Minister's Letter

No 443 December 2015 Minister: Rev John Urquhart

News & views from Craigmillar Park Church, Edinburgh A worshipping and caring community, following Jesus Christ

www.craigmillarpark.org

Minister’s Letter

Dear friends printed calendars, it is to be found Since the early 19th century, people online at churchofscotland.advent- have been using Advent calendars calendar.net and via a link on our to count off the days till Christmas, own website. The first window has possibly to answer the children’s opened to reveal a special, 60- perennial question: Are we there second, video message from the yet? It started with Lutherans in Moderator of the General Assembly, Germany making a chalk tally of the the Right Rev Dr Angus Morrison. He days and developed in various takes his inspiration from Isaiah handcrafted forms throughout the 60:1: ‘Arise, shine, your light has 19th century. It only started to come.’ (You can also get each day’s make an impact throughout reflection straight to your email Christendom with the first inbox if you sign up.) commercially printed calendar in the For those of you left behind by the 1900s. In early days, the windows digital revolution, either advisedly or or doors might reveal biblical texts, inadvertently, let me suggest a but nowadays chocolate Christmas book. Walking Backwards to shapes seem to be the preferred Christmas (SPCK, 2014) is by surprises in what has become an Stephen Cottrell, the Anglican increasingly secular custom. And, Bishop of Chelmsford. It consists of again, as the primary consumers eleven imaginative, dramatic (literally) are children it’s not hard to monologues by ten characters from see the appeal. the biblical story and one traditional The Church of Scotland this year character from nativity plays. Each has produced its own Advent imaginative reflection begins with a calendar, with a more adult scripture reading. First, we see audience in mind. A century on from through the eyes of Anna, the

prophetess; then Rachel, who weeps in 1988 by the members of Churches for her children; King Herod; Together in Britain and Ireland to Casper, one of the magi; David, a serve all the churches and some shepherd; Martha, the (fictional) Christian organisations. The site also innkeeper’s wife; Joseph; Elizabeth; links to trypraying.org and Mary; Isaiah and, finally, Moses. findachurch.co.uk. Do take a chance (This is why it is ‘walking to explore the website, if you can. backwards’.) It will help you come Reflect on these things. You can’t with fresh eyes to our nativity talk convincingly about the exhibition (on 19 and 20 Dec) and to Christmas story to others unless you take space to think about these re-read and experience it things more imaginatively for yourself. You can’t deeply. re-echo the song of Mary or the Christmas song of the angels without knowing starts with something of the joy of God's Christ is salvation. Pray that God will shed his written in light on your thoughts. You may ‘large, friendly letters’ on the front of think I am adding a chore to an our parish Christmas card this year. already lengthy Christmas to-do list; It promotes christmasstarts.com: a but these things are core parts of website, with a Christmas-themed the celebration of Christmas, and if video, which links in turn to the site you miss them, you miss the heart of the Christian Enquiry Agency: of the season. christianity.org.uk. This site is dedicated to answering questions May you be blessed this Christmas. that people might have about Christian faith. The CEA was started John

Life and Work Life and Work is the Church of Scotland’s editorially independent magazine. A subscription for 2016 is just £21.36. Speak to Christopher McLeod for information. Articles in the January issue include: Scots Kirk ‘Stunned’ by Paris Atrocities How the Church of Scotland in Paris & Edinburgh reacted to the terror attacks. Fifty Years of Women Elders The Very Rev Dr Finlay Macdonald looks back on the lengthy debate that eventually led, fifty years ago, to the decision to ordain women as Elders. Without a Script The Rev Ewen Gilchrist describes how a chaplaincy team responded to a tragedy in an Aberdeen school.

