.30am - Christmas Day Family Service (No Church Transport) Sunday 31st 10.30am - Morning Worship (No Sunday School - re-opens 7th January)

Christmas Parties

Saturday 9th 2.30-5.00pm Primary & Beginners Sunday School

Saturday 9th (TBC) Juniors & Alpha

Tuesday 12th 2.15pm Guild Christmas Party with the Choir

5 Congregational Register

New Members by Transference Certificate: Mr James Aitken, 17 Templeland Road Mrs Sarah Aitken, 17 Templeland Road

Funerals: 27th July * Mrs Jean Smeaton, 15 North Gyle Grove 2nd August * Mr Thomas Miller, 75 Broomhall Road 10th August * Mrs Jennifer MacLennan, 84 Drum Brae Park 20th September * Mr William Ovens, 25 Craigs Avenue 29th September * Mrs Margaret Nisbet, 5 Ladywell Court, Larbert 13th October Mr Roderick Milne, 2 Corstorphine Hill Avenue 23rd October * Mr William Robertson, 8 Dunsmuir Court

* Denotes member

Bill Robertson Bill Robertson’s funeral service was held on 23rd October. He was a very faithful member of our church, until ill-health confined him to his house. He was ordained in 1957, inducted as an Elder in 1966 and received a 50-year Long Service Certificate in May. Bill worked for many years with Martin & Frost until his retirement.

* * * * * * * * * *

Thanks Another year has gone by and we would like to record a very warm vote of thanks to our wonderful volunteers -the various committees (particularly this year’s Fair Committee), the choir, the crèche and Sunday School teachers, our flower ladies, the tea & coffee ladies, the church transport drivers, our bell ringers, the audio technicians, the Communion cloth ironers, the gardeners, the bakers and everyone else who quietly does little and big jobs behind the scenes around the church. Many of them are the same people wearing different hats! Especial thanks to the Hospitality team who have put in a power of work this year with additional functions, not least One of the wonderful displays by the Flower being the Induction of our new Minister and the Ladies for our Harvest Thanksgiving Fair. We are truly grateful for your commitment.

6 Sunday School News

We recently met with the Sunday School Teachers and Leaders, along with the Link Elders, and were delighted to welcome James to our meeting. This gave us all an opportunity to speak about the plans for the Family Service in December. We discussed holding it on Sunday 24th December but some felt, with this being Christmas Eve, it would be better to have this service the week before. The Christmas Parties were also discussed. Beginners and Primary will hold a joint party on Saturday 9th December. Alpha and Juniors also plan to hold their parties on 9th December.

It had been mentioned that the Alpha Group Room needed a bit of a refresh and we undertook to make some enquiries on how to progress this. We anticipate seeing more of the Alpha Group in Church for the whole service in the coming months.

Following our post in last month's Quarterly, we were delighted to receive some suggestions on how to encourage more children into Sunday School. We will be discussing this issue again and will bear in mind the suggestions sent in. Diana Fairgrieve & Lesley Gulland (Joint Co-ordinators)

* * * * * * * * * *

For the second time this year, Corstorphine St Ninian’s responded to a Christian Aid Crisis Appeal – this time for the Rohingya people, raising £1,176.17 from a retiring collection in October. When added to the Forth Bridge Crossing, Christian Aid Week and the earlier East Africa Crisis Appeal, the total raised so far this year is £8,734.05!

Present Aid Catalogue Stuck for a Christmas present for the person who has everything? How about giving school books, a hygiene package or fruit trees?

Snowed under with socks and bath salts? Why not ask Santa to send a goat, a hand pump or a mobile health clinic?

Feeling guilty about the mounds of discarded wrapping paper? When you purchase an ethical gift from Present Aid, you will be helping to fund Christian Aid's vital work to end poverty around the world. Now that's a gift worth giving!

The Present Aid catalogue (copies at the doors of the church) and the website (www.presentaid.org) have lots of other gift ideas ranging in price from £5 - £500. Present Aid is a charity gift website that supports the work of Christian Aid.

Alec Millar

7 The New Lady in the Manse world. I’d always regretted not taking time out like that after school or University, so it was very special to be able to have that extended time seeing places that don’t fit into the traditional two-week holiday and scratching my ‘travel itch’ a bit before we settled down into James’s first charge at St Michael’s.

