L e a f l e t Greenbank Parish Church Minister’s Letter Braidburn Terrace, EH10 6ES No 620 October 2012 Dear Friends

Pulpit Diary “Sticks and stones may break names of their loved ones. my bones but names will That search is likely to con- never hurt me”. I’m sure that tinue as we see requests for Oct 7 you will all be familiar with new inquests and crimi- 9.30am First Sunday Service led by Kirk those words. I’m equally nal proceedings. But we Session sure that you will know that must wonder if justice can 10.30am Morning Worship with Dedication of Guild they are simply not true. ever be done now? With Words are capable of inflict- stricter controls on alcohol Oct 14 ing just as much, if not more and crowd behaviour and 10.30am Morning Worship damage than a physical blow better stadium seating, it (Special activity for children) – ask any child who has been is easy to overlook other the victim of playground bul- questions such as, “Why Oct 21 lying. did there have to be cages at 10.30am Morning Worship Recently the Independent Panel looking the football ground in the first place?” Or into the Hillsborough Disaster, which re- why were there so many ambulances outside Oct 28 sulted in the deaths of 96 Liverpool football the ground? Or why did the police feel they 10.30am Morning Worship fans, published their findings. That so many had to open the gates to fans after the match should die in such a manner is a tragedy in had started?” 23 years on and many have Nov 4 itself. So too are the shocking revelations forgotten the battlefield mentality which 9.30am First Sunday Service led by Guild of police cover-ups and failures on the part pervaded football matches like these. Of 10.30am Morning Worship of the ambulance service. But perhaps the course none of this can justify a deliberate greatest tragedy of all has been the confir- attempt to blacken the reputations of those mation of attempts on the part of the police who died. But a different culture and ethos to blacken the reputations of those who can present their own challenge to the quest died. For years the grief of the victims’ rela- for truth and justice. That fire begun with a tives has been augmented by the pain of the few words 23 years ago is unlikely to be eas- unsubstantiated accusations of drunken- ily extinguished. ness and violence hurled at their loved ones. But if the tongue has the capacity to do great Over the last few weeks in our morning damage, words also have the potential to For information about church organisations, services we have been focussing on the let- bring about great blessing. Through words please contact the Church Office ter of James. Perhaps the most familiar pas- we can communicate our feelings and our (Mon–Fri, 9.00am–12.00pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm): sage from that letter is the one that warns of concern for others. The right words can Mrs Virginia Johnston the power of the tongue and its capacity to open the way to healing and comfort where tel and fax: 0131 447 9969 wreak havoc. there is pain and loss. Words spoken from e-mail: [email protected] The pastoral team can be contacted through the “How great a fire is set ablaze by a small fire! the heart can help to mend and restore bro- .Church Office: And the tongue is a fire”. ken relationships Rev Alison Swindells And surely that is so clearly demonstrated And of course the greatest blessing of all is to tel and fax: 0131 447 4032 in the Hillsborough story – the fire begun be found in God’s Word made flesh in Jesus email: [email protected] by one denial of responsibility, one refusal Christ. And that Word is a word of love for Rev W. Peter Graham tel: 0131 445 5763 to apologise, has raged for 23 years. It has the world. The Gospel story is one of grace, scorched the truth of many witness state- forgiveness and hope. Pray that our words ments and fuelled the circulation of much may reflect that same grace, forgiveness and To make contact with any of the organisations described in this Leaflet, please use the misinformation. hope that God has shown to us! telephone number given, if there is one; Throughout this time relatives in a quest for otherwise contact the Church Office. truth and justice have sought to clear the With warmest wishes Alison I Swindells Minister Thank You from Overseas Socks and Gloves Charlotte Missionary Winter is still a little way off (hopefully!) but our Help the Homeless team are al- In a letter received recently from Mrs Fellowship ready thinking about the Bethany Night Charlotte McCaulay, she expressed her Shelters over the cold months. thanks for the leaving gift presented to News of Catherine Ambler New/nearly new socks and gloves are al- her by the congregation. She has used (now Cathy Hunt). ways greatly appreciated by the homeless. part of it to buy four new hens and will Some of you may remember my daughter, The Greenbank congregation has contin- use the rest for garden furniture. Unfor- Catherine Ambler, who attended Sunday ued to give generously of these so once tunately, the move to Canterbury did not School and Qll at Greenbank and became again I am putting out an appeal to you all. go as smoothly as planned and the house a