Correction

An article in the September edition of Prism, entitled “85th Braid Scout Group,” stated that “Scouting will be returning to Craigmillar Park Church”. We have been asked to point out that the congregation has had a long association of 94 years with another Scout group, the 75th Braid Scout Group. Editor

Lunch Club

The Lunch Club numbers are picking up again which is most encouraging. We are pleased to have Grace back again and also her sister Gwen. The Christmas Lunch with the Guild is on Tuesday 15 December at 12.30. All will be most welcome. Flora Paton

Fresh Start Coffee Morning

The coffee generously. £275 morning was was raised. enjoyed by all. A A big thank you to great many very Dr Smith for her useful household items were most interesting quiz. This was won donated. The Fresh Start organisers by Mrs Anne Stewart (answers asked to pass on their sincere below). thanks to all who gave so Flora Paton

Answers to Quiz: 1. Cup 2. Red duster 3. Spade 4. Grater 5. Trowel 6. Spoon 7. Bole 8. Brush 9. Beetle 10. Paint 11. Chair 12. Pan 13. Bouquet 14. Table 15. Kettle 16. Fork 17. Scissors 18. Hoover 19. Shovel 20. Dresser 21. Hob 22. Trait Tray 23. Bedding 24. Hammer 25. Wooden spoon

Mary’s Meals - Knitting Blankets

Most of us are familiar with the great charity Mary’s Meals which raises funds to ensure that children in the poorer areas of Africa are given a meal at school each day. This improves their ability to concentrate, as well as their general health, and increases the numbers attending school. It was only recently that I learnt that they also provide blankets in these countries. Morag Insley has been organising the knitting and sewing together of squares for these blankets in the retirement complex where she lives. Since it is proving difficult for this group to continue with this, a few of us in Craigmillar Park Church are now taking it on, either in our own time, or at the craft group on Monday afternoons. We are collecting squares in the cupboard in the session room, which also contains a lot of wool & needles that can be used. So far Renate has beautifully crocheted together 60 squares to make our first blanket. So, if you would like to do a bit of knitting to contribute to this, at any time (the Mary’s Meals rep will collect the blankets periodically), please do! The pattern is straightforward, so if you have never knitted before, it is a good first project, and for others, a square can easily be produced during a couple of favourite TV programmes. Make 1, 2, 100 squares...however many you like.

Here is the pattern: (INC1 means knit into front and back of same stitch: DEC1 means knit 2 together.) Cast on 1 stitch. Row 1: INC1 Row 2: K1, INC1 Row 3: K1, INC1; K to end of row Continue thus until you have 40 stitches Next row: K1, DEC1, K to end of row Continue until you have 1 stitch. Fasten off.

Materials to use: Needles: 4mm (or size 8 pre-decimalisation) Wool: we are knitting 2 types of blankets  a thinner blanket using double knitting wool only  a thicker blanket using 1 strand of double knitting and 1 strand of 4-ply. This makes something a bit more like a mat that is apparently useful for sleeping on. So please make either type. Any colour, stripes that you like! Ann Thanisch

The lunch in aid of Guild Projects after church on Sunday 22 November raised £279.70. It was a delicious meal— thanks to all who prepared the food and attended.

Nativity Exhibition

As has become customary, a large collection of nativity sets will be on display in the Church over the Christmas period. They are likely to be in place in mid-December but the exhibition will be open to the public on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December, from 2-4pm each day. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served and everyone will be made most welcome. There will be an activities table for children. The accounts of Christ’s birth in Luke and Matthew are familiar to all of us, and they provide the basic iconography. Even youngsters who Nativity set from Peru do not go to church or Sunday school would be able to tell you what in heaven and the angels hovering needs to be a in nativity scene – over the Child are a constant Mary and Joseph (Mary in a blue reminder that the world is one with robe, of course), the baby, a stable, God, and the Child himself one of a manger, animals, shepherds, the Trinity. angels and kings or wise men with Nativity scenes were probably first gifts. Of course, all of these used to tell the story of Christ’s birth elements mean more to Christians to an uneducated audience, unable than they may to others. Christ is to read the Bible story for central, of course, themselves. I’m not but in his company sure whether nativity there is the whole scenes came before world: his mother nativity plays but and first disciple, certainly there have Mary, the faithful been plays, usually but sometimes within Christian struggling Joseph, worship, since the ox and ass as medieval mystery representatives of plays such as those the animal kingdom, from York. and the shepherds Nativity scenes were and magi, meaning probably first the rich and poor of paintings rather than this world. The star Nativity Set from Vietnam models. Once people