We’d met when James was completing his probation at St Andrew’s and St George’s (as it was then), where I was an Elder. It was rather odd becoming “the Minister’s wife” after that, although made a bit more Hello; I’m Sarah Aitken and you probably straightforward in terms of congregational already know more about me than I do about expectations by the fact that James’s you! Nonetheless, here’s a little more predecessor was a woman, the Rev Margaret ‘colour’ on the wife of your new-ish Forrester. Nonetheless, it was a real Minister. privilege to become part of that worshipping community during the twelve years that I grew up on the north side of Edinburgh; followed, and especially to witness Aidan those of you who were in church on 22nd having the same experience of being October will have seen my father leading ‘embraced’ by the church family that I worship. He was Minister at Inverleith recalled from my own childhood. Parish Church for over 30 years, having moved from Biggar when I was 3 years old. I My current professional role is as a Director grew up literally next door to the church and General in the Scottish Government (where I there’s no doubt that the public/private am still known as Sarah Davidson). I lead interface of manse family life had a lasting the teams with responsibility for key influence on me. corporate services such as Communications, Digital, Finance, and HR and I am also I actually became a member of the United accountable for the implementation of the Reformed Church first, joining as a student new Scottish Social Security Agency, one of in England in the early 1990s, but I came the biggest programmes of work in which back to Edinburgh soon after that, first to I’ve ever been involved. Since I went back, work in the National Gallery and Jenners, when Aidan was a year old, I’ve worked a before starting in the then Scottish Office in compressed week, which means that I work 1995. My first job was supposed to be full time but am only in the office Monday- working on plans for the Second Forth Thursday. We have had lots of fun on Crossing, but the Secretary of State Fridays, including spending time with my cancelled the project the week before I sister and Aidan’s two cousins who live over started, and I spent the year becoming in Newington. However, it definitely means expert on the M74 upgrade instead. Since that the other days can be quite long. When then my work has taken me into policy areas Aidan starts school next August, it will be of criminal justice; public health; local time to re-shape the week a bit and work government; planning; social enterprise and out how to make the new patterns of days the third sector and lots more besides. I and term/holiday times work for us. No spent five years working for the Scottish doubt it will all fall into place, as for Parliament, including on the latter stages of generations of parents before us, but at the the Holyrood Building Project, which was moment it all feels a bit scary! the kind of job that you never really left at the office. James and I got married just There’s not as much time for other interests before the end of that time, and marked the as there used to be (see above!), but I really end of my secondment by taking a short enjoy walking, especially in the hills around career break and travelling around the Upper Tweeddale, where we have a cottage.

8 That’s also pleasingly close to Stobo Castle, here in Corstorphine and at St Ninian’s. whose swimming pool is probably my Fielding a bouncy 4-year-old also doesn’t favourite place to escape to when I get the always make for the smoothest of chance. Other ‘therapies’ include home- conversations over coffee! However, please made bread and the Scandi-noir crime series do come and say hello on a Sunday morning, on catch-up TV. and feel free to ask me about anything I’ve talked about here … and anything I haven’t. Unlike James, who is around the church and Sarah Aitken parish all week, I know that it will take me a bit longer to get to know the community

* * * * * * * * * *

“Meal Makers” – bringing together people who love to cook and neighbours who would appreciate a freshly prepared meal and a friendly chat.

Are you someone who enjoys cooking and could easily add an extra portion to the pot from time to time? Or did you feed a family every day for years and now find it too much to cook from scratch for yourself, and miss the taste of home-cooked meals?

Meal Makers is a local neighbourhood food-sharing project that connects “cooks” and “diners”. It aims to tackle social isolation and malnutrition by helping older adults who no longer find it easy to cook for themselves and provides a flexible way for people to volunteer their time and skills locally in a way which suits them.

I’ve been a supporter of Meal Makers since they started up in Edinburgh and I am waiting just now to be matched with a new diner in the Corstorphine area. As winter approaches, it would be great if we could swell the numbers of people both cooking and dining in and around the St Ninian’s parish.

To sign up as a cook, all you have to do is complete a quick application form at www.mealmakers.org.uk and then, once you’ve completed an online food safety quiz and a PVG check, you will be matched with an older neighbour who is looking for a cook. After that, the only commitment is to share one initial meal. If the match works for you both, then you can agree how often, how and when you want to share. It might be a tub of soup once a week, or meat and two veg once a month. It’s entirely up to you and your diner.

