THE SHUTTLE NOVEMBER 2019 MARCHMONT ST GILES’ PARISH CHURCH AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

Ronald Douglas Malcolm Fraser died died 25 years old 20 years old

Andrew Gillespie David Doig

died died

31 years old 21 years old

1a Kilgraston Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2DW Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and www.marchmontstgiles.org.uk

1 Meeting Matters Every Saturday 10 - 12pm Morning Coffee Every Monday 2 - 4pm The Lighthouse Group Every Tuesday 10.00 Prayers & Reflection South Transept Every Wednesday 12.30 Butterflies Plus - Lunch for the Over 60’s November 10 9.50 Junior Church 10.30 Service of Remembrance 17 9.50 Junior Church 10.30 Morning Worship 6.00 Teens Meeting 19 7.30 Guild - Bettina Hather 21 12.00 Neal’s Yard Pop Up Sale in Cafe 24 9.50 Junior Church 10.30 Morning Worship 11.30 Flower Convenors in St Giles with flower calendar 2.00 Cork & Cask Wine Fair 25 2.00 MSG Walking Group - Blackford Hill - Craigmillar GC 27 10.00 MSG Cares December 1 9.45 9.50 Junior Church 10.30 Morning Worship 2 7.30 Kirk Session 8 9.50 Junior Church 10.30 Morning Worship 2.00 Blue Service 15 9.50 Junior Church 10.30 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols Last date for handing in gifts for children 22 9.50 Junior Church 10.30 Nativity Front Page The photos on the front page are taken from an exhibition by Chris Stewart on some of the men and boys whose names are on the War Memorial from Warrender Park church.

2 Reflections O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! Job 19:23-27

Eleanor Roosevelt described the Diary of Anne Frank as "one of the wisest and most moving commentaries on war and its impact on human beings that I have ever read.” The diary has spoken to many adults and I suspect even more children down through the years since it was first published in the 1950s. Her incarceration, hiding from the Nazis with her family, is one of those primary sources which instil the reality and horror of the Holocaust and allow the readers to enter into a world which most people, fortu- nately, will never have to encounter. They also speak to us of the consequences of humanity extremism and why we should always oppose views which demean and scapegoat the other. Both of my children, like the 1.2 million who visit Anne’s home each year in Amsterdam, have experienced the all too human stories they heard and they saw there as part of a school trip. When we get our children to engage with how far humanity can fall and use others for their own political ends, then there is a light in the darkness for the future. 75 years ago Ria Plate also lived through that dark winter, known in Holland as the Hunger Winter. By that point in the war the Gestapo were hunting down the Jews who were hiding in the homes of Dutch people. Anne and her family were discovered in August and around the same time, Ria’s parents were betrayed and her father sent to Auschwitz and the Cohen family, whom they had hidden sent to Belsen and Dachau. That winter both Ria and her mother survived, and like many other people ate tulip bulbs to survive.

3 It is almost unimaginable what that must have been like; not knowing where your next meal was coming from and also not knowing if you would ever see your husband and father again. That is why as individuals and as communities, doing nothing in the face of intolerance and bigotry and extremism is not an option. When we hear our politicians, the ones whom we have elected, engage in language and aspirations that are unacceptable, then it is for us to say enough. That goes for those who use social media to perpetuate slurs and threats of violence. We must not sleep walk into a situation where the violent word and the violent action is condoned or even expected. Diaries tell us so much; they allow us into someone’s world and cast a light on both the good and the bad, but let us not live through another time when we have to read the diary of a child informing us of the depths that humanity can descend to. At this time of Remembrance let us commit ourselves to beat swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks, where nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore, as Isaiah says. Remember the armed service personnel, but also the children and the parents and the grand- parents of every side and none, whose lives were lost and who still speak to us down through time in their words and their memories.

Dr Moffat shares her father’s story A special insert comes with this issue of The Shuttle based on conversations with Dr Margaret Moffat whose father served in World War 1 and with distinction. A trench constructed at Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen has been named in his honour.