did move on to creating models, the scenes tended to be large-scale, very ornate and often extremely valuable, particularly those originating in the Byzantine Empire. They would typically be shown in a cathedral setting. It was much later that a tradition arose of creating miniature nativity scenes that could be displayed in a small church or even at home. Of course, Scotland didn’t really celebrate Christmas much at all, certainly in the Presbyterian churches, and this collection would probably have been viewed with deep suspicion in the average 19th century Kirk Session. Nativity from Kenya Nativity scenes were and are more common in other countries, particularly so in Roman Catholic attendant animals including a bear areas of Europe – Austria, Southern and a wolf. Check out the Greek Germany, Italy. Some of the Orthodox ones where Mary is shown museums in these areas have lying down (as she probably would interesting collections of early have been, of course!). There’s a scenes and are worth checking out if Vietnamese one made of recycled you are there on holiday. magazine pages, a tiny one carved in a walnut shell, a selection of This collection, built up over the last German wood carvings and a dainty 20 years, is of small nativities and French porcelain miniature set none is particularly expensive. They traditionally baked into a Twelfth are made from paper, wood, metal, Night cake - compare our tradition of plastic, glass, clay, fabric and wool. including a silver coin in a Christmas Some are intricate, some are simple. pudding. Elegant Norwegian crystal, Some are made by artists, some are intricately carved olive wood, homemade. If you visit the lovingly knitted wonky camels – exhibition, think about the there is bound to be something that similarities and the differences and catches your attention and makes consider the universality of the you think. Come along. We’d love message, whatever the medium. to see you. Spot the Ugandan scene made of banana fibre, with the three kings I’m also looking for people to help carrying bedrolls instead of gold, with the stewarding. If you can frankincense and myrrh. Or the help, I’d love to hear from you. Native American one with the stable transformed into a tepee and the Pauline Weibye

Beyond Santa Claus

What is your image of In England, Santa Claus was Father Christmas? Is it, like given a green coat, in mine, a mixture of Victorian keeping with the traditional Christmas card paintings mid-winter festivals of and American salesmanship? Medieval times. But in the Or is it the austere picture 20th century, the Americans of the “real” Saint Nicholas? began dressing him in a red St Nicholas was a 4th coat, in keeping with the century bishop working in Coca Cola livery. And so we Myra, in present day Turkey, have the Father Christmas who had a reputation as a of today. kindly gentleman, giving It’s easy to mock this gifts to the poor. In 1087 some manufactured brand but it’s also enterprising Italians dug up his easy to see what lies beyond it. Yes, supposed bones and brought them it’s a commercial icon but it to Bari in southern Italy to help celebrates something very deep in attract pilgrims to their new basilica, the human spirit…the ideas of where the bones remain to this day. kindness, generosity, cheeriness in Some centuries the gloom of winter and later, the people of togetherness. northern Europe I often think we Christians don’t look began adapting enough beyond our icons. The their pagan Yule- pictures we paint of Jesus and God tide customs to the are too often cardboard figures cut new Christianity. from the Bible instead of three- This involved the dimensional representations of all use of double Dutch that is good in the world. and they began Jesus was a good person, but he speaking of also represents all good men and “Sinterklass” or St women and the acts of kindness that Nicholas and using his saint’s day, 4 we do for each other every day. God December, as a day for sharing is more than the painting of an presents with the family and perhaps elderly man in a beard dispensing the poor. A certain Mr Martin Luther justice from a throne, he is a life made sure, however, that this was force which created this wonderful to be no popish idolatry and he world and which still animates it moved the date of Santa Claus’s today. visits to Christmas Eve. John Knox

Sick, we truly stand in need of the Saviour; having wandered, of one to guide us; blind, of one to lead us to the light; thirsty, “of the fountain of life, of which whosoever partakes, shall no longer thirst;” dead, we need life; sheep, we need a shepherd; we who are children need a tutor, while universal humanity stands in need of Jesus; so that we may not continue intractable and sinners to the end, and thus fall into condemnation, but may be separated from the chaff, and stored up in the paternal garner. Clement of Alexandria 8