If you, or someone you know, would like to become a diner, you can call Meal Makers on 0800 783 7770, or fill in a form on the website. The team there will match you with a cook who lives locally and likes the same sort of food as you do. The only cost to you as a diner will be a small annual membership fee.

I’d be very happy to share my experience with anyone who’s interested. Sarah Aitken

9 Mission Committee

Fresh Start Our next collection will be on Sunday 10th December, when we will be looking for dishes, kitchen utensils etc. Please note Fresh Start do not wish any cutlery at this time. The information will be in the Order of Service on Communion Sunday 3rd December. If you have any other goods you think may be useful to Fresh Start please feel free to bring them along. The condition of the goods is to be of a standard you would wish to use yourself.

Fresh Start Sleepover On Friday 8th September the Mission Committee and others held a sleepover in the Martin Shields hall. We started the evening with a supper round the table where the evening continued with a chat and lots of laughs. Some of us went to bed reasonably early while others stayed up a ‘little’ later. There were all types of beds from blow-up mattresses to sun- loungers to even those brave enough to sleep on the floor. A few stiff backs in the morning! The previous week when we held a retiring collection we raised £778.00 for Fresh Start funds. A big thank you to all those who gave so generously and those who participated in the sleepover.

Note – we all greatly enjoyed the evening of the sleepover.

Elders’ Get Together We held our biennial Elders’ Get Together on the afternoon of October 8th. Around fifty Elders and the Minister attended when we heard two wonderful speakers. The Rev Ewan Aitken spoke about the work of the Cyrenians; and Jon Heggie about the past 40 years and the future of St Columba’s Hospice.

Congregational Christmas Cards The Congregational Christmas Cards for the homes within the Parish will be available for delivery on Sunday 26th November. As usual the cards will be available for uplift in the Crush Hall. Deacons are reminded to help with deliveries, and we will be grateful to all others who take a bundle to deliver.

Congregational Lunch A date for your diary, Sunday 14th January 2018, when we will be holding our annual Congregational Lunch in the Martin Shields Hall. Further details will be advised nearer the time. The beneficiary from the funds raised from the lunch will be the Cyrenians. Margaret Hunter

10 Fabric Committee

During the summer months we completed the upgrading of the Manse at 17 Templeland Road to allow the Minister and family to take occupation during August. Our full attention has now returned to the Church and halls.

The photo-case of Church office-bearers has been refurbished and re-erected at the top corridor and is a valuable aid to put a face to the name. We are grateful to Andrew Broom who is adding the photos of the new office-bearers and there is the opportunity for existing office-bearers to have new photos taken.

We seem to be under attack from “little beasties”. A wall timber in the east cloakroom was spray-treated for woodworm but nearby little piles of wood-dust at another area show they are still merrily chomping away! Tiny insects regularly appear at the Martin Shields’ stage window cill. More aliens to investigate!

Hungry Little Beastie!!

Every year each Church must submit a Property Register to the Church of Scotland General Trustees for approval. This Register is intended to be an aid to good property management and encourage Fabric Committees to inspect their buildings and note what needs to be done. Congregations also have the security of knowing their buildings are examined every five years by the Presbytery’s architects who list building defects and suspect areas. Thankfully the last Quinquennial Report for St Ninian’s Church had only a few items marked urgent and we are now working through the Report in order of priority. Alister McGlashan

* * * * * * * * * *

Enterprise Committee

The fortieth issue of “Let’s Talk about Corstorphine” is being distributed. Thanks to contributors, advertisers and distributors.

The future viability of Let’s Talk is at risk, unless we can increase the advertising revenue to pay for its production or reduce the production costs. If you can suggest any businesses who would be interested in advertising, please let me know. I am also always seeking new contributors and more deliverers.

Many thanks for your ongoing support. Ian Kirkpatrick, Convener

11 Holiday Snaps

A long cliff top walk in South Devon this summer ended with a stroll past St Michael’s Church, with this unusual but welcoming sign outside it, particularly inviting having worked up a real thirst on a warm summer’s day. However, it turned out not to be a new form of outreach, but the church is in fact in the village of Beer, situated on the coast a few miles east of Torquay.

A wander inside revealed another notice, which advised that due to some vandalism, rather than locking the church doors, they had installed a CCTV camera to monitor any inappropriate activity. The punch line at the end of the explanatory notice advised: “So, remember, it’s not just God who is watching you now”!