General Election 2019 Vote for ???? Your next MP X Plans are underway to host a ‘Hustings’ at Marchmont St Giles’ before the upcoming election on the 12th December. All candidates in the Edinburgh Southern constituency will be invited to attend to promote the policies of the party they represent and to answer questions from the voters. Please come along and hear what your prospective MP has to say. Posters will be available soon with more information 4 DONALD CASKIE -THE TARTAN PIMPERNEL

A Church of minister who helped prisoners of war escape a hilltop fort through a sewer system has been honoured in France. A memorial plaque to mark the heroic exploits of Rev Dr Donald Caskie has been unveiled at Fort de la Revere near Nice. Rev Dr Donald Caskie was the minister at the Scots Kirk in Paris when the Second World War broke out. He and his associates in the Resistance orchestrated the daring escape of RAF airmen under the noses of German soldiers and spirited 36 of them back to Britain in a submarine. Known as the Tartan Pimpernel, Dr Caskie, a crofter’s son from in the Inner Hebrides, helped save more than 2,000 men during the Second World War. The plaque at the former military fort, which is located 2,283 feet above the village of Eze, was installed by an organisation called Le Devoir du Memoire which honours those affected by the war. The minister’s nephew, Tom Caskie, attended the unveiling service along with around 100 people, including local dignitaries, and said he was “bursting with pride.” The Edinburgh man said: “The memorial is simply wonderful and it was very emotional to see Uncle Donald honoured in this way and seeing the Saltire on display. “He was a hero of the Second World War and is still remembered with affection for his time as the minister of the Scots Kirk in Paris and the things he did with the Resistance to save thousands of lives.” Mr Caskie and his brother, Gordon, were presented with a commemorative medal to mark the auspicious occasion on 19 October. The event featured Highland dancing, Scottish songs including a performance of the ‘Ballad of Donald Caskie’ by Paisley school teacher, Gordon Whyte. Dr Caskie, whose codename was Monsieur Le Canard – Donald Duck – was leading the Scots Kirk in 1940 when the Germans invaded Paris.

5 He refused to return to Scotland and fled to instead and ran a Seaman's Mission, living a double life and passing the close scrutiny of the Vichy Police, and helped British and Allied soldiers to freedom across mountains into Spain. Dr Caskie was eventually recruited by British Intelligence officers and was told that his mission was the last link of a chain of safe houses that they had set up, which stretched from the beaches of Dunkirk in northern France to Marseille in the south. The story of how he helped liberate prisoners from Fort de la Revere in 1942 is outlined in his book, The Tartan Pimpernel, which is described as “more thrilling than any adventure story”. Dr Caskie was officially acting as a chaplain to the PoWs and one day he discovered an opening to a sewer behind a large bush near the fort. He passed the information to his Resistance contact, General Sir Albert-Marie Guerisse who was code-named Pat O’Leary. Dr Caskie wrote that the entrance to the sewer inside the fort was in the boiler house and within 90 minutes, 36 men had escaped. “Another 22 men followed them, each ready to take his chance on making a solo getaway. Still more would have escaped but for a tragi-comic miscalculation involving a fat man, a squadron leader from the RAF, who got stuck in the tunnel. The poor man struggled furiously to get through the aperture and succeeded only in becoming more tightly wedged. Fourteen of the solo escapees were recaptured, eight got clean away. Not one of the submarine passengers was lost, all returned to England to continue the fight. Dr Caskie's medals are now on display at Kilarrow Parish Church, the Round Church, Islay. An exhibition, which includes Dr Caskie’s Gaelic Bible, is on display at the Scots Kirk and a large wooden cross gifted to the minister by George Watson’s College in Edinburgh hangs on the wall.” Rev Jan Steyn is the current minister at the Scots Kirk and is passionate about ensuring the Tartan Pimpernel’s memory never fades.

6 WHAT’S ON AT MARCHMONT ST GILES’

Two new groups have set up at Marchmont St Giles’. The Lighthouse Group, a games afternoon for the over 70s, runs from 2-4pm every Monday. There’s quite a collection of games; Scrabble, Monopoly and many more. Everyone from March- mont community and beyond is welcome to come along.