Crossword

with a Scottish flavour

by Roger Paton

Answers on page 16

Across Down 7 Moray town inclusive for 1 Coe mri scan in lochside town (6) residents? (6) 2 Strong part of church on Royal 8 Buy ale around this town (6) Mile (4) 9 Crane out east for size of 3 Church fire remains in borders herrings (4) village (7) 10 A dry knot untied in area near 4 Monks' head! (5) Skye (8) 5 You'll end up high and dry on this 11 Ron wept for this Tayside west coast town! (8) town (7) 6 Clock found in Princes Street 13 Gales blow around these Scottish gardens? (6) celts (5) 12 Tourist village on Loch Carron 15 Reputedly, Jenny Geddes threw with views of Torridon (8) this in the kirk! (5) 14 Duck, it's the fastest steam 17 One of Scotland's tourism selling train! (7) points (7) 16 Not a soft head but a soft hat (6) 20 Support for church on 18 No harm done to this borders Orkney? (8) castle (6) 21 See 22 19 Low-lying fertile area (5) 22/21 Sir Walter's home (10) 21 E.g. pastry or sponge cake (4) 23 As a ray over a western isle (6)

Three men and a dug...

When a previous no wonder that those Moderator, the Very Rev seeing us for the first time Lorna Hood, came to the are amazed. The final sorting centre in 2013 she total was 7,100 shoeboxes said that she had seen sorted (only 6 more than shoeboxes being sorted in last year!) and the her own parish in donations received will Renfrewshire but she was again be more than quite unprepared for what £13,000, all of it counted she saw at Craigmillar by Sheena Stenhouse. Park. Perhaps the next best thing to This year Molly Longmuir's support a Moderator is an ex-Moderator: was sorely missed and I realised, fortunately, we have one to hand; the hard way, just how much she but it was in his role as Locum used to do. My thanks go to Minister that the Very Rev David everyone who helped, whether Arnott visited our sorting centre for sorting, packing or making the tea. the Blythswood Care Shoebox Once again Mark Wong spent every Appeal this year. He, also, had no day of the appeal handling the idea of just what it is that we do; in heavy cartons in the packing area, his own words he was expecting often with his younger son Jason “...three men and a dug!” who regularly “volunteered”; the They both reflect the reality that, Craft Group and the Guild both until you see it in operation, until donated their meetings to sorting; you experience the buzz of and our new Scout troop, 85th concentrated action, you will have no idea of what is being achieved by a small congregation working together. Others certainly help, from local churches and from organisations, but the anchor on which it all depends is the dedication of our own members. From seven years old (Zara) to 90+ (Joan Griffiths) our people turn out in all weathers to put in an hour or a day or the whole week so that our contribution is a success. Braid, spent what was only their And what a success: for the third second week in our hall working like year in a row we have maintained an young heroes. Others among the average throughput of over 1,000 regular volunteers included Kathleen shoeboxes sorted each day, so it is Cockerell, Susan (Pennie), Susan

(Wong), both Patons, Katy Ruggeri Lorne McDougall, Ian Breadon and (on her days off) and Zara (after John Knox were the three men, and school), Isobel Smith (& Julia Yarker provided the dug! Soroptimists) and both Thanischs. Finally, to fulfil David's expectations, Norman Weibye

Presbytery Review

As Prism readers may well recall, the congregations) but Presbytery has congregation of Craigmillar Park is indicated that it may seek to amend on ‘reviewable tenure’: that is, we the Plan in the light of the findings had permission to have a minister of the review. Session has for five years. The future shape of discussed the matter briefly and has the Church of Scotland in the area agreed that we wish to engage covered by the parishes of positively with the review team. I Craigmillar Park, Reid Memorial and know that the Kirk Sessions of Reid Priestfield was to be reviewed at the Memorial and Priestfield feel end of that five-year period, in similarly. It is an unsettling time for August 2015. The start of the all of us but we have to trust that review was delayed because of God has a plan for his church in this John’s absence from work but now area and that we can work together that John is back, Presbytery has with our friends in neighbouring confirmed that it has set up a sub- congregations to identify that plan group of its Deployment of and work to fulfil it. Resources Committee to take the The next few weeks and months review forward. That group will be may be particularly worrying for led by Anne Mulligan; the other both John and Jared Hay, the members are the Rev Bill Brown, minister at Priestfield, and I know Gavin Brydone and Rev Alex they would appreciate being held in Stewart. The group has asked for your prayers. The congregation at initial meetings with the Kirk Reid Memorial are currently without Sessions of the three congregations a minister and they too may have and ours will be on 8 December. It their worries and concerns about this is unlikely though that there will be process. Our thoughts and prayers any significant progress until after are with them too. Christmas. The Session will keep the The current Presbytery Plan for this congregation informed of progress area shows us having three on this review. ‘ministries’ (note that this does not necessarily mean three ministers of Pauline Weibye Word and Sacrament nor three Session Clerk

James Laidlaw Huggan 1889-1914

James Huggan was a member of this (Mayfield) congregation and is commemorated on the brass plaque within the sanctuary.