Our only wet day resulted in a trip to Exeter and a really interesting visit to the Cathedral there which, amongst many artefacts, included the grave stone of John MacDonald, son of Flora MacDonald of Bonnie Prince Charlie fame - a long way from the Isle of Skye. The most impressive feature however was the organ, with the largest organ pipes I have ever seen, and by good fortune we got to hear them as both the organist and choir were in practising when we were there. Neither the organ pipes nor the choir would have fitted into St Ninian’s! Derek MacGillivray

12

Maggie’s Culture Crawl

On Friday 22nd September, Maggie Wheeler and her friend Susan MacDonald, together with Irene McCartney, Sheila Minty, and Alec and Rona Stevenson took part in Maggie’s Culture Crawl in aid of the Maggie’s Centres – a 10km walk round various buildings of interest that may not always be open to the public, with suitable refreshments en route.

We started with about 400 others at George Heriot’s School with a curry to see us on our way, via a circuitous route to Evolution House, the new Art College Building in West Port with magnificent views from the top floor and a wee glass of Prosecco. Onwards through Quartermile to the Central Mosque in Potterrow which had a much simpler interior than we’d imagined, but some very helpful explanatory wall Fresh for the start pictures.

We then strolled up the High Street to the City Chambers with more refreshments and an a capella quartet to entertain us; on to Dundas House, the Registered Office of the Royal Bank of Scotland in St Andrew’s Square, also with a magnificent ceiling, and some very enjoyable quiches and where we were well entertained by members of the St Mary’s Music School. Back across Princes Street, and down the Scotsman Steps to Old St Paul’s.

Things then lightened up with refreshments at Vino’s where I’m sure many participants felt they were unable City Chambers’ Ceiling to crawl any further! Off down the Royal Mile to Dynamic Earth for coffee. Up Abbeyhill to Regent Road and along to St Andrew’s House (closed, disappointingly) and finishing up exhausted at Waverley Gate to collect our medals and enjoy yet more refreshments and a very lively band.

Our little group managed to raise over £600 and the overall total will be over £92,000. Thank you to the Guild and to all those who kindly contributed. Rona Stevenson

End of the Crawl and a welcome refreshment

13

A Tale of Two Saints – Columba and Moluag, 563-566AD

I recall one memorable week in the Abbey – the daily programme of work and worship, great singing and the midweek pilgrimage to all the Columban sites, the Port of the Coracle and the hill with its back to Ireland. A famous “Father of the Kirk”, Lord MacLeod of Fuinary, instigated these pilgrimages. Over the years many more places of residence have been built, so many more pilgrims have access to the Abbey, the early buildings such as the nunnery, the early crosses of St Martin, St John and McLean’s Cross, and Columba’s cell and his shrine. It has been said that Columba saw a monster in Loch Ness, and that was long before more recent tourism. He was out on his far- reaching missionary enterprise!

Now let us follow Moluag on his mission Most people have heard of St Columba of among the Picts. Iona; not so many know anything about St Mol-U-Ag of Lismore. The legend tells us Archaelogists and historians have found that they both sailed north from the same Lismore a real treasure of duns, iron age monastery at the head of Loch Foyle (now settlement and on to the Christian era when Londonderry), but for very different reasons. Moluag established the monastic centre. There were further eras of Picts, Scots and Columba, of fiery temperament, had been in Vikings. The importance to this tale is that conflict during which about 2,000 people it was a veritable treasure of land fertility were slain. He was sent into exile and and ongoing healthy produce. There is still ordered to save the lives and souls of at regeneration in our modern era. In spite of least 2,000 people in Christian missionary the Columban curse and the drama we read, work and in penance over his sins. Columba Moluag found Lismore ideal as his starting and Moluag found the southern peninsulas of point of Christian mission – his church on what we know as Scotland, probably Lismore and about 100 other monasteries at Dalriada then, were too near their Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, Beauly, homeland, so, in their coracles, they sailed Kilmoluag at the Aird at the very north of away northwards to the Firth of Lorne, Skye, at the Butt of Lewis – ‘Teampull landing on the long, low island of Lismore, Mholuidh’. looking west to the peaks of Morvern and east to the peaks of Appin and Benderloch. Now to the ancient foundation of Mortlach, in former Banffshire, by the Dullan → So eager was Moluag to land there, he cut Fiddich → Spey. Many Pictish stones over off the little finger of his left hand and here. The personal chapter lies here. threw it onto Lismore! Columba showed his temperament, shouting “may the edge of My husband, Rev Stewart Miller, was Minister the rocks be upward; may the alder be your of Mortlach (1967-1975). We, with our very firewood”. He sailed south and west around young family, lived in a mansion of a manse. Mull, eventually choosing Iona for his centre The parish took in Glenrinnes eastwards and of missionary outreach. Many of you will Cabrach to the south. There “the Ice Age” have been on or near there. returned each severe winter, and still does!