member of the church here in her teens Thank you to people who have continued has had rather a lot of maintenance is- before doing a year out with Scripture to donate over the summer months. We sues. However, they are slowly being can never have too many. GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK Union before university. sorted and they hope to have cold water Please put items in the food box at the in the bathroom in a few weeks!! She front door of the church. misses Greenbank dreadfully but would like to thank the congregation not only Pauline Walker 447 4331 for the gift but for all the support she re- ceived during her time with us. Business Brains Resignation of Urgently Required Elders Volunteers Ray Dely and Colin Winchester have Retired or newly retired men and women both intimated their desire to resign from with a business background are needed to serve on the Board of the Open Door, pos- the Kirk Session. These were approved Now married with two girls aged 5 and 3, sibly only in an advisory capacity. Please with regret at the June and September she and her husband, Ali Hunt, have been help us to keep the Door open and thereby meetings, respectively. accepted as candidates to work with support the community. Ray was ordained to the eldership at Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) For further information email: Falkirk Old Parish in 1978News and admit of- inCatherine Cambodia. OMF was Amblerfounded in 1865 (now Cathy Hunt). [email protected] ted to the Greenbank Session in 1993. by Hudson Taylor as China Inland Mis- He hasSome served theof Sessionyou may as convener remember sion and mynow worksdaughter, in 10 countries Catherine on Ambler, who attended Sunday of the Adult Education Committee and the Asia Pacific Rim. of theSchool Welcome Committeeand Q2 asat well Greenbank as They had and been became thinking and a prayingmember of the church here in her teens on thebefore Board and doing the Communications a year out aboutwith working Scripture overseas Unionfor a number before of The university. National Youth Committee. He also represented the Kirk years and will leave on Oc- Session as Presbytery Elder and his en- tober 28th 2012. There will be an Orien- Assembly 2012 tertainingNow and married sometimes highlywith amustwo- girlstation aged Course in5 Singaporeand 3, forshe 3 weeks and heEvenr thoughhusband, I’d never beenAli before,Hunt, I could have been ing reportsaccepted of Presbytery as activitiescandidates were prior to towork travelling with on to Overseas Phnom Penh, the Missio sense narythat the FellowshipNYA was going to be(OMF) some- in greatlyCambodia. appreciated by fellow OMF elders. was He foundedcapital of Cambodia. in 1865 by Hudson thingTaylor of a special as China weekend -Inland not only forMission has taken good care of the members of For the first 3 months they will do full being something I have long craved (de- Districtand 69B fornow many works years and in recently 10 countries time language on study the and Asia then go Pacificon to be Rbatingim. current issues with diverse peers received a well-deserved long service cer- involved primarily in healthcare/ devel- while bringing a Christian perspective into tificate.They had been thinkingopment and work.praying Ali is a about Podiatrist working and will play, ov noerseas matter our for individual a number strength ofof years Colin was ordained to the eldership at be working with lepers, and Cathy is an conviction), but also on something of a Cramondand Kirk hope in 1998 to and be admitted going to inOccupational November Therapist 2012. and Therewill be able will personal be an level Orientation too. I am pleased Course to say it in the GreenbankSingapore Session forin 2009. 3 weeks He has priorto use her to skills travelling with people withon amputato Phn- omdid not Penh, disappoint! the Despite capital some ofinitial Cambodia. servedFor the Sessionthe first as a member3 months of the theytions (onewill in do three full hundred time have langu amputaage- nerves, study I managed and tothen settle intogo the on non- to be Board and has taken care of the members tions as a result of landmine injuries). stop rhythm of the weekend, meeting of Districtinvolved 63 since November primarily 2010. in healthcare/Please get in touch development with me if you would work. some Ali amazing is a peoplePodiatrist and making and new will be We areworking sorry to lose with the support lepers, of these and like Cathy more information, is an Occupational or if you would friendsTherapist along the and way. Duringwill bethe weekable- to use faithfulher elders skills but are with very people grateful for withlike toamputations( support them in any oneway. in threeend hundred we learned a havenumber ofamputations short songs as a their contributions to the work of the Ses- Alison Ambler which we would strike up on occasion, - sion andresult of their of service landmine to the congrega injuries).- my favourite was ‘Bambelela’ (‘Never give Tel: 447 2634 (evenings and tion. up’ - appropriate given the theme for the weekends) 2 Please get in touch with me if you would like more information, or if you would like to support them in any way.