James was in 1914 when war broke out, he educated entered the war in France on 13 at George August 1914 as the Regimental Watson’s Medical Officer of the 3rd Bn. College, Coldstream Guards. At Landrecies, Edinburgh, at Villers-Cotterets, and on many entering in occasions, James was highly praised 1896 he by the Commanding Officer for his left at the devotion to duty and disregard of age of danger. On 16 September, during about 12 the retreat on the Aisne, the Guards when he Brigade were ordered to retire from went to their position at Soupir Farm, Darlington temporarily leaving behind - Grammar School. After leaving between our lines and the German - Darlington in 1905, he entered the a barn which had been used as a University of Edinburgh, where he hospital and which was occupied by graduated M.B., Ch.B. in 1911. about sixty (some references quote During his education James became fifty) wounded German prisoners. a Rugby International. He played In spite of this the Germans shelled for the Jedburgh Forest teams in his it and set it on fire. early days, then became captain of In his book ‘The First Seven the Edinburgh University team, and Divisions’, Lord Ernest Hamilton later played for Scotland against states that a case for very prompt England. He also played for the and very risky action occurred and Army in the match of 1913 against there was no hesitation from James, the Navy. After qualifying, James and in spite of shot and shell raining became house-surgeon to Mr Alex about him, he called for volunteers Miles, Surgeon to the Edinburgh to help him save these wounded Royal Infirmary. He also entered men from the burning flames. the Officer Training Corps (Medical) Among those who went forward with from March 1911-July 1912. He him to the barn was Lieutenant H J passed high in the examination for Shields (later killed in action on 26 entry to the R.A.M.C. - becoming a October) and because of this act of Lieutenant on 26 July 1912. bravery all the lives were saved. James was about to leave for India James then moved many of the

wounded men to an old quarry in It is also recorded that James lies at the rear. Two days later, having rest in the garden of Le Cour Soupir moved one of his patients, a farm - “Somewhere in France”. He Prussian officer, to the entrance of a was the younger son of the late cave so as to get better light to deal Robert Huggan, an engineer of with severe haemorrhage, a shell Jedburgh. landed which killed him and his patient, two other officers and a number of men. Lt Col F S Article and picture: ©2007-2015 Brereton, R.A.M.C. states that they RAMC: Royal Army Medical Corps lie side by side so far from Soupir. WW1

House Discussion Groups

One of the Initially if anyone is interested in ideas in the this we could meet together, church perhaps after church one Sunday, to Action Plan look at ideas of what we might do, is the along with practical arrangements formation of on when, where etc, with a view to house starting a group after Christmas. groups to If you would like to take part could meet on a you mention it to me, call me on regular 0131 477 2430, or email basis for [email protected]? discussion. The exact format and content would be decided by the Many thanks, potential members of the group. Ann Thanisch

Prism

As well as being available as a paper copy you will also find Prism on the church website at www.craigmillarparkchurch.org

If you would like to receive Prism direct to your email inbox please speak to Ruth or drop her an email to [email protected]

Dates For Your Diary

December Sun 6 Dec, 10.30am – Holy Communion Second Sunday in Advent Sun 6 Dec, 3.15pm – Holy Communion for Advent St Margaret’s Home Tue 8 Dec, 7pm – The Kirk Session meets in the chapel Sun 13 Dec, 10.30am – Morning Worship Third Sunday in Advent Sat 19 Dec, 2-4pm – Nativity Scenes Exhibition Over 200 nativities from around the world on display in the church, with mulled wine and mince pies. All are welcome, including children (activities available). Sun 20 Dec, 10.30am – Lessons and Carols with St Margaret's Singers Fourth Sunday in Advent; Preacher: The Very Rev David Arnott Sun 20 Dec, 2-4pm – Nativity Scenes Exhibition Thu 24 Dec, 11.30pm – Watchnight Service in Candlelight Join in with community carols from 11.15pm. Fri 25 Dec, 10.30am – Christmas Morning Service Sun 27 Dec, 10.30am – Morning Worship with the Rev Bill Brown