14 During those years there were Associate Ministers who each went on to other parishes. Our son, Kenneth, is a Dufftonian, born in Stephen Hospital. Dufftown dates back to 1815 after Waterloo. The Kirk’s earliest structure had another part added for the townsfolk – many of whom were employed in the plethora of distilleries, one of which was named ‘Mortlach’ and was built at the end of a low road leading to the kirk - thus offering a “choice of spiritual nourishment”! all corners of this planet, to do amazing “Rome was built on seven hills, Dufftown good work amidst the hardest terrain: stands on seven stills”! On 1st January every “The National Dream – The Great Railway, year the boys and girls walk all round the 1871-1881”; “The Last Spike – The Great four main streets, led by the pipe band, and Railway, 1881-1885”. enjoying many a dram (perhaps something other warming for the youngsters). The George and Donald believed in and final stop for hot pies and another dram was succeeded in the huge task of building the at Mortlach Distillery, then parading round CPR – the Canadian Pacific Railway – from the Manse before their last staggering “blaw east to west across Canada. A ghastly killing up the stey brae” to the central tower. All business for hundreds of workers through the this usually in falling snow – but a great day terrain. Other emigrant Scots and Irish had for the townsfolk. pushed to the western areas by other vehicles, a massive long journey. Calgary, What a privilege it was for us, the Miller Banff, Craigellachie – place of “The Last family, to be amidst the north-east scenery Spike” of the CPR. And there is a Mortlach. for our third parish (after Hawick and Glasgow) up to the highest golf course by In Mortlach Kirk there are plaques to Donald the Conval hills, and Ben Rinnes, Tomintoul Smith, Lord Strathcona & Mountroyal, and to and the Cairngorms. Lord Mountstephen. There are windows showing a train puffing through mountainous In two very weighty paperbacks by Pierre terrain, and one showing Moluag with the Berton, we read of the two cousins of the little finger of his left hand – missing … Banffshire area, George Stephen and Donald Lorna Miller Smith, who went out from humble homes - (Ancient Historian!) as did so many others of the 19th century – to

* * * * * * * * * *

Love, Joy & Peace this Christmas

God of hope, who brought love into this world, be the love that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought peace into this world, be the peace that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought joy into this world, be the joy that dwells between us. God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be the centre, the focus of our lives always, and particularly this Advent time. (copyright John Birch, (www.faithandworship.com)

15 The Guild

A very successful Coffee Morning was held on Saturday 22nd October which raised £572.

Can anyone name the Coffee Morning ‘ghost’? (some freak photography!)

* * * * * * * * * *

Church Transport Very warm thanks to both our regular and reserve drivers who help to get our less able members to church each week and also to our Special Communions. It has been decided that the Special Communion will now be extended to include the June Communion, ie 3 times a year. As there is an increasing requirement for spare drivers, I would appreciate hearing from anyone willing to help out either on a regular or occasional basis. Equally, if you know of anyone needing assistance to get to church (provided they are ambulant), please let me know.

I would also like to put on record my thanks to George Anderson, who has shared the responsibility of organising the drivers each week, for all his help over the past 10 years. We wish you a happy ‘retirement’. Thanks also to Charles Morgan who, fortnightly, helps out with wheelchairs in the car park in all weathers. Rona Stevenson

* * * * * * * * * *

Bin the Tin!

A recent article in the John O’Groat Journal drew attention to the fact that someone had kindly handed in a tin of Cream of Tartar to the Caithness Foodbank in Thurso. They thought this was the oldest donation ever received – a mere 40 years old, having been produced in the early ‘70s!! Whilst Cream of Tartar was, and still is, used as a raising agent for scones, it can also be used as a stain remover. However, for safety’s sake, the tin was binned! It perhaps can serve as a reminder to be vigilant about use-by dates when handing in contributions for the Rock Trust. (thanks to Diana Fairgrieve)

16

….. and as our thoughts turn to Christmas shopping?