Alison Ambler 0131 447 2634 (evenings and weekends) weekend was ‘Breaking Barriers’) which I’d barrier faced not only by The Church of happily pass on but as I only learned the but also by wider society, it could Friendship Club bass part I might need some help! not have been more apt a choice. Various The first meeting is at 2.30pm on Wednes- Throughout the weekend we’d been spend- stereotypes on both sides were listed and day 3rd October when we’ll give members, ing time in our ‘small groups’ - this was recanted in quick succession with every- new members, and our speaker Scot Mof- part of the setup for the debate, as well one seeming to be in informed agreement fat a very warm welcome. He has had a as being a good way to get to know peo- by the end - even if it took till after 2am to very varied and high-flying career in Edu- ple, and was probably one of the best or- get there! cation, and is going to let us into the secret ganisational ideas I’ve seen in regards to One of the things I particularly like about of ‘The man who put Scot into Scotland’. a debate, allowing for those who perhaps the NYA is that they are working with the There will be no accident about Kathleen aren’t as comfortable speaking in front of SYP (Scottish Youth Parliament) and, ac- Patrick’s choice of music for her afternoon the whole assembly still to have their voice cordingly, all the deliverances (resolu- of ‘Serendipity’ on 10th October This will heard prior to the main debate. As such, tions/proposals) that are put through from be followed on 17th October by a talk, il- I hope to see this emulated elsewhere. As the debates will end up being put in the lustrated with delightful old film, entitled GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK for the events outwith the main debates, Blue Book which is then debated by the ‘Fred with or without Ginger’ given by Dr I felt overwhelmed by the choice of the General Assembly. Not only are we able to Peter Kendrick. We’ll expect a bit of toe workshops and didn’t want to have to have some say in matters of the church, but tapping. Our last meeting in October on choose only one of them to go to (what a we are also setting the example by work- the 31st is about coping with deafness – a nice problem to have!). ing in collaboration with the SYP as this is subject, I suspect, quite close to our mem- After all the day’s workshops, debat- not quite the case with our more esteemed bers’ hearts. The Rev Sarah Kilby has been ing and worship was over there were a counterparts in the form of the GA and Chaplain to the Bishop of Edinburgh (for number of further options for those who the Scottish Parliament. Ultimately, if you people who are hard of hearing) and being were still looking to squeeze more out of think that we youths have no say in such deaf herself is well qualified to talk to us on the day - these included another oppor- important matters, I beg to differ - the ‘The Sounds of Silence’. tunity for worship through music with NYA is our voice, YOUR voice, and it is be- Come and join us as we embark on Green- a young Christian artist, engaging dis- ing heard loud and clear. bank’s version of U3A. cussions on some slightly taboo topics, a On the whole, despite not listening to the Val Smart 447 6001 round-up of the day’s events with a gen- advice of not staying up late three nights in eral time of contemplation, and two films a row (I didn’t want to miss a thing), I was exploring further barriers people face. I just too wired from the past few days and chose to go to the discussions, titled ‘The too uplifted by personal revelation to care: World Mission Great Divide’. These covered some of the I can honestly say I have never had such an topics often conveniently overlooked or exhilarating, liberating and rejuvenating One World Stall sidelined when talking with youths, so to experience and pray that next year’s NYA The next One World Stall will be on Sun- have such an open dialogue on them was brings the same sense of community and day 14th October - we will have for sale a quite liberating to see. One of these topics love as it did this year. selection of Fair Trade goods. was gender, and since this seemed to fea- Alastair Ross ture rather a lot during the weekend as a Advance Notice Nora Carmi who was a senior member of Sabeel, the Palestinian Theological College in Jerusalem, is visiting Edinburgh on 4th November and will speak at the Evening Service in Morningside Parish Church on that date. Nora had a pivotal position in many of the programmes of Sabeel and its links to the wider Christian community. John Ritchie BAGs of Fun? Watch out for details of the BAGs Wine and Cheese Tasting on October 25th at 8 pm.