MSG Cares is a group on the last Wednes- day of each month at our church centre for those who have been bereaved, recently or a while ago.

Dalgety Bay Parish Church have supported people in their congregation and the wider community who have been bereaved, in a monthly group over many years. A member of MSG congregation visited the group and said of it, “The support for each other, with a good balance of talking, listening, silence and laughter, made me feel at ease. I left feeling less alone with my grief and that I’d been with people who understood.”

Marchmont St Giles’ now offers the same space for people in the church and the wider community to come along to talk or be silent, laugh or cry, feel supported and give understanding support to others.

News From The Guild

On 5th November, Patricia Keppie will be coming to speak to the Guild about the Commonwealth War Graves, and on the 19th November, as our "Let's talk about..." evening, Bettina Hather will give us some insight into her work with Inter-generational Ministry as part of her job as our Children & Families Worker.

This will be our last meeting before the Christmas ones already!

7 CHURCH FAMILY & PARISH NEWS

to the Edinburgh Acting school, who are based at MSG, on a hugely successful performance of the thought provok- ing “EGGSHELLS”. Stephen James Martin, director of the school, included us in his thanks “For always providing us with our safe space for us to develop and experiment”

Farewell to Marchmont Playgroup as it merges with Holy Corner Playgroup. This is due to severe problems in getting qualified leaders without which they could not operate. Many of you will have fond memories of our children attending playgroup and having a couple of hours to yourselves and it is with a sense of sadness on one hand but also delight that they will continue to offer a gentle introduction into the world of education for many little ones. Marchmont Playgroup was originally set up by the church approx 50 years ago as there were no facilities in the area at that time.

We give thanks for the life and service of: May Reid, a member of the congregation, who died on the 15th July 2019. Mr Ian Smith, son of Joan Smith who died on the 28th October 2019. Agnes (Dissie) Williamson, a member of the congregation, who died on the 27th October 2019.

Helping to make MSG tick Flowers Coffee Beadle Sound November 10 Joan Ellam Frances Brown M. Affolter/A. Laing Andrew Noble 17 Ann Arthur Charles Stewart Alastair Mitchell Andrew Noble 24 Mhairi Wilson Joan Smith Andrew Noble Alastair Mitchell

December 1 Charles Stewart Eileen Dickson Charles Stewart Andrew Noble 8 Shirley Farquhar June Wilson Andrew Noble Andrew Noble 15 Jessica McCraw Ann McGhie Alastair Mitchell Andrew Noble

8 Development & Fundraising News

Behold! There is light There was great excitement when a sample of our new lights for the church was hung up and switched on. The general reaction was “WOW, where are my sunglasses?” Fortunately they are dimmable as it will take time to get used to this level of light. There also different mood effects which will enable different ambiences to be created. You will be able to see them in action over the next few weeks. The first batch of chair samples are due to arrive on the 9th November and we should have a date for the delivery of the second batch by then. You will be asked to score them out of 10 in various categories to help the Committee decide which is the best option for MSG. They will also be available for our user groups to try out as well as they will also use them (often more than the congregation do!) Ruth Thomas has produced lots of lovely cards, posters and children’s books and has very generously offered us a percentage of the profit for our fundraising efforts for which we are very grateful. Lovely and useful little notebooks with pens are available for sale at £4 and would make very nice gifts for Christmas whilst filling the coffers for the development project. Gift Hampers of home-made goods, mini Christmas cakes and lots of other home-made items will be available for sale from mid December. Our bookstall is also doing well so why not have a quick browse and see what appeals. Funding Applications are still going in but as some of them only meet every few months it could be a while before we hear from them. So far this year we as a congregation have raised £4,059 with our local fundraising making a total of £29,125 over the last 3 years. We set ourselves a target of £100,000 as our part of the fundraising effort and are well on our way to reaching it.