Heaven’s Grocery Store

As I was walking down life’s highway, many years ago, I came upon a sign that read Heaven’s Grocery Store. When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide And when I came to myself I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said, “My child, shop with care”.

Everything a human needed was in that grocery store And what you could not carry; you could come back for more. First, I got some patience; Love was in that same row; Further down was understanding, You need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of wisdom and faith a bag or two. And charity of course, I would need some of that too.

I couldn’t miss the Holy Ghost. It was all over the place. And then some strength and courage to help me run the race. My basket was getting full, but I remembered I needed grace, And then I chose salvation for salvation was for free, And I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me. Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill For I thought I had everything to do the master’s will.

As I went up the aisle I saw prayer and put that in, For I knew when I stepped outside I would run into sin. Peace and joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf. Song and praise were hanging near, so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel, “Now how much do I owe?” He smiled and said, “Just take them everywhere you go”.

Again I asked “Really now, how much do I owe?” “My child”, he said, “God paid your bill a long, long time ago”.

(thanks to Iain Dunn)

17

18 Past Times in St Ninian’s

From the Quarterly 25 years ago, January 1993

Extract from “Minister’s Notes” by the Rev Colin R Martin

“I’m sure we all rejoiced with Rev David Miller [former Probationer Assistant in St Ninian’s] in his appointment as Associate Minister at Fairmilehead Parish Church. There was an excellent attendance of office-bearers and members of St Ninian’s at David’s Ordination and Induction at Fairmilehead on Sunday 30th November . . .”

“ . . . It is with considerable pleasure as well as considerable personal relief that I have to intimate that Mr James Thomson has been appointed as Church Officer as from 1st January 1993 [as successor to Mr Joe Smith - Ed]. Mr Thomson is a member of our Kirk Session, and will be known to many of you. It is particularly appropriate that one who knows the Church well and serves it with commitment should fill this post of responsibility in its administration. I’m sure you join me in wishing Mr Thomson well as he takes up his duties . . .”

James Thomson, Elder, From the Quarterly 50 years ago, January 1968 Church Officer (d2010)

Extract from “Minister’s Notes” by the Rev Colin R Martin

“ . . . Over the year we have been joined by well over one hundred new members in St Ninian’s. In visiting them, I have heard it remarked on more than one occasion that, although the general atmosphere in St Ninian’s is warm and friendly, the individual reception accorded new members is less so! Let me say here that I believe that this is one of the prices we have to pay for a large congregation and a normally well-attended Church – for it means getting to know one’s fellow-members is difficult . . . Of course, many people want to be quiet and peaceful and preparing before a Service – but does that really prohibit a smile and a “Good Morning”? . . . Let us all make a real effort to ensure that St Ninian’s lives up to that atmosphere in personal, outgoing friendliness to all. Perhaps it is unlikely that you can get to know 1,900 fellow members – but at least you can introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you! Try it!”

Extract from “Sunday School” by “J.T.” [Jack Turnbull, Superintendent]

“ . . .The Sunday School is using every inch of accommodation available to us. At 9.30 the Junior Department meets, using all the halls and rooms. Mr Seath is Leader, there are 146 on the roll and 13 teachers. At 10.15 Mr Arthur, leader of the Seniors, brings 63 youngsters in to Morning Service after which they go to classes requiring 8 teachers, but we only have 6. 10.40: 26 girls in the Quiet Room [Lounge] with Miss Mackay, 16 boys in the Beith Hall with Mr Howe, the morning Bible Class is in session. 11.30 is the time for the younger people – 172 Primary meeting in the Large [Burns] Hall with Mrs Rae, Leader, and 24 teachers; 114 Beginners meeting in the New Large Hall [Martin Shields] with Mrs Bonomy, Leader, and 14 teachers. For the periods when one department is leaving and another is getting ready to start, it is very hectic. There are 537 young people and 65 on the staff . . .”

[These crowded conditions led directly to the building in the early 1970s of seven new classrooms on the west side of the Church, largely owing to the efforts of the late Dr Duncan Cameron, Session Clerk- Ed]

oo00oo

19