3 community. We are very grateful to the Be- Book Review Bookstall reavement Team who have organised this “…a sort of miracle’’ The next Bookstall date is 9th December. in the past and we are currently looking If you would like to order a copy of “...a at other ways of ministering to the needs The 200 year journey of the sort of miracle” or any other books please of the bereaved. One option may be to in- Canonmills Family contact us. clude a quieter service in our 2013 Christ- John and Joan Ritchie Tel. 4473192 mas Schedule. This is a time of year which Hamish Coghill many of those who have lost someone ISBN 978-0-9566956-1-1 close to them find particularly difficult. If Canonmills Press £4.99 you have any thoughts on this I would be This book was of immediate interest to delighted to hear from you - please give me because of the role several members The ‘Good Book’ of the Canonmills family play in the life of Group me a call. the congregation of Greenbank and in the The second change is to the starting time -Dear God, I know it says turn the other and format of our service on Remem- GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK charity Scottish Love in Action. I wished to know more about that congregation where cheek, but what happens if your sister hits brance Sunday, 11th November. I know I know a number of the members. It may you on the eye? love Teresa Age 7 that some of you have been concerned that be a small congregation but they have a -Dear God, up until now our children and young peo- strong Christian witness. If it is in the Bible it is true isn’t it? Like on ple have not been present in Church for the Hamish Coghill tells the story of the con- the encyclopaedia? John Age 9 Act of Remembrance. After some discus- gregation’s remarkable journey from the -Dear God sion the Session agreed to delay the start founding of the Dublin Street Baptist In Bible times did they really talk that fan- of morning worship on Remembrance Church through the development of its cy? Norma Age 8 Sunday to 10.50am and to begin the service ministry over the years then the move in -Dear God with the Act of Remembrance. With the 1998 to Canonmills to become Canonmills Are you real? Some people don’t believe it. Baptist Church followed by the further de- exception of Spectrum 1, which will begin velopment on that site. If you are, you better do something quick in the Upper Hall at 10.45am, the children Through reading this brief history you Harriet Ann Age 10 will remain in Church with their parents come to realise that life and ministry for until after the Act of Remembrance before this small congregation has often been Do the questions of those children reso- leaving for their Spectrum groups. a challenge. They have not always had a nate with you? Do you find reading the Alison I Swindells pastor to lead them and expensive prop- Bible a struggle? Would you like to find erty repairs have often loomed large in the out more about the contents of the ‘Good life of the congregation. The congregation Book’ but have always been afraid to ask? persevered to keep their family together Would you like to meet with others who The Guild by worshipping and witnessing and their also have lots of questions? Then this Book story is inspirational. Well here we are ready Group is for you. We will be meeting (usu- Canonmills now operates under a cor- to begin our new ses- ally in the Manse, 112 Greenbank Crescent) porate ministry which was developed by sion on Tuesday 2nd Tom Fleming, Kenny McRae and Hamish for an hour or so, once a fortnight on a October when John Coghill – the “three musketeers”. They en- Wednesday evening at 8.00pm over coffee and Joan Ritchie and Gillian Sweetman courage visiting preachers. The late Tom and cake. will be telling us about their recent visit to Fleming, who was for many years their Contact Alison Swindells Tel 447 4032 or Israel and their study of the position of the leader, expressed the belief that they are Helen Barnes Tel 447 2603 for further de- Palestinians in what seems to be an insolu- Christ’s family in Canonmills. In the last tails. ble conflict. piece he wrote for the congregation he On 16th October we are going to hear reminded them that “The Communion about life at “Life and Work” from Jackie Table is not OURS, the church itself is not Macadam and on 30th October the Neigh- OURS. Always Jesus at the centre. We are Changes to our Christ’s family”. bouring Guilds meeting is at