9 Family Focus November 2019 October Holiday Club: we had a fabulous 2 mornings with Cecil the Sheep and friends exploring the stories of The Lost Sheep and The Good Samaritan. There were sheep mirrors, treasure bags, sharing sandals, pastry bandages, songs, games (including band- aging!) and our special guest, Godly Play storyteller, Katherine Taylor (one of our previous student ministers). It was lovely to welcome back some friends we made during the summer holiday club and make new ones from other parts of the city and nearby. At least 4 people have put their names down for whenever we can arrange the next one! Many thanks to all the volunteers and those that prepared ahead and supported us during it, either practically or with prayer. The cardboard tubes you all helped to collect became binoculars to find the lost sheep and the fabric pieces decorated our treasure bags! Here’s to the next one!

Sunday 17th November at 6pm for Teens; Karen, Kate and I have been thinking for a while about a new venture for young people in our church and community to have some time together and ‘with God’. We would like to invite our ‘high-schoolers’ / soon- to- be ‘high-schoolers’ to a ‘what shall we do / here’s some of our ideas’ evening on. It will involve food (possibly pizza), chat, sharing ideas and maybe watching a movie or testing out some media material. It is a work in progress! Longer term it may be a monthly or weekly slot that may involve a mixture of basketball, music, video clips, food, chat or worship. 10 It will mainly involve being with young people as they are, getting to know each other and find ways to explore faith and fellowship that fits for teens in Marchmont. So, come along, bring friends and tell us what you think! More information or to let us know you are interested (even if you can’t make the date) or to say you are coming so we can plan for food, get in touch! Plans for Christmas are now underway to include as many of our children, young people, church family and community as possible. Be ready, it’s going to be fantastic! Bettina

Fundraising Calendar from The Group for teens who meet on the first Sunday of the month are putting together a calendar featuring All Creatures Great and Small. This will be available to buy very shortly and all proceeds will go to our fundraising efforts for the development. Please support our youngsters and their sterling efforts.

Christmas Gifts for Children Due to our Nativity & Gift Service being so close to Christmas it will be too late to distribute the gifts to the schools in Niddrie and Craigmillar as we did last year.

Everyone is invited to bring a gift and they need to be with us by December 15th at the latest as the schools close on the 20th December. Therefore please bring in a NEW gift for a child and mark whether it is for a boy or girl and for which age group it is suitable. The Head Teachers from these schools were so grateful and delighted at your generosity.

11 MARCHMONT ST GILES WALKING GROUP

Want to get fit and get out and explore our local neighbourhood? Then why not came along and join the MSG Walking Group. The walks will take place on the last Monday of every month, weather dependent, and will meet at the church at 2 pm. The 5, 24 or 41 buses will take us to various places of local interest ranging from Blackford Hill, Portobello, Hillend, Cramond, Bonaly and the Royal Mile. The walk will take approx one hour - just walk at your own pace and (surprise, surprise) will end up in a designated cafe or restaurant for afternoon tea, coffee or whatever takes your fancy. A full calendar is in place with the first walk taking place on Monday 25th November at 2 pm and will be to Blackford Hill ending up at Craigmillar Golf Clkub for coffee. There is no charge per se apart from bus tickets, unless you have a bus pass, and also for your coffee/afternoon tea. Please be aware that you must take full responsibility for your own safety therefore please wear suitable warm clothes and walking shoes and it is suggested that you do not carry handbags etc to make it easier to walk properly. You are very welcome to bring a friend and why not take a camera to capture some of the best views in Edinburgh. We look forward to seeing you on Monday 25th November at 2 pm and the 41 bus is due at 2.05pm - why not come along early and have a coffee or lunch at Butterflies. Contact Sandie Christie on 623 0119 preferably before 11 am preferably if you are interested - several folk have already signed up and the more the merrier. The second walk will take place on the 30th December and will be around the Cramond foreshore which can be reached by the 41 bus.