January Sun 3 Jan, 10.30am – Morning Worship with Mrs Fiona Devoy, Reader Sun 3 Jan, 7pm - Light in the darkness The Hub, Ravenscroft St; Speaker: The Rev Mike Taylor (Liberton Northfield)and other Big Idea churches Sun 10 Jan, 10.30am – Morning Worship Thu 14 Jan, 7.30pm – The Kirk Session meets in the Session Room Sun 17 Jan, 10.30am – Morning Worship Sun 24 Jan, 10.30am – Morning Worship Sun 31 Jan, 10.30am – Morning Worship

Coming up at Stewart House Men’s Club… December 4th—Edinburgh Crystal, Danny Fair 11th—A Vet’s Life in Kenya, Geoff Smith 18th—Christmas Party—Buffet & Music

January 8th—Quiz Day, David Small 15th—James Braidwood—A Local Hero, Colin Foster 22nd—Karelia and Kamcharka—Northern Russia, Duncan Currie 29th—Perspectives of Romania, John Doohan Fridays at 10.15am in the Church Hall unless otherwise stated. Coffee £1.50. Visitors welcome.

Duties

6 December is Communion 13 & 20 December – Convener: Christopher McLeod (667 1475) Ann Thanisch, Peter Thanisch, Christine Thomson, Miriam Weibye, Norman Weibye, Pauline Weibye 27 December & 3 January – Convener: Jim McNab (667 3408) Seonaid Wilson, Julia Yarker, Colin Aitken, Ian Breadon, Renate Breadon, David Cargill 10 & 17 January – Convener: Roger Paton (664 2877) Kathleen Cockerell, John Kelly, John Knox, Betty Laing, Harry Laing, Flora Paton 24 & 31 January – Convener: Isobel Smith (667 6336) Sandra Lamb, Julie Read, Katy Ruggeri, Ann Thanisch, Peter Thanisch, Christine Thomson 7 & 14 February – Convener: Sheena Stenhouse (667 4520) Miriam Weibye, Norman Weibye, Pauline Weibye, Seonaid Wilson, Julia Yarker, Colin Aitken

Reader Sound Church Officer Dec 2015 6th Roger Paton Christopher McLeod Norman Weibye 13th Colin Aitken John Kelly Ian Breadon 20th Julie Read David Topping Julia Yarker 27th John Humphrey Danny McQueen Roger Paton Jan 2016 3rd Elizabeth McLeod Norman Weibye Norman Weibye 10th David Cargill Christopher McLeod Julia Yarker 17th Miriam Weibye John Kelly Roger Paton 24th Christopher McLeod David Topping Ian Breadon 31st John Kelly Peter Thanisch Norman Weibye Feb 2016 7th Pauline Weibye Norman Weibye Roger Paton 14th Astrid Gracie Christopher McLeod Norman Weibye

The deadline for items for the February edition of Prism is Sunday 24 January. Please send items to Ruth by email— [email protected] or speak to her on 07754 952 297

Who’s Who at Craigmillar Park Church

14 Hallhead Road, 0131 667 1623 Minister Rev John Urquhart [email protected] 0131 668 3545 Session Clerk Pauline Weibye [email protected] Treasurer & Depute 0131 667 1475 Christopher McLeod Session Clerk [email protected] 0131 664 2877 Roll Keeper Roger Paton [email protected] Chairman 0131 663 2428 John Kelly Congregational Board [email protected]

Organist Edward Cuthbert [email protected]

07754 952 297 Prism Editor Ruth Longmuir [email protected] 0131 668 3545 Hall Letting Norman Weibye [email protected]

Church Website www.craigmillarpark.org [email protected]

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

Clues Across: [7] Forres, [8] Beauly, [9] Cran, [10] Knoydart, [11] Newport, [13] Gaels, [15] Walking, [20] Kirkwall, [21] See 22, [22]/[21] Abbotsford, [23] Raasay Clues Down: [1] Comrie, [2] Tron, [3] Ashkirk, [4] Abbot, [5] Sandbank, [6] Floral, [12] Plockton, [14] Mallard, [16] Trilby, [18] Norham, [19] Carse, [21] Flan