Morningside They have a policy of open membership, Church Calendar in Parish at 2.30pm. open communion and family meals eaten November We do hope that more of you will come together. and join us and do remember that all our I would recommend this small volume to I would like to take this opportunity to meetings are open to all our friends so if anyone who is interested in the story of the draw your attention in advance to two you see a topic which particularly interests Baptist church in Edinburgh and the Can- changes in our normal pattern in Novem- you do come along. onmills area. ber. The Guild meets on the first and third John D Ritchie The first is that there will be no Time to Tuesdays of the month at 7.30pm in the Remember on the first Sunday in Novem- Braid Room and a warm welcome awaits ber. This short afternoon time of words you. and music has run for many years and Ann Pirie provided a helpful space for many in our 445 2654 4 or organisations. These are all available for Charity Christmas you to borrow for short periods – please Fresh Start Card and Gift Sale record your loan in the book that is avail- Fresh Start’s training initiative is continu- able in the library. You are of course wel- ing to provide training and employment The annual Charity Christmas Card and come to come in and browse! opportunities for people who have been Gift Sale will take place this year on Satur- homeless. Often, people who have been day 3rd November from 10.00 am to 2.00 homeless struggle to make the transition pm in the church halls. to employment, and the programme al- Last year 22 different charities participated. Morningside lows trainees to develop and grow, access Already several of these have booked their training, and gain experience in a work place for November so it is anticipated that Heritage environment that is interesting and allows a wide variety of charity Christmas cards Association: them to use practical skills. and gifts will be on sale. Next Fresh Start collections are on 28th As usual morning coffees and soup lunch- Session 2012-13 October and 25th November in the hall es will be served. CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK Thursday 4th October 2012 at 7.00 p.m. after the morning service. See list for suit- Please put this date in your diaries and Venue : The Old Schoolhouse, 140 Morn- able items to donate – in good condition, come and support this worthwhile event. ingside Road please. (You can find the list on the notice Mairi Stevenson The Charles Smith Lecture board by the church office) The 2012-13 session opens with an illustrat- Pick up a leaflet from me, see www.fresh- Probus ed talk on the Public Art Project. startweb.org.uk or phone 476 7741, to find The Project, which includes art, poetry out more about Fresh Start. and sculpture, is a celebration of Colinton’s Club Alison Ambler 900-year history, including Robert Louis If you are a male ex-PROfessional BUSi- Stevenson’s close associations as a child. Tel: 447 2634 (evenings and nessman, including teachers and aca- All are welcome to join us. weekends) demics, you may like to consider joining our club. We meet once a month on the morning of the first Wednesday of the Christian Aid month from February to November, with a “Ladies Lunch” in December (our ses- sion starts in September) in Golf Club for coffee, biscuits and chat be- COFFEE MORNING fore a talk. Our talks have varied widely in will be held in content, examples being Deserts of Egypt, Burma, Barber Shop Choirs, the Magic of Morningside Parish Church the French Horn, to Dynamic Earth and many more. If you would like to know Halls more, please speak to Malcolm Watters on 445 1949, Alasdair Smart 447 6001, or Jim Saturday 27th October 2012 Craig 447 4595. Please note that members have no addi- 10am-12noon tional outside commitments. Home Baking & Preserves, Books, CDs, DVDs & Jigsaws. Church Library Christmas Cards Over the Summer the Adult Section of Traidcraft. our Church library has been relocated to the Pentland Room. We are grateful to all Various Craft Stalls who have helped with the relocation, and Plant Stall: includes Spring Flowering to the Congregational Board for a grant which has enabled us to purchase some Primroses new books. These include the new Tom Refreshments- £2.50 Wright ‘For Everyone’ series of commen- taries which are helpfully broken down Juice 50p into passages for daily reading. Meanwhile some new books with worship suggestions