12 Walking Group Calendar 2019/2020

Monday Meanders

2019

25th November - Blackford Hill - Craigmillar Golf Club - 41 Bus

30th December - Cramond Foreshore - 41 Bus 2020

27th January - Hermitage of Braids - Braid Hills Hotel - 41 Bus

24th February - Blackford Pond - 41 Bus

30th March - Portobello - Beach Cafe - 42 bus

27th April - The Royal Mile - Parliament Cafe - 41 Bus

25th May - Hillend Ski Slope Cafe at Ski Centre - can take cable car up to top for great views - 5 Bus

29th June - Botanical Gardens - Cafe in gardens - 24/27 Bus

27th July - The Mound & Princes Street - The Dome - 41 Bus

31st August - Bonaly Reservoir - 2 Buses

28th September - Middle Meadow Walk - George Square and Edinburgh University Union Details of each walk will be in The Shuttle and Intimations regularly and many thanks to Sandie for all her hard work in planning these outings. No doubt you will earn your coffee and cakes so no need to feel guilty about having a treat afterwards.

13 Butterflies Cafe will be hosting a pop-up sale for Neal’s Yard on Thursday 21st November. Come along and do some Christmas Shopping - there will be lots of lovely gift ideas ideal for the person who has everything! No more jam jars are required at the moment as we have plenty. Thank you. Butterflies Plus Christmas Lunch 2019 will be on Wednesday 18th December so please put the date in your diary. Bookings will commence at the beginning of December.

The Nativity will take place on Sunday 23rd December and Bettina would be very grateful if you could let her know your availability to help her plan scripts, parts and costumes. Thank you to all those who helped create our new Poppy Banner in particular Judith Churchill for her sewing skills. Thank you to all our Beavers, Cubs, Explorer Scouts, Rainbows and Brownies who have taken part in our Service of Remembrance The presence of the youth of our church organisations must add a determination that we should never forget the ultimate sacrifice previous generations made for us and that they should never have to face this in the future. The fabulous “Cork & Cask”, one of our local businesses, is holding a festive Wine Fair at Butterflies on Sunday 24th November from 3pm -7pm. Once again it is a pleasure to work with Chris Mitchell and his colleagues so get your ticket and come along and enjoy some festive fun. The Flower Convenors would like to invite people to contact either of them if they would like to donate flowers and they will be in the St Giles Room after the service on 24th November. They would also like to invite any “budding” flower arrangers to come forward, stressing that there are 8 on the rota so you would only be required to arrange once every couple of months.

14 REMEMBRANCE BANNER

Just outside of Ypres at a farm at Frezenberg lies a memorial where the Kings Own Scottish Borderers held ground on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele

Two years ago I dedicated the memorial, which consists of a series of soldiers in outline, some Scottish, in iron. It is most effec- tive.

The Poppy banner which has been created for Marchmont St Giles' has an outline of one of these metal memorials and shows a soldier with his kitbag on his back and his gun in hand.

Thanks go to the many people who helped create our piece of art to help us remember.

The banner will remain in place until the beginning of advent as do our wreaths for this period of remembrance.

Our silhouettes “There But Not There” will sit beside us in the pews to remind us of those who are no longer with us .

15 HELP FOR HIDDEN DISABILITIES

Not all people with hidden disabilities require assistance. But if you do, wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard discreetly indicates that you may need additional sup- port or just a little more time.

Our Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard has been purposefully designed to acts as a discreet sign that the wearer has a hidden disability and requires additional assistance. It has become the established symbol for hidden disabilities in the UK and has been successfully introduced to several major UK airports, supermar- kets, railway stations and sports venues.

Tesco and Sainsburys are among a huge list of businesses who are taking part in this project. Hidden disabilities can include autism, dementia, anxiety, sensory loss such as visual or hearing impairment. So if you are shopping or travelling by air or rail you can wear this lanyard and staff will know you might need extra support. You can tell them if there is anything you would like help with and they can ask you what they can do to assist.

A SERVICE OF REMEMBERING Sunday 8th December 2019 2pm

We acknowledge that Christmas is not a cheery time for everyone.

We create a sacred space for people living through dark times and to acknowledge that despite all the glitter and busy-ness that the first Christmas was one of uncertainty, displacement, loneliness and challenge.

The service is reflective, accepting and holds out healing and hope. Join us to find a place of peace and healing at this difficult time.