Donations of Home Baking, Preserves, Plants, should be helpful for those who are lead- ing 9.30 services and devotions for groups Books etc, will be gratefully received in the hall. 5 which gives us a great chance to chat more informally. WWYP is designed with teenagers in mind, but people of all ages are wel- come to attend. This term WWYP will be on 30th September, 28th October, and 25th November. Another new addition to our church’s offerings for young people is Theology On Tap. This summer young adults from Greenbank and Churches met once a week at Hunter’s Tryst. Each week Bill and Hayley would lead a discussion, on topics that ranged from “Life After Death,” and “Religion and Science” to “Sexuality and the Church.” One week we also heard from those who attended the Church of Scotland’s National Youth Assembly- -including our own Alastair Ross! For more information about any of these programmes get in touch with our Youth Minister, Bill Stone. GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK

An occasional note from the Mission and Service Committee The Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland draws various things to our attention. Current activity includes “The Season of Creation” – a call to congregations to reflect on the wonders of creation and our own stewardship of it. More detail of this is also contained in Life and Work (September issue). We are also called to think about the topical issue of food security – a global problem at the moment, but one that is having signifi- cant effects in Scotland also. Finally we are reminded that the Tax Justice Bus Tour reaches Ed- inburgh on the 5th October – views on Tax Justice will vary – but the bus, organised by Christian Aid and Church Action on Pov- erty will be parked at Bristo Square. Youth Programme There’s a lot going on – details of the above and more are at the We’re now a month into the school term and for many the sum- Church and Society page on the Church of Scotland web site. mer holidays seem like a distant memory. But while a return to homework may not be something to celebrate, the return of our youth programmes certainly is! Christian Aid The young people in our S1-3 Springboard class had a fantastic afternoon at Laserquest and are looking forward to their next out- A Highly Entertaining Evening of Music, ing. Hopefully it will be one at which the adults are not so easily Songs and Lyrics by defeated! THE GILBERT & SULLIVAN A youth club for S1-3s has also begun. It’s called 321 and will meet twice a month for an evening of fun and games. At our inaugural SOCIETY meeting we split into teams and made Mario Kart inspired go- karts out of cardboard boxes and various recyclables which we Morningside Parish raced around the church halls. And at our most recent meeting we spent the evening making BAFTA quality music videos. We are Church, Braid Road. always happy to welcome new people, so if you’re in S1-3 and are nd interested, please come along! Friday 2 Nov 2012 For those a bit older, QII has also started back up and we are very at 7.30pm. happy to welcome Toby Tucker and Fizz Wann to our leadership team. Our S4-6 students meet every Sunday evening for a variety (including refreshments) of activities. We’re looking forward to game nights, a safari sup- Tickets-£7.00 from Committee Members, Greenbank Parish per, a weekend away, and discussions about current events and Church Office, pay at the door or from social justice issues. www.brownpapertickets.com. Also on Sunday nights, once a month, we have Worship With Young People (WWYP), where we use music, art and discussion UK registered charity number 1105651. Scottish charity number SC039150. to think about our faith. After worship, we have dinner together, 6 Wright, Sandy Cameron, Sally Stephen Congregational Register 14th John Ritchie, Eric Brown, Stewart Coghill, Ralph Baptism Davidson, Susan Inch, Gill Sweetman, Ian Thomson, David Easton, Susan Jackman August 12th Iona Grace Isabella Hunter, 7 Greenbank 21st John Rutherford, David Allan, Richard Denison, Avenue Kenneth Htet-Khin, Caroline Kehoe, Anne Kinnear, John Mowat, Jean Roynon-Jones, New Members Colin Winchester Admitted by Certificate 28th Donald King, Brian Barron, Walter Crosby, May 29th Mrs Jeannie Drummond, 19 Winton Park, D15 Donald MacLeod, Roderick Morrison, Mairi June 14th Mr Duncan MacCorquodale MacGregor, 56 Stevenson, Jim Young, Kathryn Sangster Morningside Drive, D58 Nov July 6th Mrs Sarah Crawford, 19 Littlejohn Road, D72 4th John George, Kenneth Aitken, Alastair Hunter,

August 23rd Rev John Fraser and Mrs Joan Fraser, Hazel Macaulay, Kathleen Patrick, CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK 66 Camus Avenue, D13 Jill Powlett-Brown, Dorothy Whitehead, Admitted by Resolution Tony Foster August 31st Mr Jonathon Mundy, 134 Greenbank Road, D41B Marriages Coffee Rota May 19th Rev Hugh Drummond and Mrs Jeannie G R Steven October June 16th Mr Douglas Macgregor and Miss Laura Taylor 7th Monday Badminton September 15th Mr Bryan Robertson and Miss Alison Scott 14th The Friendship Club 21st Country Dance Club Deaths 28th Springboard May 26th Mrs Elizabeth Smith, 66 Buckstone Cr, D11 November May 27th Dr David Wilson, Cluny Lodge, formerly 57 4th WAGs Greenbank Rd, D40 May 29th Mrs Joyce Elizabeth Janet Wilson, 47 Braidhills Rd, D21 Creche Rota June 16th Mr Henry Wilson, 25 Foxspring Rise, D7 October June 19th Mrs Susanna Hilton, 11 Midmar Gardens, D31 7th Janet Ferguson July 2nd Dr Mary Torrance, Greenbank Crescent, D34 14th Rosemary McCulloch July 10th Mr James C M Masterton, Davidson House, 21st Eileen McKinnon Colinton Rd, D69A 28th Shona Murray July 22nd Mr William Leckie, Erskine Home July 31st Mrs Aileen Ferguson, 7 Newbattle Terrace, November D61B 4th Lucy Teall August 14th Miss Sheila Logie, Cluny Lodge, D32 Flower Rota Changes of Address provided by delivered by D99 Mrs Dorothy Moore, to Inverurie from D27 October D89 Mrs Marjorie Lefley, to Care Home 7th Ruth Johnston Moira Little from D48 14th Catherine Hardie Rachel Cadell D89 Mrs Christina Vaughan-Griffiths to Cameron Park 21st Janet Ferguson Susan Beaumont Nursing Home from D53 28th Helen Aitken Ishbel Emery D66B Miss Nancy Wilson, to Chamberlain Nursing Home from D57 November D58B Miss Joan Wood to Ashley Court Nursing Home 4th Margo Fraser from D59A

Material for the November leaflet should be delivered to the Church Office or to the Editors’ pigeon-hole in the Main Hall by Welcome Teams Oct Sunday 14th October or sent by e-mail by 9am on Tuesday 16th October to [email protected] 7th Stuart Sanders, Moira Davidson, Stuart Macmillan, John Murison, Rachel Cadell, Jenny 7 AFTERTHOUGHTS

able collections of Jesus’ sayings as well as many of the familiar SOME DIFFICULT SAYINGS OF stories told to tease the mind into active thought.Some of the JESUS: sayings of Jesus are so familiar and so beautiful that we can al- most forget how demanding they are. “You are the salt of the BE PERFECT… earth… the light of the world.” “Consider the lilies of the field.” For the past five years there has been an annual award for “Do not judge.” “Turn the other cheek.” “Give to everyone who the best one-line joke told at a performance during the Ed- begs from you.” “Give more than is required in a lawsuit.” “Go inburgh Festival Fringe. One-liners are a big part of modern the second mile.” “Love your enemies.” And as if all these are not comedy. They have grown more popular in recent years, replac- enough, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” ing the longer, story-based humour of earlier generations. How- Who can be perfect? This saying from Matthew’s Gospel sounds ever, they have been around a long time, some of the more mem- like a commandment which cannot possibly have anything to do

GREENBANK PARISH CHURCH PARISH GREENBANK orable coming from the lips of Oscar Wilde (“I have nothing to with us. None of us would even faintly connect ourselves with declare but my genius”), Groucho Marx (“I refuse to join any perfection. And so we try to explain away what Jesus said by club that would have me as a member”) and, more recently, Billy claiming that this instruction was directed at a spiritual elite, that Connolly (“I’ve always wanted to go to Switzerland to see what it was for the chosen few, and that it does not apply to the rest of the army does with those wee red knives.”) One-liners are in- us. Or we limit its relevance by saying that Jesus was speaking to tended to provoke laughter, but at the same time they may make people who knew nothing of the complex world we now live in. an audience think again and begin to see people and things and Or we regard this command as aspirational: what Jesus required the world in a different way. of his followers was, and is, and will be impossible, but that may Jesus frequently used one-liners, some of them humorous, in be the point. By striving towards his ideals, we live better lives his