16 Phonelink Phonelink is a free telephone morning and evening check call service for over 65's funded by Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership. This service is available to anyone 65 and over who feels the need for a daily reassuring call and who lives in Edinburgh. The benefits of our service include:- · Reducing loneliness · Welfare Checks ·Medication Prompts · Offer advice & signposting to other services available in your area

How does Phonelink work? Phonelink operates twice daily, between 8am and 11am and 6pm to 8pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Many of our clients live alone and rarely get visitors or leave the house. Loneliness and vulnerability can release feelings of worry that no one will know if they take ill or have a fall which can cause complete social isolation. Our calls provide peace of mind and help tackle these issues by ensuring no one is left alone for long periods of time. In some cases, we are the only people that they speak to for several days. A daily reassuring call can provide people with a good start to their day. In some cases, we are the only people that they speak to for several days. A daily reassuring call can provide people with a good start to their day.

Our service can be accessed by self referral or by any Health Care Professional or provider for example, GP’s, OT’s, Community Nurses, Home Care Staff, Hospital based staff or family members or friends and is aimed at:

The elderly Those with long term illness The lonely or isolated Those with an additional support need

Remember, there is NO cost for this service to the client. For a referral pack please call 0131 510 6930 or email [email protected]

This service is funded by Edinburgh Health and social care Partnership

17 Remembrance Comes From The Heart

For Rebecca Sullivan, it was just a piece of homework. But the 13-year-old's ode to the fallen so moved workers at the Royal British Legion that it has been selected from thousands to lead the Armistice Day commemorations this Saturday.

Yesterday, the teenager said that she had gone from being "ex- tremely nervous to just a bit nervous" at the prospect of reading her poem entitled "There Lie Forgotten Men" in front of a huge audience.

She had, she said, been inspired by images of dead soldiers in the First World War trenches during studies into the subject at High- lands School in north London.

"They were just lying there and nothing was happening apart from the bombs you could hear. In a way it makes you think, 'I am glad I am not there and feel very sorry for the people who were'," she said.

The youngster, who has never written verse before, was compared to First World War poets including Rupert Brooke by workers at the British Legion.

She seemed a bit confused by the suggestion: "That's amazing. I don't really know who these people are because they are from quite a while ago but it is really flattering. It really is quite weird. I thought it was just a piece of homework but everyone else said it really moves you."

It was her teacher, Caron Fitzgerald, who first spotted her talent and, having checked it was all Rebecca's work, passed it on to the Legion.

"Rebecca's poem was just different. I didn't have a thought when I was reading it, I had a feeling. It was very, very striking. I told her so and she just shrugged her shoulders."

Stuart Gendall, a director at the Legion, said that Rebecca's work was chosen from around 10,000 poems sent in as part of their school programme.

18 AND FINALLY…… From 'There Lie Forgotten Men' She stands there alone At the edge of the silent place And she is shocked New wars brew and these forgotten men Will play no part in them The dead silence warn no ears but hers In great halls, in moments of great decision What they fought for is forsaken And by day's end new gravestones Appear on the blood red ground She finds what she seeks 'Sgt John Malley Age 27' His life brutally ended And she stands by his grave But he can give no answers And she weeps for him For the empty hole he left behind And for the new emptiness Soon to join the black chasm. And her tears join the flood.

By Rebecca Sullivan

19 WHO’S WHO @ MARCHMONT ST GILES’

Minister Rev Dr Karen K Campbell 447 2834 email kkcampbell@.org.uk

Session Clerk Ian Moss 662 9293 email [email protected]

Children & Family Bettina Hather 447 4359 email [email protected]

Treasurer Jessica McCraw 667 4514 email [email protected]

Organist & Robert Parsons 557 1257 Choirmaster

Flowers Mhairi Wilson 445 1835 email [email protected] Shirley Farquhar 447 9558 email [email protected]

Safeguarding Catriona Moss 662 9293 email [email protected]

Pastoral Care June Wilson 447 7572

Rollkeeper Gillean Hoehnke [email protected]

The Shuttle Editors Charles & Judith Stewart 668 1970 email [email protected]

Church Centre Booking Enquiries

Church Centre Office (Monday - Thursday 9.00am - 1.00pm)

Email : [email protected]

0131 447 4359

Marchmont St Giles’ Parish, Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity SCO09338 20