teaching. Jesus was recognised by his contemporaries as a than we would otherwise. Ingenious and appealing as these ways teacher. He was not simply a teacher of information (what to be- of treating the teaching of Jesus may be, they all fail to take seri- lieve) or of morals (how to behave) but a teacher of wisdom (how ously what Jesus said. And Matthew’s Jesus means what he says. to live). The most striking feature of Jesus’ teaching was his use Why would Jesus demand such a thing as perfection if it were of memorable stories and great one-liners. Very often through impossible? The teaching of Jesus must never be seen as ad- his stories and sayings Jesus would invite his hearers to see what vice doomed to failure. If taken as a series of requirements to be they might not otherwise have seen. A new way of seeing God achieved by our own unassisted efforts, then perfection is im- and the world and people could lead to a new way of living. possible. But what if perfection does not mean behaving impec- Many of the one-liners of Jesus have come down to us in the cably all the time? What if perfection is less about getting things Gospels of the New Testament. They are presented to us as ex- right and more about loving as God loves? Being perfect does tended blocks of teaching, most notably in Matthew’s Sermon not mean acquiring all the attributes of God, becoming infinite, on the Mount and Luke’s Sermon on the Plain. However, we have eternal, and unchangeable, in our being, wisdom, power, holi- to remember that these concise sayings were probably uttered ness, justice, goodness and truth (as the Shorter Catechism de- singly, one at a time. For a wise teacher to string together too scribes God). It means loving as God loves, with every breath many pithy sayings all at once would be counter-productive. God gives. “Be perfect” becomes a promise that carries the pos- These provocative sayings intended to lead the hearers to new sibility that we may love the world as God has loved us — fully, ways of seeing required time for digestion. And they would richly, abundantly and completely. probably have been said many times to different audiences. Luke’s version of this saying encourages us to understand These surprising, arresting and sometimes humorous sayings Matthew in this way. Luke’s Jesus says: “Be merciful, just as your can also be enigmatic. They can be hard to understand. Some Father is merciful.” The whole purpose of Jesus’ teaching is that are seemingly inexplicable. They were first spoken nearly two his hearers should become “children of their Father in heav- thousand years ago in a culture very different from ours in a lan- en”. Again and again we are given glimpses into the very heart guage that was translated into another language before that was of God, the One who loves the unlovable, comes among us in turned into the English version with which we are familiar. Of Christ, suffers our worst and rises to forgive us. Turn the cheek, course, some of the sayings of Jesus are hard because they are all give the cloak, go another mile, lend, love the enemy, be merci- too easy to understand and we do not like what we hear. When ful, be compassionate — because that is how God loves. The one Mark Twain was asked what he thought of certain obscure pas- thing which makes us like God is the love which never ceases to sages from the Bible, he said, “It’s not the parts of the Bible I don’t care for others, no matter what others may do to it. We realise understand that bother me. It’s the parts I do understand.” The our true humanity, we grow into Christian maturity, we become more we understand the sayings of Jesus, the harder they are to perfect, when we forgive as God forgives and love as God loves. take. Any explanation of the difficult sayings of Jesus which sof- If we want to follow this God, fleshed in Jesus, we will be adopted tens their impact, reduces their challenge and denies their radi- into a life in which we will find ourselves loving this way before cal demands, is probably mistaken. we know what we are doing. Jesus seeks neither to set impossible Over the coming months this page will focus on some of these goals nor to shame people who cannot achieve perfection. In- difficult sayings of Jesus. All of them will be taken from the stead, he sets forth God’s vision of the world as God would have Gospels of Matthew and Luke, both of which include consider- it, where love, genuine and unconditional, reigns. 8